How to Look Wide Awake in the Morning

When it comes to ensuring you look bright eyed and bushy tailed in the mornings, the best advice I can give would be to have a good nights sleep the night before but when I work and blog full time alongside exercising and socialising, I very rarely take a spoonful of my own medicine and I am sure many, many of you are in the same boat as me.

Sometimes, when I haven't had my 8 hours, I need to fake that wide awake and raring to go look.  So if you'd like to find out how to look as awake as I do here, then keep on reading!

Today I'm going to show you some of my go to products that I use when I need to wake myself up in the morning and some of my favourite fake it make up items that I use when I need to add a little extra brightening power to my face.

Shower Routine

I find that the best way to perk myself up in the morning is to start with an invigorating shower.  I stumble out of bed and head into the bathroom and whilst my shower is running, I use a Sanctuary Spa Body Brush from Boots to dry brush my whole body while the water is heating up.  As well as waking up the body, brushing has lots of benefits as it is an effective exfoliator, leaving skin smooth and glowing, it breaks up fatty deposits under the skin which helps with the appearance of cellulite, it aids lymphatic drainage, gets rid of toxins and stimulates blood circulation.

After body brushing, I tie my hair up in a top knot, pop on a shower cap and jump under the water for a quick wash.  My shower gel of choice on these mornings is the Original Source Mint and Tea Tree Shower Gel.  Packed full to the brim of real mint leaves, this shower gel is so awakening and invigorating as it leavings the skin feeling cool and tingling.  It clears and opens the air ways too, making it great if you're feeling a little under the weather.  At £1.15 from Boots, this is a great value, budget option.

Facial Washing Routine

Once I'm out of the shower and drying off, I like to wash my face using the Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Face Wash (£7.89 from Holland and Barrett).

This is my favourite face wash to use when I need something cooling to really revitalise my skin and wake me up in the morning.  I work the gel formula into my skin in circular motions and then rinse it off with cool water.  It really feels refreshing on my skin and leaves it feeling very clean without feeling tight and dry.  It is great for my oily skin but it is also suitable for combination, blemish prone and dry sensitive skin... so basically all skin types!  All Dr Organic products are free from parabens, SLS, artificial colours, fragrances and harsh preservatives so you know that you aren't going to be putting a whole host of chemicals onto your skin.  Instead, this contains lots of bioactive, natural and organic ingredients like Dead Sea Mineral Salt, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice which is great for calming the skin and getting rid of redness, Extracts of Bladderwrack and Kelp, Vitamin C and the following purifying essential oils- Bitter Orange Leaf, Orange Fruit, Mandarin Peel, Pine Needle, Thyme Flower, Wild Mint and Spearmint.  It is this potent mix of ingredients that work together to clean the skin, tone the skin and revitalise it, leaving it looking fresh and ready for the day.

Sometimes I'll follow up with a facial scrub too if my skin isn't looking particularly bright or if I have any blemishes or blackheads.

The scrub I'm using at the moment is the Dirty Works Pore-Fect Face Scrub (review here, buy here for £4.99) which has a strong kick of something I can only liken to mint or eucalyptus.  Either way, it is a very strong, refreshing kick to waken up my skin and it is pretty good at scrubbing out my pores too.

Skincare

After I've woken my skin up, it's time to make sure that it retains its wide awake and radiant appearance throughout the day and that starts with some skincare pieces.

The first of which being the Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Hydrating Radiance Elixir (£12.99 from Holland and Barrett) which is designed to rejuvenate tired and stressed out skin, which I often have.

This light weight cream gives a gorgeous radiant, natural glow to the skin.  It can be used underneath a moisturiser but I find that a little too heavy for my skin so I use it alone.  It absorbs quickly and effectively into the skin, leaving it feeling instantly hydrated, moisturised and nourished and that feeling lasts throughout the day.  It leaves my skin with a beautiful sheen and glow that makes me look awake and as though I've had my fair share of beauty sleep.  The Hydrating Radiance Elixir contains coconut, lemon peel and bergamot fruit oils, vitamin C, aloe vera leaf juice and extracts of algae, papaya fruit, mango fruit, cocoa seed, mangosteen, fig fruit and orange fruit.  My skin feels really soft after using this and when I have a tan, I feel perfectly confident going out without make up on, wearing this alone on my skin.

Moving onto the all important eye area, I use the Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Eye Rescue Rollerball (£8.99 from Holland and Barrett) which is the most effective eye product I've ever used in terms of reducing puffy, tired eyes.

