LIZ EARLE CLEANSE AND POLISH

When Liz Earle sent me a voucher to collect a bottle of their famous Cleanse and Polish, I jumped at the opportunity and headed down to John Lewis that night. Keen yes, but I had heard so many wonderful things about this cleanser that I had to get it and since my skin had suffered a bad breakout I thought it might help.

I don't often rave about something unless I absolutely love it, and let me say I love this!! The packaging is so perfect with the pump that allows you to access as much or as little product as you want without the hassle of having to squeeze it out of a tube and splatter it all in the sink. The second thing I adore about this product is the smell, you can really smell the chamomile which feels really natural and leaves your skin feeling fresh, which sometimes perfumed products can lack as they make your skin feel irritated and dry. Your meant to apply the cleanser on a dry face still with your make-up applied which is concept that I'm not used to but will never turn back from, it managed to remove all my make-up including my hard to budge eyeliner and mascara. Using the muslin cloth provided is a great way to remove the cleanser and all the grime as it acts as an exfoliator which helps your skin to feel revitalised and is much more controlled that splashing your face with water. Used both at night and in the morning I still have at least two-thirds of my 50ml bottle after one month of using, however if you wear a lot more make-up (e.g. drag queens) it may not last as long.

The outcome on my skin has been amazing, It hasn't stopped all spots coming through or given me and anti-ageing miracle but then I don't know any product which could do that. However it does control and sooth my break outs and reduces the redness in my complexion. Overall my skin looks much more healthier and made much more of a difference compared to all the other cleansers I've tried. Definitely worth a try.

Immy xo 

A GUIDE TO PROM SHOPPING

This year I have my school prom, I understand it's different in America but in the UK at the end of year 11 it's tradition for the leaving year to get together put on a fancy frock and have a good dance.

It can be quite challenging to find that perfect dress, I know this as I trailed around more shops than I can count on my hands. I advise that you don't overwhelm yourself as you can find yourself stuck for choice. Don't try on anything that it more than you're willing to spend as you could have the misfortune of falling in love with it, and finding yourself waving bye to it. However DO have fun, you only do this once so make a day out of it with your mum or friends and try on things you out of your comfort zone as you might be surprised.

Different schools have different styles that they look for, and people may have different budgets but here is the load down on a few of my favourite dress to give some inspiration to those struggling...

Cobalt Blue Maxi Dress, Hobbs - £199 

Perfect for those worried about their thies.

Embellished Knee Bandeau Skater Dress, Frock and Frill at ASOS - £130

If your confident about your pins, show them off!!

Cream Holterneck Maxi, Coast - £180 

Beautiful with a tan. 

Embellished Crepe Dress, Oasis - £70

Beautiful pop of colour for a more relaxed look.

Embellished Maxi Dress, Topshop - £180

Very girly and whimsical.

Tulle Knee Length Dress, Needle & Thread at ASOS - £175

I had to include this, different, but very Carrie Bradshaw.

Scarlett Bandeau Ruched Maxi Dress, ASOS - £55

Simple and elegant yet imagine with a big statement necklace or earrings.

Silver Sequin Maxi Dress, Forever Unique at ASOS - £250 

Showstopper.

Black Applique Feather Maxi Dress, Ted Baker at House of Fraser - £499

Stunning and Elegant, great if your tall and very slimming.

Here are some shops worth taking a look at:

French Connection

Topshop

House Of Fraser

Selfridges

Debenhams

ASOS

Ted Baker

Mango

Quiz

John Lewis

Miss Selfridge

Also try local bridal shops and boutiques.

Happy Shopping and I will be uploading my prom outfit later this month! 

Immy xo

A WEEKEND TREAT

So I decided to have a day off put some Micheal Bublé on and do some baking. It's one of my favourite hobbies and relax's me when I'm stressed. I made some super fluffy chocolate and raspberry cupcakes and a batch of fruity flapjacks (they include fruit therefore very heathy).

Here's how I made them...

CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY CUPCAKES:

Ingredients-

For the Cake
150g of Sugar
150g of Margarine
3 Eggs
100g of Self Raising Flour
50g of Coca Powder
Teaspoon of Baking Powder

For the Frosting
85g Margarine
175g Icing Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
1 Tablespoon Milk

First you want to preheat your oven to 180 degrees (fan oven) then cream your margarine and sugar together in a large bowl making sure they are an off white colour and fluffy looking. Next crack your eggs in a mug/jug and whisk together with either a whisk or a fork. Add them slowly to your mixture while adding a bit of the flour do this until you've added all the ingredients. After that add your coca powder and baking powder and make sure it is all fully combined.

Next fill a tray of cupcake cases with your mixture, filling them half way.  It should make around 14 cupcakes depending on how generous you are. Put in the oven for 25 Minutes and leave aside to cool for 30 minutes.

Once cooled use a sharp knife to cut out a hole in the top of the cake and fill with your favourite raspberry jam. Then put the piece of cake that you've just cut out back in the cake. Finally add the coca and icing sugar to the margarine and cream together until you have a soft but stiff consistency, add a dash of milk if this proves difficult. Finally you are ready to ice them by either spreading the frosting on the top or piping it in a pipeing bag with a star nozzle, either way they both taste delicious!!

FRUITY FLAPJACKS

Ingredients-
450g Rolled Oats
75g Soft Brown Sugar
300g Margarine
150g Golden Syrup
Cranberries (Amount to your satisfaction)
Raisins (Amount to your satisfaction)
1 x 23cm square brownie tin, buttered

Firstly you will need to preheat the oven to 190 degrees (fan oven). Then you will need to mix the oats with the sugar, after that melt the margarine with the golden syrup gently over a low heat, and stir in the oats and sugar. Next add your raisins and cranberries and any other dried fruit that you like to munch on. Add as much or as little as you like. Press the mixture into the tin, and cook for 25 minutes and no longer. Remember that they might look a bit soft when you take them out but they will harden. Leave to cool in the tin and cut the flapjacks into 12 squares. Yum.

Enjoy, and don't feel guilty.

Immy xo

THE DREAM TEAM

Recently I bought the Chanel long-lasting concealer, not expecting much as I've not heard much hype about it. BUT. I can truly say that I am impressed and I especially love it with the ever so famous Chanel Vitalumière Aqua foundation, I think that they work so well together and create the perfect, lightweight finish.

The Foundation:
Chanel Vitalumière Aqua has been around for around 3 years now and it's only last year that I tried it, I loved it at first but then as I  started to get more blemishes I was put off as It didn't cover them. As the sun as shone this past week however I decided to give it a go again as I wanted something more lightweight. I can happily say that I have fallen in love with it again. The bottle is tiny and perfect for traveling yet it still includes the 30ml you would expect in a foundation. It is water based meaning you have to give it a good shake but this is fab for oily skin types as it doesn't create a sweaty finnish in appose to oil based products. Like I said it is very light coverage but more than a tinted moisturiser. It smells divine, quite peach like, but I would recommend using a moisturiser as I have found it quite hard to move around due to it setting quickly.

I like to apply it with the real techniques expert face brush to really buff it in.

It retails at £32 and you can buy it here.

The Concealer: 
I find the concealer very smooth to apply as it is gel based and is perfect under the eye, I even think it works beautifully on blemishes. I like to dab it with the real techniques shading brush to create a flawless look. The only downside is the staying powder but that is sorted by just applying a primer or powder. It goes really well with the foundation and doesn't look cakey on the skin giving a really healthy glow to your face. I love that it doesn't feel dry like some concealers but I do find it very similar to the NARS creamy concealer with a little less coverage. Overall I was impressed and would defiantly recommend to anyone wanting to splurge.

It retails at £27 and you can buy it here.

I wear Chanel Vitalumière Aqua in shade 20 beige and the Long lasting concealer in shade 10. 

Immy xo