The Beauty Test: Seaweed Skincare (day 1)

Brief

I've decided to conduct my first beauty test on a new product I bought today from The Body Shop. The seaweed skin care range is supposed to help "rebalance moisture and sebum levels" and give a "shine-free, matte finish." As well as this, I also bought a pack of blotting tissues to help remove any excess oil on my face (as in the last few months I seem to have noticed my skin isn't as clear as it used to be). I originally went into The Body Shop with the intention of buying the tea tree range, however the lady in the shop advised me that it was for people with bad break outs and very oily skin. Apparently, I have neither of these things which did make me rather happy. She then advised that I buy the seaweed range which will help with any excess oil but wont be as harsh as tea tree.

My plan  

My plan is to see how and if my skin improves over a month period. I have chosen a month because I think we should be able to see a real change within that period but also, I only invested in a small pack of the skincare regime so I can't imagine it will last me more than four weeks. In five weeks I go away on holiday so if it has good results I will invest in more to take away with me. Throughout the next four weeks,  I will track any changes, both positive and negative, and will attempt to post twice a week. I will track my progress with pictures as well as detailed descriptions of how my skin feels and looks.

Here are the first results:

Results

I don't think you can see much of a difference in the photo above (I tried to keep the lightening the same) although I do think the matte finish is a little visible and also my skin looks less oily. As well as this my skin feels cleaner and certainly softer. Unlike the tea tree, the scent of this skin care range is very delicate but nevertheless pleasant. I also used the tea tree blot tissues before I used the cleanser, toner and day cream (which is essentially a light weight moisturiser) and it certainly revealed that I had some access oil as it turned the translucent tissue a little more transparent. 

Have you tried any of these product before and if so, what did you think of it?

Let me know any of your thoughts on anything I have said during this post!

Disclaimer: It's important to mention that I am not being paid (or asked) to do this post by any company or third party. It is an independent project and all opinions expressed and photos taken, belong to me.

denim days

Today I decided to wear a very denim inspired outfit, teaming my denim coloured skater dress with my denim shirt and denim coloured shoes. To add an edge I wore my spiky gold necklace and bangles. I also wore my favourite black cat-eye sunnies and put my hair into a messy side fish-tail plait. It was one of those days that was warm but became suddenly very chilly so I was a little puzzled as to what I should wear. Dare I admit that everything I am wearing here is from Newlook...maybe I'll just keep it a secret.

It is a month and a half until I go away on holiday to the south of France, so at the moment I am attempting to build up some more summer clothes. I am so excited to get away and enjoy some sunshine. We do not get enough in this part of the world. I think I am suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. It'll be lovely to go to the beach and pool and drink cocktails and just relax.

A little catch up? Well as you know, I have been back from uni for a few weeks now and have just been doing home-y things like meeting with friends, going for walks, reading and making new recipes for dinner. Last night, me and two of my friends went to a park near the seafront to watch an out door showing of Glastonbury. It was a nice evening but very Eastbourne-y. That's that only way I can describe it. Here is a picture I took last night that I thought was pretty cool.

What have you been up to? Are you going anywhere exciting on holiday this year?

P.S Below is one of the bands we were listening to last night that I really liked and You Tubed when I got home -

Wedding Outfit Looks

So in the Summer I have a wedding to go to. Hooray!! I've been wanting to go to a wedding for years (having only been to two in my whole life) and now finally I have one to go to. My sister is being a bridesmaid for one of her best and oldest friends. I know it's going to be a great day. I love weddings and I can't wait to see the bride looking beautiful in her wedding dress as well seeing my sister finally getting to be a bridesmaid (having wanted to be one all of her life).

So these are the two outfits I have planned and am going to choose between. I originally bought a beautiful blue and white china print fitted dress that was lovely and fitted me like a dream apart from it being too short. If I liked my legs/ or had nice legs, it would be perfect but unfortunately I hate them and for good reason. I considered tights but tights in August are a terrible idea. Then I debated a petticoat but I wanted to be able to wear this dress casually throughout the Summer and I don't think I'd be able to do that with a petticoat. So my third option was to return the dress, cry a bit about the return and the order another dress which brings me around full circle to the two dresses above. Both are from a line called Samya, which is being sold in Newlook, Debenhams and House of Fraser, and are each £45. I have styled this dresses quite similarly but somehow they look quite different.

So my question to you is:

Which "look" do you prefer and why?

I'm struggling to decide which so I am turning to you all for some help. There is no one I trust more! I am also going to put a poll in the sidebar (on the left) so if you don't fancy commenting, just vote and if you do comment then please vote as well!

Thanks guys,

The Bristol Scene.

Yesterday, me and a friend travelled on the train from Cheltenham to Bristol to visit our uni friend. It was so much fun to just explore a new city. We visited the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, went around the St Nicholas Markets, went to some of the big high-street shops, stopped at numerous coffee shops and had tea and cake, sat in a park in the city centre and walked and then walked some more. I was well and truly exhausted by the end of the day.

In the pictures above, you can see some amazing clothes. These photos were taking in the St. Nicholas Markets. Amongst all the different stalls were places to get different types of cuisine, as well as souvenirs and also vintage clothes. I took photos of the clothes that stood out to me the most. If only I'd had the money to buy some.

What's your favourite way to explore a new city?

Thanks for reading,

The Maxi Skirt.

[Skirt - Next, Top - George, Necklace - New Look, Jacket - New Look, Ballet pumps - New Look, Sunglasses - Dorothy Perkins, Nail Varnish - Top Shop]

Yes, I am being somewhat more bold with my outfit posts at the moment. This is the outfit I wore on Sunday. It was a lovely day and I really fancied getting my maxi skirt out. I bought it last year in the Next sales for £16, it had been reduced down from £35 (or it may have been £30). I originally planned on buying it in emerald green but only the pink was left in the sale. I really love the side split in this skirt as I think it makes more young. Maxi skirts can look a little frumpy on me, so styling is key. Having recently bought this leather jacket (see post) and necklace, I wanted to team them with it and make it more edgy as opposed to girly.

Anyway, I am now back at uni which is great. It's also bizarre because courses are ending for the summer so loads of people have moved out of halls (it feels like only yesterday that we all moved in). My course has officially finished but I still have one assignment left so am hanging around until the end of may. It was great coming back on Tuesday and seeing friends again, so other than finishing my last assignment, all that's left is enjoying the last month of my year as a fresher! Only a month, wow.

Thanks for reading,