The Dead Sea Mineral Eye Rescue Rollerball contains Dead Sea Mineral Salt, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Brewers Yeast which increases the oxygen consumed by the cells and therefore helps to energise the skin around the eye area, Rhodiola Root Extract which helps to reduce fatty deposits and boost cell metabolism, Betaine which helps to control excessive fluid build up and therefore reduces bags, Bladderwrack Extract, Kelp Extract, Bitter Orange Leaf Oil, Orange Fruit Oil, Mandarin Peel Oil, Pine Needle Oil, Thyme Flower Oil, Wild Mint Oil, Spearmint Oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.  All of these organic ingredients come packed into a squeezy tube with a metal rollerball on the end.  It feels so cold to the touch and the product inside is really cooling so it the combination of the two do a great job at reducing puffiness and dark circles and making tired eyes look more awake.  I think this product works an absolute treat- I have never used anything that comes close to it!  To use, I simply roll it onto my eye area in light circular motions and then I dab in any excess liquid with my ring finger.  I leave it for a minute or so to really settle into my skin before applying make up.

For an extra awakening boost to the eye area, you could apply a second eye cream on top- I would recommend the Origins GinZing eye cream (Review Here, Buy Here for £21) as it is salmon coloured with reflective particles so it will cancel out any discolouration and further brighten the eye area, making your eyes look even more awake.

Make Up

When it comes to really tired days, there is only so much our skincare can do to make us look and feel wide awake.  Sometimes we have to fake it too and for those days, there are two products in particular that I turn to.

The YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighting Pen (£25 from Boots) in Shade 1 (the original shade) is an absolute staple in any tired girls make up bag.  Used under the eyes, this creamy highlighter helps to banish dark circles immediately making you look instantly more awake.  It can also be used down the centre and sides of the nose, on the cupids bow, brow bone and cheek bones to highlight the face.

A more purse friendly option would be the George at Asda Under Eye Concealer (£3 from Asda) that I have reviewed here.  It is just as good at brightening as the YSL Touche Eclat but it is more opaque so it is great at concealing enlarged pores and covering up large areas too.

Another way to make you look super wide awake is by using a white or flesh coloured eye liner in the waterline.

Personally, I find white eye liner to be a little harsh so instead I opt for the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude (£3.99 from Boots).  This stays in my waterline all day and does a great job at making me look more awake as the nude colour makes my eyes look wider and bigger.  This is the first Scandaleyes liner I've bought and I'm so impressed with it- very creamy and long lasting, I love it!

Another couple of tips I would give for making your skin look wide awake using make up, would be to create a light reflecting, youthful base with a skin perfecting foundation, light reflecting powder and highlighter.  Make your eyes look wide awake with a light shimmery shadow on the lid and by curling your eyelashes to make the eyes look more open.  Stick to light pink shades as these give you a pop of colour but don't darken your face, potentially making it look more tired.

My picks would be the Garnier BB Cream in Light as a base with the YSL Touche Eclat under the eyes.  A dusting of the Gentle Light Powder from Clinqiue over the top with a pop of colour on the cheeks from MAC's Well Dressed Blush and a bit of serious highlighting with the beautiful Dior Nude Shimmer Instant Illuminating Powder.  I'd apply a wash of colour in the form of Benefit's Velvet Eye Shadow in Bo Peep across the lid, with the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal liner in Nude in my waterline.  I'd fill in my brows using the MUA Eye Brow Pencil in Brunette to frame my face and open up my eye area and to make my eyes look even bigger, I'd curl my lashes with my favourite MAC eye lash curlers and apply lashings of my NYX Doll Eye Mascara (review here) before slicking on some of the Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint and Balm.

In actual fact, I've recreated my wide awake routine today using all of these products and I've applied all of the make up products above to create this look.  I had a pretty late night last night so this is very appropriate and I'm sure you'll agree I look pretty awake!

Breakfast

Of course, make up and skin care aren't the only ways to perk you up in the morning.  Starting your day the right way with a good breakfast is often a way to wake you up from the inside out.  Drinking a coconut based drink like VitaCoco is not only great to hydrate you but to increase your energy levels too as coconuts contain oils that are quickly and efficiently turned into energy and help to stop you from feeling sluggish and tired throughout the day.  I like the pineapple one the most.  If coconut water isn't your thing, try a glass of ice cold water with a squeeze of half a lemon to perk you up.  I'm not one for eating a large breakfast but it really does make a difference to the day.  I tend to have a slice of granary toast, which has a low GI and is therefore packed full of slow release energy, with either a chopped banana, as they're packed full of energy, or a soft boiled or poached egg which is a great source of protein, full of amino acids and keep you feeling full for ages.  On a weekend when I have more time I'll sometimes add some spinach to my toast and egg.

