NYX Sculpt & Highlight Brow Contour review

I'm all for saving time in the morning when I'm rushing around trying to get ready so the NYX Sculpt & Highlight brow contour is perfect.

The double ended pencil has a brow pencil on one side and a highlighter on the other to give the perfect shape to your eyes.

So does it work?  Watch on to see my first impressions and review of the pencil.

    

Get yours for £8.00 at Selfridges

M&S Christmas Beauty Blogger event

Everyone was feeling the Christmas spirit at the Marks and Spencers Christmas blogger event. The Christmas beauty releases had the perfect backdrop with cheesy Christmas music and sparkling fairy lights.

There were lots of things to see and do including a manicure with Ciate and a lovely hand massage with Gatineau. If that wasn't enough we all had the chance to unleash our creative side with the festive bauble station.

On display were Christmas gifts from Autograph, Ren, Philip Kingsley, Ciate and lots more. My favourite has to be the Ciate advent calendar (£50) and the adorable Ciate Paint Pot collection (£10). I also discovered a few gems I've never seen before like the Fragrance House (£45) which contains 12 of the best Marks and Spencers fragrances including Butterfly Garden edt, Inspire edt and True Red edt. Excitingly for all you Gatineau lovers they're exclusively releasing their best collections in Marks and Spencers. 

With our bellies full of Marks and Spencers food and drink we all left with a goody bag full of goodies. Don't forget to check in to see what was included in a upcoming blogpost. Have you tried any of the new Christmas releases? Love to hear your thoughts!

Never lose your keys again with Finders Key Purse giveaway

Picture the scene - it's pouring down with rain, it's pitch black and you're alone in a car park rifling through your bag for your car keys. We've all been there and it can be a pretty scary experience especially when there's no one around.

Keys can so easily get lost in your bag, no matter how little you might have in it and it can be quite frustrating. What would you think if you knew there was a way you could solve the daily rigmarole of the hunt for your keys.

Finders  Key Purse is a unique key  ring that is securely attached to the side of your bag so you can easily find your keys when you need to. The keychain comes with a cute charm which will look great attached to the side of your bag. Fairly new to the UK, Finders Key Purse has already sold over 11 million key chains since it was first released in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. At only £7.95 the key chains are a reasonable price and ensure your security.

I've teamed up with The Rocket Tree to give you a chance to win  5 fabulous key chains. To enter simply follow the Rafflecopter instructions below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions
The competition will begin on 28 November 2016 and end on 28 December 2016 starting and ending at midnight. The prize will consist of 5 key chains and the designs can be chosen by the winner. If I do not hear from the winner within 15 days I have the right to redraw. Prize will be dispatched by the promoter The Rocket Tree.          

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

What the brand says
Create the perfect canvas for your foundation with Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation primer. The primer is enriched with Vitamins A and E, grape seed extr and green tea. It can be worn alone or under your foundation to increase longevity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores.

The Lowdown
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation primer has been out a fair while now but I haven't tried it before, and having read the reviews it sounded pretty good. Up to recently I've been using Rimmel Fix & Perfect Makeup Primer which if you leave to dry works exceedingly well.

The primer is a clear gel that dries into a silky veil when applied to the skin. The primer does dry fairly quickly and my foundation applies quite smoothly on top.

I can't say the gel does much for my skin on its own and I didn't notice any difference in the size of my fine lines.

In terms of prolonging the life of my makeup I'm not sure if it was as effective as I'd imagined. The fresh faced dewy look that I have in the morning fades and is replaced by a slim veil of makeup. When I take my makeup off at night there's virtually no foundation left at all which suggests it's all soaked into my skin and that the primer isn't doing its job. Obviously in the comparison between the two pictures of day and night there is a difference in light quality (bloody Winter!) but it is clear the polished finish has gone.

Considering the reviews I've read of the primer I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. It didn't seem to do much for me especially in comparison to the much cheaper alternative I'm currently using.

I give it 1/5

Advantages

• Silky veil after applying gives a good base to apply foundation

Disadvantages

• Doesn't really increase the life of my makeup especially in comparison to a cheaper Rimmel primer
• Doesn't really reduce the size of fine lines
• Quite expensive

Confession: I didn't go to the dentist for 10 years!

Like anyone with a fear of the dentist, the thought of sitting in the dentist hair filled me with terror. Ironic really considering I'm lucky enough to have a smile which I'm proud of.

The memories of that bleach like smell, the bright clinical lights and the clink of the instruments were vivid when I looked back and I couldn't face the thought of going through it again.

The last time I went to the dentist I was 17 and had to have a tooth extracted. It was uncomfortable but it healed well. I'm not sure where the fear came from, perhaps it was just linking my visits to the dentist with having to have teeth removed. In my life I have probably had around 3 teeth removed.

So fast forward to early 2013 and I  started to suffer a bit of pain. I ignored it as I was scared and that was the way it remained until September 2015 when everything seemed to ache. By strange coincidence I had taken up the habit of grinding and pushing  my teeth together to try and 'rid' myself of the ache. Inevitably this made things worse. Things came to a head when I realised it'd been 10 whole years since I'd last been to see a dentist. I decided to brave it and phoned around to find a NHS that would take me and booked an appointment.

