Recently on Instagram & life chat...

Insta link (here)

My aim at the minute is to have a huge clear out of everything, makeup, beauty, clothes and homeware. My maternity leave is ending soon so I want to go back to work with as clear a mind as possible. I really do feel so much better when my house is organised... well as organised as it can be. Does anyone else feel a lot better when they've done a 'clear out'? I've been bringing things out of my wardrobe that I forgot I had which is not only a huge waste of money but space to so I've been donating a lot of clothes to charity and putting some things on ebay. We've also been clearing out the attic which is great, why do we all put stuff in an attic then forget about it?! I'm finding decluttering a very therapeutic process.

Things in my instagram pics about that I forgot I had:

-The GHD heat proof case which folds out into a mat to set the straightners on, I use this every day now to prevent heat marks on my furniture. 

-The Real Techniques makeup brush holder which folds into a stand, this is so perfect as all the brushes I use daily can be kept in this and it will save me a lot of time rummaging through my draw to find the brush I want. 

-All those miniature products, I'm currently using as many as these up before they go out of date.

-The Nuxe oil, I use this nearly every day now on my arms and neck as it gives a spa like smell and lovely glow to the skin.

~Laura~

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Superdrug own brand loves

I recently posted this image on my instagram page (link here). I just love the variety of own branded products Superdrug have. They are not only cheaper but cruelty free, yay! I usually keep a back up of all the products shown in the above picture.

• Toothbrush - I don't understand why you would need to spend triple the price on a basic toothbrush so I usually buy these.
• Purifying mud mask (can't seem to find this one online) - this whole range of masks are great, brilliant price and last really well.
• Peel off cucumber mask
• Vitamin E Moisture mask
• Deep action pore cleansing nose strips - these have been my favourite nose strips for years now.
• Deep action blemish gel - this is the only spot treatment that actually reduces my spots.
• Manuka honey hand wash - this is on offer all the time and I love the smell.
• Vitamin E body lotion spray - I'm one of those people who hate moisturising my body, so this is a super quick method of giving my skin that moisture it needs.

What are your own brand favourites?

~Laura~

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Warehouse sale order

Embroidered top

Floral print Tshirt

Sleeveless fit and flare denim dress

Leafy dress

Ruffle shift denim dress

This all came to an amazing £70, I can't wait until it all arrives and hopefully it all fits. I just couldn't resist all these bargains!

~Laura ~

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Collated empties #12

This bag of empties has been filling up over the past month and I'm so happy to now put it into the recycling bin!

• Johnson's baby bubble bath & wash -  this really irritated my baby so I used it as a shower gel and it was great, lovely smell and moisturising.
• Original source tea tree daily scrub - I love tea tree shower products as I have that horrible bumpy skin at the top of my arms and this is great at calming it.
• Blistex relief cream- best lip product every for chapped and very dry lips.
• Collection lasting perfection concealer - everyone knows this product by now, I've started ordering this via boots online as the lightest shade is so popular and never in stock.
• Maybelline brow satin eyebrow pencil - I found this brilliant, pencil side to shape then powder side to fill which gives a more natural look.
• Origins vita zing moisturiser - I have to admit I've had this probably 2 years and a little goes a long way. I don't think I would repurchase as its too dark for my skin tone.
• Liz Earle skin repair face cream dry/sensitive - I loved this cream, so luxurious and moisturising.
• Lush snow fairy - this is Christmas product and every year my husband buys me it as he likes to sneak it as well. I've got another one still to open. 
• The body shop seaweed mask - this product really helps clear up those horrible sore spots (new packaging).
• Pregnacare stretch cream - as I've said in previous pregnancy posts, these creams done nothing for my stretch marks but I continued to use it up as I didn't want to waste it.
• Simple shampoo - if you have a sensitive scalp this is great to help calm it.
• *Maple holistics vitamin c  - I was sent this product to review and I absolutely loved it and am definitely considering purchasing it again.
• Aussie take the heat shampoo - one of my all time favourite shampoos as I have to straighten my hair every day.
• The body shop camomile eye and lip makeup remover - this is a must for every beauty lover as it's the best at removing waterproof mascara and lip stains.
• Benefit triple moisturiser cream - I found the scent of this a bit overpowering so I wouldn't repurchase but it does moisturise lovely.
• Palmers cocoa butter stretch mark cream  - just a good moisturiser but for me does nothing for stretch marks.

