Lush | Father Christmas Bath Bomb

Hello!


We all probably know by now that I love Lush and do like reviewing Lush products, so it is by no surprise that today I bring a review on the Father Christmas bath bomb. I debated whether there was any point reviewing a limited edition Christmas bath bomb now that they aren't available but I decided it was for 3 reasons. 1) There may be a few people who got this bath bomb for Christmas and haven't used it yet so may be interested to see what it will be like. 2) The Father Christmas bath bomb is a repeat product so will be likely to be available at the end of 2016 too. 3) Who doesn't like reading Lush reviews anyway?!


The Father Christmas bath bomb, like you would expect from the name, represents Father Christmas. It is a round pink ball with Santa's face carved out in white. Because of this, you'd think your bath water would turn a pale pink. But does it? Oh no. Instead, your bath turns a wonderful, bright Christmas green with white froth floating at the top of the water. The bath bomb fizzes at a medium pace, letting out bursts of green which come to surprise you. 

So I've tried to do a bit of research about the ingredients of this bath bomb because it is not on the Lush website any longer and I couldn't pinpoint a smell when I used it. The bath bomb does include citric acid and synthetic musk, and so some reviews I have read has said that it has a citrus scent to it. On the other hand, I have read elsewhere that the scent is the same as Snow Fairy. It may be that they have changed the scent of the bath bomb over the years, but to be honest I couldn't smell anything strong from it anyway, which doesn't bother me. Additionally, it doesn't seem to have any butters in the ingredients but I did find it to make the water slightly soft, thus giving a moisturising feeling to my skin.


Apart from the mystery of the scent and ingredients, I quite liked this bath bomb. My favourite type are the type that surprise you and this green really did surprise you considering it comes from a pink and white bath bomb! I loved the colour and it is probably up there in my favourite colours from bath bombs. I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind using it again next Christmas. So thanks for that bath, Father Christmas!


Also, I did film this bath bomb fizzing out on my Instagram. So if you'd like to see my demo of it, please visit my instagram @BrionyBea!

Favourites | The Best Make Up of 2015

Hello all!

Today I bring you my favourite make up of 2015. It is so difficult to narrow down all the products I've loved throughout the year but I've managed it! That is all of my favourites of 2015 up now. Time to move forward! If you haven't read my skincare favourites of 2015 yet feel free to click here and if you haven't read my hair care and perfume favourites then feel free to click here!

BASE

• Emite Make Up Diamond Heart Base Primer
• L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr-Matte Foundation    (review)
• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer    (review)
• Collection Lasting Perfection Powder    (review)
• W7 Go Colour Corrective Concealer    (review)
• BarryM Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit
• So Susan Statement Skin Highlighting Crayon 
• Urban Decay De-Slick Make-Up Setting Spray    (review)

EYEBROWS

• Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow    (review)
• Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Pencil    (review)

LIPS

• Kiko Milano Intensely Lavish Lipstick '06'
• Kiko Milano Intensely Lavish Lip Liner '06'
• MAC Ruby Woo    (review)

EYES

• L'Oreal Paris Infallible Indefectible Waterproof Eyeliner 'Night Day Black'
• bareMinerals Lash Domination Voluminising Mascara    (review)
• Soap&Glory Supercat Liquid Eyeliner    (review)
• Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
• Eylure Lengthening Fake Eyelashes

BRUSHES

• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush    (review)
• Real Techniques Setting Brush    (review)
• Seventeen Cheek Brush
• Seventeen Flat Eye Brush

What was your favourite make up of 2015?

Favourites | The Best Hair Care & Perfume of 2015

So yesterday I posted my 'Favourites | The Best Skincare of 2015' blog post. Today I want to do the same thing, but with hair care and perfume! I'm not massively into hair products and perfume so this is a small post but it certainly deserved to be mentioned. If there is a review on a product I will link the review next to it for you!

HAIR PRODUCTS

• Batiste Dry Shampoo Original. My holy grail dry shampoo I've been using for years!   (review)

• VO5 Nourish My Shine Bedazzling Oil Heat Protector. A new one to my collection this year. I love it to protect my hair from the heat of hairdyers and straighteners and it certainly makes my hair shiny. 

