Music to my Ears #3

I don't know about you, but this last week has seemed to fly by. All I can say I've really done is soaked up the sun most of the week and neglected my blog. Since it was raining today, I guess the typical British weather will force me back inside and i'll find the time to get back to writing some posts!

I re-discovered an old album this week - Songs about Jane by Maroon 5. I was still in Primary school when this album was released (OMG!) back in 2002.

This song woke me up on the radio the other morning and has rekindled my love for Adam Levine and that husky voice of his...

I give you, Sunday Morning - ultimate chill out music, Enjoy!!

PS. I've had the first of my followers subscribe to my blog this week and Id like to say a little thank you for the lovely comments you have left me on my recent posts. Its so overwhelming when someone tells you that they are a fan of your blog - especially when its so young!! 

Love xx

Just a thought...

(source: tumblr)

Natalie x

Music To My Ears #2

I'm thinking of making this music post a weekly regular, so here goes week 2!

This week I've been travelling a lot for work purposes (more on that in a 'get to know me' post!) so who better to keep me company on the road than Lana Del Ray. Stunning voice and oozing with beauty this lady is a big big favourite of mine. 

Thanks to Spotify PlayButton, I bring you National Anthem, possibly the best song on her album Born to Die.

If your new to Spotify, I totally recommend it. Its free to download the software/app to your computer/ipad/iphone and you can upgrade to a premium account which costs £10 per month (£5 for nus cardholders) which gives you access to unlimited music, wahoo! The free version allows you upto approximately 100 plays per track and you can listen to these posts via the app too which gets a biggggg thumbs up!
Happy listening, and I hope you have a great start to the week.
'Till next time, Natalie xx

RIMMEL KATE LIPSTICK COLLECTION

 Shade 16

 Shade 26

I've never really been a lippy kinda girl, no thanks to my permanently dry lips :( But after reading some positive reviews on Rimmel lipsticks I thought why not as they were on offer for 2 for £7 at Boots. They retail for £5.49 at Boots and Superdrug.

I love the formula of these lippys, really soft, not too heavy and quite long wearing. The range of colours weren't spectacular but I did play it quite safe with the two i purchased - 16 being my favorite.

I think this might be the start of a secret lipstick love affair!

Have you tried this range by Rimmel, what did you think? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Natalie xx

ST IVES DAILY MICRODERMABRASION

As I ran through Asda the other day I spotted this bottle of St Ives Daily Microdermabrasion in the skincare isle for what I would call a 'bargain price' of £3. It didn't state the previous price on the tag (naughty asda) but I would guess it retails for maybe £5/6.

I've always been a fan of the Invigorating Apricot Scrub which is a staple item in my bathroom cupboard, but  I had never come across the daily microdermabrasion scrub so I was intrigued and it fell into my basket.

The particles in this scrub are much finer that the Apricot Scrub making it a very gentle exfoliator. It looks pretty clear on first inspection but you can feel the particles once you start working this into your skin. I used this last night and this morning and both times it has left me with a fair bit of redness that I don't get with the Apricot Scrub. But it definitely leaves you with that ultra clean skin feeling, so maybe I will just use this on the night rather than in the morning. However I am very prone to redness so I guess time will tell with this product.

The scrub itself is what my mum would say is a 'healthy' product. 100% natural, paraben free and no animal related ingredients. Their recent re-branding has left the packaging a lot more 'youthful' - I always associated St Ives with products that my Nan used to use(!) I'm definitely interested to try out some of their other products from the Timeless Skin range, if you have any suggestions please feel free to leave me a comment below!

PS: A little heads up - the Apricot Scrub is also on offer at Asda for £2!


Natalie x

Music To My Ears #1

So I thought that I would share with you some music that I have been loving recently - thanks to this Spotify PlayButton.

On nights when I'm not working to silly o'clock in the morning, I love to jump into bed, have a cup of tea, light a candle (or two) and indulge in a good book. Most recently though, I have had Birdy's album playing in the background. This is one of those albums that I can hand on my heart say that I can listen to over and over again and not get bored.


Her voice is so angelic and heavenly to listen to. What a musical artist! Definitely the most serene playlist I have on Spotify!

As a treat, I have included one of my favourite tracks from the album, enjoy! x

BUTTER ME UP!

I think i'm in love.

For ages I've wondered whats been making my mum smell so amazing every time she has a bath, so I took a trip into her bathroom and had a little rummage and eventually found this little baby.

