Born Pretty #1: Eyeshadow Palette #5

I was recently contacted by BornPretty CLICK HERE to collaborate with them for a feature of 3 posts! I was given the chance to choose a total of 3 different items from their online store to review and share with you all! The 3 different items I chose were - a makeup product, makeup tool(s) and makeup accessories. All 3 products reflect my own style and personality!

Born Pretty Store was set up in 2010 and started up by selling nail art items to currently selling over 10,000 products including cosmetics, accessories and tools. They ship within 24 hours and it's FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

BOB Eyeshadow #5

To grab 10% your order at BornPretty, enter code KMH10 at the checkout!

I have never really used eyeshadow before, so I was interested in using this palette set to experiment. What initially drew me to this product was the sleek black casing shell - it looks very professional and neat. When opening the case, there's a mirror above the eyshadows which is handy if you're travelling with it or using it to apply! The applicator is useful because it's double ended and seats neatly inside the palette. I personally find using these applicators a bit harder than a brush, but either way it's useful to have to hand!

I love the natural shades as they're all neutral colours and all compliment eachother. You can use either one shade on its own, a combination or all 5! I personally love using the neutral gold, brown and pewter shades as they look totally natural on my skin and don't make you look over done, however I'm still trying to get to grips with blending and application! 

The eyeshadows are really easy to apply. They aren't thick and they wash off without a problem at the end of the day. These factors are a must for me as  I cannot be bothered to spend ages trying to get makeup off after a long day at work/University.

BOB Eyeshadow Palette #5 Swatches

RATING

Price; 5 STARS Even though I was sent this product by BornPretty, $8.55 $5.99 is pretty reasonable for an eyeshadow palette! By using code KMH10 at the checkout, you can get 10% off your order at BornPrettyStore!

Ease of Use: 5 STARS The palette was really easy to use. Not only was the case sleek and shiny, but it was secure and didn't flip open unexpectedly. The eyeshadows were easy to apply and weren't thick or heavy. They blended in quite well together and weren't hard to wash off at the end of the day.

Would I Recommend to a Friend?: YES I would recommend you try out Born Pretty cosmetics and accessories. They ship within 24 hours and it's FREE shipping worldwide! You may have to wait a little longer for your products than UK based companies but they're great value for money!

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LUSH Cosmetics Bath & Soap Gifts

The lovely Sophia Meola bought me some LUSH goodies for Christmas and as I've never tried any before, I couldn't wait to try them and see what they were like!

Even before I opened the box, I could smell the scents - it was very strong, but it was really nice and smelt like sweets - exciting! I loved the fact my gifts were packed in a neat cardboard box, making it 100% recyclable! This fits in with the fact that Lush products are hand made and natural!

The Father Christmas Bath bomb and Snow Globe Soap are part of the 24 Limited Editions to LUSH's Christmas Collection! Both products featured in this post are suitable for Vegans and all handmade with fresh ingredients!

FATHER CHRISTMAS BATH BOMB

"...gives you all the colours and smells of Christmas, with mandarin oil and orange flower absolute. Father Christmas is a bit of a secret Santa who modestly hides his hidden talents..."

The Father Christmas Bath Bomb is pink and white in colour and is about the size of a cricket ball which is quite big! I've never used or seen bath bombs this big before! I'm not keen on the feel of it though, however I've never liked the feeling of bath bombs - nothing to do with the product really!

When I popped the bath bomb into the bath his little beard dissolved and fizzed away! The pink and white colours filled the water which I was amazed at as I had never had anything like that before! It suddenly fizzed into bold colours of green which mixed with the shades of pink/red which reminded me of classic Christmas colours!

I was a little worried that it would stain my bath or my skin, but it made my skin soo soft and it left no marks or stains! After thinking about it, it's not much of a surprise, after all, they are natural products! The bath bomb filled the bathroom with scents of orange - again reminding me of Christmas. It smelt ultra clean and really relaxing after a long day!

SNOW GLOBE SOAP

"A huge snowy dome of soap with an uplifting lemon myrtle and lemongrass fragrance - a soap that shakes things up a bit"

My piece of Snow Globe Soap is cut from a larger piece. The larger piece is blue/green in colour, shaped like a dome and filled with white soap balls to resemble a snow globe.

The soap smells like lemongrass and citrus scents which is great for a clean smell and fragrance, especially when it's bitterly cold outside! The smell stayed on my skin for a considerable amount of time which I was pleased with as I felt and smelt like a walking bath and soap bomb! You can use the soap either in the shower or bath so you're not tied to using it in one place so it's great if you prefer showers over baths or vice versa. What I love is the shape and durability of the soap. My piece is rectangular making it easy to hold an use. It doesn't flake or dissolve away really quickly so you get the most from your product and your money! 

