My online 'The Body Shop' order

Hello beauties,

On Thursday I was browsing The Body Shop's website, and I realised they have two offers going on at the moment - both of which are pretty amazing. The first is buy one get one half price and this applies to absolutely everything (they don't have to be the same item either). So basically, if you buy anything you get get something else for half price. The second deal is in aid of the Royal Wedding that went on yesterday. If you put in the code ROYAL30 at the checkout you'll receive 30% off your entire order. OH, and Standard Delivery is free - this always draws me in!

My order got here this morning (Saturday) which is impressive seeing as though I ordered on Thursday and Friday was a Bank Holiday! Anyways, here's what I got...

Cucumber Cleansing Milk, £4.00 + Cucumber Freshening Water, £4.00

My current skincare didn't blow me away and it's also on it's last legs. I really like The Body Shop skincare ranges, they're great quality and all of the ingredients are sourced really well. I thought I'd go with this Cucumber duo because I reasoned that it would be super gentle on my skin and really refreshing in the Summer. Excited to use these! They're also really cheap for Body Shop skincare. It was a toss up between these and the Vitamin C range.

Coconut Oil Hair Shine, £4.85 + Facial Brush With Lid, £3.00

The Coconut Oil Hair Shine appeared on this Month's Most Wanted so I just had to get it. It was the first thing I pulled out of the package and I took a long sniff... it doesn't disappoint! It melts onto your finger and is just gorgeous. Love the tin too, is that strange? I really like the idea of gentle exfoliation each day so I ordered the Facial Brush With Lid because I've heard great things about it. I was really shocked by the fact that it's actually really soft. Review to come?

So in all, my order would've come to £15.83 but because of the two current offers, my order total was £8.64 with free delivery, I was very smug ;)

Definitely get on to The Body Shop website, I'm not sure how long these deals are going on for so go and grab yourselves a bargain now! And let me know what you get! Request any reviews below if you want them :)

NATALIESLOVEx

Month's Most Wanted

Hello beautifuls,

April edition, already! This year seems to be going so fast... my exams start next month Which is another worrying thought that I shall put to the back of my mind for the moment, lol. Good luck to anyone taking exams this Spring/Summer whether it be GCSE's, A-Levels or epic Uni stuff ;) Anyway, I've been spying a lot of products or items this month, and I could always write a list as long as my arm. However, these are the select few that I've been wanting the most.

Collection 2000 Big Fake Mascara: I'm sure you've all seen/heard about this mascara and I do know it's been quite controversial. Many say that it's a great product that really volumises but others say that the formulation is so dry it just doesn't do anything. I'm luckily bless with naturally good lashes, so hopefully this will work for me. Even if it does dry up super quick, it's so cheap I wouldn't mind repurchasing regularly (unlike the Max Factor False Lash Effect).

[£4.99]

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer: Again, another product that has been doing the rounds - this time I've only heard great rave reviews. Even Tanya from Pixi2woo has been impressed with it, which must be saying something right? Looks like I've craving a bit of collection 2000! Haha, I wouldn't mind their 'Perfect Finish' foundation either.

[£4.19]

Barry M Nail Paint 'Peach Melba': I'm sorry that this wish list is entirely predictable, but I've seen so many blog posts featuring this nail polish and it's just the epitome of Summer, the name is pretty sweet as well. I love the Nail Paints, they are such amazing quality for the price. I've not been disappointed by one yet.

[£2.99]

The Body Shop Coconut Oil Hair Shine: I remember Gemma from Gemsmaquillage talk about this ages ago and I also think Laura from Lollipop26 and they seemed to really like it. I don't usually use a lot of hair products... I normally just can't be bothered. But I love the smell of Coconut, I love The Body Shop and I think this would be great to just pop in the ends and kind of  'seal' the monstrosity of my damage ;)

[£4.85]

Converse All Star Ox Low White Canvas: I am desperate to get a pair of Converse. I've always been meaning to, but something else has always caught my eye and I've never got round to it. They're an essential really aren't they? I love the way they look with pretty summer dresses, shorts and even plain leggings/jeans. Need these in my life!

[£36.99]

What have you been lusting over in the month of April?

NATALIESLOVEx

My bank holiday face

Hello beauts,

So today is a Bank Holiday and I hope you're all doing wonderful things with lovely people, with hopefully a very sunshiney day! Today I'm just going out for lunch and wander with my Mum, Stepdad and Boyfriend. I think going out for lunch/dinner or even breakfast is one of my favourite things to do... I love food! I feel like it's such a social thing rather than just a survival thing lol. I hope we get to munch on some garden pub grub!

