Mario Badescu Skincare | Aloe Lotion

Hey guys,

How are we all today? I can’t believe I only have 3 assessments left in college and then I am finished for the summer! I really should be looking for some summer work but it is so hard to find someone to give you a chance when you only have a qualification and no experience! I won’t bore you with the daily real life struggles ha-ha.

I thought I would talk about the amazing Mario Badescu who until recently I hadn’t actually heard about; it was only when I was looking through some of Nicole Guerriero videos on YouTube that I actually took notice. She is one of my favourite beauty gurus on the web and was one of the first, apart from the Pixiwoo girls that I watched religiously so when she says she loves something, I take notice.

I was on the lookout for a new toner and having tried my fair share of the best on the market; I decided to pick up something new so I went with the Aloe Lotion (£12.95) from Beauty Bay which is a mild 2% alcohol based astringent that has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to disinfect and clean normal, combination and oily skin but it also helps to soothe any irritations. This toner contains aloe vera gel and magnolia extract along with some other ingredients which help to unclog pores and leave skin looking its best.

To start, I double cleanse my skin. I have been using the Eve Lom Balm Cleanser (from £40) recently; this is thanks to my gorgeous friend Siobhan who gave me a sample to try out as it wasn’t working out for her. Once all of my makeup has been removed, I then use a cotton pad which has been soaked with this lotion and swipe all over my face. I leave this for a few minutes before moving onto the rest of my skincare products.

As the description states, this is mild on the skin but the smell is a bit of an eye watering solution which sort of reminds me of lice lotion. I know that sounds weird and disgusting but we all remember those letters being sent home from school when there was a lice outbreak and then being doused in this lotion which was so strong before enduring the pain of the metal comb being dragged through our hair and scalps. I used to think my mum hated me when I was younger when she carried out this routine but now I know it was mandatory. Even though the smell is strong, it isn’t enough to put me off using it but if you can have a whiff before purchasing then I would highly recommend this as it may not be for everyone.

As far as a skincare tool, it is phenomenal. It works over my face perfectly and leaves my skin with a slight glow to it and it also helps to reduce the redness from cleaning my face. I adore this product as I haven’t had one breakout since using this as well as Cupcake. It is amazing and if the rest of his products are as good as this one, then Beauty Bay better watch out, cause mama will be spending some cash in there soon.

Please give it a try, don’t let the smell put you off as it really is an amazing product which helps combat skin irritations including blemishes and redness. 

P.S Head down to your local Debenhams to get yourself measured. I recently went along and was surprised to find that I was 2 whole cup sizes bigger and a back size smaller!! No wonder my back has been sore. Ending today (25th May) there is a £5 off any £30 purchase offer on.

Have you checked out my latest post featuring The Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | 

Bourjois | Healthy Balance Matte Powder

Hey you lovely bunch!

Bourjois are one of my all-time favourite drugstore brands as they offer so many amazing products that actually do what they promise, so when I saw the Bourjois Healthy Balance Compact Powder in 52 Vanille (£8.99) in Boots a few weeks ago I obviously had to add it to my extensive collection. 

I have been using this to set my entire face with the Real Techniques Face Brush from the Limited Edition Due Fibre Collection (£23.99) after I have applied my foundation to give it a light touch and flawless finish, and to say it has been amazing is an understatement. This boasts a 10 hour staying power and advises that it’s anti-shine and hydrating. I don’t really get the hydrating statement to be honest, I mean how hydrating can a powder really be? If a cream based product claimed this, then I would be more inclined to believe that. The 10 hour staying power, I will agree with that, once it’s on, it’s staying on and it does help with the old shiny forehead.

For £8.99, this powder is great, I have tried some high end ones that guarantee the same but in actual fact they do nothing for my oily skin and I end up looking like a melted welly by the end of the night but this has been fab! You should give it a try.

P.S Head down to your local Debenhams to get yourself measured. I recently went along and was surprised to find that I was 2 whole cup sizes bigger and a back size smaller!! No wonder my back has been sore. For the month of May there is a £5 off any £30 purchase offer on.

