My 5 Top Tips For a Cosy Night In (*gifted)

With the evenings becoming longer and as the colder weather approaches us. there's nothing better than treating yourself to a well-deserved pamper night. Whether it is a weekend treat or you decide to let your hair down after a long day at work, here are my 5 favourite ways to make the most of relaxation mode. 

1. Get the right gear - Everyone needs cosy pyjamas, especially this time of year when snuggle season is at its peak. Getting a pair of pyjamas that are not only cute but also comfortable is a must. These ones from Simply Be* and so lovely, I was genuinely impressed by the high quality of them! They are super cosy and fit lovely. Paired with some cute slippers like these furry sliders* (also from Simply Be), you'll soon be ready to spend a night in, in style. For more products and info, head over to the Simply Be website. 

2. Light some candles and take a relaxing bath - Create a nice ambience with your favourite scented candles. Draw a bath, add some bath bombs in and let your worries fade away. Lush bath bombs are always my favourite, but I recently discovered this cute gift sets from Bomb Cosmetics*, making it a perfect Christmas gift for someone who loves their colourful and scented baths. 

3. Up your skincare routine - a pamper night is the perfect excuse to bring out your favourite skincare bits and treat yourself to a lengthy routine where you take your time massaging products into your skin to get the full effect. I personally love using this time for face masks, fancy serums and anything else I feel like my skin needs. 

4. Snacks at the ready - Perhaps one of the best part of the evening, picking your favourite snacks and treating yourself. Settling down with a nice tea or hot chocolate is an added bonus. 

5. Get Netflix on (or your favourite DVD) - The best thing after a long hard day is settling down with some good TV. Whether it is an intense TV show or just your favourite rom-com, this is the time to fully unwind and clear your head from the days worries. What better way to end the night than falling asleep with Gossip Girl on and chocolate all around your mouth. 

So there you have it, my guide to the ultimate night in. Hope you enjoyed the post.

Thank you to the team at Simply Be for allowing me to pick some of the ultimate cosy essentials (marked with an asterisk *)

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Pur Minerals 'Let it Glow' Bronzer, Blusher, Highlighter Trio | Review

Pur Minerals are not a brand i've heard much about, but I do often see them in TK Maxx and on Beauty Bay. This "Let It Glow" bronzer, blush, and highlighter trio intrigued me, as I had never ventured out into cream cheek products before. Although the packaging can look a bit gimmicky at first, I ended up really liking the compact roll up sticks that distributes the actual product.

In terms of formula, all three of the products are really pigmented but without being too harsh. The creamy texture makes for easy application and allows you to blend them to a seamless finish on the cheeks. You can even build them up for a more intense look, although its not really needed as there is a good initial pay-off anyway. The colours also really compliment each other and work well nicely together, or even when using them separately. However, the lasting power isn't great, probably because of the creamy light texture. 

The only problem is the glitter. There is quite a bit of glitter in the product, which can be ok as it can look like shimmer. But for those who like a nice sheen for their highlighter, or a natural blush and bronzer, be wary of this trio. Because of the lovely texture and easy-to-use application, I can look past the shimmer. I especially love wearing these products on sunnier days, where the shimmer can be passed off as a bronzed glow which can look really flattering with a dewy makeup look.  It's just best to be careful with the look your going for, as no-one wants to end up looking like a disco ball on a family day out...

Have you tried this trio, or do you have any dupes you can recommend? Comment below!

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eBay Liquid Lipsticks | Review

Liquid lipsticks are big right now and its no wonder. Not only are they long-lasting but they are really comfortable to wear. However, a lot of the time they can be pretty drying to the lips. With this in mind, I didnt really have high expectations when trying these eBay liquid lipsticks for only 0.99p! The sleek plastic tubes and long applicator makes the product look more expensive than it is. The shade range is also vast and caters to a variety of tastes, but I decided to play it safe with one bold lip and one nude one. 

