Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic

So hands up who overindulged during the festive period? Yup, thought so. Let's face it the pull to dive into chocolate tins, eat endless roast dinners and enjoy the occasional boozy affair is way to strong to resist over the festive period …and if you did resist pat on the back to you please share your secret! If, like me you are now suffering with the aftermath (I'm talking a serious case of pizza face guys) then the Lush Catastrophe mask is just what you need.

Cupcake had to be my most repurchased mask of 2013 (review here) however Catastrophe stole the top spot in 2014 and I can't see it budging any time soon (sorry Cupcake fans.) Described as a calming and nourishing mask Catastrophe Cosmetic is the perfect face mask for congested skin. I find that this really helps to clear up my skin, it calms down any angry spots. Key ingredients include blueberries, chamomile and almond oil (which helps to soften the skin) so it's no wonder that this mask leaves my skin feeling incredibly refreshed and super soft. Although this does dry down like your conventional clay mask this doesn't suck up all the moisture from my skin it never leaves me with that stripped/tight feeling and unlike other fresh face masks in the range this isn't a complete faff to remove -  so it's a win/win really!

For when my skin is congested I find that Catastrophe Cosmetic gets to work fast, and let's face it that's what we all want a quick fix! This hydrating yet purifying mask is just what your skin needs after the festive period, certainly one to try if you are in the market for a new face mask.

What's your favourite Lush fresh mask? What are your favourite treatments for congested skin?

P.S Don't forget to up your water intake and eat lots of fruit/veggies to truly notice the biggest difference in your skin. My detox officially started yesterday!

2014 - My Top Five Most Read Posts

I often find myself focusing on the negatives when it comes to my blog, as a positive way to officially wrap up 2014 I thought I'd share with you 5 posts that received the highest page views in 2014. I love reading similar roundup posts on other blog. In terms of growth I think it's always good to look back and see what went well as more often than not the posts that I assume won't do well are actually some of my most read. Here are my top five posts that gathered the highest page views throughout 2014 (and still continue to receive clicks now!) *Heads up if you click the pictures they actually link to the posts.*

So kicking off at number 5 (ironically) it's my 5 Skincare Tips. This post saw me going right back to basics with some simple tips for keeping your skin clear and happy.

In at 4 was my second instalment of 'I Wish I Didn't Buy That' a series that shows me sharing the products that didn't float my boat. The fact that this made it into the top 5 shows that people do find the not so glowing reviews somewhat helpful, it's certainly encouraging for me as I do often question the value of these sorts of posts.

Coming in at number 3 was my 'Get Your Feet Summer Ready' post. Not the sexiest of topics but my post included some great product recommendations (that do all the hard work for you!) It's never too soon to start prepping…in fact I'm already dreaming of sandal weather, but with this ice/snow that we currently have it's a long way off!

Surprisingly at number 2 was my Northern Blogger Meet Up post. Considering I don't necessarily write up that many 'lifestyle' posts on my blog it surprises me on how many page views this post has had. 2014 saw me attending my very first blogger meet up, I had such a wonderful time and was actually way less nervous than I thought I would be. I'm hoping to put myself out there a little more in 2015 and say yes to more networking opportunities so hopefully there should be some more lifestyle posts over on these parts. 

Drum roll please… Coming in at the top spot was my NARS Sheer Glow Review. To this day this post still clocks in a lot of page views, and is perhaps my most viewed post ever on my blog. It seems like this cult foundation is still a firm favourite and still a highly searched product on Google. NARS Sheer Glow featured in my 2014 yearly favourites, if you'd like to read a full review be sure to click the link.

If you're a blogger what was your most read post of 2014? Also I'd love to know what your favourite types of posts are to read on blogs. 