Whilst I waited the three weeks for my appointment I started to accept I was going to get help and strangely enough I stopped grinding so much and the pain seemed to fade away.

The day of the appointment dawned and to say I was nervous was an understatement. Funnily enough there was no funny dentist smell or I didn't notice one. The dentist was really friendly and understanding of my nerves, sitting with me for a while. After she examined my teeth and took xrays, to my complete and utter surprise she said nothing was wrong. I had been grinding my teeth so much it was causing the discomfort and pain. It was like a vicious circle.

Whilst you too may have avoided the dentist for many years out of fear, my best advice is to face it head on. Whilst you may not be lucky enough not to need any treatment, you will know what you're facing and you can tackle it with grace. Fear will only scare you if you let it.

Do let me know how long you've left it before going to the dentist and how you felt when you faced your fears.

Primark Haul November 2016

I cannot believe it's been over 4 months since I last did a Primark haul. I've done the odd bit of shopping here and there recently but I've not had a really big splurge on clothes (makeup is a different story!).

In my latest haul I didn't spend a huge amount  but I did get some quality treats that I will be sure to enjoy. Check out what I bought and let me know whether there's anything you'd love to snap up in the run up to the Christmas period!

      

Top things to do in London this Christmas

 As it's such a big city London is perfect for finding something fun to do this Christmas. Whether it's buying cute handmade gifts at Winter Wonderland or making a figure of eight on the ice you won't be short of places to go in the capital this year.

London Wetland Centre - Saturday 3rd December - Sunday 4th December 2016
Get festive with London's Wetland centre wonderful winter weekend. Perfect for kids they're offering husky sleigh rides, a visit to santa in his grotto and a ride on a donkey. Kids can even help elves get ready for Christmas in the Elves workshop making festive decorations or small gifts to take home and throw wellies in the Stonz Wellie throwing competition.
See London Wetland Centre for a full list of prices

The Advent Sleepout Challenge 2016
Christmas is of course about giving, so why not help raise money for charity in the Advent Sleepout Challenge. In 2015 they raised £93,450 to give hope to the homeless and marginalised. This year they hope to raise £200,000.
Get involved here

Southbank Centre Winter Festival - Friday 11 November  2016 - Wednesday 25 January 2017
This year the Southbank Centre are pulling out all the stops to be the best festive attraction around. Supported by Natwest they're offering lots of festive things to do including a fabulous christmas market with lots of sweet, gifts and seasonal treats and seasonal christmas shows. Highlights include Rekorderlig Winter Lodge and NoFit State Circus: Bianco. The festival is generally open for 10am-10pm daily,  although it will have a few variations over the Christmas period, these include:

• Open from 10am-6pm Christmas eve   
• Closed on Christmas day 
• Open from noon-10pm boxing day
• Outdoor attractions will be closed on New Years Eve
• Open on New Years day from 1pm

Get more information on the festival and prices here 

Winter Wonderland - open from Friday 18 November 2016-Sunday 2 January 2017
When you think of London at Christmas you probably think of Winter Wonderland. The annual festive event at Hyde Park which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year has a whole host of treats for you and your family to enjoy. Entry to the show is free although you will have to pay for additional stalls and attractions inside. Highlights include ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Circus, The Giant Wheel, Bar Ice, Cirque Berserk and the Sooty Christmas show.

Get more information on attractions and prices here 

Christmas Carol services
I don't know about you but when I hear Christmas carols I can't help but feel a bit emotional. London has lots of carol events for you to enjoy this year to make sure you get into the festival spirit.  Events include:

• Shelter Carol Service at St Martins in the fields Trafalgar Square on Wednesday 30 November 2016
• Eltham Palace Carol Concert on Eltham Palace on Wednesday 7 December 2016.
• Alternative Christmas Carols at Granary Square, Kings Cross on Tuesday 13th December 2016.
• ChildLine's Merry Little Christmas Carol Concert at St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 13 December 2016.
• Kings College Choir Carols at Royal Albert Hall, Knightsbridge on Friday 16 December 2016
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Classic Carols at Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 20 December 2016
• The Bach Choir: Carols at Cadogan at Cadogan Hall, Brompton on Friday 16 December 2016. 

Ice skating
There are so many beautiful backdrops for ice skating this Winter including Hampton Court and Natural History Museum. Whether you're as graceful as Torvill and Dean or hold onto the edge like your life depends on it, ice skating can be great fun. Here's a full list of rinks you can enjoy:

• Broadgate Ice Rink , Broadgate circle, Exchange Square.
• Canary Wharf open until Saturday 25th February 2017
• Eyeskate (in front of the London Eye)
• Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink at Hampton Court Palace from Friday 25 November 2016-Sunday 8th January 2017
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Ice Rink from Friday 18th November 2016-Monday 2 January 2017. 
• JW3 On Ice at West Hampstead's Jewish Arts cultural centre in Frognal. Runs from Saturday 3rd December 2016-Sunday 8th January 2017. 
• Natural History Museum Ice Rink  in Brompton runs until Sunday 8th January 2017.
• Somerset House Ice Rink in Temple runs from Thursday 17 November 2016-Monday 16 January 2017. 
• Tower of London Ice Rink, Tower Hill from Wednesday 16th November 2016-Tuesday 3rd January 2017. 
• Westfield London Ice Rink, Shepherds Bush runs from Wednesday 23 November 2016-Sunday 8 January 2017.

