SEVILLE; day one

If you read my last post you will know that over the weekend I was in Seville, Spain, for a wedding. I'd never been to Seville before so I was super excited to visit a new city. I actually bought a travel guide as well so that I could learn about the attractions before I went and figure out which ones I wanted to see the most. However, in my mad rush to pack and the fact I barely had any time before we left on the Friday morning, I forgot it. But I know that it will not go to waste as during my 3 days there, I have decided that I have to go back and explore the city further as the weekend made me fall in love with the place. And I hope that this post and the 2 that will be coming in the next few days will convince you to visit the beautiful city!

But onto the actual trip!

In my last post I also mentioned that I was going out on Thursday night for 3 of my friends' belated birthday's and would be out until pretty early in the morning (3am!). Now this is late for any party-goer but when you have to be up at half 4 to get a taxi to the airport, it's pretty hardcore! As a result, I was asleep for the majority of the flight to Malaga (around 2 and a half hours) and then the car journey to Seville (again, around 2 and a half hours) and so there are no photos of the trip. However, as we started to travel further into the core of the city, towards the cathedral and parts of the city where modernisation hadn't yet reached, I couldn't sleep. To go from such urban surroundings with some of the most unique and modern buildings to old, cobbled streets and palaces was such a strange experience but one I very much enjoyed. I personally much preferred the ancient parts of the city and wish I could have spent more time viewing it's main attractions!

Upon arrival at the hotel (we stayed at Hotel Dona Maria and if you ever visit Seville, i whole heartedly recommend staying there - it's beautiful, the staff are wonderful and it's in a prime location, all you have to do is step out of the hotel and there's the cathedral!), we quickly rushed upstairs, unpacked and changed into something more comfy and cooler to have a nice, relaxing walk around the cathedral.

After a stretch of the legs, we headed back to our room to shower and freshen up before meeting the rest of the group to have some drinks and a nice catch up at a bar called El Giraldillo which was right by the cathedral.

When we'd all become acquainted with each other, the girls of the group (plus my dad...) walked through the back streets to an old authentic flamenco school. Kelly (the bride) told us that before the new owners came to the scene, the students of the flamenco school would put on shows for whoever was about at the time. It has now become much more well known and far more tourist orientated with seats very limited and the best spots taken way before the show starts. However, we still managed to get great seats and the whole show was incredible - totally one of a kind!

Now I apologise for the blurriness of the photos but we could only take pictures at the end during their final piece and they very rarely stood still (understandable as the show was for dancing!). However, I really like how they've come out - the lighting and the motion just make the pictures have that little something else.

After the show, we headed out to look for a tapas bar to get a small bite to eat before walking past the cathedral and back to our hotel room, ready to collapse in our beds after a long and tiring day...

LUSH mask of magnaminty

Lush masks are possibly my favourite ever and I think I have good proof to say this after the amount of them that I have used and tried. When I go into a Lush store I usually gravitate towards the Fresh Face Masks and have tried a whole range of them (i can do a whole other post on the ones i've tried if anybody would be interested?). However, after reading an old review on Zoe's blog, I decided that when I next had a look around Lush, I'd treat myself to this mask which is bigger in size and not only for the face but for the back too.

Now I know these masks aren't to everyone's tastes but I personally love thick creamy masks that you just slather onto your face and these ones are especially nice due to the fact they are jam packed with natural ingredients. This particular mask is super fresh and as soon as you open the tub you are hit with a wonderful smell of mint. However, mint haters, do not worry, it isn't actually too strong and this is coming from a person who goes for spearmint chewing gum! As the name would suggest though, the main ingredient and thus scent, is mint but there are some other ingredients in their that add to the overall fragrance of the mask.

I understand that it doesn't look that appealing and so those that are concerned with appearances might not want to layer this onto your face. However, I personally am not too fussed by how it looks and for those that aren't too sure should look past what it looks like and really focus on how well it works. Before using this I always clean my face first, even if I haven't been wearing make up, just so that the mask can really get deep into my pores. Upon application you can feel it slightly tingling on the skin which is a good thing for me as it means it's actually doing something instead of just sitting there. As you wait to wash it off (the advisory time is 5 to 10 minutes but i keep it on until i've finished shaving and washing etc), the mask hardens a little and starts to feel a little tight on the skin (which is just a warning as i know it's not the nicest feeling and one that some people tend to avoid when looking for face masks). Another little thing that might deter people is that when you wash it off it does leave little bits in the bath (all natural stuff that was included in the mask!) and can stain the flannel. But (and this is a big but), I think these things can all be accepted when you realise just how clean and fresh your face feels once the mask has been removed. My face feels so good and just so cleansed and unclogged. My pores, which are one of my biggest issues, look smaller and blackheads much less noticeable. In terms of removing spots, this obviously isn't an immediate result, but I do notice my skin to be a lot less blemished for days after use.