RATING;

Price: N/A I can't comment on the price as they were a gift. Similar items can be found on their website and in store around the festive period.

Promises: 4 STARS Both products gave me the image and scents of Christmas. I had no worried about using them as they are handmade from natural ingredients, however, due to my skin - using the soap did dry it out a tad.

Ease of Use: 5 STARS Both products were easy to use - you just pop the bath bomb in the bath and watch it work its magic! The soap is pretty obvious - it's soap. It's quite durable, doesn't rub away easily and great value.

Would I Recommend to a Friend?: YES I've never tried LUSH products before but after being gifted these, I think I'll start looking into them more! They 're great little gift ideas for those conscious of natural ingredients and vegan aspects and also to jazz up your normal everyday bath/soap routine and products!

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Reflection and New Year Resolutions

We've reached the end of another year and it's time to welcome in the New Year of 2014. I'm aware that the making of New Year resolutions divides some people - the belief that a New Year doesn't necessarily mean the need to make a resolution and that it can be done throughout the year on your own terms. However, I am one of those people whom create New Years resolutions to aid the direction of the New Year and I thought I'd share a few of them with you this New Years Eve.

I'm not a massive party animal. I don't drink so venturing out into the town centre won't be on my list! This New Years Eve I'll be sitting at home watching television with a nice takeaway - my perfect night in.

Reflection
2013 has been a hard year to say the least. Yes, there has been some great aspects many of which were on my Bucket List! Some include:

Being shortlisted for the Company Style Blogger Awards - April
Buying my own car! - May
Visiting WB Harry Potter Studios - June
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - July
Visiting my Big Sister in Gt Yarmouth/Bacton by the Sea! - July
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - December
TURNING 21 - December

Although these are only a handful of brilliant things, they've sadly been shadowed by the negative times.

In June 2013, I was diagnosed with suspected depression and anxiety which was apparent to my family. I've always been a worrier, but it started to develop into something more serious. In late 2013, I was actually diagnosed with anxiety and acute depression by my GP - not the greatest part of my life. It's one of the hardest times I've had to deal with - the change in lifestyle, medication and learning how to deal with things I find difficult, better. I am in no doubt that I will come head to head with difficult problems in 2014, but there is a handful of things to look forward to this New Year.

I must point out, through the tough times this year I've had my boyfriend to lean on. He may not have 'solved' my problems, but he's been there to talk to and a shoulder to cry on which is sometimes what you need and I just think he deserves a little mention and credit for that :)

Firstly, my Graduation in July! I will hopefully graduate with a BA Hons in Business Management! After that, I'm not quite sure. I know what I want to do, but I am not 100% sure of what path to take in order to get there, so the future after my degree is still up for debate.

I also am planning to holiday this year as a reward for my University journey and as a time to relax and reflect on what I have (hopefully) achieved this year!
 

Resolutions

Save Money

I recently  turned 21 in December and I'm starting to look to the future. I have my own personal Credit Card account and Current Account, which I might like to add to those gasping at the word CREDIT CARD, I am VERY GOOD at managing. I only have my credit card to build a positive credit rating score for when I move out and need a mortgage and whenever I do spend on it (which is a couple of times a month) I pay it off as soon as it pops up on my online account - which is the best way. See, I am very prepared.

I plan to create a new 'savings' account and put aside 'what I can' much a month and create and stick to a 'budget' each week. This will allow me to keep track of what I'm earning and spending on a weekly basis and actually see in my savings account what i have personally saved myself :) I'm not bad with money but saving will help whatever my future will bring and also make me feel good.


Healthy Eating
If you've ever met me or seen me, I have a small size 6 figure. It's all thanks for my high metabolism. I don't work hard for my figure and neither do I put any effort into it - but I should. My eating habits are very unhealthy, not just what I'm eating but also the fact I hardly eat at all.

This year I want to eat healthier. My body doesn't take too well to eating too much bread and therefore I want to cut a lot of this out :) My diet will be more balanced; trying to eat 3 meals a day and packed with more fibre, protein and vegetables. Not only will I be more healthier, it will hopefully have a healthier effect on my skin, which is always a total mess!

I also want to become more toned. I plan to take up a toning regime (free of course) which will also allow me to become more confident when I go on holiday later this year and healthier inside.

My New Year resolutions are short and sweet. I Find if you give yourself too many goals you become less focused and forgetful. Keep it simple :)

I hope 2014 is prosperous, full of happiness and good times to remember - not to mention great opportunities and open doors. I'm not keen on the cliché of "This year will be my year" - I prefer to look at it as I hope the coming year of 2014 is better than the last and that things start to look up. I don't expect a miracle, but some good news and light at the end of the tunnel would be encouraging.

What's your opinions on New Year resolutions? Do you have any for this year?

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