Christmas in Leicester Square open from Friday 11th November 2016-Sunday 8th January 2017
A new addition to the annual festivities is Christmas in Leicester Square. The latest destination for Christmas 2016 includes a grotto, traditional Christmas market and a vintage Spiegeltent (a wooden venue home to a whole range of Christmas shows). Highlights include shows from The English Gents, Hamish McCann's pole act and the world famous La Soiree circus. Even better once  you've visited the market you're a stone throw's away from London's theatres and shops. Entry to the event is free although you will of course have to pay for events like Santa's grotto and the La Soiree.
Find out more on prices here

Christmas markets
Christmas isn't Christmas without the annual visit to the fairy light adorned magical world of Christmas markets. With everything from sweets to quaint homemade gifts you're bound to find something unique for your family to enjoy. Here's a breakdown of the markets you should put top of your list.

• Christmas in Leicester Square market, Leicester Square until Sunday 8th January 2017
• Southbank Centre Christmas Market, Southbank until Sunday 8th January 2017.
• The Swedish Church Christmas Fair, Marylebone from Thursday 17 November 2016-Sunday 20th November 2016.
• Christmas Market at Tate Modern
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park from Friday 18th November 2016-Monday 2nd January 2017
• Selvedge Advent Festival, various venues from Saturday 26th November 2016 to Saturday 3rd December 2016.

Christmas Lights
Do you like seeing how the capital is lit up at Christmas? Whilst you may have missed the turn on you'll certainly have plenty of opportunity to visit London at night and drink in the fabulous festive light displays.

• Oxford Street has 1778 snowball decorations until Friday 6th January 2017
• The Brunswick Lights Up for Christmas at the Brunswick Centre, Bloomsbury. Available until Friday 6th January 2017 there are a whole stream of festive lights.
• Carnaby Christmas Lights 'You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels theme is very distinctive and will remain on display until Friday 6th January 2017.
• Christmas Lights on the Strand, Charing Cross is proud to have some of the greenest lights in London. Powered by biofuel collected from cookings oils the display will remain until Friday 6th January 2017.
• Duke of York Square, Chelsea has lots of Christmassy fun. The lights were switched on at 4pm on Saturday 12th November 2016.
• St Katharine Dock's Christmas Lights, Towel Hill has 14,000 lights and a floating 45ft Christmas tree. The display runs from Thursday 24 November 2016 to Tuesday 3rd January 2017.
• Covent Garden Christmas lights has a beautiful mistletoe theme this year with a magnificent silver reindeer centrepiece standing on a pile of gifts. Available from Tuesday 15th November 2016-Friday 6th January 2017.
• Shepherd Market Christmas lights, Mayfair will be switched on by Liz Hurley this year. On display from Thursday 8th December 2016-Friday 6th January 2017.
• Regent Street Christmas Lights, Soho has a garland of lights running all the way from Oxford Circus to Waterloo Place. On display from Thursday 17th November 2016-Friday 6th January 2017.
• Seven Dials Christmas Lights, Covent Garden has a beautiful woodland creature theme this year. On display from Thursday 17th November 2016-Friday 6th January 2017.

Christmas at Kew Gardens - open from Wednesday 23rd November 2016- Monday 2nd January 2017
Delve into a magical glittering wonderland at Kew Garden's Christmas at Kew. The event runs after dark and has a mile long trail through the famous botanic gardens which is lit up with more than 60,000 lights. As you and your family follow the illuminated path you'll hear the choir of Christmas tree sing and the scented gardens of blazing fires. Enjoy the giant crystal, colour changing reed and crystal flowers art installations whilst singing along to classic Christmas tunes. Your journey will end with a spectacular light, music and water display in front of Palm House. You can even catch Santa in his grotto or take a ride on the Victorian Carousel and helter skelter.
Find prices and specific opening times here

Hogwarts  In The Snow, Warner Bros Studio Tour  - open from Saturday 19 November 2016 to Sunday 29 January 2017  
Experience the famous studio tour with a festive tinge this year at Hogwarts In The Snow. The tour has been transformed with a christmas feast on the long tables, special effect fires and lots of Christmas treats in the Gryffindor common room.
Find out more on prices and how to book here

Win a years supply of Beverly Hills Perfect White Gold toothpaste

What the brand says
Perfect White Gold is the brand new release from the Beverly Hills laboratories. The toothpaste has been formulated with actual gold particles that help to whiten teeth whilst offering a deep clean at the same time.

The Lowdown
I've tried a few of the Beverly Hills Formula toothpastes in the past including the Perfect White Black toothpaste that uses charcoal to whiten teeth. The new toothpaste is quite unique in its use of gold particles, which are known to have both anti-bacterial properties and anti-inflammatory action.

