Win a Jord wooden watch worth $120!

Inspired by a desire for a timepiece that mirrored modern lifestyles Jord watches offers a range of simple timepieces that embrace natural elements. The range of mens and womens wooden watches use a variety of woods that makes each piece as distinctive as its owner.

Every watch series is planned with real craftsmanship and expertise. I've collaborated with Jord watches to give you all the chance to win a Fieldcrest Maple wooden watch. The piece which retails for $120 has a classic wood face and design with a intricate wood grain. The watch has a number of features including:

• Deployment buckle with push button
• Scratch resistant mineral
• Citizen Miyota Quartz movement

To win all you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions!

The competition will run from 1st February 2015 to 1st March 2015. Good luck everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Eye Palette in Pink Opal Review

The Hype
It's time to embrace your inner girl with Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick eye palette in Pink Opal. The palette has ten gorgeous cool and warm shimmery shades that leave a subtle pearlescent colour on the lids.

The Lowdown
The palette has a lot of pastel pink, soft purples, blue and green shades that appear quite similar. There are a few neutral and silver shades to balance the palette out and give it a bit more versatility.

I was enticed by the obvious pigmentation of this palette and how shimmery the shades appeared.

When swatched I found the shades were a lot lighter then they appear to be in the palette. They are still very pigmented but I feel the colour is a lot more bright and intense then expected. Some of the shades also apply differently to their actual colour and appear Chameleon in nature for example the third shade appears to be lilac but is actually more of a gold.

With ten shades available the palette is good value for money and great for creating a variety of looks.

Get yours for £21.39 at Amazon 

I give it 3/5

Advantages

• Ten fantastic shades in one palette
• Comes with a handy mirror
• Shades are highly pigmented
• Small and compact so it's easily stored away

Disadvantages

• The colours often apply differently to how they look and may not be what you expected. 

LiLash the revolutionary eyelash serum that encourages your lashes to grow

The Hype
LiLash aims to give you the lashes you have always desired without the need for layers and layers of mascara. Marketed as the iconic eyelash serum that started the beauty industry's obsession with long natural lashes, LiLash claims to be the number one natural lash increasing product.

The physician formulated serum conditions and fortifies your lash follicles to help create long natural eyelashes that make your eyes sparkle.

The Lowdown
When I was giving the opportunity to review LiLash I was of course very keen. My lashes are naturally quite straight and average and I'd love to have a bit of extra growth.

The product retails at £93.43 for 5.91ml (original) and £53.39 for 2.95ml (demi). Whilst it does appear to be quite expensive it has a 90 day money back guarantee which gives you the chance to try it out and get your money back if you're not satisfied.

Each original tube of LiLash is designed to last for a full cycle of three months and one six month maintenance cycle. The smaller Demi size is perfect for one three month cycle so you can see if the product is right for you before committing.

I have tried other lash serums in the past but I've found they haven't really encouraged much lash growth which was quite disappointing. There are before and after photos on the site which are actually rather impressive and I have high hopes for LiLash!

I'll be testing the product over the next 3 months and will let you know the results at the end of the project.

Keep tuning in for the results!

Declutter your makeup bag for 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

With 2015 now in full swing and 2014 but a distant memory I felt it was the perfect time to declutter and refresh my beauty routine. #Collectivebias were keen to lend a hand and gave me the opportunity to share with you all the importance of decluttering your makeup bag on a regular basis.

Old makeup often harbours a lot of germs naked to the human eye. These nasties increase the chance of upsetting your natural skin makeup causing spots or skin irritation.It's important to only keep products for the specified shelf life on the product which can vary from 3 months for mascara up to 2 years for powder products.

When SoFab gave me the chance to refresh my makeup bag and routine I jumped at the chance. It's easy to get stuck in a rut with the same old routine, but with a brand new year in action it's a fantastic opportunity to try something new. To embrace the new season Boots had many new products on offer and I was keen to pick up something new and exciting. Whilst I wanted to pick up some new items to refresh my makeup bag I wanted to remain true to my personality and create a style that was eye catching but still quite natural.