• Schwarzkopf Moisture Kick Beauty Balm. Another new item to my collection after getting a sample at Bristol Fashion Week. I like to put it at the ends of my damp hair to help my split ends and keep the ends of my hair feeling nourished and not dry!

PERFUME

• Paco Rabanna Black XS. I first got this from my friend Antonia for my birthday and since then I have used that up and got another one. I love the packaging as it is quite dark and alternative (which is what I like) and I always get compliments when I wear it. 

What were your hair care and perfume favourites? My ultimate make up favourites will be coming next!

Favourites | The Best Skincare of 2015

Hello!


This week I will be uploading 3 favourites posts for my overall favourites of 2015. These will include skincare, hair/perfume and make up. I did one of these in 2014 (here) and I really liked doing it so I thought I would do it again! Today I am going to start with the best skincare of 2015. Some favourites have carried on from 2014 but there are plenty of new favourites as well. Additionally, a lot of the favourites I have included I have written reviews on. So if I have, I'll link the post next to them!

WASH

• The Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Cleanser   (review)

MOISTURISING

• Nivea Oil Free Moisturising Day Cream for Oily & Combination Skin
• Être Belle Golden Skin Roll On Caviar Eye Gel   (review)
• The White Collection Cotton Camomile Body Cream 

REMOVING MAKE UP

• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water   (review)
• Amphora Aromatics Seaweed & Aloe Refreshing Eye Gel   (review)

LIPS

• Nivea Original Lip Balm  (review)
• Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub 

SCRUBS

• The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub    (review)
• Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Exfoliating Face Scrub

TREATMENT

• InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Mask   (review)
• The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil  (review)

What were your skincare favourites of 2015?

2015, My Year In Review & 2016 Goals

Hey all!


Happy new year! A year ago I made a blog post about my 2015 new year resolutions. I thought I would revisit those resolutions and see what came of them:

• "I hope to continue to fight my anxiety and say yes to more things". I think I mostly managed this. I have gone to gatherings/parties which in previous years I would have said no to. I also took (and passed) my driving theory test finally which I had been putting off for months and months because I was too anxious to do it!

• "Make more friends". I didn't particularly make any new friends. However, I have rekindled old friendships, became closer to current friends and made acquaintances in the job I began later on in 2015. This is something I really need to work on in 2016!

• "Save enough money to go travelling hopefully starting in 2015." Well, I have been saving to go away and I did start my travelling in 2015! I went away for a week with friends which was the first time I had been away with just friends and not family before.

• "Have financial stability enough to go do little fun things even if it is a weekend by the seaside with my boyfriend." I also managed this! I went to Brighton for the weekend with my boyfriend and it was a really lovely time. I had never been to Brighton before and I would like to do a little weekend away again. 

I'd also like to remember all the things I achieved and saw throughout the year. I think it is good to remember your accomplishments and think of all the things that made you feel good.

1. My niece turned 2
2. My nephew turned 1
3. My boyfriend and I had our 2nd year anniversary
4. I celebrated my 18th birthday
5. My boyfriend and I went to Brighton for the weekend
6. I did my A Level exams and passed them
7. I left sixth form 
8. I got accepted into my chosen university for 2016
9. I began my gap year
10. I went on my first holiday abroad alone with friends
11. I passed my driving theory test
12. I got a permanent job
13. I put more time and effort into my blog
14. Saw the musical Annie which has been on my bucket list for years as it is one of my favourite musicals.
15. Saw Putting On the Ritz which is also one of my favourite musicals and was on my bucket list to see.

2015 was a really stressful but rewarding year for me. My time in sixth form trying to prepare for my exams and get good enough grades to get into university was so stressful, upsetting and hard for me. But I was greatly rewarded by achieving it, being able to leave education and start my gap year. For the last half of 2015 I have been able to put more effort into things I like and start concentrating on my well-being.