Beverly Hills have used a lot of impressive sounding ingredients in the new toothpaste including Pentasodium Triphosphate and Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate. The ingredients work together to prevent food particles settling on the teeth, whilst coating the teeth with a protective element to prevent bacteria forming.

As with all the toothpastes in the range Perfect White Gold is low in abrasion so you can avoid using harsh abrasives and bleach to whiten your teeth.

I can't say the Perfect White Black toothpaste did much for me in the past so I'm hoping I'll have a bit more luck with the new product.

The toothpaste itself is quite interesting looking with a pale white paste with tiny gold flecks within. I know some products in the past that have been formulated with tiny plastic dots that can actually be very damaging to the environment, your teeth and gums so I was hoping this didn't have a similar effect. After brushing I didn't notice any plastic flecks in my mouth which is good and my mouth did feel smooth and clean. It's hard to tell in the picture but my teeth do have a slight yellow tinge and I'm hoping over the next 4 weeks of testing that will improve slightly.

I will keep you up to date with how I get on.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To celebrate the new release of Perfect White Gold I have teamed up with Beverly Hills to offer you the chance to win a year's supply of the toothpaste. To enter simply follow the rafflecopter instructions above. The competition will run from 21 November 2016 to 21 December 2016 and will start and close at midnight. If the winner doesn't respond within 15 days I have the right to redraw a new winner. A years supply will consist of 8 tubes. Good luck!

Top tips on how to get selfie ready

With Christmas just around the corner it's time to start thinking about handbags and glad rags. With all the parties on your calendar there's never been a more important time of year to look your best. to get yourself camera ready for all the festive selfies you'll be taking here's some tips you wont want to miss.

Revitalise your skin
Face peel solutions you can use at home are great for getting glowing, smooth skin. Dr Marko PHA+ Bio-peel resurfacing face pads (£65 at Net-a-Porter) are a great investment for party ready skin.

Your skin loves moisture
To avoid your skin looking flat use a non greasy moisture to add hydration. Moisturised skin looks far better in the light then dry flaky skin! I recommend Fresh Peony brightening moisture face cream (£56 at Harrods).

It's all about the glow factor
Use a foundation that has a dewy glow effect to give a flawless effect. I love Clarins True Radiance (£25.20 at John Lewis) which is perfect for evening and illuminating skin.

All year round tan
Whilst looking like a English rose is great for some occasions, a Christmas party probably isn't one of them.  Bronzers are perfect for adding a subtle glow and contour to the skin and make you look even lovelier in pictures. Trystal Mineral Vita Liberata (£35 at Feel Unique) is a bronzing powder that gives a instant makeup effect whilst subtly tanning your skin too. Perfect if you're not a fan of facial tanning products. No biscuit smell either. Win win!

Flutter those lashes!
No makeup look is complete without gorgeous fluttering lashes. My current favourite has to be Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes (£25 at Selfridges) - it perfectly defines without clumping and leaves a lovely natural looking curl.

Perfect pout
Finding that perfect lipstick is not as easy as it looks despite the thousands of products on the market. My favourite show stopping lipstick has to be Charlotte Tilbury Love Bite (£23 at Net-a-Porter) - a gorgeous bold red.  

Makeup Revolution Highlighter Palette in Radiance review

What the brand says
Makeup Revolution Radiance highlighter palette has been marketed as the palette that will give you radiance wherever you go. The three power highlighters have a soft and natural finish for an instant glow.

The Lowdown
I've been pretty impressed with Makeup Revolution's highlighters in the past so I was expecting good things from the Radiance palette. The palette comes with a full sized mirror and three circular highlighters in beige/pink, ivory and gold. In the pan the ivory and gold highlighters look quite pigmented and sparkly especially in the light. The beige/pink shade is a lot more dense and the sparkle isn't obvious.

I swatched the highlighters and I was disappointed to find the pigmentation had pretty much disappeared. The highlighters felt soft to the skin but appear really powdery with no distinct highlight, even on the tips of my fingers. When transferred onto my face the highlighters did have more of a effect although it was not the strongest highlight I've ever seen.

On my left cheek I applied the beige/pink and on the right I applied the gold shade. On my nose I applied the middle ivory shade. The highlighter finish for each shade is quite light but they do have a very subtle radiant glow. Over the day the effect fades and only a small amount of glitter remained by the evening.

To be honest I was expecting a bit more when I bought this palette and I was a bit disappointed with the results. It's quite bulky as well so perhaps not something you'd want to take when you're on your travels. Whilst it's not as intense as I'd like it does give a natural shimmer that easily catches the light. If you like your highlight subtle then this may be the palette for you.

I give it 2/5    

Get yours for £8 at Superdrug                

Advantages

• Different tones of highlighters for a different effect
• Has a natural highlight effect

Disadvantages

• Quite a bulky palette considering the size of the highlighters.
• The highlighters have a very light barely there effect

My top 10 favourite life quotes

Like many in life I love a good motivational quote. Some can really make you think and others can really help you look ahead when things start to get a bit hard. Here's a list of my ultimate top 10 life quotes.