Hot for Spring/Summer 2015 is the classic red nails and red lipstick look. To get this chic and simple look I teamed up a matte red lipstick with a red nail varnish that is virtually identical in shade. The L'Oreal counter had a great range that were perfect to create this look. I used a red lip liner to get a perfect line around the lips that will help keep the lipstick in place and stop any bleeding.

The nails and lips are very bright and certainly the main focus of this iconic look. Whilst the designers on the catwalk kept everything very simple I was keen to add my own touch with long luscious lashes and a subtle gold eyeshadow. The brand new Maybelline Sensational lashes mascara was perfect for creating lash length and definition and the Revlon gold eyeshadow added a subtle glow. I used Maybelline BB cream as a base and layered Lancome Touche Miracle on top for a dewy finish. Once the foundation had set I used a rosy pink powder blusher to get a just flushed look.

By focusing on two features I managed to create a stunning new look that is eye-catching yet so simple and easy to recreate. Perfect for a date night or wearing to work, the look can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion.

I hope you all enjoyed the post and have fun creating your new look!

How to get blemish free skin

Switch it up
If you use a product that scratches your skin you could be unknowingly spreading bacteria. Try to buy a scrub that is gentle on your skin with fruit acids and enzymes. A deep cleansing mask will also help to draw out impurities. For problem skin it's important to incorporate products that contain pore cleaning salicylic acid, tea tree oil or witch hazel.
Products to put on your must have list:

Think facial
IF you have severe acne it's best to go for a medical facial that will help skin that is extremely inflamed. When your skin is very inflamed your skin is best treated with a cleanse that can open pores and extract spots.SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Skin Therapy runs a clinic with Dr Nigma Talib from £175.00 (020 7792 8073). If you would prefer a non-medical facial make sure that it keeps skin hydrated as a facial that is drying can cause the skin to overcompensate causing more spots.
Murad blemish control facial from £55.00 (0844 472 7050)

Change is good
Changing your routine can be difficult but in the long term it's very rewarding and can help to reduce problem skin.

• If you layer on a lot of foundation you are creating a build up of oil which encourages spots. Heavy cream blushers can block your pores with a heavy red dye which stops your skin being able to breathe and clear itself. Mineral makeup is completely natural and doesn't contact any nasty chemicals that can affect your skin. By switching to mineral makeup you're giving your skin time to recover and will soon find your skin is not irritated in the same way as traditional cosmetics.
• Taking extra vitamins and minerals helps to maintain your zinc levels which is vital in combating acne.
• Keep your diet colourful with lots of fruit and vegetables. The healthier the diet, the better your skin will behave!

How to make your makeup last all day in three easy steps

If you're anything like me you'll agree there's nothing more frustrating then spending the morning perfecting your makeup only to find by the evening you look like you didn't put any on. Your foundation has faded or dried out, you've got mascara spots under your eyes and your eyeshadow has creased or disappeared.

It's a nightmare, but there are three methods you can follow to help minimise the fall out.

Prepping your face 

Get Washing
Whilst it may seem obvious, washing your face in the morning can actually have a deterimental impact on how long your makeup lasts. Applying makeup on a dirty face increases your chances of it slipping or flaking away. Cleansing in the morning washes away dirt, sebum and old makeup leaving a blank canvas for you to start from scratch.

Don't forget to exfoliate!
Whilst it may not be obvious to you dead skin tends to accumulate on your face, and it's important to exfoliate a few times a week to remove that unwanted skin. Putting makeup on over untreated skin means the surface is not as smooth and the makeup is more likely to flake off.

Moisturise
Using a good moisturiser helps keep your skin nourished and fresh. Moisturising also helps to prevent any dry patches which may result in your makeup looking cakey or plastered on. If you have oily skin, use a oil free or gel moisturiser and use something more nourishing if your skin is drier. It's important to use a moisturiser with SPF in as UVA rays are harmful even during winter.
Don't Forget! Whilst moisturisers are vital try not to go too greasy or your makeup will just slide off.

Prime it baby
If you haven't been living under a rock for the last 5 years you're probably aware of how important primers can be in your makeup routine. Using a good primer, whether it's eye primer or face primer has a lot of influence on how long your makeup lasts. Primers give your skin a gorgeous silky base so that your foundation simply glides on top.