~Laura~

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Recently on instagram #2

                                                                      Come follow me (here)

                                                   ~Laura~

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Collated empties #11

• Simple shampoo - brilliant if you have a sensitive scalp.
• Loreal elvive fibrology conditioner - I found that this range weighed my hair down so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Botanics youth super serum - I loved this, left my skin nice and smooth.
• Lush dream cream - this was great for my dry hands/elbows & knees.
• Simple age resisting night cream - if you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know I've been using this range for years.
• The body shop aloe deodarant - I've also recently been talking about the love I have for this product, leaves my under arms moisturised and sweat protected.
• Smashbox photo finish primer - this is the old packaging and as you can see I never finished it so it needs to be thrown out. I never really enjoyed this product.
• Loreal brow artist plumper - this is the old packaging and I find it great to tame my thicker brows.
• Cusson carex gentle moisture shower gel - brilliant for sensitive skin and I usually stock up on this range when on offer.
• Cusson mum & me new mum bath soak - my little boy is 11 weeks and this stuff is a must for new mums who had a 'natural birth', helps to heal everything as it contains arnica.
• Cusson mum & me new mum stretch mark serum - I got pretty bad stretch marks from around 25 weeks pregnant, this might have faded them slightly but I don't think I'll ever get rid of them. They don't bother me as I'm so lucky to have had a baby as many of women unfortunately can't:(
• The body shop vitamin c facial cleansing polish - this stuff is great, smooths out my dry patches.
• Vo5 bedazzling heat protecting spray - a brilliant budget heat protector, I'm currently using the Lee Stafford one but would repurchase this in the future.

~Laura~

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Recent Body Shop buys

I always buy from the body shop online as I feel you get a better range of products. This is a recent online order I placed and at the time they had a 40% off code on their website, amazing! When I seen this offer I thought I would stock up on the things I love.

• Aloe Caring Roll-on Deodorant x 4
• Camomile waterproof eye & lip remover x 2
• Organic cotton cosmetic buds x 2
• Banana shampoo x 1
• Rainforest balance shampoo x 1
• Soft facial sponge x 2
• Nutriganics foaming facial wash x 1
• Elderflower unperfumed eye gel x 1
• Skin sponge x 1
• Lip & cheek stain in vineyard peach x 1
• Lip & cheek stain in dusty rose x 1

~Laura~

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Recent instagram pics

If you like all things beauty, food and lifestyle have a little look at my instagram 

(link here)