"Life begins when you step out of your comfort zone." - so true you never know what a challenge is till you step out of what you're used to.

"Life becomes easier when you delete the negative people from it." - nothing can drain you quicker than a negative nelly. If you have any in your life get rid!

"Never stop learning because life never stops teaching." - everyday is a opportunity to learn something new and to enrich your life. I love having the ability to better myself.

"Life is a story, make yours the best seller." - I love this quote as it says a lot about what you make of your life. I try to cram as many fun things as I can into my life so I can look back and make sure it was a life worth living.

"Life is too short to worry about stupid things. Have fun. Fall in love. Regret nothing and don't let people bring you down." - whilst it is probably the longest thing we'll ever do it's true that life is short. I would hate to look back and realise I've  missed out and it's too late to go back. It's important to live in the moment regardless of whether you think it makes you look silly.

"Don't let anyone dull your sparkle." - you are you and that's what makes you unique. No one should be able to put that sparkle out.

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - so true life never stops and if you do you can get lost as everything piles on top of you. If you're struggling with anything don't be afraid to ask for help.

"Don't cry for what is lost. Smile for what still remains." - if you lose something close to you it can be incredibly hard but that makes the people left in your life even more important. Hold them close and smile that they're in your life.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." - I love this as it  represents how I live my life. I have faced so many knockbacks in jobs and in my lovelife but I just dust myself off and carry on. If it didn't happen or it didn't last then it wasn't the right opportunity for you.

"Spend life with who makes you happy, not who you have to impress." - if you spend your life pretending to like someone it'll soon become obvious and you'll grow to hate them. If they make you truly happy life will be a lot more fun !

What life quote do you live by?

Makeup Revolution Lip Power Everything's Alright review

What the brand says
Give your lips real power to shine with the duo lipstick and lipgloss Lip Power. The collection which is available in 6 shades has a satin soft lipstick and slick lipgloss with a touch of shimmer. Lip Power is great value for money with the ability to wear alone as a lipstick or lipgloss, or  together for more impact.

The Lowdown
Like everything I love getting a bargain and this dual lipstick and lipgloss sounded like just the ticket. Everything's Alright is a peachy pale pink that has quite a chalky patchy application. Whilst the colour of the lipstick looks quite bright on the bullet when you apply it the colour seems to disperse and you can't really see it. My lips do seem to have a bit more dry skin than normal at the moment but I really think this lipstick accentuates it a lot more than other products I use. It does feel quite comfortable on and isn't drying.

The lipgloss has a nice sparkly finish and doesn't feel sticky on. It has quite a fruity summer fruits scent that isn't too overpowering. Unlike the lipstick the lip gloss doesn't accentuate any dry skin.

Both the lipstick and lipgloss are pretty short lived and probably barely lasted a hour on.

Overall I have to say quite a disappointing product. From the offset the lipstick was let down by  the chalky finish and lack of colour pay of. The lipgloss isn't too bad with a nice sheen and scent but it too doesn't last very long.

I give it 2/5

Grab yours for £3 at Superdrug

Advantages

• Budget buy
• Non drying
• The lipgloss has a nice sparkly sheen that isn't sticky
• Makes my lips look fuller

Disadvantages

• The lipstick has quite a chalky finish
• Both the lipstick and lipgloss don't last very long
• Accentuates dry skin

Rimmel The Only 1 Matte lipstick collection review

Barely weeks after launching their Magnif'Eyes and new Scandaleyes mascara, Rimmel are at it again with their new Rimmel The Only 1 matte lipstick collection.

With 9 shades in the new collection there's a new range of colours to choose from with everything from browns to pinks and strong reds.

In my latest review I talk about the new collection giving you an insight into what it looks like, how it feels and whether it's right for you.

          

I personally like the new collection and whilst there's not loads of shades, it certainly has all the staples you'd look at adding to your collection.

What do you think of the new range?  Would you use one of the lipsticks to glam up for your christmas party.

Grab yours for £4.99 at Boots

6 apps that will help you keep good habits

Have you ever wanted to give up fags or booze but found yourself falling off the wagon after a couple of days? Keeping up good habits is hard, especially when temptation is everywhere. It requires will power, determination and desire to succeed but you can get there. This article will give you my 6 top life and health apps that will help you make sure your good habits remain good.

iDrated (iOs 79p)
If you want to drink more during the day but really struggle to keep it up this app is perfect.The app gives you little nudges throughout the day to remind you to top up your water bottle.

Smoke Free (iOs and Android free)
If you've been a smoker for years or even took the habit up recently due to stress this app will help you to quit smoking. It tracks how many cigarettes you've skipped, how much cash you've saved and how your health has improved as a result.

Way of Life (iOs free)
Do you have a goal in life that you really want but life just seems to keep getting in the way? Whether it's saving up for a deposit on a house or a new car Way of Life helps you keep on track of your goals. The app lets you keep track of your goals and even change them when you've achieved them. You can set it to remind you of your goal so you can never lose track of what you want to achieve, no matter what life throws at you.