Have you checked out my latest post featuring A Meaty Cocktail?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | 

Scottish Scran | The Meat Bar

Chorizo Margarita

Smoked Chicken Liver Pate with House Chutney and Rye Toast

Woodland Pigeon with Beets and Redcurrant Dressing

Smoker Plate w/ Quince & Chilli Ribs, Louisiana Hot Glazed Chicken Wings, Rabbit Meatballs and Pulled Pork

Hey guys,

I don’t normally do restaurant reviews but I recently went along to the Meat Bar in Glasgow again and had to do a little post about how amazing the food was. I have been here numerous occasions in the past and it never disappoints. As the name suggests it is definitely a place for the carnivore and let me tell you, it will leave you wanting more. As well as some amazing food dishes with their home smoked meats they also offers up a selection of specially brewed Scottish & American beers, wines, cocktails and savoury cocktails which have a little twist.

Both Liam and I met up with our good friends for a double date night which seems to be an almost monthly occurrence which normally ends in me being a drunken disaster ha! Both of the boys ordered the amazing Smoker Plate which looked stunning, they both devoured it, so it obviously hit the spot. I ordered the Woodland Pigeon and Chicken Liver Pate as I didn’t want a main and they were both fantastic. The Woodland Pigeon was definitely the highlight of the meal for me but the triple cooked fries were equally amazing. Like most restaurants now, they offer up an amazing cocktail menu but the Meat Bar offer a fun cocktail menu where they have meat infused savoury cocktails, naturally I had to order one. I chose the chorizo margarita which didn’t really taste of chorizo but it did have a slight salty element to it, I loved the little chorizo slice which was hanging on the side of glass. I know this sounds disgusting but it was actually really nice, please give it a try before dismissing it.

If you are looking for tasty food a great selection of cocktails and a great atmosphere then I would recommend heading down this weekend to sample some of their amazing offerings. Don’t head there for a quick bite as the service is quite slow due to it being busy most of the time so head there for a nice night and bring your appetite, you will need it.

Have you checked out my latest post featuring My April Favourites?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | 

My April Favourites

Hi guys,

April sure went in quick didn’t it? I tried to get this post up sooner but I have been studying away and totally neglecting my blog recently as I only have 9 days before I sit the final exam of my HND, fingers crossed I get an A or B but I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be hard.  

April was a great month, I had my first ever blogger event, I celebrated my first year blogging anniversary and I got to meet some great bloggers too. This month I have Liam’s 30th birthday so I have a few surprises up my sleeve for him, hopefully he enjoys what I have planned. Unfortunately he will be working for most of May so he won’t be here for his birthday, nor will he be allowed to celebrate it as he will be stuck on an oil rig for 3 weeks! It’s a good thing he doesn't care about birthdays but I do so hopefully he has fun when he comes home with myself, his family and friends. I have planned a night at the dog races for all of our friends and family and also a paintballing day for him and 15 of his nearest and dearest plus an extra surprise just for him, I don’t want to say it just now in case he reads this and it ruins the surprise but hopefully he enjoys his 3 weeks at home with all the little surprises I have lined up.

Back to this post though. The first item I have absolutely adored this month is the L’Oréal Matte Infallible Foundation (£6.99) this foundation is the first in my collection that hasn't had to be set with a powder and has actually lasted all day. Throughout the day, it didn’t budge at all. I will have a full review of this very shortly. Keeping up with makeup, I have also rediscovered my love for the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms (£7.99), the one I have been reaching for almost every day is the shade Elusive which is a gorgeous pink shade that lasts on the lips without drying them out. As with everyone else, I have fallen head over heels in love with the Max Factor Crème Puff Blushers (£8.99). My favourite is shade Seductive Pink, which gives a gorgeous hint of colour as well as a little added highlight to the cheeks which is a look I am loving at the moment.

Skincare has been my real love this month. I will have a new skincare post up very soon with all the products that have completely changed my skin, for the better. The first thing I have absolutely loved is the Yes to Carrots Exfoliating Cleanser (£6.99). This is so gentle on the skin and can be used as an everyday cleanser, the only thing is, it’s not great at removing every trace of mascara so if you want to purchase, I would suggest using an oil/gel/balm cleanser first and then using this as a second cleanser. Balance Active Formula Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum (£3.99) and Nip & Fab Dragons Blood Fix Plumping Serum (£19.95) have been the greatest serums ever invented in my opinion, between the two of them, I have had added so much moisture back into my skin which has in turn completely transformed my skin.