I have really high hopes for 2016. I am really hoping this is going to be 'my year' where it is all about doing things to help my own personal progression. My goals for 2016 are:

1. Go travelling as much as I can. I want to definitely go interrailing with friends and book whatever else I can whether it is alone or with my boyfriend. Go as many places as I can basically!
2. Make more friends in and outside work.
3. Continue to control my anxiety and say yes to more things.
4. Get back into my hobby of tap dancing and learn at least 2 new dances.
5. Continue to put more effort into my blog and reach 200 Bloglovin' followers.
6. Do a big clear out and organise my bedroom.
7. Take and pass my driving test.
8. Begin University in September with confidence to make friends and learn what I can.
9. Start to save up money to buy myself a car.

So I guess we will have to wait until the end of 2016 to see if I achieve my goals. I'm pretty determined to!

What are your goals for 2016?

What I Got for Christmas 2015

Hello all!


I hope you had a lovely Christmas! Because I enjoy reading what other people got for Christmas, I decided that I would share what I got as well, likewise to what I did in 2014. My family and friends were very kind with what they got me and Christmas was super fun!

• Build-A-Bear Workshop Pickachu (Pokemon)
  
• Face Paint by Lisa Eldridge
• Eylure Lengthening Eyelashes No.035
• Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick 'One-Of-A-Kind'
• L'Oreal Paris Lip Liner Couture 'Scarlet Rouge'
  
• Paperchase Travel Map Scrapbook
• Ministry of Sound 'When Cool Was King' CD
  
• The Body Shop Strawberry Gift Set
• Soap & Glory 'The Zest A Girl Can Get' Sugar Crush Gift Set
• Carino Cocnut Shampoo & Conditioner
• Superdrug Destressing Aloe Vera Mud Mask
• The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub
• St Ives Apricot Face Scrub
  
• River Island Black Tassel Bag
• New Look Red/Black Handbag
  
• River Island Purse
  
  
• SuperDry Professional Lip Glaze Trio
• New Look Pure Colour Nail Polish 'Brick Red'
  
• The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins
• I Am A Witch and Witches Burn by Josephine Angelini
  
• Animorphia Colouring Book by Kerby Rosanes
• Cats Colouring for Mindfulness
• The Classic Comic Colouring Book
• Staedtler Ergo Soft Colouring Pencils
• Paper Mate Flair Original Colouring Pens
  
• Elvis 'If I Can Dream' CD
• Seventeen Nail Effects Duo
• Lovestruck Perfume by Vera Wang
• Impulse Body Spray Gift Set
• Superdrug Flirty Exotic Fruits & White Chocolate Body Spray
• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
  
• Lush Let The Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser x2
• Lush Frozen Bath Bomb
• Lush Intergalactic Bath Bomb x2
• Lush The Experimenter Bath Bomb
• Lush Father Christmas Bath Bomb
• Lush Shoot for the Stars Bath Bomb
• Lush So White Bath Bomb
• Lush Peeping Santa Bubble Bar
  
• Lipsy Watch
• Argos Watch
  
• Asda George underwear
• Asda George socks
  
• A Cat's Life 2016 Calender
  
• Grammar Coaster
  
• New Look Black Faux Fur Coat
  
• New Look Black Bandage Dress

What did you get for Christmas?

Easy & Simple Christmas Nails!

Hello!

The other week I needed a quick, simple and easy nail manicure to do before work and this is what I did. I know it nothing ground breaking but I wanted something festive for the Christmas period so I knew glitter would be on the cards!

For this I used the L'Oreal Colour Riche Rouge Pin Up which I actually got last Christmas. As the name suggests, it is a classic pin up red which I always associate with Christmas. It goes on lovely and I like to use 2 coats to make it completely opaque. Additionally, I also used the Models Own Silver Glitter on my ring fingers so I could have a glitter accent. I love glitter as it catches the light and looks festive, but I don't want to put it on all my nails because glitter is always a pain to take off!

To adhere the glitter, I painted my ring fingers and waited until it dried before adding a second coat. Before that coat dried, I sprinkled some glitter over my finger so it could dry into the polish. The best way to do this is to do it over a piece of paper or tissue to catch the excess and then you can put some of the excess back into the pot. I also found it is best to rotate my finger so the glitter can go on evenly over the entire nail.