Maybelline Superstay 24h foundation

Elf HD powder

17 blusher, Brickie

NYC mosaic blush wheel, Pink Cheek Glow

Elf brow kit, Medium

Cream/gold eyeshadow over whole lid, Sleek Storm palette

Urban Decay 24/7 eye khol, Zero

Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara

NYX lipstick, Strawberry Milk

NYX lipstick, Gem

Sorry I didn't get a close up of my eyes or anything, it isn't anything special so don't feel like you're missing out ;) Can you see the freckles on my nose?! They always come out in the sun, lol. Thought I'd throw in how I'm wearing my hair today .as well... again nothing special!

Enjoy your day sweets!
NATALIESLOVEx

My favourite products of the moment

Hello my loves,

Sorry I've been slacking on the blog front recently... the sun and revision have both been distracting me from writing posts. Plus I haven't really been buying many things so I haven't had any new and fresh to write about. I can only apologise! :)

Anyway I thought I'd show you my favourite products of the moment, like I said I haven't been buying much so none of it is new and most of them are rediscoveries. I thought I'd do little speed reviews as well, I'll start with body/hair...

Phil Smith Shine Brilliance shampoo + conditioner.

I love these, I literally do. My previous choice of shampoo/conditioner was always L'oreal Elvive and had pretty much been through the whole range and thought that I would always use it. I fancied a change and picked these up in Sainburys - so glad I did! I've never been 'into' shampoo, I couldn't care less what brand it was... shampoo is shampoo right? But I actually noticed a difference with this shampoo, when you was it off it makes your hair feel super clean and weightless. Using both of them in conjunction leaves very glossy and smooth hair that feels strong.

Tresemme Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo.

Dry shampoo is a godsend... for in between washes but also for volume. I love Batiste, as do most of us but I feel like this is much better. Its not invisible as it says, but it has much less colour than Batiste and doesn't take ages to brush out, it isn't much more expensive either. I like the scent better than any of the Batiste's too.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter.

Now I'm pretty sure every single one of you has seen and/or used this! I just recently finished one of my Body Shop body butters... for the first time ever! I'm trying to stop wasting products, especially ones like this. I have tonnes of body butters that I get bored of and are just left sitting in a cupboard or drawer somewhere. So I moved onto my Palmer's and I forgot how much I loved it. The scent is delicious - maybe too sweet for some. It takes next to no time to sink in, and keeps my skin so hydrated. My legs get especially dry and itchy with shaving and all that jazz!

L-R NYX Margarita, 17 Purple Haze, Rimmel Spotlight Beige.

These are the only make up favourites I have... I'm in a bit of a slump if I'm honest! These lipsticks are the 3 that I've really been reaching for though. They're such pretty colours... Margarita and Purple Haze being very bold and summery whereas Spotlight Beige is a very pretty nude.

So there we go! Sorry it's such a mammoth post lol. Has anyone got any good drugstore foundation recommendations for me? And which mascara shall I go for next... Collection 2000 Big Fake or Prestige My Longest Lashes?
NATALIESLOVEx

My week in photographs

Hello lovelies,

Unfortunately, this post isn't going to be all that exciting! Lol. I have exams coming up from May-June, a total of 6 (3 of them being Biology!) and so I've been really trying to knuckle down and get sufficient revision done. Especially before I have to go back to 6th Form next week and continue to get mountains of work... I'll get there though, fingers crossed! When I go on to do a Nursing Degree (eventually) I'm sure this will all have disappeared from my mind! That's enough rambling, lol, I'll get on with the post - sorry it's not so thrilling! Haha.

Me and the boyfriend took a couple of walks to the beach (the first 3 photos). I love sitting on the beach, it's so beautiful. I don't think I could imagine not living near the sea, even from a few classes in my 6th Form, you can see the sea from the window! The only thing I would change is the pebbles, they're not so comfortable - mould much prefer sand ;) But look how glorious the sun is! Sorry if it's snowing or something where you are right now!

With the sun, I've been craving ice cream cones, more importantly, mint chocolate chip ice cream. Other than Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough I think that has to be my fave. So off we popped to Sainsbury's... can you believe they don't have mint choc chip?! So I had to make do with mint neapolitan, does look quite pretty though? Maybe that's just me.