The mask is really easy to use as well, it goes on nice and smoothly and you can apply as thick or as thin as you like. I personally haven't used it on my back as the skin on my back isn't too bad but if it works this well on my face, I'm sure it work wonders on your back as well!

So, overall, I think this was a very positive post and I hope it comes across that way as I really do love this mask. Masks are my favourite skincare products to shop for and so when I find a really good one, I just have to rave about it!

I hope this post has urged some of you guys to go and have a look at some of the masks in Lush! There are all different types with all different ingredients for all different types of skin issues so it's definitely worth going to check out and talk to the staff about!

MUSINGS...
Sorry for no post yesterday but I was at work all day then made an unexpected trip out last night to a pub and then a bar with some old school friends from primary school. I wasn't actually planning on going but they phoned me up and convinced me and I'm really glad I went as it was such a nice night!

I'm off out again tonight, as well, for 3 of my friends' belated birthday celebrations. They're having a joint thing with a whole load of our friends so I'm hoping it'll be another good night! However, I am very wary of the fact that I have a flight tomorrow morning for a wedding in Seville (more news and posts about it to come after the weekend!) at 7:45am so will have to be at the airport at around 5:00am... I think it's going to be a long night but it should all be enjoyable!

So as I am away for the weekend there won't be any posts but there should be plenty of lifestyle-y ones coming when I get home! Hope you all have a good weekend! 

march 2013 glossybox

I haven't done a Glossybox post in a while so I thought I'd place one here, in the midst of some reviews and lifestyle posts to add a little variety to my recent sharings. This box was the one from March and it wasn't a themed one but still had some really lovely products aimed towards a certain idea. The items in this particular box were all about 'city chic' and not just the type of chic you find in British cities but cities all over the world. Which leads me onto possibly the favourite part of the box, a little 'travelling' book. This was an added extra but I'm such a huge fan of travelling that I loved it. I've included some photos later on in the post so I'll talk a little more about it at that point!

Now this is the adorable little travel book that was included in the box. As a very keen explorer of the world, I love reading and learning about all the different countries and citites and towns and villages that I could possibly see in my lifetime. This booklet contains so many details and tips about the biggest cities across the world and I can't wait to just sit down and read through all of the information and dream about jetting off and visiting them. I'm going to treat it as a little list/aim of where to head to next and tick off as I go! 

Now onto the actual products! This is a cream that I have heard very much about and all of which is good. When I first about it, however, I took it to be more aimed toward an older lady as I always took Elizabeth Arden to be a brand that produced products for women like my mum or grandma. But, I have been shown differently and I now understand that this is a cream for all ages and is to be used for all different skin needs. I personally have blemish prone skin which can be both oily and dry and sometimes just needs a good looking after. This is where I assume this cream will provide some care for my worn out skin. I can't wait to see the results after using it and to share my thoughts with you! 

I've never really been drawn towards Juicy Couture as a brand and I don't think I've ever really looked into their offerings in the beauty or clothing department. However, as I've become more interested in blogging, I realise that I need to put away any mis-preconceptions and thoughts about Juicy Couture before I've actually given them a chance. I think their perfumes are what I've most heard about and I'm actually very excited to try this out. Upon my first and initial smell, I do actually like it very much. At first it's very strong and from what I can tell (i am useless at describing scents) it is neither predominantly floral or predominantly fruity but a mixture. It's also feminine but not too young or girly. 

Lip crayons have been very very big this year with offerings from Clinique, Bourjois and many other brands. I really like the concept of them because they're a cross between a lipstick and a lipstain providing both pigmentation and hydration to the lips. Now I know the pigmentation isn't the best in all cases but from the reviews I've read, I do know that they provide at least some colour to the lips which is a nice alternative for a day look. This colour isn't one I would naturally gravitate towards but I'm glad it's the colour I got because it'll be a nice change to the usual colours of lipsticks I pick up. From the test I've done on the back of my hand, the finish seems to be very glossy so I can't wait to see what it's like on my lips!

Nails Inc are one of my favourite nail polish brands but they aren't one I tend to buy from. I think it's because they aren't easy to come by as they don't have a stand in Boots so I am super happy to have a little miniature bottle in my box! The colour is absolutely gorgeous and I don't know how well you can see in the pictures but it has a nice gold shimmer running through the pink. I know pink is seen as more of a summer colour but I think this one could still be worn in autumn/winter as it's still relatively dark and not at all glaringly bright. I certainly can't wait to wear it in the coming months!