Mastery (Android free)                            
Mastery is the perfect app for those that want to master a new skill. Whether it's learning to knit or to learn a new language Mastery lets you choose your skill then hone your art. It can track the amount of hours you spend on it and even turns it in a game, giving you rewards for the amount of time you put in.                        
                           

Pact (iOs and Android free)
I don't know about you but I love it when I get rewarded for achieving something. Pact is perfect for those wannabe gym bunnies who just need that extra little kick to get them going. Pact offers you a cash incentive to work out. If you skip a session you have to pay others a set amount, if they miss a session you get the money. I can't see a better reason to make sure you get down the gym!

Change4life Drinks Tracker (iOS and Android free)
We might have just missed Stoptober but there's always a reason to cut down on alcohol. Binge drinking is so common these days and with cocktails aplenty it's easy to tot up those units. This app helps you to track your units and pinpoints when you overindulge.                                                                  

Primark PS Pro... Rich Colour Lipstick O2 Provocative Pink

What the brand says
Get hot colour in an instant with this rich pigmented lipstick. It's enriched with Vitamin E and has a moisturising formula that hydrates and conditions lips.

The Lowdown
I haven't reviewed Primark's makeup for a while so I initially mistakenly thought it was Kiko's lipstick.  The packaging of this lipstick is very similar, from the silver tube to the push out mechanism. Primark's version is a little more low end however when it comes to packaging as after no use at all the silver flakes are coming off the outer tube.

Provocative Pink is a gorgeous hot pink shade that glides on with ease. It has a matte finish but doesn't feel drying. It does last quite a long time although eating and drinking tends to make it fade a lot quicker.

A nice lipstick with great colour and comfort that is a bargain at only £3.00.

Get it in all good Primark stores

Advantages

• Lovely bright shade
• Goes on well
• Doesn't feel drying
• A real bargain at £3.00

Disadvantages

• The packaging seems quite cheap and on the first time I got it out of the box flakes of silver were falling off the tube.

10 fun things to do when you're bored

Whilst it most often hits on a lazy Sunday evening, boredom can strike at any time and its effects can be devastating. It can leave you feeling tired, moody and fed up with the sensation that it'll never end. To combat boredom the best thing is to try something new or different which will enliven your senses. Here's my top 10 things to do when I'm bored.

Create a new look
Experimenting with makeup can be really fun and it's easy to learn a new skill with the availability of makeup tutorials. Why not use makeup you haven't worn for ages or a new set you've just bought. You can even take a photo or video and share it on Facebook or Instagram. If you don't like playing with makeup you can always try out clothes you haven't worn for a while and create a whole new outfit.

Play a game
I have so many PC and PS3 games that I've barely touched it's criminal. If you look hard enough you'll probably find a game you haven't tried before or even one you got half way through then gave up. If you really don't have any you can always download free games on your smartphone!

Talk to a friend
No I don't mean text or skype your friend. Why not ditch the technology and arrange to meet your friend for lunch or dinner. Make sure you ban all phones so you have a real chance to catch up without technology getting in the way.

Get creative
One thing that will really get your mind active  is creativity. There are so many things you can make from handmade cards to cakes and soap. The options are literally endless. Once you're engrossed in what you're making you'll soon forget you were ever bored.

Have a clear out
Sitting in pretty much everyones house is a small gold mine. Why not go through all your stuff and have a clear out, sorting out stuff you regularly use and stuff you haven't touched in months. Whether it's DVDs, old video game systems or even mobile phones everything has a face value and you can make a pretty penny on places like Ebay and Music Magpie. Not only will you be clearing your house of stuff you don't want but you'll make a few pennies and clear the boredom too!

Visit somewhere new
You don't have to pay a lot to go somewhere new, it can even be a park you've not explored before. Everyone loves a change of scenery and it will freshen your mind to try something you've never seen before.

Read
Reading is perfect for riding on your imagination and drifting to another world. I've loved books since I was young and I can certainly say I've lost many a hour reading a real page turner. If you're not a big reader it's no biggie, you can read the latest glossy magazine  or even the newspaper. You'll learn something new and  it'll take your mind off thinking about being bored.

Adult colouring book fun
Colouring books are no longer just for kids and adult colouring books are everywhere. Colouring in is quite cathartic and you can take pride in getting the perfect combination of colours in your pictures.

Do a puzzle
Puzzles are perfect for activating your brain and really making you think. Whether it's a crossword or a jigsaw they'll challenge you and make you determined to get to the end.

Create a to do list
I love creating lists, they're so easy to do and you get so much satisfaction out of ticking things off. Your list can be about anything - things you need for the home, things you need to get done, skills you want to achieve. The list is endless.

By the time you've got to the end of this list I hope you won't be bored. If you are try reading it again! ;)

Revlon Highlighting palette Bronze Glow review

What the brand says
If you're looking for a natural healthy glow Revlon's Highlighting palette is perfect to provide natural highlights. Available in three shades Rose Glow, Bronze Glow and Peach Glow for a different finish.