You know those people that just love cheese, and you just don't understand it? I'm definitely one of those people! I've been tucking into this delicious brie this week, nom nom! Can't beat a brie and grape sandwich ;)

Hope you've all had a lovely week and that you all have a wonderful day :)

NATALIESLOVEx

The look I've been donning...

Hello ladies,

There's a particular look that I've been keep going back to recently - mainly because the sun has been shining and it feels like quite a spring/summery look. It all started when I fell in love with a certain eyeshadow all over again. The eyeshadow I'm talking about is 'Muchness' from the Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows. It's so beautiful! I'd never have been able to really capture the beauty of it on camera but here is my attempt...

It's a gorgeous duo-chrome shade. In some lights it looks like a very pretty and girly pink/peach and in other lights it looks like an orange toned gold. It's so multi-dimensional which I love because it's so easy to sweep it over the lid without a crease/outer v colour because it works so perfectly alone. I just teamed it with flirty lashes and a thin, winged liner. You can sort of see the duo-chrome effect in the second photo.

Urban Decay eyeshadow, Muchness
Cool toned brown eyeshadow on lower lashline, W88 palette
L'Oreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss
L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes
False eyeslashes on the very outer lashes

I carried the peach theme onto my cheeks and topped it off with a peachy coral lipstick and gloss. I feel so summery, I think it really flatters and would suit anyone.

Maybelline Superstay 24hour foundation
Rimmel stay Matte powder
Elf Mineral blush, Bliss


NYX lipstick, Margarita
Elf Lipgloss, Candlelight

Hope you're enjoying the sun!
NATALIESLOVEx

Old McDonald had a farm...

Hello my loves,

Another glorious day filled with sunshine! My boyfriend and I decided to pack off my niece and his little brother and sister to a farm and spend the day feeding animals and basking in the sun. When I was much smaller I would always go to a farm for lambing season, it's so special! It was one of those family days that you will just treasure forever. I took a gazillion pictures like normal, so I've collaged some together so it's a bit easier on the eye lol! It's still going to pretty picture heavy so I'll keep my babbling to a minimum :)

The piglets really got me <3 they were so sweet! Although the lambs and their mothers were the most precious thing to see, lol. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any lambs enter the world, but we were able to bottle feed the orphans! I'm a big kid at heart and I'm not afraid to show it, as these photo's are evidence ;) I think I'll make a great mummy one day but for right now I'll just be a good auntie :)

We got some delicious marshmallow cookies and fudge from the farm shop and we nommed them in the car on the way home. I've just realised how cheesy and soppy this post is! I always promised my dad that when I win the lottery I'll get him a farm... and even though I don't think I could ever prize myself away from the city hustle and bustle, I could get used to this!

How was your Sunday?

NATALIESLOVEx

My face of last night

Hello lovelies,

I went out to see Scream 4 last night... it was actually really good! I thought it was going to be totally cheesy and predictable but I really liked it :) We then went for some dinner and drinks. I managed to take some snaps before I left... it's nothing fancy but I quite like doing fotd/fotns. My lipstick is much brighter in real life - maybe it was the flash?

All eyshadows from Sleek Storm palette

L'Oreal Super Liner, Carbon Gloss

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner, Zero

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes

1/4 fake eyelashes on outer corners

Sorry that my brows are so unruly, it's on my to-do list!!

Maybelline Superstay 24h foundation

NYC bronzer, Sunny

17 blusher, Brickie

17 lipstick, Purple Haze

Like I said, the lipstick is much bright irl... normally when I'm going to be going for a bit of a bolder lip I'll just team it with lashings of mascara or winged eyeliner. I wanted to get out of that and try to wear eyeshadow with bolder lips, otherwise it can get a bit boring. Obviously golden eyes isn't the most original but I'm trying to ease myself in ;) Haha.

Hope you're all enjoying your evenings tonight!

NATALIESLOVEx

Haulin'

Hey ladies,

As I'm currently on Easter Holidays with plenty of revision to do, it was inevitable that I would frequent the shops ;) Revision makes my brain hurt and bores me to death out of me. I'm still trying to save as many pennies as possible, so I have been sticking to Primark :/ Although they have actually been having a lot of good things in there recently! So here's my haul (from today and last friday) mainly Primark with a guest from H&M and one from Boots.

Graphic Mens T-Shirt, Primark £5.00

The t-shirts in the mens section of Primark are so good! Their graphics are always really good and I think they're quite good quality too. This one just has some Polaroid style images with the words 'these days something must break', I'm planning on cutting this up DIY style. Not sure whether to go for vest top style or off the shoulder... what d'you reckon?

