Lacoste Pour Elle Sparkling perfume review

What the brand says
Inspired by the freedom and movement of the pleated skirt, Pour Elle Sparkling, is one of a trio of fragrances designed to allow you to be yourself.

In the same way a woman can dress up or dress down a pleated skirt, the fragrance can bring out the unique femininity and moods of the woman wearing it.

The scent blends flowers with sophisticated woody scents and has a playful heart of French macaroon contrasted against a patchouli base.

The Lowdown
When I first got a sample of the perfume I couldn't believe how amazing it smelt. The smell was fresh and intoxicating but not at all overpowering.

The scent is quite strong initially but does fade away quite quickly. After a few hours I can't really smell it anymore but the scent still lingers where I applied it.

The fragrance is quite an unambiguous one so can be  worn with anything at anytime. Whilst you may want to wear a stronger fragrance in the evening, this is perfect for a casual evening out, especially with Spring quickly approaching.

I give it 4/5

Get it for £40 at House of Fraser

Advantages

• Fresh smell
• Can be worn with anything at any time

Disadvantages

• Fades a little quickly

Skin Chemists Bee Venom Facial Serum review

What the brand says
If you suffer from tired, dull skin that's a lot less youthful than you might like, you may want to jump onto the bee venom train.

Skin Chemists Bee Venom Facial serum uses a combination of three skin enhancing ingredients, bee venom, hyaluronic acid and Tego Cosmo C250 to reduce ageing and brighten skin.

The Lowdown
Bee Venom is a popular ingredients in face creams and serums and is renowned for its skin enhancing properties as it helps skin to remain taut and bounce back into shape.

The serum appears to be an all rounder with claims that it will lift, firm and brighten skin, leaving skin fresh and youthful. Whilst the Skin Chemists Bee Venom Eye Serum unfortunately didn't work for me, I'm hoping the Face Serum will ultimately reduce my dark circles and soften out my fine lines (especially in my t-zone, yes that again!)

The serum can be used twice a day, morning and evening, and a small pea sized amount is all that's needed. The serum has a really pleasant fresh smell, isn't sticky and was absorbed into my skin really quickly. There was no tingling after use or any other ill effects. The results I noticed almost instantly was a reduction in the sagginess in the skin around my eyes. The skin looks a lot more taut and the creased skin had almost disappeared completely. The effect doesn't last for ages but it's good to see and possibly may have a more long lasting effect long term. I didn't notice any brightening effects on the first try but this is something I'd expect to see a little later on.

I'm going to try out the serum for the next 6 weeks to see the effect it has and then I'll post back the results. Keep checking in to see how I get on!

Get it for £79.95 at Amazon

Warning - this may be obvious but please don't use if you're allergic to bees!

Cheap things to do at Easter 2017

With the Easter holidays looming you're probably looking for something to keep you entertained, especially if you have kids. If you're on a budget you may not have the money for endless trips to the cinema, local attractions or bowling so you're keen to find all the cheap activities you can get your hand on. My guide will let you know about the top cheap activities to do at Easter.

Have a clear out
When you've got all that spare time on your hands why not have a clear out. The Easter bank holiday is the perfect time for a boot fair, and with the shops closed on Easter Sunday you'll get lots of trade. If you don't fancy getting up that early you could always try Ebay, Music Magpie or Gumtree.

Easter egg hunt
I used to love a good easter egg hunt as a child. You can easily create your own easter egg hunt at home, simply  hide lots of little eggs around the garden or the house and let the kids run wild. Cadburys normally run a free egg hunt every year at National Trust locations across the country.
Find your local hunt.

Visit a museum
London is fabulous for its culture and history and it has lots of free museums you can visit.  Free museums include:

• The Science Museum
• Museum of London
• British Museum
• V and A Museum
• National History Museum
• National Gallery
• National Maritime Museum
• Tate Modern

 Find 15 more free things to do in London here 

Build a indoor den
Go into hiding and create a secret den to hide out in. Easily done with a blanket draped over some chair and some snacks to keep you going.

Get experimenting
Give your kids a little education over the Easter holidays and they'll soon think Science is their favourite subject. My favourite is the worktop volcano which you create with baking soda, vinegar and food colouring.