The Lowdown
What initially drew me to the palette is the gorgeous subtle shimmer that is evident in every shade. Bronze Glow is a collection of pinks, browns and white and they have a powder finish. the palettes look very similar to Bobbi Brown shimmer brick and it's only the packaging and slight variation in shades that are different.

The pictures really don't do it justice as you only have to look at it to see the sparkle that is captured. The same goes for the swatch as well and I was disappointed to see how flat it looks in the picture!

I was actually surprised to find that every shade has gorgeous intense shimmer when applied that shows instantly. I've tried a few highlighters recently that have been really disappointing and lacklustre (cough MUA cough) so it's good to see something that has a instant effect!

The white is a lovely iridescent gold shimmer whilst the light pink provides a cute pink highlight. The dark brown is probably too dark to be worn as a highlighter as is the light brown on the bottom. The mid pink is also quite dark and I probably wouldn't use it as a highlighter. Some of the darker shades you can definitely use as a blusher which will give you a warm glow with a bit of sparkle. There's not too much glitter in the shades so it won't look too over the top. Some of the brown shades could even be used as a sparkly bronzer. I did try using all of the shades together as a highlighter but that's a big no no as it's way too dark - it could however also be used a bronzer instead. I only need a little bit to get great colour impact and it barely looked like it touched the palette at all.

Overall a lovely palette with lots of choice and great pigmentation. The only real downside is that it's not entirely a highlighter but I wouldn't say that was a massive problem as it could be used as a bronzer.

I give it 4/5

For my look I used the mid pink as a blusher and the white as a highlighter.

Get it for £9.99 at Superdrug

Advantages

• Every shades has lovely high impact shimmer
• With 5 different shades in each brick you have the potential to create 5 different highlights or looks
• A little goes a long way so I can see the palette lasting a long time

Disadvantages

• Not entirely a highlighting palette as it claims

What's my face worth?

When it comes to makeup I like to shop around and often use a variety of high street and high end makeup items. In my day to day look I find that my staple items like my foundation and concealer are more high end, whilst products like eyeshadow are often a lot cheaper (that doesn't mean they're any less quality however).

Below you'll find the product i'm currently using in my day to day look and how much they cost.

I am honestly shocked to find my face is worth £186.97!

When I buy makeup I see it as a bit of investment to last a while so when I tot it all up it's shocking to see how much I spend on makeup.

I'd love to know what your face is worth, do let me know in the comments below.

The ultimate Twitter chat guide

With so many blogs around these days it's important to promote your content so it doesn't disappear in the sea of competitors. Whilst it would be great to publish a post and expect the visitors to come flooding in, unfortunately it's not quite that easy anymore. Twitter chats are a fantastic way to get to know fellow bloggers, find out the latest tips and trends and even swap links. This guide will give you all the insight on what groups are out there, what hash tags you should use and when you should be tuning in.

1. #bbloggers
If you use Twitter regularly I'm pretty sure you've used the hashtag #bbloggers at some point. The group which is run by @bbloggerschat run a regular chat every Wednesday and Sunday at 8pm UK time. The chat is one of the biggest and most well known in the beauty community and gives you the chance to discuss current issues with other beauty bloggers. Use #bbloggers to take part in the conversation.

2. #lbloggers
Are you more of a lifestyle blogger? @lbloggerschat holds regular groups every Wednesday and Sunday from 7-8pm UK time. You can even suggest a topic by tweeting the account beforehand. Get involved by tweeting #lbloggers.

3. #fbloggers
If you've bought the latest handbag or jeans or want to discuss what's going on in the fashion world, #fbloggers chat is perfect. Run by @unwrittenchloee over at @fbloggerschat. The chat runs every Monday and Thursday night from 8-9pm.

4. #fblchat 
#fblchat is a little more varied and combines beauty, fashion and lifestyle into one. It's run by @fashbeautylife and takes place every Tuesday from 8-9pm. Use the hashtag #fblchat to get involved. You can vote for the weekly topic on the Twitter page.

5. #bloghour
@ukblogawards hosts #bloghour which is a weekly chat for all genres of bloggers. Discuss the latest issues facing bloggers using the hashtag #bloghour. It runs every Tuesday at 9pm  UK time.

6. #blogtrends
If you don't mind burning the midnight oil then you may want to catch up with #blogtrends. Hosted by @blogtrends you'll learn ways on how you can improve your blogs and increase your readership. The chat is aimed at beauty, fashion and lifestyle bloggers. The chat runs on Monday nights at 2am.

7. #tbloggers
If you're a teenage blogger then #tbloggers may be of interest to you. Catch up with other teen bloggers every Saturday at 8pm UK time and get networking. The chat is run by @teenbloggerchat.

8. #vloggerschat
If you're more into creating beauty or lifestyle videos #vloggerschat will be right up your street. The chat is run by @leahshafik every other Thursday from 8-9pm.

9. #latenightbloggers
#latenightbloggers is slightly different to the other chats as anyone can join in. Created by @teaisfortina it runs every Wednesday from 9-10pm UK time. They have random topics and you can direct message them if you want to host the chat.

10. #socialbloggers
Bloggers from all genres can get networking with the hash tag #socialbloggers every Friday and Saturday at 6pm.

