So...? Fragrances

Seeing the name So...? really takes me back to when I was about 12, when I used to have their 'So...? Kiss Me' fragrance that I used to take with me in my school bag, and drown myself in after every PE lesson. Those were the days!

Its safe to say, I feel quite nostalgic writing this post. I haven't owned a bottle of So...? fragrance for years now, so its kinda cool to try them out again at a much older age. They've just released their new line called 'I am So...?', which consists of four unique scents, with equally unique and beautiful bottles. The first one I tried out was Floral Crush*. Since I'm awful at trying to describe scents, the top notes in this fragrance are crisp apple and waterlilies. Its then described to settle into a delightful floral heart of rose, red magnolia and white peony. As you can image, its quite the floral fragrance as the name would suggest. Although, sometimes floral perfumes can smell quite musky, but to me this is really quite fresh, which is lovely.

Onto Dark Romance* which contrasts floral crush quite dramatically. Its a rich blend of bergamot, pink pepper and dark praline and is described to not be for the faint hearted. This is the perfect scent for winter, as its quite rich but not too musky. I feel as though this is quite unique, and really hard to describe unless you go in and give it a sniff for yourself. All I can really say is its unique, but still really nice.

The best thing about the So...? fragrances, is they're literally just over £5 and are on offer a lot of the time. You're hardly breaking the bank by purchasing one or two of these, which is incredible considering the type of scent you get and longevity. The scent lingers really well and I can still vaguely smell it on me by the end of the day, which honestly is better than some of the higher end perfumes i own. Overall, I'm really impressed with these and would honestly recommend them highly if you're on a budget!

- Lucy

PR Samples/Gifted Items*

Those 80s Vibes

Oh hey, its my face again. Please ignore the fact that my fringe is clearly in my eyes in this photo, its gotten far too long. Just focus on the outfit instead haha. Today I'm coming at you with some 80s outfit vibes!

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm kinda obsessed with Stranger Things at the moment. I mean, who isn't? The second season came out and I honestly just fell in love with the show all over again. Since then, I feel like I've been channeling my inner 80s fashion even more than normal haha. I kinda bought this jumper without thinking about it, but I'm so glad I did because I've been loving the pop of red it gives to any outfit. I always accessories my outfits as well, and paired my Daniel Wellington Classic Petite Ashfield* with this outfit. I love the minimal look of this, and it goes with pretty much everything. Daniel Wellington actually have an offer on at the moment, when you buy a watch you will get a strap included without any extra cost. So good! 

Anyway, back to the rest of the outfit. I paired the jumper with my favourite pinafore dress from Primark, and I love the way it looks. To keep the look super casual, I wore my trusty high top converse, which are pretty much my go-to shoes at the moment.

Another thing to mention, you can also get 15% off at Daniel Wellington with the code 'foreverseptemberrDW' if you wish to purchase your own watch. This works alongside the free strap offer as well, so if you've been thinking about getting one, this is a great time!

- Lucy

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- This post was in collaboration with Daniel Wellington, however all thoughts and opinions are my own -

Life Ramblings

This is probably the seventh time I've started this post now, because I just have no idea what to say. Hi, how are you? How's it goin? I feel like its been ages since I just sat down, and had a good old ramble about life. 

I haven't been posting on here as much as I'd ideally like to. I always plan to get three posts up a week, on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. However, over the past month or so thats just completely gone out the window. This is mostly due to being at uni a lot of the time, being in workshops and doing book work. Or just having some me time. Uni has been such a surreal experience so far, it feels completely normal until I take a step back and actually look at the situation I'm currently in. I've made new friends which is amazing, and I'm studying I course which I'm really interested in, but I guess I'm still getting used to it all.

My anxiety hasn't been great recently either, and I had quite a big (and scary), panic attack a few weeks ago that ruined some plans. I feel like that kinda knocked me back, and now I feel anxious at the prospect of getting anxious/having a panic attack. So its like my anxiety has anxiety, which just isn't a fun situation to be in. However, the doctor gave me some extra meds to take to help and I'm on the waiting list to see someone about my panic attacks, so lets hope that all helps.