Get crafty
If you've got lots of boxes left over from all those Easter eggs then why not put them to good use. You can create anything from a doll's house, theatre or even a robot. All you need is a good imagination!

Get cooking
Hot cross buns are the in food at Easter and whilst they're not too expensive, it's more fun to create your own. Find a how to guide here.

Rabbits, Riddles and Rhymes
Penshurst Place in Tonbridge have got a quest for the little ones to use their sleuthing skills to solve riddles left by the Easter Rabbit. As you'll solve them you'll find carrots he's left throughout the gardens. There is also craft activities where you can make your own rabbit ears or colour in a giant story poster.
Trails are from 10.30am to 6pm and crafts from 12noon to 4pm from 1 April-16 April 2017
Get more information here 

Easter Themed Family Day at Dover Museum
Learn all about the history of Dover and take part in some fun easter themed activities at Dover museum. Even better it's completely free too!
Activities run on 6 April 2017 from 10.30am until 3pm.
Get more information here 

Seal and Wildlife watching trips
This is one visit that you won't forget this Easter. Sea Archer boat trips in Ramsgate is running trips to an active seal colony inside the National Nature Reserve which also includes birds and the rare ingret. Only £20 per head, don't forget your camera!
Get more information here 

Salon Science Thickening Serum review

What the brand says
The new Thickening Serum by Salon Science is a innovative new product created to help those with thinning hair and hair loss.

The serum is packed with AnaGain Organic Pea Sprout which is rich in restorative proteins, starch and fibres to help hair look  thicker and fuller. It uses unique technology to restore hair to its former glory, encouraging hair to lengthen and become stronger and healthier.

The Lowdown
Now admittedly when I was sent the information for the new Thickening Serum I didn't notice it was for those with thinning hair. What I focused on was how the serum can increase the diameter of your hair so it's thicker, and fuller. With flat hair this is something that I could certainly do with.

After washing my hair I applied five pumps of the serum to my hair and spread it from  the roots to the lengths. The serum has a really nice smell, is light and didn't leave my hair feeling sticky or heavy. There was a slight element of crunchiness that I noticed once my hair had dried.

The next day when I styled my hair I noticed there was a little bit more bounce in the lengths of my hair but not much change in the roots.

Whilst I can't common on how it may affect thinning hair, the serum smells great, doesn't leave my hair sticky or heavy and does make my hair a little bigger and bouncy.

I give it 3/5

Advantages

• Lovely smell
• The serum spreads easily throughout my hair
• No sticky or heavy feeling after applying the serum

Disadvantages

• Slight crunchy feel once the serum had dried.

Top bank accounts that pay

I bet you'd love it if your bank paid you right? Well newsflash they do!

Over the last few years more and more banks are releasing bank bribes and monthly interest to encourage people to switch and bank with them.Offers include everything from £150 to switch or 3% monthly interest. So what's on offer and what do you need to take part? Here's the lowdown.

Santander 123 account
Originally the Santander 123 account offered 1% interest on balances £1000+, 2% on balances £2000+ and 3% on everything £3,000 and over. Sadly they've cut it to 1.5% on balances up to £20,000 due to brexit. You will still get 3% cashback on direct debits though so if you have a lot of bills to pay or a lot of savings it's definitely still the winner in terms of how much it pays. I've been with this bank for just over a year and it pays so much more than any other savings account I've ever had, another benefit is that the interest pays monthly rather than annually.

• To qualify for the interest you will need to have two direct debits set up and pay in £500 monthly.
• There is a monthly fee of £5.00
• If you have a partner you can set up a joint account alongside your sole account

TSB Plus bank account
The TSB account pays 3% interest on balances up to £1,500 in addition to a bonus offer of an extra £10.00 per month. To qualify for the extra £10.00 you will need to have two direct debits set up for two different companies and use your debit card twenty times over the course of the month (online, contactless, Android and Apple Pay count.)

• For the interest you will need to pay in £500 monthly, register for internet banking and have paperless statements and correspondence. 
• For the direct debit cashback you will need to be registered for internet banking.
• The additional £10.00 offer will last until 30 June 2018.

First Direct account
If you switch to First Direct you can qualify for their £125.00 switch offer. Another plus is you'll get the chance to open a linked 5% savers account.