Choose the right makeup

Go for the invisible look
It's important to remember when buying foundation that it should look like you're not wearing any makeup. Foundation is used by millions to hide the imperfections we don't want to show the world so that last thing you want is a foundation that illuminates those. If you remember anything, remember that your foundation should sink into your skin.

Try before you buy
Whilst we don't have the liberty of trying everything before we buy it, we do have the option to try out makeup. It's vital to make sure you get colour matched or else you could buy a shade that's not suitable and you've just wasted £20 on something you can't use. Many department stores like Debenhams, house of Fraser and John Lewis are more then happy to assist you with a free makeover.

What's the right formula?
Everyone's different so not everyone is going to be wearing the same type of foundation. When choosing a product you should buy something that relates to your skin type, whether it's oily, dry mature, normal or sensitive skin. Bear in mind that your skin may change from one season to the next, for example in Winter your skin may be dry but in Summer it's more oily.

What type of coverage do you need?
Depending on how much coverage you want you can opt for a light, medium or heavy foundation. Whilst you may want to conceal more in the winter and use a heavier foundation, the warm weather and brightening effect of the sun in summer may result in you using a lighter foundation. Generally if your skins good you will only need a light coverage to even out any minor blemishes, if you are more worried about your skin you can use a medium or heavy coverage. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Choose longwear lip colour
We've all been that girl who applied her gorgeous new lipstick in the morning only to find it had disappeared after half a hour, unable to resist the clutches of the morning cup of tea. By choosing a lip colour that is water/food resistant you'll ensure you'll still be seeing it later that day no matter what you eat or drink.
Don't forget! You can use a lip liner around your lip colour to keep it looking great all day long.

Use powder eyeshadow
Cream eye shadows have the unique ability to crease in a short space of time, leaving a horrible cakey effect. Whilst the formulas have certainly improved over the years it's best to resist temptation and use a powder eyeshadow over a eye primer.

Keep your makeup in place 

Take your time
You may think you don't have any time in the morning and you're stressing about running out the door but it's important to give your makeup time to set. Slapping your makeup on in five minutes won't give your makeup time to set and will result in it sliding off. After each layer try to wait a few minutes before applying the next. Once you've applied your foundation you'll want to keep it in place. The best way to do that is to use a translucent setting powder that can set and give a matte appearance. By using a translucent powder you're not adding any extra colour to your face.

Avoid touching your face
If you've ever phoned someone just after applying your makeup you couldn't have failed to miss the runny foundation marks on your phone. By touching your face you're effectively doing the same thing removing a little bit of makeup each time thus increasing the chances of your foundation rubbing off.

Wear your hair up
It may sound strange but wearing your hair up can actually help reserve your makeup a little longer. By having your hair away from your face it won't be able to rub on it and accidentally remove any makeup.

How to get big lips without surgery

Look Fantastic January Beauty Box

First there was Glossy Box now you can sample the boxed wonders of Look Fantastic.

Look Fantastic are one of the latest beauty companies to launch their very own Beauty Box.

Included in each box are at least six beauty products that will remain secret until the box has been released. They will contain a assortment of skin, hair, cosmetic and body products so there's something for everyone.

So what did January's box bring?
This was my first ever Look Fantastic beauty box so I was hoping for a interesting mix of cosmetics with perhaps a few hair products thrown in. So were my expectations fulfilled? Not really.. Whilst I got the hair products I felt January's box was severely lacking in cosmetics. Of course January is all about renewing yourself and your plans for the new year but it certainly doesn't mean we stop wearing makeup!

Anyway enough ranting here's what I discovered.

MyVitamins
Kick start your new year with the MyVitamins Effervescent tablets. They have a tasty orange flavour and easily dissolve for a healthy drink. Look Fantastic supplied a 20 pack.
Grab it now for £4.49 at MyVitamins (Buy one Get One Free Offer!)

Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute
This lovely face mask has a fresh, hydrating formula that soothes the skin leaving it with a radiant appearance. The mask is almost completely natural with over 90% of the total ingredients of natural origins and it leaves skin moisturised and soothed for 24 hours. With such pure ingredients the mask is perfect for all skin types. Look Fantastic supplied a 50ml product.
Get it for £14.95 at AllBeauty (RRP £18.50)

 


Gatineau Collagen Eye Compresses
Got a special occasion coming up? Collagen Eye Compresses revive and rejuvenate your eyes helping to reduce dark shadows, plump out wrinkles and relax the eye contour. The formula has a soothing marine based solution that is kind to your eyes. Unfortunately Look Fantastic only supplied a small sample so I can't fully test the product. Look Fantastic supplied 1 sachet.
Get a pack of 12 for £34.50 at Beauty Expert




Goldwell Color Extra Rich 60 Sec Treatment
Goldwell Dual Senses Extra Rich 60 Sec Treatment is designed to give ultra fast results leaving hair nourished with intense smooth colour. Containing a new innovative formula Goldwell 60 Sec Treatment can regenerate hair up to 100% in 60 seconds whilst restoring your colour. The treatment contains raspberry seed oil which is rich in essential fatty acid and antioxidants which is known to give hair intensive car and add protection and shine. Look Fantastic supplied a 50ml sample.
Grab a 200ml sized product for just £7.92 at Feel Unique (RRP £11.00). 



Molton Brown Eucalyptus Body Wash
Molton Brown uses a unique blend of ingredients including mint, cedarwood and Eucalyptus to gently cleanse and nourish the skin. The formula works up a rich lather for a long lasting refreshing smell that leaves skin feeling smooth and smelling great. Look Fantastic supplied a 100ml product.
Go super sized at Molton Brown for £22.00

 
Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence
Keep your hair looking gorgeous with Philip Kingsley's Daily Damage Defence. The leave in conditioning spray helps to minimise damage from heat styling and environmental effects whilst working to add shine to all hair types. The spray is also great for detangling hair and helping to remove static. P.s It smells amazing! Look Fantastic have supplied a 60ml product.
Get a 60ml product for £8.00 or go large with 250ml for £22.00 at Philip Kingsley  

My Thoughts
The box is fantastic value for money with 6 branded items that have a total value of £50 (due to the sample sizes). There seems to be mainly sample sizes in the box  but you'll be guaranteed at least a premium sized sample. Whilst I was disappointed to find no cosmetic products, each of the products are certainly something I can incorporate into my routine and hopefully see a difference in giving a new zest of life to my hair and skin.

Get January's box for £15.00 at Look Fantastic

Birchbox teams up with Women's Health to create January 2015 beauty box

January is all about a fresh start, starting the year afresh putting new plans and resolutions into place to create a whole new you.

Birchbox have started 2015 with a bang by partnering with Women's Health. January's box sets to embrace everything that January represents - with products and content that help generate new beginnings.

Inside they have included a number of samples from revitalising body treats to an antioxidant super tea along with a number of other skin enriching treats.

Here I'll go into a bit more detail about what you can expect.

Stila Lip glaze
With a  coveted shade that has been designed to suit all complexions this gloss is bound to be your next cult classic.
Birchbox supplies a full size product. RRP £15.00



Philip Kingsley Body Building Conditioner
Fed up of lifeless hair? Philip Kingsley feels your pain and wants to make it better. The body building conditioner aims to transform lifeless hair, sealing fly aways leaving hair looking amazing. It's full of great things like wheat protein which your hair will love.
Go full size for £19.00

HealGel Intensive
HealGel is designed to protect and restore your skin with a infusion of organic silicone, collagen boosting petites and arnica. It's like a little Intensive Care in a tube.
Go full size for £37.50

Activbod Cooling Finish Lotion
Get yourself feeling cool and renewed after a hard work out with Activbod Cooling Lotion. The formula contains menthol to help invigorate your skin and give it a cool post workout tingle
Go full size for £12.00

Embrace Matcha Green Tea
This super food is 100% natural with 10 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. Simply take 1/2 teaspoon and whisk into hot or cold water, or even blend into smoothies and juices for a tasty treat.
Go full size for £24.99