My first impressions when applying this was a pleasant surprise. The application was easy, the formula was light but best of all, the pigmentation was amazing. You only need one layer of this to get the colour you want, and it doesn't feel heavy on the lips either. You can build it up, but I wouldn't recommend applying too many coats as on me the product did start to gather and stick on the particularly dry areas on my lips as I added more layers.

The thing to note is that they don't dry down completely. They do dry down, but not to a completely matte finish as you can still feel a slightly sticky texture on the lips. However, the lasting power is good, as they last a good 3-4 hours before they wear down. Unfortunately, they don't fade evenly and start to fade from the middle, leaving an awkward outline on the edge of my lips where the product had dried. 

I find the lighter pink shade better than the purple in terms of formula, as the patchiness when it fades isn't as obvious as that of the purple one. You can also build it up more without too much of a problem. The purple shade however, needs to be applied with a bit more care, seeing as it is a darker colour and so I find it can be slightly harder to work with.  

Overall, for the price I do think these liquid lipsticks are pretty great for what they are. The application, colour, and wear are all good, but as noted above there are some problems in regards to fading and patchiness throughout the day. I should also note that although they are a bargain from eBay, they are shipped over from China, and so are likely to have been tested unethically on animals, something I didn't realise at the time of purchase. I probably wouldn't repurchase again simply for that reason, especially since for a few more pounds you can buy great liquid lipsticks from brands like NYX, Loreal, Maybelline, Rimmel, etc. that are ethically produced and great quality. 

I hope this review helped, let me know if you've tried these, or if you could recommend any other liquid lipsticks that are a must-have.

Products I'm Lovin' Right Now | Sleek, Soap & Glory, The Body Shop

I've been loving quite a random selection of products this month, and all from the high street too. Some of them I have loved for a while, whilst the others are new discoveries that I have enjoyed adding to my collection. 

This Sleek Contour Kit (in the shade medium) has been one of my favourites for a while now, but recently I've come back to using it on a daily basis again. The contour shade is well-pigmented, creamy and easy to blend. It also matches my skin-tone nicely, as it is not too much of a warm shade which can often be a problem with high-street contour products. The highlighter is also a really nice to use for a more subtle finish for an everyday basis. This whole compact, with its sleek design and quality of product, is for sure worth it for anyone on a budget. 

For some reason my lips have been extremely dry recently and so I've been using this The Body Shop Lemon Lip Butter. I didn't know these were a thing until i saw it on their website, which is actually very surprising considering the quality of the product. I actually love the formula, as given the name it is indeed a butter-y texture that really works in hydrating my lips. The refreshing lemon-y scent is just a great bonus. 

I've had these Soap and Glory mini lip sticks for a while now, slowly building up my collection. In particular, I have been loving using this Gloss Stick in Pinkaboo recently. Its really easy to apply, and takes up minimal space in my handbag or jacket pockets so I always have it on hand fr touch-ups. Considering it is a gloss, the lasting power is also really good and can last a good few hours (if I happen to not eat, which is very rare if I'm honest). It is a well-pigmented formala that also adds colour to my lips. Although a great product and pretty cheap too at only £3.50, you really dont get much product. I have a feeling at this rate, this one won't be lasting me very long... 

Some more The Body Shop products I have been loving recently is the Sweet Lemon Beautifying Oil and Blueberry Body Butter. The body oil is a lovely light formula with a refreshing smell that it just the best. The product sinks into my skin quickly while providing a good amount of hydration. When I don't use the oil, I've really been liking a rich body butter. The Body Shop body butters are well-known around the internet, and for good reason too. They come in huge tubs and in a whole array of scents. This blueberry one is divine, its very fragrant and to me smells like sweets from my childhood, which had me sold instantly. Again, it really nourishes my skin without leaving it feel sticky either. I definitely recommend both of these if you're looking for some body products and have dry skin like mine, or are even just a sucker for scents. 

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