• To get the bonus you will need to switch by 11.59pm on 27 March 2017. 

HSBC Advance account
HSBC are currently offering the highest cash reward for switching, a tidy £150.00. It's not the easiest account to qualify for however as you need to pay in £1,750 and they will decline you if you don't meet their strict criteria. If you stay with them for a year you will get an additional £50.00.
To get the reward you will need to switch - you can't do this online unfortunately. You can apply online and then you will have to switch over the phone or in branch.

• You will need to have two direct debits or standing orders to qualify.
• There is also the chance to open a 5% savings account. 
• The offer will last until 29 March 2017.

The Co-operative Bank account
If you switch to the Co-Operative they will reward you with £110. They also offer a Everyday Rewards scheme where you can earn an additional £5.50 every month.

• To get the bonus you will need to switch using the switch service and have at least four active direct debits set up.
• If you want the rewards you will need to pay in £800 per month, pay out four direct debits, receive paperless statements and log into online or mobile banking. This will get you a reward of £4.00 per month. The additional £1.50 is only awarded when you use your debit card. You will get 5p per use up to £1.50.

M&S Bank
Switch to M&S and you'll get a reward of a £50 M&S gift card. You can also get a linked 5% savings account and reward points every time you use your M&S debit card in Marks and Spencers. As a added perk you will get a extra £5.00 added to the gift card every month if you deposit £1,000 into your account on a monthly basis. The offer will last for two years.

• To qualify you will need to have two active direct debits

Halifax Reward account
By switching to Halifax you will get a reward of £75.00 which is paid before the switch completes. There is also the chance to get an additional £3.00 every month.

• To get the £3.00 you will need to pay in £750, remain in credit and pay two direct debits a month
• If you moved to  Halifax since January 2012 you won't qualify for the switching bonus. You also won't qualify if you're moving from Bank of Scotland.

Nationwide Flexdirect account
By switching to Nationwide Flexdirect you can get a fixed rate of 5% interest per year on up to £2,500. This rate is fixed so it won't be changing anytime soon. After one year the rate drops to 1%.

• To qualify you will need to pay in £1,000 a month.

Bank of Scotland Vantage account
The classic account pays 3% interest on balances from £3,000 to £5,000. The rate will sadly drop to 2% from 11 June 2017.

• Beware the interest isn't automatically applied - you need to apply for the Vantage feature. You can easily do this during your initial application.
• You will need to pay in £1,000 per month, stay in credit and have two different direct debits set up.
• If you have less than £3,000 you will still get some interest, balances from £1 to £999.99 will earn 1.5% whilst balances from £1,000 to £2,999.99 will earn 2%. 
• You can set up three accounts to get interest on £15,000.

Club Lloyds
The Club Lloyds account will pay 2% interest on balances up to £5,000. You can earn up to £99.00 per year.

• To qualify you will need two direct debits and to pay in £1,500 a month.

Natwest account
If you've got a lot of bills to pay and not a lot of savings you may want to try the Natwest cashback account. They offer 3% cashback on seven different bills that are paid by direct debit.  This can include bills like council tax, gas, electricity etc

• You will have to spend £100 to qualify for any of the rewards
• There is a £3.00 fee
• You can cash in your rewards as soon as you reach £5.00, this can be in vouchers such as Cineworld or you can donate to charity.   

Santander 123 Lite
Similar to the 123 traditional account - but without the interest. You will get 1-3% cashback on bills you pay by direct debit. Perfect if you have a mortgage with Santander as you can get cashback of up to £10.00 a month on that alone.

• You'll get 1% on water, council tax, 2% on gas, electricity and Santander home insurance in addition to 3% on phone, broadband, mobile and tv.
• There is a monthly fee of £1.00
• You will need to pay two direct debits, pay in £500 and log into online or mobile banking.    

Barclays Blue Rewards
If you have a current account with Barclays you can apply for their Blue Awards perk. By paying £3.00 a month you can get £7.00 back.

• You will need to pay in £800.00 a month and have two active direct debits.       