#Fitspiration New Year Pressure

There's something quite uplifting about a New Year, in a way I guess it feels like a fresh start or a clean slate a chance to achieve the impossible (cheesy!) I often feel like there's a certain pressure placed on us to start a New Year 'right.' We are expected to reflect, have new goals and suddenly feel motivated to get fit (proven by the rise in gym membership sales during January!) Sometimes it almost feels like a competition, who can get to the end of the finish line first. I have nothing against people who see the New Year as a time to up their fitness game but I wanted to write a little post to remind you all that there is no 'right' time to get fit, you can choose to improve your health and fitness at any time during the year at whatever pace suits you. Whether that be cutting out a certain food each month, or slowly increasing the amount of exercise you do.  I'm a firm believer in setting myself small achievable goals throughout the year rather than one big mammoth task at the start of the year, with January being the longest, hardest month in the year why set all your eggs in one basket trying to give up everything you love all at once - if anything January is the month where we need it the most!

What do you think about New Year's fitness resolutions? Are you a fan of setting smaller goals, or do you go for the all or nothing approach? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

2014 Beauty Favourites - Drugstore

Happy New Year everyone, hope everyone had a lovely evening.

So here we are it is the final instalment of my yearly favourites, and today we are talking drugstore. This year in my opinion the drugstore really upped their game, with new releases left right and centre there was certainly more excitement surrounding some of my favourite drugstore brands. Slowly the gap between high end and drugstore is levelling out I'll be excited to see what new releases are in store for 2015, but for now here are my 2014 favourites - 

Lip Favourites 

Bourjois Plum Russian - I'll always be a plum girl at heart barely a day goes by where I don't apply Plum Russian. I featured this in my 2013 Top Picks, although the chubby stick is still going strong it won't be long before a repurchase will be on the cards. The glossy, long lasting formula of the Bourjois Colour Boost Chubby stick makes them an absolute essential for me. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks -  We all seemed  a little hot under the collar at Bourjois liquid lipstick release during Summer. I resisted the hype with these for so long, in all honesty I'd never tried a liquid lipstick where I was sold on the formula they always seemed to be hit or miss, Bourjois offering was certainly a hit with me. A matte yet hydrating finish, a long lasting opaque formula - I just love the Bourjois Velvet Lipsticks.

Makeup Revolution Lipstick in Reckless - It's fair to say I've well and truly gotten my pounds worth with this £1 lipstick from Makeup Revolution. For me it's the perfect cross between a berry/plum shade it's a lovely everyday shade and the formula is pretty spot on too, I find myself reaching for this so much as it's just so wearable.

Hair & Body Favourites

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment - Hair growing gimmicks aside this hair mask performs like no other. My hair always feels softer, more manageable and healthy looking when I use this hair mask. It conditions my ends, and when my hair is in dire need of a haircut I find that this mask still makes my hair look in better condition than it actually is. A standout product and one I haven't hesitated to repurchase.

Lush Rub Rub Rub - I'm on my second tub of this blue gooey goodness by Lush. This is a great multi use scrub, for a more abrasive scrub you can apply this to dry skin but for a gentler exfoliation you can apply this to damp skin. My skin always feels so much softer after I use this, and although it's not your most conventional scrub (in terms of texture/smell) I find that this works so well for me.

Face Favourites

Revlon Nearly Naked - Drugstore foundations are a little hit and miss for me, however in 2014 I discovered the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation and I found myself reaching for it so much during the summer time. This foundation offers a light to medium coverage and leaves my skin looking natural, fresh and dewy - it's the perfect foundation for Spring/Summer.

Lush Emotional Brilliance - Okay, so not the most convenient of packaging but the fact I still reach for this so much when it's so darn messy must mean it's true love right? This salmon pink powder is designed to be used over foundation to mop up excess oil and prevent that dreaded shine throughout the day. This leaves zero colour on my skin which is great for me as translucent powders usually appear ashy on my skin tone.

S&G One Heck of a Blot - If the Lush packaging just won't work for you, I also wanted to include the S&G One Heck of a Blot powder. This finely milled powder mops up excess shine and is a handbag essential for me during the warmer months. Again there's zero colour payoff so this really is suitable for all skin tones, it doesn't appear ashy/chalky on darker skin tones.

I'd love to know what your favourite 2014 drugstore products were?