~Laura~

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Collated empties #10

• Garnier micellar cleansing water - I have already repurchased the smaller version of this as it's so handy to remove makeup quickly.
• Maybelline the eraser eye concealer - I found this product good but the colour is a shade to dark for me and I think this was the lightest shade.
• Rimmel glitter bomb top coat in diso diva - I think I got this at christmas as a free gift along with other products but it's dried out so I need to throw it out.
• Maybelline rocket volum express waterproof mascara - I dont think I will repurchase this mascara as other mascaras work better for me.
• Revlon bold lacquer grow luscious waterproof mascara - I think this has been discontinued as I can't find it online anymore, this was one of my favourite mascaras as it has a bristle wand.
• NYX eyeshadow base skin tone - I've done a clear out of my makeup and found this, I forgot I had it and remember I didn't use it as it is supposed to be a skin toned eye primer but it was far too dark/orange for my skin tone.
• Revlon glitter polish in sequins - I think this is a year old and has dried up, it was lovely to put over the top of other colours.
• French connection body lotion - I received this as part of a gift set two christmas' ago and have finally used it, I didn't find it that great at moisturising so wouldn't buy it myself.
• The body shop camomile waterproof makeup remover - this is my current favourite eye makeup remover and I've already got another one that I've started to use.
• Aussie miracle moist shampoo - I will probably repurchase this again at some point in the future when it is on sale as it really does moisturise your hair and gives a lovely smell.
• The body shop moisture foundation  - this is probably one of my favourite day time foundations as it gives lovely natural coverage and I've already got a new one that I'm using.
• Cussons mum & me - I was given this sample size in a mum to be pack and it is really moisturising so I might buy the full size for after baby is born to moisturise my stretch marks. 
• The body shop pomegranate firming day lotion - this cream lasted for ever and I ended up cutting the bottle in half as there was a lot of product at the bottom that I couldn't get out. I love the fact that it has spf 15 in it and I might repurchase this or find another day cream with a higher spf.
• Superdrug green apple & tea tree shampoo - I love using superdrug own brand products as they don't test on animals, are usually cheaper and work just as well as the branded ones.

~Laura~

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Stretch mark cream/oil update

I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and at around 28 weeks stretch marks started to develop. I have religiously used these different creams and oils from the moment I found out I was pregnant. Now at 36 weeks my stretch marks are fully on show and are on the bottom of my bump from hip to hip.  I thought having stretch marks was going to annoy me but I've realised that it's all part and parcel of being blessed to have a baby and I am very thankful. I've also read that getting stretch marks all depends on the type of skin you have and if your mother had stretch marks you're more than likely going to get them also (my mum did).  I've since gotten two other stretch mark creams which are the cussons mum&me bump stretch mark cream and the pregnacare stretch cream (still more stretch marks have appeared).

It will be interesting to see what the stretch marks are like and if they fade once baby is here:)

~Laura~ 

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Collated empties #9

• Schwarkopf got to be heat protection - I would repurchase this again as it is a lovely smell.
• Simple kind to skin refreshing shower gel x 2 - I go through unperfumed shower gels so quickly as I also use them as a bath foam, I really dont see the point in buying a seperate bath foam product as shower gel works fine for me.
• Superdrug micellar cleansing wipes - I got these when they were on the 3 for 2 offer so I have two more packets to use and as for face wipes I really like them.
• Loreal Elvive fibrology shampoo - This didn't work great with my hair as my hair is pretty dry so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Superdrug citrus anti-dandruff shampoo - this is half the price as it's branded rival and to be honest my husband didn't notice any difference, plus superdrug own products are cruelty free:)
• I was gifted this lovely mum to be set - Sanctuary mum to be collagen boosting body butter, Sanctuary mum to be shower cream, Sanctuary mum to be bath soak - these products were lovely and moisturising and the perfect gift for a mum to be.
• Aussie miracle moist shampoo, travel & full size - I will definetly repurchase this again, as the the name suggests it is a great moisturising shampoo.
• Boots cucumber facial wash  - I bought this as I was in a rush one lunch time and needed a new face wash, I wont be buying this again as I felt it was drying on my skin.
• Revlon photoready BB cream - I have to throw this out as it has seperated and went runny. The packaging has 24m symbol on it and I've probably had it 7 months at the most.
• The Body Shop aloe vera anti-perspirant deodorant  - this is my current favourite deodarant, it feels kinder on my skin and of course it's a body shop product so cruelty free:)
• Superdrug pro care gum protect toothpaste - Superdrug always has great offers and this was 98p when I bought it, I would buy this again as I love buying own brand products.

~Laura~

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Blackhead removal

(image from google, I recycled the box)

I've constantly been raving about the superdrug own brand deep action pore cleansing nose strips, however I might just have found my new favourite with these Biore deep cleansing charcoal pore strips.

I bought these when they were on offer, I think it was either buy one get one free or they were half price.