Face oils that will transform your skin

When it comes to your skincare routine, things like moisturiser, cleanser and exfoliator are the norm. Face oils are a relatively new addition to the skincare scene, and tackle your skincare problems in a slightly different way. Whether your skin is dry or oily don't be afraid to take the plunge and change your skincare routine to incorporate face oils. Below you'll find all the advice you need to see what oil will suit your skin type.

Dry skin
If your skin is very dry you'll want to look for a oil that focuses on hydration as its key feature. Oils that contain jojoba oil are a great place to start.
Try Apothecary Oils Organic Blend Facial Serum (£28.95 at Notonthehighstreet) 

Pigmented skin
If you hate the sight of those dark spots look out for a face oil that contains camelia. Camelia helps to reduce the appearance of pigmentation and kick starts your skin's barrier function.
Try Antipodes Divine Face Oil (£19.99 at Feelunique) 

Dull skin
To restore that healthy glow a oil with omega in will help to repair skin and restores its natural radiance.
Try Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil (£55 at Net-a-Porter) 

Dehydrated skin
If you've gone past dryness and entered into the dehydrated zone, your skin is suffering and in need of real tlc.  Make sure you treat the problem first, and then use a oil that not only treats hydration but stops the skin losing moisture.
Try Clarins Face Treatment Oil Blue Orchid (£33 at Boots) 

Oily skin
Some people are probably put off oils if they have oily skin as they feel the greasiness may cause breakouts, however this is a common misconception. Whilst it may seem like a face oil will do more harm than good, the skin is able to absorb it in a way it can't with a cream, this prevents your pores getting clogged. Use a face oil that has mostly natural ingredients such as hazelnut as they're the easiest for your skin to absorb.
Try Clarins Lotus Oil for combination skin (£33 at Harrods) 

Stressed skin
Hands up, we all get stressed sometimes and that can really irritate your skin. Stress is terrible for causing spots and breakouts and that's the last thing you want when you're having a tough time. Use a oil that contains calming ingredients like jasmine and calendula.
Try This Works Stress Check face oil (£40.00 at John Lewis) 

Top tips for use:

• Don't go overboard on the oil - a pea sized amount is plenty
• Apply it after you cleansed the skin - but before you moisturise
• Oil is pretty flexible, you can use it with your cleanser for a better, deeper cleanser, to add more radiance to your face masks or your moisturisers for better hydration. 

Fashion Wishlist March 2017

If I had a bottomless bank balance these babies would be on the top of my list.

Boohoo Ruffle Bardot Top
This super cute white ruffle bardot top is perfect for Spring. Available in sizes 10-16.
Get it for £20 at Asos

Christian Louboutin Iva Cora Velvet Pumps
These stunning Iva Cora pumps by Christian Louboutin are simply gorgeous. They come complete with a beautiful heart of beads and crystals. An added bonus is that they'll go with everything. I would probably never be able to justify spending so much on shoes but they would certainly be great to look at!
Get them for £795 at Net-a-Porter 

Joanna Coat
Winter may be on its way out but you can never have too many coats, (just save it for next Winter.) The Joanna coat is simple yet stylish and the neutral colour will go with most things. Perfect for everything from work to going out for dinner.
Available for £94.50 at Boden

Topshop Box Pleat Cold Shoulder Top
Another take on the Bardot style, this simple but on trend top would look fab teamed up with a pair of skinny jeans and heels.
Available for £45 at Topshop

Aiyla Embroidered Organza Skater Dress
This dark blue dress has a pretty lace skirt with a v neck top. Perfect for a night out or dinner with your man.
Available for £22 at Boohoo 

Rockstud Ankle High Heels by Valentino
Make your outfit go from day to night with the Rockstud shoes by Valentino.
Available for £660.00 at Valentino 

Elise Ryan 2-in-1 Lace Top Pencil Dress
This navy number has a simple skirt with a v neck top and belt to accentuate your waist. Great for adding a bit of glamour at work.
Available for £30 at Asos 

Mark Grace Small Light Pink Python Box Bag
Omg I love it, this super cute pink bag really brings out the girly girl in me.
Available for £2,800.00 at Harvey Nichols 

Miss Selfridge Steffi Pretty Blue Super High Waist jeans
I'm a big fan of Miss Selfridge jeans, they fit really well and keep their shape for years.
Available for £23.80 at Miss Selfridge 

Charlotte Olympia Feline texture leather shoulder bag in Blush
This bag is so unique and will certainly be a talking point wherever you go. A little unusual with the designers 'kitty' face on the front but I like it.
Available for £495.00 at Net-a-Porter 

MUA Professional 6 shade eyeshadow palette in Rusted Wonders

What the brand says
Rusted Wonders is a new 6 shade eyeshadow palette that has a collection of soft, silky shades. The shades have been designed with a colour scheme to compliment each other so they can easily be used together for different looks.