So that's it, I'm all out of tips on how to look wide awake in the mornings.  If you have any tips or miracle workers of your own then do let me know, I'd love to learn more.

What are your favourite wake me up products?  How do you make yourself look more awake in the morning?

Where to find me

// Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin // Pinterest // Youtube //

Bleachin' My Tash

Having sat down to write this post, I know its going to be one of those awkward, slightly embarrassing to write ones... but one that'll help others in the same situation too and for that reason, it's worth writing.  I thought writing about hair removal cream was a little personal but it went down a treat with you lovely lot so today I'm talking 'tashes.

My hint of upper lip hair, with make up applied

Now we can't get away from the fact that the vast majority of us girlies are prone to a little upper lip hair.  Most facial hair doesn't cause us much concern but for those of us who have excessive or dark hair, it can be something we're concious of and concerned about.  I'm not sure which category I'd personally fall into, as I don't have dark hair and I'm not excessively hairy but for about the last year I've started to get a bit of a complex about the hair on my upper lip.  When I told my friend Ray about my moustache worries she thought I was seeing things but it is definitely something I've become concious of, not so much in photographs but in natural light when I'm wearing make up and it has been making me feel uncomfortable, so I've decided to do something about it.

I've looked into lots of different treatments in terms of removing the hair like upper lip waxing but aside from the fact that it would sting like a bee, I wasn't willing to take the risk on stubbly regrowth, the same goes for facial hair trimmers and shaving.  I've also looked into safe laser hair removal which would be the most permanent option for all areas of my body (imagine never having to Nair my legs again!) but for the time being, I'm trying out bleaching.

I bought the Jolen Creme Bleach from Superdrug on recommendation from one of my work colleagues.  It is a hair lightening product that is designed to lighten dark hair on the face, arms, body and brow.  I've used it here on my   The packaging itself looks as though the product is trapped in a decade that time forgot- I certainly wouldn't have picked this product up without my friends recommendation.

Patch Test

Whenever you're doing any sort of facial hair tinting, it is important to do a patch test first to make sure your skin agrees with the product- no one wants a scabby allergic reaction now do we?!  I popped a 50p sized amount of the mix onto my inner arm and washed it off after ten minutes and then waited a day to see if there was any redness or irritation caused by the cream- thankfully there wasn't and I could get down to business.

Getting Started

Inside the Jolen Creme Bleach box, you get a little plastic tray and spatula, a pot of creme and a pot of accelerator powder (which looks a little suspicious), as well as an easy to follow instruction booklet.  To mix the creme bleach, I scooped a quarter of a teaspoon sized amount of the accelerator powder onto the card and double the amount of the creme onto the tray and mixed them together.  It wasn't as messy as I thought blending them together would be but I did use it on top of a wipe clean glass surface anyway as the tray you get in the box is a little small.

Application

First, I washed and dried my face, then I applied the Jolen Creme Bleach using the spatula to the area that I wanted to bleach, making sure that the area was fully covered.  For a giggle, I also applied it to my eyebrows to show you how to lighten part of your brows.  I've been growing them out, so to speak, as I'm getting a celeb brows treatment (similar to HD brows) in a couple of weeks time.

Developing Time and Removal

I left the Creme Bleach on for ten minutes, timing it on my phone as I watched a Youtube video.  During the ten minutes, my skin wasn't irritated by the lightening cream, my skin felt ever so slightly tingly on my top lip but it didn't hurt or burn at all.  I was a little worried that I'd put too much on as a little fell down from my top lip, like in the above photograph, but the rest didn't.  To remove the cream, I used the spatula and scraped the cream off and put it back on the little tray.

The Result

I am really happy with the result- my hair in these areas has been left lightened and pale and my skin looks exactly as it did prior to the treatment,  with no redness or irritation present.  The instructions advised putting the cream onto the tray after removal in case you didn't find the results to be light enough and wanted to reapply but I didn't need to do this.  Its a great economical tip though, that it can be used again.

I'm not sure how much the photos show the results as I don't find my camera picks up the area too much in my photographs prior to tinting but to the natural eye, I can definitely see a difference and I feel so much more confident now.  I wouldn't use it on my eyebrows again, simply because I prefer to have them waxed but I will definitely be using it again on my upper lip and would definitely recommend this product.

After, with make up

I got the 30ml tub for £4.49 from Superdrug as I didn't know whether it would work or if I would like it but when I repurchase this, I'll go for the larger 125ml tub for £10.29 purely as its more economical.  For those with very sensitive skin, there is a mild formula with aloe vera too so if you need a little hair lightening but need something that's very gentle then I'd go for that one.

What facial lightening products have you used?