Masks have been another favourite this month and amongst them is the facemask, Cupcake (£6.50) from Lush. This mask is something else entirely, it smells like an absolute dream and has also worked at calming down any blemishes I had. Since using it, I haven’t had one breakout so to say this is a life saver is a massive understatement. 

I have 2 non beauty favourites this month which are the movies Avenger: Age of Ultron and Big Eyes. Avengers needs no introduction at all, it’s one of the biggest movie franchises out there and brings together some of the most amazing superheroes including Iron Man, Thor *swoons*, Captain America and The Hulk amongst others. If you love superhero films, then I suggest you grab a friend, large popcorn and prepare to be blown away! Big Eyes is a film I stumbled across and stars the amazing Amy Adams and tells the incredible story of artist Margaret Keane and her attention seeking husband Walter Keane. I didn’t expect much from this film to be honest but I was blown away by the acting, especially from Christoph Waltz who plays Walter, there are some incredible scenes from him and in my opinion he steals the movie. Please, please, watch this, it might not be for everyone but I loved it.

I have a lot more in my favourites but if I carried on I would probably have enough material for three blog posts so I won’t bore you but I will tell you another few without too much detail. These are the May Chang Citrus Pocket Balm (£4.95), NYC Liquid Eyeliner (£2.49), Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (£70), Maybelline Color Elixir in Petal Plush (£6.99), Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream (from £35), Soap & Glory Orangeasm Super Rich Body Butter (£10) and the Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer (£29).

What have you loved in April?

Have you checked out my latest post featuring Bio Oil?  I can also be found on Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | 

Bio Oil as Skincare

Hi guys,

The scars on my face have got to be one of the most annoying things that’s ever happened to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not walking around with hundreds of them but having a few around my chin from past blemishes is enough to infuriate me. I hate having anything on my face that shouldn't be there so when I get a cyst under my skin that doesn't come to a head but instead leaves a bruise on my skin, I head straight to my skincare products to find something which will take away the evidence of it ever being there.

I normally use Alpha H Liquid Gold as this is a treatment serum which works wonders on my skin and helps to even out my skin tone but I ran out and being a poor student I just couldn't justify the hefty price tag so I decided to look for a cheaper alternative. I`d heard great things about Bio Oil (from £8.99) from the blogging community and from a few of my friends and family who have had children so when I was walking through Boots I decided to pick up a bottle to see if it was really worth the hype. I know its for stretch marks but after reading the packaging, I knew I needed it to help a sister out.

Bio Oil according to their website, has a unique blend of natural plant oils and vitamins including Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Calendula Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil and Chamomile Oil which has been clinically proven to help with scars, stretch marks, dehydrated skin, uneven skin tone and ageing skin. As I have quite sensitive skin I was a bit worried about using it but after reading up about it I found out that it is both hypo-allergenic and acnegenic which put my mind at ease.

Since purchasing it over 3 months ago, I have been using it religiously every morning and every evening to help combat the problem of uneven skin tone, dry skin and obviously to help diminish any scars. I have been using this after cleansing and toning my face which I then work into my skin in circular motions.

First things first, the oil feels super light (I only used a small amount) and absorbs into my skin straight away, this is a bonus because I hate feeling like I have anything on my face. The scent isn't intrusive, it is quite mellow which is an aspect of it that I like. Like I said, I have been using this for the past 3 months now and I can’t help but feel disappointed as I haven't noticed a huge difference yet! The brand do recommend using the product for 3 months before making judgement as this is how long it should take to clear up the skin but no, it didn't really help with the scars to be honest, the faded ones which were already on their way seemed to fade even further but as for the more prominent ones from recent blemishes, it didn't do much to change them. A plus side of the oil is how well my skin has reacted to it with regards to my dry areas, it has felt very nourishing and worked wonders on my skin. Using this along with my Balance Active Youth Serum (£3.99) and the Nip & Fab Dragons Blood range has really helped to ease the dry areas on my face.

Would I recommend for scar removals? Unless they are minimal and may disappear over time then no I wouldn't. Would I recommend as part of a skincare routine for dry skin? Yes! This really is a great oil for dry and dehydrated skin and will help anyone who suffers from this skin type. I recently introduced my sister to this oil as she suffers from dehydrated skin and she has noticed a huge difference!

Have you used Bio Oil before?

What are your thoughts on it?

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