The Lowdown
The shades in this palette are gorgeous and I love the pearlised finish. There's quite a few neutral shades in addition to the light bronze which has more of a metallic finish. The only odd one out is the red shade which doesn't seem to quite fit with the rest of the colours.

When I first swatched the palette the  lighter shades were coming out really faint so I was worried it wouldn't be as pigmented as it looked on first impression. I needn't have worried, whilst the first 3 shades are lot lighter they're still pigmented, the last 3 shades however are so vibrant and pigmented it was great too see!

For the look I went for I used the 3 shades on the right of the palette, the gold, light brown and dark brown. In retrospect the colours have been planned out quite well with the left 3 colours looking like they'd go together quite nicely.

To recreate my look here's what you need to do:
1. I applied the light gold shade in the inner corner of my eye.
2. Next I applied the light brown to the outer 2/3 of my eye blending out to the end of my eyelashes
3. To add a bit of definition I blended the dark brown into the light brown on the very outer edge of my lid.

I'm actually really pleased with the finished result, it's super pigmented and the shades blend together so well. There was no fall out when I was applying it and 'it lasts all day'

This is one beauty buy that I'm really glad I got (and I think it was free with a few other products in Superdrug). It applies really well, looks fab on and doesn't break the bank.

Grab it for £3.50 in Superdrug or online at MUA

Advantages

• The shades are really pigmented
• The left 3 shades work well together and the right 3 shades work well together for a defined look
• No fall out when applying
• Fantastic budget buy at only £3.50!

Disadvantages

• None that I can see

How to throw a great dinner party

We all reach a certain age when it feels grown up and adult to host a dinner party. Whether you're the next Nigella Lawson, or boiled egg and soldiers is more your bag, anyone can host a great dinner party with a bit of planning (and a few glasses of wine).

Have the drinks ready
The number one tip for a great dinner party is to have a range of drinks set out ready for your guests. A couple of bottles of wine - red, white and rose, in addition to a few soft drinks, water and juice should be plenty. Set up a little area where your guests can help themselves.

Don't try a new recipe on the night!
You may have been eyeing up that exquisite dish you've seen and you think it'll make the perfect main for your dinner party. Whatever you do don't try making it for the first time on the night you host your party. SO many things can go wrong, and chances are, they will.

Prepare in advance
Try and prepare as many of your dishes as you can ahead of your guests arriving. There's nothing worse then the host struggling to get everything finished in the kitchen whilst their guests think they're simply being anti-social.

Write a shopping list
Even if you've made the dish a hundred times, we're all human and we tend to forget things. Make sure you write down everything you need for your party so you don't forget a vital ingredient.

Set out all your ingredients before you start
So you think you've got enough parsley or vegetables to complete your recipe only to realise you're short when you start cooking. By laying out everything before you start you'll know if you need to rush out to replenish your supplies.

Consider your guests dietary requirements
Don't forget to plan your menu to suit your guests dietary requirements. If you have a lot of people coming  who are vegan, vegetarian or gluten intolerant that chicken casserole and apple crumble won't go down too well.

Don't put yourself down
If you' think you've burnt the potatoes or not put enough salt in to the sauce, chances are you're the only one that's noticed - until you mention it. Don't get into the cycle of criticising your food, you made it and your guests will love you for that.

Set the scene
A good mixture of up to date tunes is perfect for adding a little ambience to your evening. Try not to make it so loud that everyone has to shout to be heard.

Go posh for the night
Cloth napkins are great for a lovely dinner party, and so much more luxurious than a piece of kitchen towel!

Think about your seating plan
If you're having a lot of guests at your party you may want to consider a seating plan to avoid fights over who sits where. Use place cards to help direct people.