All of the chats and times are up to date as of 25 October 2016. However if they're not just tweet the group and I'm sure they'll update you of the new times.

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes mascara review

What the brand says
Legendary Lashes is one of the hero products from the Charlotte Tilbury range. The mascara is claimed to be a 'miracle' with a formula that is enriched with lengthening and conditioning ingredients.

The Lowdown
I saw this mascara in the review of 2016 Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar. Whilst I didn't really think the calendar was worth it (too many creams) I did quite like the look of the mascara. I had a £50 Selfridges voucher which was perfect as it allowed me to get the mascara and a Bobbi Brown concealer.

The packaging is quite unique with a brown box and gold lettering. I really like the gold eye motif that adorns the box which has super long lashes. Inside is a gold wand with black lettering and the same eye motif. The mascara has a bristle brush with lots of different bristles of varied lengths. The bristles seem to be really small towards the wand and get larger as they extend towards the end of brush.

The formula is the perfect consistency - not too wet and not too dry - and I built up a nice coat quite quickly. It did make quite a mess when I was applying it but it was easy enough to wipe off. I wouldn't say this mascara is as dramatic as it's made out to be but it did leave my lashes beautifully defined with  zero clumping and a lovely lash curl. It stays put all day and there's no smudging or panda eyes.

A lovely mascara that gives a really nice lash effect. I wouldn't say you get a false lash effect but it does give your lashes something extra to make your eyes stand out.

I give it 4/5

Get it for £25 at Selfridges

Advantages

• Gives lashes a nice curl
• Lashes are left nicely defined
• Lasts all day without smudging
• No clumping

Disadvantages

• Little bit messy when applying

Exfoliation 101 - Get your scrub on

Why exfoliate?

Your skin sheds on a daily basis. Gross, we know. When dead skin collects on the surface of the skin it can leave it looking rough, cracked, tough or (in the case of the face) just plain dull. By exfoliating, you remove skin that has built up or is past its best, allowing the natural radiance of the skin underneath to shine through for all to see. It’s considered by many to be an integral part of your beauty regime that shouldn’t be avoided. Make a special effort to exfoliate before applying fake tan as this can cut down on the dreaded streaky effect.

What kinds of exfoliators are there out there?

There are two types of exfoliators you can use to condition your skin. The first is manual. This uses some sort of rough bead or fibre or indeed even items like salt or sugar to slough away the dead cells from the surface of your skin. You can also use a certain piece of kit such as a loofah or exfoliating gloves to achieve the same effect. There are also a number of chemical products which will achieve the same effect - these usually tend to be used on the face instead of the body. These usually contain glycolic acid, which is gentle enough to remove dead layers without damaging the skin underneath.

How often should you exfoliate?

The idea is that you don’t take off healthy new skin so, due to the cycles it goes through, for your body it should be around once a week. For the face it can be once or twice a week depending on your skin type. If your exfoliator contains glycolic acid you should be more cautious and only use this once a week. Don’t be tempted to overdo exfoliation, as this can leave skin red, irritated and in severe cases, broken.

How do you do it?

When it comes to exfoliating your body, a good first step is to have a bath or a shower. This will open your pores and make skin softer and easier to remove. Take a sponge and apply a little of your exfoliator to this. Start at your feet and work your way up the body in a circular motion using the sponge. When you feel like the product might be running low, top up your sponge - don’t be afraid to be generous with it. Pay particular attention to rough areas such as knees, elbows and even the backs of arms, which can need a little more work. Once you’ve finished, make sure to rinse off all residue from the surface of the skin. Pat dry and then apply a moisturiser or body oil to ensure that the skin is in tip-top condition.

For your face, start by pressing a warm facecloth over the skin to open the pores. The skin on your face is a little more sensitive so you shouldn’t go too wild with the scrubbing. Instead, still using a light circular motion, apply product to the face, taking care to avoid the eye area and paying attention to areas like the side of the nose where oil and debris can build up. Depending on whether you are using a natural or chemical product, you might be advised to leave it on for a few minutes to allow it to work before rinsing off and patting dry. Always pay careful attention to the instructions when using chemical exfoliants as if you leave them on for too long they can end up irritating the skin.

If you have sensitive skin and find that you have to use particular sensitive skin products the best advice is to buy an exfoliator specifically for sensitive skin and try it on one area first before using it all over your face. That way, if you have a reaction it will be limited.

Is there any advised aftercare?

When it comes to the body, always make sure to add moisturising in as a final step. To protect the new skin you’ve revealed, take extra care to wear a high SPF suncream, which you should always be wearing, but of course you knew that.

Anything else to bear in mind…

Recently there has been some controversy about synthetic microbeads used in some exfoliating products. They don’t break down and when we flush them down the shower they end up polluting rivers and lakes. They can be eaten by fish and wildlife, causing them damage. Because they are so small they are almost impossible to remove from these areas too. The US has already passed a bill banning these and other countries look set to follow. When picking out an exfoliator with beads in it, try to pick out something which has a biodegradable bead rather than a synthetic one.  

Guest post by Aran Sweaters Direct