I also showed a Christmas nail design last year that includes glitter and candy canes, so to check it out click here.

 So there we go! Simple but effective. What are going to be your Christmas nails?

My Christmas Wishlist 2015

Hello!


As with every Christmas, me and my family will all make a little Christmas list for us to share out with one another. Mine tends to be slightly larger than the other member's because I have more family members than the rest of them (complicated family alert) so they need more items to spread out amongst themselves. Anyway, here is my Christmas list for 2015:

Make Up

• Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow 'Intergalactic'
• Urban Decay De-Slick Make Up Setting Spray 
• Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick 'One-of-a-Kind'
• NYX High Voltage Lipstick 'Feline'

Skincare

• Exfoliating facial scrubs, e.g. Superdrug St Ives Gentle Apricot Scrub
• The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub (or any other body scrub)

Clothing

• Attitudeclothing.co.uk- Spiral Direct Witchy Familiar Racerback Lace Top
• New Look Black Check Buckle Side Skater Dress
• New Look Black Bandage Strap Bodycon Dress

Nails

• Essie Nails Top Coat 'No Chips Ahead'

Lush

• Peeping Santa Bubble Bar
• The Experimenter Bath Bomb 
• Let The Goods Time Roll Cleanser

Other

• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
• New Look Dark Red Contrast Zip Pocket Structured Bag
• Argos Spirit Ladies' Stone Set Bracelet Watch (for work, I don't wear watches otherwise)
• Lady Gaga Fame Perfume
• Money for gap year savings
• Voucher ideas: Boots, New Look, H&M, Topshop and Blue Banana

What's on your Christmas list?

Glossybox December 2015

Hello!

It is that time again! I received my second ever Glossybox today and it was called the 'Rose Gold Edit'. I was going to cancel my subscription but because it was Christmas I thought "hey, why not treat myself? It is my Christmas present from me to me!" ....So what did I get?

• Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask- [Full Size: £8.50]. This is a face mask that is soaked in moisturising serum made from femented coconut juice. It aims to nourish, moisturise, brighten and even skin tone. I am so looking forward to using this! Plus I've never used a mask before that is an actual mask so that'll be interesting for me.
  

• Essence Liquid Lipstick in 'Show Off- [Full Size: £2.20]. In the last box I received a lipstick that really wasn't any good so I am a bit nervous to try this one out. However I really like the colour so I do have my hopes for it. I've always known of Essence but never tried anything from them so we will have to see how it goes.
  

• So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Crayon- [Full Size: £15.00]. This is an absolutely beautiful silver highlight in the easy form of a crayon that creates a beautiful shine on the skin. I am really looking forward to using this as an easy way to highlight my face or use in the inner corners of my eyes! In the photo above I have swatched the highlighter underneath the liquid lipstick.
  

• Etre Belle Golden Skin Caviar Eye Roll On- [Full size: £30.66]. This is a travel friendly eye roll on gel that soothes and hydrates the eyes with a metal ball to add to the cooling factor. This would be good to use in the morning when tired.
  

• Collection Long Lasting Nail Effects- [Full Size: £2.99]. This is such a pretty glittery dark bronze that would probably look beautiful on the nails. I already have a colour similar to this one so I am looking forward to comparing them. 
  

• Talika Photo Hydra Day Moisturiser- [Full Size: £24.85]. This moisturiser comes from a luxury French brand so I was amazed about the size that I recieved. It is soothing, nourising and plumping. I have been using it as my daytime moisturiser since getting it and it seems to sink into the skin really quickly. 
  

Overall I really enjoyed this box and I think I might even prefer it to November's!

That's it! I am cancelling my subscription for now because I am saving up money to go travelling. However, I am sure I will renew it occasionally because who can resist a box of mystery make up?

Christmas on a Student Budget | Gifts for: The Blogger

Hello! 

Once again I am coming to you with another gift guide aimed at students or anyone else on a budget this Christmas. This time, the gift guide is centred around buying for bloggers.