Birchbox Pilates Band
This exclusive to Birchbox Pilates Band helps you to tone, increase your muscle and endurnace. You can incorporate it into your workout for extra resistance and faster results. I have no idea how it's supposed to work but I'm sure it will be useful for someone!
Get yours for £7.99

My Thoughts
When I first saw that Birchbox had collaborated with Women's Health I have to say I was a little disappointed. Women's Health is of course about keeping your body healthy, and whilst that's great I prefer my boxes to focus on beauty rather then vitamin pills/food supplements. The products included are quite small and not of the usual size you'd expect with most Birchbox collections. It almost seems like Birchbox has given up - and it's only January!
Unfortunately I probably won't use most of the products included which is a shame. What do you think of January's box? Do the product excite you? I love to hear your views!

Subscribe to Birchbox for £12.95 (£10.00 for the box plus £2.95 postage and packaging)

KissFM University of Greenwich takeover

With your UCAS choices looming you may be fretting about whether you will be accepted for your first choice university or even worrying if you'll enjoy it or fit in.

Going to university is a exciting chapter in anyone's life. You're finally flying the nest at home, embarking out on your own journey, spending the next three of four years in a (hopefully not too drunk) state whilst you work towards your degree.  However before you get there you have to make the choice. What university to pick?

As a University graduate I'm only too aware of the stresses choosing the right university can put you under. Your whole career can be shaped on the decision you take and that is pretty daunting. But fear not you can make things a lot easier by going to your chosen university's open days and getting a taster of what they're really like.

Kiss FM presenter AJ wanted to give listeners the chance to really experience the potential the University of Greenwich had to offer. AJ visited the Faculty of Education of Health and the Faculty of Engineering and Science (see his experience in the videos below) and got a great taster of the enriching courses on offer.


So whatever university you decide is right for you make sure you visit the campus and the local area, experience what is on offer and the social culture. You'll feel so much more at home once you've seen it for yourself I can guarantee it!

For the chance to kit out your new room the University of Greenwich are giving you the chance to win a fabulous bundle of new term prizes including a Ipad Mini. Head over to University of Greenwich for your chance to win

To celebrate Kiss FM's University of Greenwich take over I have one £10.00 Amazon voucher to give away. To take part simply follow the Rafflecopter instructions. The competition will run for one month and will end on 11th February 2015 at midnight. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Makeup Revolution launch their range of highly pigmented baked eyeshadows

The Hype
Makeup Revolution Baked Eyeshadow palette is one of the new fabulous eyeshadow launches.

The baked eyeshadow range comes in five fabulous shades which include:

• Chocolate Deluxe
• Pure and Innocent
• Bang Bang
• Electric Dreams
• Beyond Eden

Each eyeshadow is baked in the oven for hours to create silky and blendable eyeshadows that glide on with easy application. They can be built up to a desired colour and a wet brush can be used with the strong pigmentation to get a more intense finish.

The Lowdown
The Pure and Innocent palette instantly drew my eye with its combination of highly pigmented shimmery shades. The five colours draw across the colour spectrum with pinks, gold, copper and brown with infusion of green.

The shades can be used alone or together to build up a variety of different looks and styles. When swatched I found the shades were very pigmented but the colour was quite light. The eyeshadow blends excellently and I found the eyeshadow to be long lasting. There was a small amount of fall out from the glitter but nothing major.

I combined each shade to create one look that would be perfect for a evening out. To recreate this simply follow the guide below:
1. Apply shade 5 along the outer edge of the eye
2. Apply shade 2 from the inside of your eye stopping when you reach the centre of the lid
3. Blend shade 4 into the middle of the two shades you've just applied
4. Blend shade 3 along the outer corner of the eye extending outwards
5. Finally highlight your brown bone with shade 1 for a eye catching look.

At £2.50 the palette is a total bargain especially considering the scope you've got in terms of the versatility of the product. The colours are lovely and really 'me' and it's great how pigmented the shades are.

I give it 4/5

Get yours at Make Up Revolution

Advantages

• Five great shades in each palette that can be worn alone or together to create a variety of different looks
• Highly pigmented
• Only £2.50!