Don't make it awkward
If you plan on inviting people who only know you the night may seem like a little awkward as people try to find things in common. A dinner party is best with good company, so a group of people who know each other makes for a more cosy evening.

Think about the condiments
There's nothing worse than a guest having to ask 'where's the ketchup?' when you're in the middle of dinner. Even if you don't think your meal needs it, its courteous to put out essentials like sauces, salt and pepper. After all we all know that guest who has ketchup on everything.

Set the atmosphere
Candles are great for adding a little atmosphere to your party. You don't have to pay a lot either, Primark have a great range.

Join the fun
Don't forget you're party of the party too - your guests came because you invited them. Try not to spend all your time in the kitchen, sit down and enjoy the food you've spent so long putting together.

Serve your dessert away from the table
If you have somewhere else try to serve your dessert somewhere a little more relaxing like the living room. People will feel more relaxed and it will give them a great memory of your night.

Don't forget the dessert
Desserts are pretty standard when it comes to dinner parties and they're perfect for rounding off the festivities. Whether it's shop bought, home cooked or even a cheese platter it helps to signify the end of your dinner party.

Try to cleanup before bed
Even if you can't face cleaning up everything, try to get as much done as you can. The thought of waking up to a kitchen full of dried on sauce and curdled cream is not pretty.

Mothers Day Gift guide 2017

With Mothers day just around the corner what better opportunity is there to pamper your mum with treats she'll adore.  Whether she loves the more unique gifts or a Pandora bracelet gets her pulse leaping, my gift guide will give you lots of inspiration.

Pandora Mother's Day gift bracelet
Show your mum how much you love her with this adorable mother's day gift bracelet. The bracelet comes with a stunning mum charm with a pink heart.
£99.99 at John Greed Jewellers 

Alcohol free Stratford hamper
It's not all about jewellery and perfume, some mums love the simple life. This alcohol free hamper has all the treats your mum would want to dine in style.
£31.50 at Regency Hampers 

Chloe Eau De Parfum 75ml
The fresh feminine new scent from Chloe will bring out the chic side in your mum.
£95 at Littlewoods 

Return to Tiffany heart tag pendant
Simple but classic this Return to Tiffany necklace will add a little class to your mums outfit.
£120 by Tiffany and Co 

Rock, Paper, Stars Mothers Day Butterfly earrings
These beautiful delicate 3D butterfly earrings are perfect for adding a dainty touch to an outfit. The earrings come on a lovely keepsake card adorned with flowers that reads 'always believe something wonderful is going to happen'.
£13.99 at Notonthehighstreet 

Royal Albert Cheeky Pink teapot and cup
This adorable floral teapot and cup by Royal Albert is bound to make your mum declare it's 'time for tea' every time you visit.
Get it for £65.00 at Harrods

Layzee Sleepwear Mermaid pajamas
I absolutely love these they have such a pretty mermaid design. Your mum will look like she's just stepped out of the set of Ariel!
£28 at Notonthehighstreet

Clarins Box Relax
Give the gift of relaxation this mothers day with the Clarins weekend box. The box contains Gentle Peeling Smooth away cream 15ml, HydraQuench cream mask 15ml, Fatigue Fighting Eye Contour mask, Relax Body Treatment oil 30ml, Instant Light Lip Comfort oil in honey 7ml and Relax Bath and Shower  Concentrate 30ml.
Get it for £35.00 at Clarins

Otis Jaxon silver triples heart mothers day necklace set
This unique necklace has three pretty silver hearts all cut out to fit perfectly inside each other. Perfect for mum, daughter and sister.
£79.75 at NotontheHighstreet 

Karl Lagerfeld Karl postcard minaudiere bag
This is one bag that will set your mum out from the crowd. With a playful postcard 'With love from Karl' design your mum will love it.
£129 at Coggles 

Katie Loxton Sparkle Everyday almond and cinnamon scented candle
This cute star shaped candle is perfect for adding a warm atmosphere to any home with base notes of vanilla and sandalwood. The almond and cinnamon fragrance adds a little more complexity to the scent.
£14.99 at John Lewis 

Bloom and Wild The Elsie flowers
Instead of just buying your mum flowers that will probably die in two weeks, why not consider getting her a letterbox flower subscription. You can choose to just get a one off gift but a regular flower surprise is twice as nice. The Elsie contains 21 pretty flowers. Other collections are available.
£26 for a one off collection of The Elsie at Bloom and Wild

8 top tips to give yourself the perfect manicure

Getting regular manicures and pedicures can get very expensive, especially as you have to top them up every 6 weeks. If you'd rather skip the salon and save yourself a few pennies you can create the perfect manicure or pedicure at home by following 8 of my top tips.