In other news, I finished Stranger Things 2 last week and it was literally the best thing ever. I'm already re-watching from season 1, because its just that good.  I would highly recommend watching it if you haven't already, because I swear you'll fall in love with all the characters (especially Steve) haha.

I don't really think I have much else to say, other than I hope you're having a relaxing Sunday!

- Lucy 

My Current Skincare Routine

Its that time again, where I update you on my current skincare routine. I think its had a pretty big switch up since the last time I did a post on it, so this should be fuuuun.

Obviously the first step to any skincare routine, is removing  makeup. I'm still using my very trusty Garnier Micellar Water. I've been using this stuff practically since it hit the shelves, as it just does the job so nicely. I have however, been using a new cleanser. I obviously mentioned this in my Glossier haul, but its the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. I'm honestly so happy that Glossier finally made its way over to the UK, as I've been desperate to try out some of their products. The jelly cleanser has a gel like texture to it, and massages into the skin beautifully. Its brilliant at removing any last traces of makeup, and it makes my skin feel so nourished - its fab.

As for toner, I've been using the Botanics Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz*. Botanics had an entire relaunch, and their new packaging is just to die for. I've been loving this, I just spritz it all over my face once I'm finished cleansing. I usually clean my teeth whilst I let this sink into my skin. It just feels really refreshing, which I love. Once thats all sunk in, I pop some of the Botanics All Bright Refreshing Eye Roll On*. I used to use an eye roll on ages ago, but sort of stopped as I wasn't seeing much of a difference. However, this is really lovely and it helps to de-puff (is that even a word), my under eye area and feels really cooling.

Something I'm genuinely excited to talk about next, is the Glossier Super Pure Serum. I'm a sucker for a good serum, and I've tried a handful over the past year or so, but this is by far my favourite. At £24 a pop, its not the cheapest thing ever, but well worth it if you have acne/spot prone skin. It also really helps to reduce redness, which I also suffer with. After the first three days of using this, the redness in my skin was definitely reduced and I hadn't formed any new spots. So far, I'm really impressed and would highly recommend it. I have no doubts that this will be featured in a post again soon! Finally, onto moisturiser. I'm still using the same one that was featured in the last post I believe, but thats mainly because I still haven't finished it. Its the Vichy Normaderm Anti-Blemish Cream. This is meant to help with blemish prone skin, and I must say, I haven't seen it help my skin a huge amount but it does the job. Although its quite heavily scented, so if you don't enjoy fragranced products I'd steer clear of this. Finally before I go to bed, I pop on some lip balm and for this I've been loving the Frank Body Lip Balm. It has a subtle coffee scent to it, which is soo nice!

And there we have it, my current skincare routine. I'm actually really enjoying all the products I'm using at the moment, except maybe the moisturiser but I never seem to be happy with that. If anyone has any moisturiser recommendations for combination/blemish prone skin, I'd love to hear!

- Lucy

Time To Treat Yo' Self

I'm a big believer in treating yourself every once in a while. Whether thats treating yourself to something big, or something small like your favourite chocolate bar on the way home from work/school. 

We've definitely headed into this 'treat yo' self' culture over the past few years, but I'm certainly not complaining. I must admit, I think I take it to the extreme sometimes. I mean, how many chai lattes can you buy in a week before it doesn't become treating yourself anymore?! Anyway, I digress. Apart from chai lattes and chocolate, I love treating myself to beauty products (as you can probably tell). Since Glossier just landed in the UK, I've treated myself to a fair few of their products. A few bits I'm loving in specific, is their Milky Jelly Cleanser and Lip Gloss. I can't rave about the milky jelly cleanser enough to be honest, it makes me skin feel amazing and super squeaky clean. And I'm really enjoying the lip gloss for when I'm having a natural makeup day - its perfect. Alongside makeup, a new perfume is definitely a big treat to yourself. Clive Christian have their Addictive Arts Perfume* line, which is full of incredible, beautifully articulated scents. The White Rose Floral perfume* in particular smells absolutely divine!

Treating yourself to a luxury item (or two), is all well and good, but you don't need to splash out a load of cash to treat yourself. Sometimes running yourself a bath, grabbing a book and painting your nails is all you need. Taking some time out for yourself can be just as great as spending money on something, I'm a firm believer in that. So, set aside some time one evening and let yourself have a little pamper, and maybe you could do some online retail therapy as well, who knows?!