Cropped Rose Print Top, Primark £6.00

I really loved this when I saw it... the nude colour, the rose print, the cropped-ness. I'm thinking this will look gorgeous over a black vest dress or high waisted shorts/bodycon skirt for a night out but equally good over leggings or jeans.

Sheer Sleeveless Shirt, Primark £10.00

I think we're all loving these sheer shirts at the moment, and Primark have come up trumps! I really like the contrasting buttons and the pockets. The sleeves have a cute 'rolled up' look to them as well. IN LOVE.

Distressed Denim Shorts, Primark £8.00

I have plenty of pairs of denim shorts, but I loved the distressed feel to these and the medium wash denim... I had to pick them up at the bargain price! They also do a light wash that I'd like to make in space in my wardrobe for.

Black Sunglasses, Primark £1.00

I'd love some black RayBan Wayfarers but I don't think my purse would forgive me. I saw these in Primark and thought they had a very Wayfareresque feel about them, and for £1 you can't go wrong. They slightly remind me of 3D glasses, but I love them all the same ;)

Clear With Pink Rose Ring, Primark £1.00

Possibly my tackiest and gaudiest purchase of the year so far? I won't apologise though, I've fallen for this! It's a clear plastic ring with a 3D pale pink rose in the middle. It actually looks quite elegant on - I promise! ;)

Large Turqouise Cracked Ring, Primark £2.00

I've seen this ring all over blogger and I couldn't wait to pick it up. It's the turquoise colour that everybody is going crazy for and also has that crackled effect inspired by the YSL Arty ring I would imagine. It is really big but looks beautiful. You have permission to shoot me if I ever wear this with matching nail polish *shudder*.

Butterfly Sleeve Top, H&M £7.99

The colour is gorgeous and it seems to be everywhere, it's a cross between rust and camel. H&M do these in a wide range of different colours and prints - I have my eye on a floral one. It's really flattering and I think would be on any shape or size :)

Trevor Sorbie Self-Grip Rollers, Boots £15.32

If you read my March edition of Month's Most Wanted I mentioned how I want to try and cut down how much heat I use on my hair and thought rollers might be a good way to do so. The packaging is cute and I like the colour scheme - I'm a massive nerd with things like that. You get 30 rollers of different sizes for pretty much £15. Which I think is great because the Boots own brand are about £6 for 6.

So that's what I've been buying! Are you having a bit of a Primark frenzy like me?

NATALIESLOVEx

Review: Elf Daily Brush Cleaner

Good morning my loves,

I thought I'd do a review on a product that I really want to share with you all. 1 - Because it's so cheap and works wonders and 2 - Because I haven't heard much of a buzz about it within the beauty community, and I think it deserves it! Product in question? Elf's Daily Brush Cleaner.

I'm a bit lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes, I know that's pretty gross. But the whole shampoo and sink routine becomes a bit of a chore. I used to own the MAC Brush Cleanser, which I loved because it meant I could just clean my brush effectively and quickly after each use.

The first thing I noticed (and loved) about the Elf Daily Brush Cleaner is the packaging. It comes in a very sleek black, transparent bottle with it's own spray top! That was an issue I had with the MAC Brush Cleanser... it didn't have a spray top, so I had to dispense it into my own spray bottle. I think by having a spray you can save yourself from wasting product, and it distributes it over the brush well.

So how well does it work? Well, here is a dirty brush with about a weeks worth of blush. I thought I'd use a duo fibre brush to show you as the white bristles tend to stain so easily. I'm looking at you MAC 187!

After about 2-3 spritzes of the Elf Daily Brush Cleaner and a wipe on a towel, this is the result. Almost as good as new I would say! It dries basically straight away which is handy if you want to clean an eyeshadow brush because your blending brush is getting a bit grubby, you can clean it and then continue straight away.

The MAC version deifnitely smells a lot better, I think (although it is quite chemical), the Elf one doesn't really have a scent and I think it works exactly the same. I don't think either of them are better than the other. However, the Elf one is obviously much cheaper. This is how the figures work out...

Elf Daily Brush Cleaner - £3.50 for 250ml

That's £1.40 per 100ml.

MAC Brush Cleanser - £8.50 for 233ml

That's £3.64 per 100ml.

I think the maths there is correct! Haha. As you can see, you get more product for Elf from less than half the price. I really recommend the Elf version over the MAC. Elf also do a brush shampoo that I'd like to try :)

Have you tried this product?

