L'oreal New Miss Manga Mascara Review

Extra beauty post as I missed last weeks:

So I've always liked L'Oreal mascaras, I won't lie Maybelline is my favourite "drugstore" brand for mascara,I've never been disappointed when I try out one of their new mascaras unfortunately this product did not have the same effect. 

I was really excited by this new mascara as I thought the concept of a 360 degree flexible brush was intriguing and innovative. I also liked that there are three colours: turquoise, violet and black. I'm not a big risk-taker with mascara I usually stick to black but I thought if I like the product I will go back and try another colour.

Unfortunately I do not think I will be trying out the other two colours due to the fact I was quite disappointed in this product. I felt the unique quality of the product (the brush) doesn't actually move at all when applying the mascara it just acts as a normal brush. 
When first applied this is far from "Mega Volume". Unless I apply pencil eyeliner to my tight line I find it only lengthens my lashes. When I apply more to help the volume it clumps my lashes together. With this mascara the more you apply the more volume you get but that comes with clumping for me.

This product is for those who want very natural looking lashes or quite heavy mascara. This is not my preference and as it was quite expensive for a highstreet mascara at £8.99 I feel it was a bit of a waste of money. 

However every cloud has a silver lining it will be useful for natural days because I quite like how it looks with only one coat.

This is quite a controversial view about this products, other reviews I have read said how much they love this mascara, I just feel that it is not my cup of tea. Oh well I'll stick to my Maybelline Volum' Express One By One for now.

Stop Counting

I used to be a big fan of apps like My Fitness Pal as you could type in almost anything you've eaten that day and find out exactly how many calories were in it and how good or bad you've been that day. 
But now I realise this is not what is important.
Of course you have to have a reasonable amount of control over the number of calories you intake each day however I now realise that it is the volume of sugar you consume throughout the day that really matters.

Why am I telling you this?

So many of my friends are obsessing over how many calories they eat whereas they should be worrying about all the crap that enters their bodies along with the majority of those calories.

Sugar has been a hot topic recently, people are beginning to realise how dangerous it really is and I couldn't agree more. Sugar is in almost every food you can think of.
Now as I've said before not all sugars are bad but the amount we are consuming nowadays is what is slowly killing us all. 

Unfortunately there is no app that tells you how much sugar is in every item you eat and ingredients on labels can be confusing as there are over 40 different names for sugars.
However you can help your health (and weight loss) if you monitor your sugar intake by eliminating the volume of processed foods you consume.
Sounds dreadful but leaves you feeling so much better and of course your treat day can allow you to have that M&S chicken pie or dairy milk chocolate bar you crave.

What's the point of this post?

All I want is for people to be better educated about their health and how they can improve it. If this means I have to invent an app to do it, so be it (may take 20 years as technology is most definitely not my thing). 

Give it a go, look at your sugar intake rather than calories and see if you notice any results.

Sweet Potato and Butter Nut Squash Soup

This soup is perfect for those cold wintery days we've been having in England at the moment. It's filling, so you won't go hungry throughout the day, and "souper" yummy (see what I did there).

Ingredients:
- 1 butternut squash
- 2 sweet potatoes (or 1 large)
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- olive oil
- vegetable stock
- salt & pepper

Recipe:
Peel then cut butternut squash and sweet potato into large chunks, put in a roasting dish, drizzle with olive oil and roast at 180 degrees for 45-60 mins (until soft). Take out and leave to cool.

Dice the carrots, celery, onion and garlic (I crush the garlic), season with salt & pepper place in sauce pan, cover with olive oil on low heat and sweat for 20 mins.  

Add to pan butternut squash and sweet potato, add 1litre of vegetable stock, bring to boil then simmer for 30-40 mins (or until veg is soft).

Place ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Serve in bowl with yogurt or creme fresh and if really hungry have with toasted bread.

Enjoy x

Mid-Week Rambles - GIVEAWAY?

Hello everyone hope you've all been have a good week so far, I most definitely am because this week my blog reached 100 FOLLOWERS!!!! I am so grateful to everyone who reads, likes, comments and follows my blog. It means so much and makes me motivated to blog more. 

So I thought I'd do a mini giveaway as a thank you for your support, but being a new blogger I don't know if anyone will enter so if you want me to do a giveaway or if you would enter if I did one please comment below or like my post on Bloglovin if you have an account. If I get 5+ entries I will do it - 

so spread the word!!

Again I am so thankful for all of you and I cannot wait for the next 100 followers.

Lots of love and have a wonderful week!

x x x

10 Tips for a Healthier and Happier you

Follow these tips for a healthier and happier lifestyle:

1. Drink 2 litres of water a day

2. Have a fruit infused drink a day to flush out your toxins (place frozen fruit in water)

3. Get at least 8 hours sleep a night

4. Meditate at least 5 minutes every day for time to think and breathe

5. Eat your 5 a day - try eating fruits earlier in the day and vegetables later in the day

6. Cut the junk - "Your body is a temple"

7. Dress up everyday because when you feel good you look good

8. Drink herbal teas (green tea is particularly good as it also helps to boost your metabolism) to flush out toxins

9. Have at least one makeup free day a week to give your skin a break

10. Exfoliate your face and body twice a week and moisturise everyday for healthy skin

*images from google

Healthy Upside Down Cheesecake

This is a healthy breakfast idea that puts a fun twist on cheesecake and takes less than 5 minutes to prepare.
Perfect to help you feel refreshed and motivated on a Monday morning.

Ingredients:
- Fruit
- Greek/natural yogurt
- Granola/bran flakes
- Drizzle of honey

Place fruit on bottom and dollop yogurt on top. Crumble to granola/bran flakes for a crunchy texture and if like me you're not the biggest fan of plain greek yogurt drizzle some honey on top to add some sweetness.

My favourite is mango but you can do this with almost any fruit.

With Mango

With Raspberries

Day to Night Make Up - Feat Naked 3 Palette

Here's my pretty make up look to get you from day to night this winter featuring the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette that my incredible brother bought me for christmas (I owe him big time for that).

Day Make Up:

Liz Earle Skin Repair moisturiser

MaxFactor Facefinity 3 In 1 foundation - Light Ivory

Collection 2000 concealer - 2 Light

Maybelline Super Stay 24H powder - Ivory

Maybelline Dream Sun bronzer - Blonde

L'oreal Super Liner eyebrow pencil - 03 Brunette

Rimmel Sofy Kohl eye liner - Jet Black (only for tight line)

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette 

- Dust to lids

- Buzz to crease

- Strange to brow bone and inner corner of eye

Maybelline the Falsies

Vaseline

In the early hours of the morning we do not want to spend hours on our make up but still want to look bright or presentable at least. This look leaves you looking awake (from the light and shimmery colours used on the eyes) and flawless (with the full coverage concealer) with ease.

Night Make Up:

Maybelline Dream Sun bronzer - Brunette

(to add emphasis to cheek bones)

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

- Mooner between brow bone and crease to blend out

- Blackheart to outer corner of eye and under lower lash line

- Dust to inner part of lid for a touch up

Maybelline Master Duo eye liner (I forgot to do this)

Add emphasis with Maybelline the One by One mascara

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain - Crush Beguin

 *Of course touch up foundation, concealer if you need to

To glam up your day look so you're ready for a night out you want to add a bit of colour to your face. Do this by adding a pop of colour to your lips and some smokiness to your eyes to get that sexy look.