1. Moleskin 'My list of awesome things to write about' Journal (£5.00). If other bloggers are anything like me, I like to list my blog posts which sometimes come to me at random times such as out and about. Because of this, I always like to have a notebook at hand to jot down my ideas. So this would be great just for that job!


2. Paperchase Birdhouse Magnetic Clip Board, Pad & Pen (£6.00). Another organising gift! I actually have a whiteboard I use to organise my posts on and this is a great alternative to that. This would be good for bloggers who like to plan their posts in details and like to type up posts from paper. Plus, this is such a cute design!


3. Primark Garfield 'Sleep is overrated' PJ Top (£5.00). The PJ top isn't on the Primark website any longer so I can't link it or show you the photo of it, but it will probably still be in store! It is basically a pyjama top with the cat Garfield's face on saying 'Sleep is overrated'. I thought this was a good gift for a blogger because not only is it nice to write blog posts whilst in cosy clothing, but I think a lot of bloggers can relate to losing out on sleep because they're writing blog posts!


4. HURKI Queen of the Bloggers Small Mug (£8.48). A simple mug but a fun one to buy for a fellow blogger friend. Think they're a great blogger? Well let them know!


5. Thorntons Continental Milk, White & Dark Collection (£7.00). I know personally I like to snack on things whilst I write, so I thought a box of varied chocolate would be nice to keep someone going whilst they're typing.

6. 101 Blogging Tips: How To Create a Blog That People Will Find, Read and Share (£2.24). Finally I thought I would include a blogging handbook. Not only would this be great for beginners but it would also be good for those trying to up their blogging game or simply just reinforce their already acquired tips and tricks. It is a nice little kindle book that someone can flick through on their phone or tablet.



That's it for this guide! Click here for my student budget guide to buying home decor and this one here for the make up lover.

Christmas on a Student Budget | Gifts for: The Home Décor Lover

1. Next Alphabet A-Z Cushion (£10.00). These cushions make a good personal gift as you can get a letter to suit the recipient's name. You can also get an '&' one so if you were buying for a couple you could get their initials and a '&'! They're simple looking black and white cushions which means that they would go with plenty of colour themes and look good on a bed or a sofa.


2. Next Set of 4 Drinks Coasters in Holder (£8.00). These coasters make a humorous gift with little jokes on such as 'You look like I need a drink' and 'If you can read this, my drink needs topping up'. I think this would be good for someone who frequently has guests over because guests can use the coasters for their drinks and have a little giggle when they see them. Again, they're simple black and white so would go well with many colour themes.


3. H&M Small Metal Leaf-Shaped Dish (£7.99). I spotted this dish and thought it looked lovely and intricate. I think this would be good to place delicate jewellery on such as rings and would look nice on a vanity table. If the person you're buying for doesn't wear jewellery I also think it would be nice to put your house keys/car keys on so you always remember where you put your keys! Then it could look good in the hallway.


4. H&M 'Books I Haven't Read Yet' Metal Bookend (£7.99). If you're buying for a book lover then this is a brilliant idea. This would look wonderful at the end of a shelf or in a bookcase and can help a book lover separate the books they have and haven't read. I for one sometimes forget which of my collection I've read and which I haven't so this would be super helpful! 


5. Yankee Candle 'Snow In Love' Small Jar Candle (£8.99). Plenty of home décor lovers I know are also big fans of candles so a Yankee Candle had to be in my guide.  Yankee candles are well known around the world and are known to have a lasting smell so a Christmas candle would be great. I chose 'Snow In Love' because I thought the name was quite punny and would be good to buy for someone you love. 


6. Tesco House Cement Sign 'LIFE takes you to unexpected places, LOVE brings you home' (£4.00). Finally, we have this little sign that hangs on a rope which reads 'LIFE takes you to unexpected places, LOVE brings you home'. I'd buy this for a whole range of people such as someone who was a recent home owner and are looking to add small details to their home, or even a young student who has recently moved out of their family home and into university accommodation. 



I hope this is helpful! I also have a student budget gift guide for make up, so if you haven't seen it yet then feel free to click here. :-)