NATALIESLOVEx

My week in photographs

Hey ladies,

I get quite a good response when I do these posts... a lot of you like reading them and I love reading other people's so it makes sense to do them really :)

I got round to making some brownies at long last. They're my ultimate guilty pleasure and I absolutely adore them - but I'd never made them! They were pretty delicious and chewy, but they weren't exactly how I wanted them to come out. I might tweak the recipe then come back and share it with you (if it's successful). I'm a right little housewife in the making ;)

The sun had been shining, and it's been awesome. What do I instantly think when the sun comes out? A big glass of Bulmers/Magners/Brothers over ice. I'm loving Bulmers Pear cider, it's so yum! Trying to make the most of this sun, because it might not carry on!

Today was the Brighton marathon and Dean's cousin (Emma) was running it, a whopping 26 miles in 5 hours and 30 minutes. Well done Emma! We went along to give some support, beautiful weather for the spectators - not so much the runners. Massive admiration for everyone who runs the marathon. Especially the firemen that run in their uniforms! I know I could never do it!

On Thursday, I took part in a sponsored walk from my 6th form, to Brighton Pier and back. It was about a 10 mile walk, but all for a good cause! We walked for The Teenage Cancer Trust - a friend at college was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year which was devastating, so all of us are trying to do our bit and help out as much as possible. Just from collecting buckets alone on our walk we raised around £150 (there were only about 23 students). After the Easter holiday we'll see how much we raised a long with all the sponsors. I took this image from Google because I forgot my camera :(

I think I've mentioned it before (in fact, I'm sure I have) that my boyfriend is a florist... when we first got together I would get flowers almost weekly. 2 and a half years on, flowers aren't all that regular ;) and of course I let him know! Haha. These gerbera's are my favourite, so he got me a a gerbera plant that will last a lot longer, I love it <3

Obviously it was the Grand National on Saturday, and I've always made a bet on a horse. I'm the sort of person that chooses purely on name, I never look at the odds or form. I chose Santa's Son... because of my child like love for Christmas! Obviously not that great of a horse with 200-1 odds, haha! Nevertheless I still bet on him, the place we made our bet he was 100-1 and I made a £2 bet. Amazingly, Santa's Son was in the lead until the last 5 fences!!!! Then it all went downhill lol, I was gutted... Had he have raced forwards I would've been £204 better off! Ah well. I can't help but feel a little uncomfortable about the Grand Nation every year :/

Did any of you guys win any money? What were your highlights of the week?
NATALIESLOVEx

My week in photographs

Hey everyone,

I take so many pointless and random photo's during the week so I really like doing these posts so that they have somewhere to go! Lol. Plus I'm nosey and love reading other people's so there must be some other noseies in you guys!

We've had some really beautiful sunsets this week, like literally stunning. This is a totally crap picture, haha! I get the perfect view of the sunset from my bedroom, but I was on my way out and houses and trees block it out from outside. I'll try and get a good photo for next week!

I apologise to all arachnophobes! I had a nasty, nasty visit from this beast! I was all alone in the house as well, and I was getting ready for college. I have an unbelievably ridiculous phobia of spiders and it set me into a blind panic lol. When my dad got home I made him do a spider hunt - no way was I sleeping in my bed with the chance this could be crawling over my face! Thankfully, my dad found it later on in the evening and put it outside. I refuse to kill them...

This has been my lunch of choice pretty much throughout the week - not exactly diet friendly but the salsa is homemade and actually, pretty healthy. The cheese is low fat and I try to use it sparingly and I always try and get completely plain nachos (as in not salted), it's a bit of a treat and I love nachos!

This has been my snack of choice - it's so yummy. I love dips it's so quick and simple and tasty as well. Sesame breadsticks and onion and garlic dip if I feel like I need quite a substantial snack otherwise it would be cucumber sticks instead. I really love the taste of sesame seeds. Has anyone ever had sesame chicken? It's one of my favourite Chinese dishes, I might give it a go myself - any good recipes?

I went lusting after MacBook Pros. I would die if I had one of these. I've never owned a MAC but you hear such good things and I want to see what the other side is like ;) Oh and you have to leave yourself as a background and take a couple of pictures on photobooth don't you? Or is that just me and my niece? Ha!

Early in the week I got struck down with a flu-bug. I was pretty much bed ridden. My Dad is the best in the whole world, every time I get so much as a sniffle he takes care of me! He brought me up beans on toast in bed for dinner - I think this was the start of my road to recovery!

Had a good 7 days?
NATALIESLOVEx