I've never really dabbled with body butters, I seem to think that everything I put on my skin will leave a greasy residue and that thought makes me steer clear. However this Sanctuary Body Butter has swayed me and ohmygod i'm addicted. The smell is pure luxe and quite relaxing, especially when I use this just before I hop into bed.

Its jam packed with a mix of cocoa butter, shea butter almond oil, macadamia oil and good old vitamin E - lucky skin!
I'm excited to try other products from this range now and at £9.20 for 300ml I will definitely be repurchasing at some point in the future!

Have you been to the spa itself? What products tickle your fancy?

Love x

VICHY DERMABLEND CORRECTIVE FLUID

I was SO excited to purchase this from Boots yesterday after watching this video by the lovely Lisa Eldridge. The woman is a genius!

Anyway, this has got to be my #1 holy grail product. I have quite severe scarring on my face from teenage acne and an accident involving fireworks when I was younger, the majority of it being on the left hand side of my face along my hairline and by my ear. I'm currently testing out some products including Silkia Camellia Oil to try and reduce the appearance of them.

Like Lisa says in her tutorial, you do really only need a small amount of this as it really does go along way. Im only using it as a concealer rather than an all-over foundation as I use the Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer (which I have in Shade 2) as a base on which to apply the Dermablend. This combination doesn't lay heavy on my skin whatsoever and with an SPF 35, this will be a great little addition to my holiday make-up routine!

Unfortunately there aren't many shades available - I think i saw 4 on the boots counter? But I have the lightest shade which is 15 Opal and I'm lucky as it is a really good match for my skin tone. The above photo makes it look a lot darker than it is, but that's down to my tragic lack of a decent camera at this point in time - apologies!!

At £15.50 I would definitely say that it is worth the money, even if your just using this as a concealer. It will last a pretty long time I'm sure!

Have you tried the stick version of this? Or the setting powder? Let me know your thoughts!

Love x

VITA LIBERATA TAN

When it comes to tanning, its got to be natural looking. There's nothing worse than an unsightly streak or a blotch and not to mention looking like a wotsit! I've tried many tanning products over the years and I must admit - this is by far the best I've ever used, ever ever ever. Period.

I picked this up from Boots a few months ago when it had just been brought out for an introductory '1/3 of' price of £16, currently retailing at £22.49. I had never heard of this brand before I brought - I must have good instincts! There are 3 shades to choose from - light, medium and dark, as well as gels, mousses, untinted, long lasting and wash of varieties. I went for the dark mousse, even though i'm naturally very pale I find that darker shades look better in general, and last longer on my skin.


1 application of this lasts the best part of a week - bonus! It claims to have no smell whatsoever, which is true AFTER you have washed this off your skin. When you first apply it, it leaves a not so appealing green tint to your skin but after 2-3 hours its beautifully golden with no streaks. Iv had so many good complements about this tan I really cannot recommend it enough! 


Also, if your a savvy shopper like me its currently on offer for double points at Boots. - Winner!


Have you used this brand at all? Any other recommendations?

#1

A little introduction...I'm Natalie, from the Midlands, UK (i wish I could say something that sounds a bit more exotic but hey-ho, home's home!!) My career is the furthest thing from beauty blogging as I am infact a primary school teacher! I love working with the children, and moreover I love the fact that I'm providing them with an education. My motto - If you can read this, then thank a teacher! My aims in life are to be successful, travel as far and as wide as I possibly can and quite frankly have a bloody good time while I'm at it!


Since the beginning of the year i've found myself engrossed in the blogging world and my bedtime reading now consists of flicking through inspirational beauty and fashion blogs and I love it! Iv always loved swatching everything possible in Boots, and drooling over the fashion trends in magazines, but I've always had a low confidence when it comes to my own. As a young teen I was struck with the dreaded acne and was always the tallest with a natural skinny frame (still am at 6ft!), so the name 'lanky' got thrown about quite a bit too. But I've come to terms with the fact that this is who I am, this is the skin I am in and there is nothing I can do about that but embrace who I am!

I want to use this blog as a kind of journal, my internet moleskin shall we say. So, tillybeautique is where I shall give home to some of the opinions, thoughts and ideas that I have whizzing around in my overactive brain and gain other opinions, tips and inspiration from you fellow bloggers.

Speak soon
Natalie x