How do you like to treat yourself?

- Lucy

- This post was sponsored by Clive Christian, all words & opinions are my own -

A Short Trip To Durdle Door

On Thursday, myself and my boyfriend took a trip down to Durdle Door. A beautiful part of Dorset, and somewhere I'd never visited before, despite going down to Dorset loads of times over the years. It was a really lovely day weather wise, and luckily it wasn't too cold either. So, I thought I'd share a few snaps that I got whilst we were there!

I'm actually really happy with how these photos turned out, I think I have the weather to thank for that though, so grateful that it was such a sunny day. I don't really have much else to say, other than I'd highly recommend visiting Durdle Door if you have the chance, because its truly beautiful. I'll just leave the photos to do all the talking!

- Lucy

Violet Voss Holy Grail Eyeshadow Palette

I can't believe I've had this palette for over a month now and not spoken about it once on here! But, behold, the Violet Voss Holy Grail Eyeshadow Palette. Literally the most gorgeous palette I have ever laid my eyes on. 

I received this as a present for my birthday back in September, and it was such a nice surprise when I unwrapped it. Its the perfect palette for autumn as well, with all the golds, warm browns and cranberry shades. Its not the cheapest palette out there, retailing at £40, but thats pretty standard for a high end bit of makeup I think. You get 20 eyeshadows in here, so technically its 50p a shadow. The pans aren't tiny either, so its pretty good if ya ask me.

You get a really good mix of mattes and shimmers in this palette too, and I literally can't get over how incredible the pigmentation is. This is probably one of the best palettes I've ever tried in terms of pigmentation. Each shadow is really buttery, and blend so well. I've found none to be chalky and the fall out isn't terrible either. You can get a fair few eyeshadow looks out of this palette as well, and I have two go-to's. As you can see, from the messy looking pan, 'Toffee' is an amazing gold colour, which is perfect for all over the lid. I then pop 'Teddy Bear', and warm reddy/brown shade through the crease. Another look I like to go for, is 'On Fleek' all over the lid, which is a lovely lightish burgundy shade, and then 'Wine N Dine' throughout the crease, and 'Teddy Bear' in the outter corner.

Obviously you can create a much simpler look with this palette as well, due to the warm neutral mattes it has to offer. But I usually like to add shimmer to my look on a daily basis, because why not? Overall, I am SO impressed with this palette and can't really find a fault with it. If you're looking for a palette for of warm toned shadows, I'd highly recommend this one, as its perfect for the up and coming winter too.

- Lucy

5 Struggles Of Having A Fringe

At the beginning of the month, I decided it was time to change up my hair a lil bit. I'd been thinking about getting a full fringe for a while, so i bit the bullet and went for it. I was quite fond of it when I first had it cut, but it definitely has taken its toll and started to irritate me a bit!

01. Your bed hair will be 10x worse 

If you thought your hair looked bad in the morning without a fringe, be prepared for what it'll look like with one. I usually wake up with a middle parting, and one side of my fringe pinging up to one side, its quite funny. 

02. You're gonna have to use heat daily

If you're someone who doesn't like to use heat on your hair, maybe a fringe isn't for you. If I didn't straighten/blow dry my hair it would be an actual birds nest!

03. You'll be constantly touching it to get it out your eyes

To be fair, I do have quite a long fringe and to solve this problem I could just get it cut shorter, but I don't think I'm ready to commit to that just yet. I'm constantly trying to push it out of my eyes, or detaching pieces of hair from my eyelashes, pretty irritating! 

04. Greasy hair is real

Nobody likes greasy hair, but because you're touching it 24/7 to get it out of your eyes, it means your hair produces more oil. Dry shampoo really is your best friend when you have a fringe!

05. There's less versatility 

Having a fringe is great, but I've found you have much less versatility to do what you want with your hair. I tried to do french plaits the other day, and I had to pin my fringe back for it to look 'normal'. Although, space buns with a full fringe is really cute I've found out!

Even though having a fringe can be really irritating at times, I still kinda like it and its something a bit different! And change is always a good thing right?!

- Lucy