Disadvantages

• Small amount of fall out from the glitter in the eyeshadow

Get glowing with Make Up Gallery Feeling Blush Blusher in Candyfloss Pink

The Hype
Makeup Gallery Feeling Blush is a super soft power blusher that is enriched with Vitamin E. The shade is a warm pink colour for a subtle but noticeable glow. The blusher comes in four gorgeous matte shades and is only £1 as part of Poundland's Make Up Gallery range.

The Lowdown
Candyfloss is a lovely warm pink shade which has packaging that is simple yet effective with black casing and a clear lid. The blusher just has the right amount of pigmentation which is perfect for a subtle glow that has a matte finish.

At only £1 you're certainly not going to break the bank and you'll get a lovely blush for a everyday look.

You can grab this at your local Poundland store for well you guessed it, a £1

Advantages

• Comes in four great shades
• Perfect for a natural looking rosy glow
• Only £1

Disadvantages

• Not as pigmented as more premium brands such as Mac

Find the perfect foundation for summer in Make Up Gallery Gorgeous Flawless Foundation

The Hype
Poundland's Makeup Gallery Gorgeous Flawless Foundation has a natural, long lasting mattifying formula that is enriched with grape and sunflower extracts. Other benefits include Vitamin C and and sea minerals with UVA/UVB filters for added protection. The foundation comes in 8 shades which are suitable for a variety of skin tones. the foundation is part of the new Makeup Gallery range that retail for £1 in all good Poundland stores. 

The Lowdown

I often use Lancome foundation so I wasn't sure what to expect from a product that was cheaper then even the most budget makeup ranges. The foundation which I'm testing in Warm Ivory has a creamy texture and sank easily into the skin. The coverage is very light and doesn't really cover many blemishes so it may be more suitable for summer or holiday wear. The colour was a pretty good match for my skin and I didn't notice any mismatch between my face and my neck, so no obvious 'tide marks'. Despite the light coverage it does have a nice finish that is very fresh and dewy.

I give it 3/5

Advantages

• Only £1
• Available in 8 different shades to match different skin tones
• Includes UVA/UBA filters
• Enriched with Vitamin C and Sea Minerals

Disadvantages

• Very light coverage

Makeup Revolution Salvation Palette Girls On Film Review

The Hype
Makeup Revolution, one of the newest makeup brands to hit the beauty scene have launched one of their new limited edition palettes that combine 18 shimmer and matte shades. The shades include High Octane Glamour and a Smoked Collection which is suitable from sidewalk to runway. The palette consists of 12 shimmer shades, which are placed at the top of the palette and 6 matte shades that are placed in circular pans at the bottom. No good palette is complete without a full length mirror, which is perfect for seeing your whole face when applying your makeup. 

The Lowdown
My first impressions of this palette that it looked very professional, especially considering it only costs £6.00. The 18 available shades were varied with a fabulous range of colours from neutral to green, purple, silver, gold and smoky grey. It's clear that the designers put a lot of effort into making the palette look sophisticated and with 18 shades it's perfect for keeping your baggage light when travelling.

When swatched I found some of the shimmer shades were more pigmented and shimmery then others especially Camera Rolling, Made A Million and Bride At Midnight. Unfortunately I took a instant dislike to the matte shades, they looked flat in the palette and even flatter when swatched. I do tend to wear a combination of matte and shimmer shades normally but for some reason these colours just don't stand out.

The shadows are smooth in texture and are easy to apply and blend. The eyeshadows don't crease and you get at least 12 hours wear out of them.I was really impressed by this palette, you get so much for your money and the eyeshadows for the most part are highly pigmented with good longevity. The shades are great for using alone or together for day or night looks. This is just one of the 6 new palettes that Makeup Revolution have launched and they're all out there for the taking!

Available for £6.00 at Superdrug

Advantages

• Available for only £6.00
• Has 18 fabulous shades
• Long lasting with up to twelve hours wear
• Majority of shades are highly pigmented
• The eyeshadows don't crease

Disadvantages

• Some of the matte shades are rather flat and don't make much of a impression