Where to find me

// Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin // Pinterest // Youtube //

Pink Friday

Spring is definitely here now and the summer months are fast approaching, so it's time to switch up my fragrances and opt for something a little sweeter than my cold month scents.  I've been trailing the beauty list of The Hut and finally found my signature summer fragrance for this summer...

This year, I'm going for Nicki Minaj's first release, Pink Friday.

Speaking about her debut fragrance, Nicki Minaj is quoted as having said, 'Pink Friday is a celebration of my life at this moment; it is a reflection of me as a creator, and an expression of me as a woman'.  Well, just like Nicki Minaj, this perfume is super girlie and bold.  The bottle is certainly outrageous like Nicki Minaj herself, being over the top and in your face- it definitely makes a statement on my dressing table!  Pink Friday is a sweet and fruity floral scent that really packs a punch but it has those gorgeous musky base notes that you all know I love and I swear by.  I like a perfume that is strong, makes a statement and is long lasting, and Pink Friday certainly is.

The fragrance itself contains top notes of star fruit, boysenberry and Italian mandarin, heart notes of lotus flower and jasmine petals with a base of creamy vanilla, caramelised pear, sensual musks and woods.  If you like Viva La Juicy (which is one of my FAVOURITE summer perfumes), Escada's summer releases or Britney Spears perfumes, then I think you'd like this.

Pink Friday is one of those fragrances that makes me feel summery and girlie, I love wearing it.  The perfume would make a great gift for girls and women particularly in their teens and twenties, as well as for fans of Nicki Minaj.  The packaging alone is to die for- super super girlie, very pink and very cute!

I have the 50ml bottle which is available for £29 from The Hut and there is also a larger 100ml bottle for £39 and a small 30ml bottle available for £24 again from The Hut.  There's also a hair mist and body lotion available which are great for layering the scent to make it deeper and last even longer.  The fragrance alone is pretty long lasting as a few spritzes on my pulse points leaving me smelling gorgeous all day while I'm out and about or at work.

Have you tried the Nicki Minaj perfume?  What did you love about it?

Where to find me

// Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin // Pinterest // Youtube //

Cherry has a Baby!

I always get excited when my favourite products are made in miniature so I'm sure you can imagine my delight at discovering that Batiste Cherry is now available in travel sized!

I reviewed Batiste Cherry in this post, when it was first launched at the beginning of last year and it quickly became one of my favourite scented dry shampoos from them.  It's fun and cheeky fragrance is perfect for the summer.  It smells naturally sweet, not sickly and artificial.  When sprayed onto oily roots, it leaves a soft fragrance behind and banishes grease, leaving the hair looking revived and refreshed.  The handy 50ml size is perfect for popping in your day bag when for refreshing your hair on the go, in your clutch bag when you're on a night out to give your hair a bit more oomph and volume, or in your travel bag when you're going away for the weekend to keep your hair fresh in between washes.

It is available for a purse friendly £1.55 from Amazon.

What are your favourite travel sized items?

Where to find me

// Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin // Pinterest // Youtube //

Dirty Works Detox Mask Review

With the summer firmly on its way, I've been spring cleaning my exercise routine and skin care in anticipation of the long hot (more like warm) summer days.  I've been enjoying going to boot camp over the last few weeks and when I get home I like to soak in the bath to ease my muscles as it's a bit of a killer.  While I'm doing that, I like to exercise the art of multi tasking by applying a hair mask and putting on a face mask.

My face mask of choice lately has been the Detox Mask from the brilliant budget brand Dirty Works.  It is a thick green clay based mask that helps to detoxify and revive the skin, particularly if it's looking lacklustre and dull.  I apply a generous layer of this mask all over my face and down onto my neck before waiting 10 minutes for it to harden.  I love the way the mask feels when it starts to dry as it really feels like the kaolin it contains is drawing the impurities out of my skin and really giving it a good cleanse.  It also contains willow bark which is known for its skin clearing properties and it is packed full of blueberries which are full of antioxidants to protect and nourish the skin.

I remove the mask using a hot muslin cloth to polish the mask off my face in circular motions.  I find that this combination of using the detoxifying mask with the exfoliating cloth leaves my skin looking smooth and glowing.  It isn't a quick fix, not many masks are.  It needs to be used in addition to a good skincare routine but if you're looking for something to detox and perk up your skin ready for the summer then this one is great!

Retailing at £4.99 for a 100ml tube from Sainsburys, this is a great option for those on a budget who are looking for a great quality skincare treat.

What is your favourite Dirty Works product?  Are there any other detoxing products you'd recommend to me?

Where to find me

// Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin // Pinterest // Youtube //