Hairspray isn't something that I tend to use that often because most days I leave my hair as it is and even if I do put it into a style, it's not one that needs something to 'hold' it in place. However, I am one who is up for more experimentation and am always looking at new ways to style my hair. Plus I am looking into getting myself a set of styling tools (yes, i am a girl who doesn't own a pair of straighteners or curlers) and the use of those does require a little extra help to keep the style. Therefore I am sure that this hairspray will come into use at some point - if not for my hair, we all know hairspray is great for spraying on the face to keep make up in place!

So there are my thoughts on the glossybox from March. As usual my apologies for it being so late but I will one day be back on track! I hope you don't mind me writing these posts though as I find them really easy to write and I like looking into the products I've been sent in detail.

MUSINGS...
I apologise for no post yesterday but I was pretty much run off my feet with 3 different appointments and by the end of the day I was shattered! Today has been a little less hectic, I just went stationary shopping with my friend for some stuff for university. I'm still not ready yet and it's not fully kicked in but it's all slowly becoming more real!

I'm now just catching up on Series Three of Downton Abbey because I unfortunately missed it all when it was on the TV and I need to get ready for when the new series airs! I don't think I'll be watching much more though as a headache is slowly creeping up on me...

I hope everyone's had a good start to the week and for all those starting a new term at school, good luck and have fun! I shall be back tomorrow with another review hopefully!

l'oreal rouge caresse lipstick in 01 FASHIONISTA PINK

This has been a review that I've been meaning to write for a very long time but it has been pushed to the back of my pile of posts for a while now. However, I'm finally going to sit down and give you my thoughts on one of the most popular lipsticks of the summer. There have been a whole load of reviews on these lipsticks from many of the 'bigger bloggers' but I thought I'd throw my own two cents in!

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 01 Fashionista Pink (£7.99)

Now I want to start this off by saying that I do love various aspects of this lipstick, but it hasn't really lived up to all my expectations and I have been left slightly disappointed. I had really high hopes because I'd always heard such great things about these lipsticks but I think I felt a little left down because of the colour. It's so pretty but comes out extremely sheer. However, that's not to say that I don't recommend these lipsticks, they have a really great formula!

To start off, the packaging is really lovely. It's so sleek and looks very elegant. If it didn't have a huge 'L'OREAL' logo on the side I would have thought it was from a much more high end brand! But onto the more important part, the actual product! The formula is super moisturising which is great for someone who has dry lips most of the time. I feel that when I use this I can miss out prepping before hand and the use of a lip balm as this lipstick pretty much does it for you. And, as the lipstick is so sheer, putting vaseline on the lips sort of 'washes' away any colour. 

But this was also the part I was most disappointed by. The pigmentation in this lipstick is pretty much non existent in this lipstick. When applied to the lips it is a super light pale/pastel pink and on the back of my hand it's a sort of milky lavendar colour. It's slightly like a 'my lips but better' colour with a slight sheen. My lips end up looking glossy and shiny (like a clear lipgloss with a slight pink tint) which is a nice look when you want something subtle. It's a great everyday colour and when I was testing it out for this review, I would take it out with me most days as it's a really easy lipstick to wear. It's also the type of lipstick you can apply without a mirror - just whip it out wherever and swipe it on with no need to worry about smudging! 

Unfortunately, on top of little pigmentation, the moisturisng properties of the lipstick also cause it to not last too long on the lips but I personally don't mind topping up or reapplying as it is lovely to use and feels very much like a lip balm whilst making your lips look lovely.

Now I did mention that this lipstick hasn't lived up to my expectations but I am still interested in the other shades so will be back in my nearest Boots store to pick up a few more in the near future! For this particular lipstick, I do feel the price was slightly too expensive, especially considering it's very low pigmentation. However, I do want to see what the other colours are like and whether the price is justified with them.

So there are my thoughts on this particular lipstick. As I said, it's not the best out of the whole range but I don't want this review to deter you from checking out the other colours. I also know that L'Oreal have released some similar lipsticks with a moisturisng strip in the middle of the colour (really badly explained, sorry!) which seem lovely and I would really like to try out as well. 

MUSINGS...

Sorry that this post has been a long time coming and that I haven't posted earlier since my last post but I've just been busy and quite ill for the past few days. I have a whole new schedule set up though so hopefully things are soon going to be back on track with posts coming much more often!

Today has just been spent catching up on blogs, reading Grey's Anatomy and getting stuff on my 'to do' list done. Can you believe that it's September already though?! I know we always think that every year goes quickly but this one especially so! It's my birthday this month but it doesn't even seem that long since my last one! I

'm going to go for a nice relaxing bath now before resuming my lazy regime of watching films and box sets (what else are Sunday's for?!). I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and to those of you going back to work/school this week, I hope it isn't too horrible! I have a couple more weeks yet before I resume to education but it's going to be one big change moving to university and I'm sure I'll keep you updated!