I feel these really do shrink your pores although I do use a the Liz Earle instant boost skin tonic after I've taken this off but compared to the superdrug ones they make more of a difference. I'm one of those people who feels extremely satisfied when looking at the strip once removed... I just love seeing all that dirt being removed from your skin and with these strips I notice more on them!

The Superdrug ones are £2.64 for 4 strips and the Biore ones are £8.99 for 6 strips, I will definetly be stocking up on these again if they go on offer.

What nose strips do you use?

~Laura~

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Collated empties #8

• Cussons carex pure & free from shower gel - I would repurchase this again as it is fragrance & paraben free.
• Cien nail polish remover (from lidl) - I will not repurchase this as I wasn't keen on the packaging.
• Botanics all bright face scrub - I would repurchase this, it leaves skin feeling smooth.
• Rimmel wonder'full mascara - this is probably one of the worst mascaras I've ever tried, gives no volume/length and smudged.
• Clinque travel size moisture surge - This didn't make any noticeable difference than my usual moisturiser so I wouldn't buy a full size of it.
• Maybelline fit be foundation stick - I will not repurchase as I found it quite greasy on the skin.
• The body shop vitamin e cube - I like the product itself but I do not like the packaging. I had to scoop out product that was left in the bottom of it.
• Simple regeneration eye cream - I would repurchase this and it moisturised my eye area well.
• Nivea express hydration primer - I probably wont repurchase this as I didn't notice any difference when using it however I do like the gel like consistency.
• Olay natural face lotion - I really enjoyed this face lotion but I think it might have been discontinued.
• Urban decay primer potion - I've had this too long and the product as split and went runny so I need to throw it out. I will not repurchase this as I like to use the maybelline colour tattoos as a base colour.
• Revlon colorburst matte balm - I know this is a matte lip product (colour elusive) but it left my lips really dry and the colour didn't last well so I'm going to have to throw it out.
• Jemma Kidd concealer - I found this when clearing out my beauty drawers and it needs to be thrown out as it's probably 3 years old & Jemma Kidd products have been discontinued.
• The body shop satsuma shower gel - this was a freebie in a recent body shop order and I loved it, leaves you feeling refreshed.
• Avon solutions mattifying day cream - I did like using this cream however I don't think I would repurchase it as I have other creams I prefer.
• The body shop blueberry body scrub gelee - this was a limited edition product and I wish they would bring it back as it looks like jam but leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed. 

~Laura~

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Stretch mark creams & oils

Ever since I fell pregnant I've been religiously using creams and oils with the aim to prevent stretch marks. These are the products I've been using;

• Palmer's cocoa butter for stretch marks
• Nivea firming body oil  
• B.O.N liquid gold pure tissue oil
• Sanctuary spa mum to be body butter

These products have definitely left my skin feeling super smooth however at 28 weeks I started to develop stretch marks at the bottom of my bump. I'm now 30 weeks and they have grown a bit but not horrendously bad (yet). I've read articles which state 8 in 10 women develop stretch marks and if your mum had them then you are more than likely to develop them as it depends on your skin type.

I'm hoping once baby is born that these creams/oils will help reduce these stretch marks.

Has any of these products helped you with stretch marks?

~Laura~ 

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Facial hair removal

This very simple looking tool is a facial hair removal epilator which can be bought on Ebay for a couple of pounds (link here).

As I have dark hair I've started to get 'lovely' dark moustache hairs growing. I usually use the facial wax strips but thought I would give this gadget a go.  Surprisingly it does really work and the hairs do stay away for a good few weeks.

All you have to do is bend it into an upside down U, place against the skin, hold the two ends and roll it up and down. Doing this motion grabs all those tiny little hairs between the metal coils (you will be able to see the removed hairs).  I do find it a tiny bit sore but the pain is over in a split second as your top lip area isn't very big.

Overall I'm really pleased with this, it saves money and is more economical than the wax strips.

~Laura~

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