Manicure of perfection
1. If you don't like waiting for your nail varnish to dry (tell me a woman that does?!) then you can speed up the process by adding a drop of cuticle oil onto your finished look.
2. There's nothing worse than to paint that final layer of polish and realise there's small streaks of residue around your nails. Use a clean lip liner brush dipped in nail polish remover to get rid of any excess polish.
3. Don't let anyone tell you that you should take time out to give your nails room to breathe. Nail varnish is perfect for protecting your nails and making them stronger, especially as they often contain nourishing oils.      
4. To keep your nails on point for as long as possible, try to ensure there's no left over oil on your nails when you paint them. Use as much nail varnish remover as you need and buff them till they're completely dry.

Perfect pedicure    
1. Don't waste your time pushing back the cuticles on your toenails, a good buffing is enough.
2. If you have really tough skin on your feet use milk to soften them up - the lactic acid works wonders on reducing the hardness in the skin.
3. Foot files are a lot more effective on dry skin to remove dead skin cells.
4. Give your feet the ultimate deep clean with Bare Foot by Margaret Dabbs Soothing Foot soak (£9.50 at Marks and Spencers) that helps to revitalise tired feet.

Essence All About Bronze eyeshadow palette review

What the brand says
Essence All About Bronze contains 8 perfectly matched shades in both matte and metallic textures.  Each shade has been perfectly coordinated to work with the other so you can use the palette to create a number of different looks.

The Lowdown
What drew me to this palette was of course the sparkly shimmer of the majority of the shades.  Even better it only cost £4.00, a total bargain for 8 shades.

Whilst Essence say there is a mixture of matte and metallic textures, on first impression pretty much all of the shades appear to have a shimmery finish.

When swatched I found every shade, bar one has a deep shimmery pigment. The only shade that doesn't really show up is the white eyeshadow (5) that appears quite pale with a slight shimmer.

There is a little guide on the back of the palette which gives you a idea on how to apply the shades.

To recreate my look here's a 3 step guide:
1. I applied the white shade (5) and used it as a highlighter sweeping it under my brow
2. I applied the  gold/bronze (6) shade along the inner 2/3 of my lid
3. Finally I applied the mid bronze (2) shade along the outer 1/3 of my lid blending in with the gold/bronze and sweeping into the crease.

The eyeshadow blends quite nicely but I did notice there was quite a bit of fall out initially with glitter falling around my eyes. Whilst the shades look quite different in the palette I didn't notice much of a contrast when applied on the lid. The eyeshadow has a lovely rich pigment that looks gorgeous on.

Grab it for £4.00 at Wilkinsons (can't find it online for some reason!)

Advantages

• Nine out of the ten shades has a rich heavy pigment
• The shades are fairly well matched so can be used together for a variety of different looks
• Great budget price of just £4

Disadvantages

• There is a small amount of fall out when applying that you have to wipe away

3 awesome lazy hair day hacks

Sometimes time can just run away from you and the evening that you were supposed to wash your hair gets filled up with chores you were supposed to do two days ago. If you really don't have time to wash your hair it's not the end of the world, dry shampoo was invented for just this reason!

Use a headband
One really easy way of disguising any greasy roots is to use a headband. You can wear your hair loose pushing back the hair at the front to disguise any oiliness, or you can pull it back in a bun or ponytail and put the headband on top.

Add some curls
Baby powder is fabulous for getting rid of any grease in your hair. Add a little bit to the roots and then brush it out. The powder helps to absorb the oil and the greasiness pretty much disappears. Once you've blended it in use a heated tong to give your hair some relaxed waves.    

Dry shampoo is made for lazy days
Dry shampoo is best used in between shampoos to keep your hair fresh when you don't have time to wash it. If you don't get the chance dry shampoo is still really good to use to give greasy hair a new zest of life.