Review:Fullips - Lip Enhancers

6/6 - Lips ... If you've met me in person, or, if you've ever checked out my Instagram *click here*, you'll know that my lips aren't the biggest, in fact, they're tiny!!.. My top lip is pretty much non-existent. I would love my lips to be bigger, but I'm not so keen on having lip fillers, or any cosmetic procedure! So I searched the web for a solution (I think everyone does this) and I came across 'Fullips'. During the last few months there has been a lot of publicity around these lip enhancers from Fullips as Kylie Jenner claimed during an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians that this product was the reason for her new super-sized lips... OK so later on KUWTK Kylie admitted that she'd actually had lip fillers, but that didn't stop me wanting to test this product! Continuing reading for my full review! Enjoy, x

I purchased two sizes, small & medium from Ebay - I didn't think a size Large was needed, because my lips are just so SMALL! This product was pretty expensive, from memory I paid £18 for 2 plus Postage & Packaging... Yes it is a one off purchase, but I thought this was a little bit pricey considering this product is made by a small American company. If you shop around, you may be able to find a money saving deal such as '3 for the price of 2' or some sort of deal from a beauty salon /distributor - so be sure to do this!!

Ok... so where to begin? This product is super easy to use!!

1) Just before use, apply a lip scrub - here's an awesome recipe

2) Simply wet your lips (I find plain Vaseline is a good substance)

3) Apply the enhancer to your lips until suction has been made.. and relax!

4) Keep the plumper attached for approx. 30 seconds, and then repeat 

5) It's REALLY important that you detached the enhancer using your fingers (as opposed to just pulling the item off) otherwise your lips will bruise!
6) You may have to play around with a different technique, just to find out what work best for you.. there are hundreds of tutorials online, so have a look.

I really like the medium size because I can use it for my whole lip area, and then use the smaller size tool to target certain areas, i.e. my cupid bow!

Does this product work? Absolutely!! Here are some before and after photos -  as you can see, my lips look so much fuller, plump and just generally better! Make sure you check out my Instagram to see a complete variety of results. The lip area is left a little red after use, but that's pretty much unavoidable. After the redness has gone away and your skin has calmed down, apply a lip liner and your favourite lipstick!! Once lipstick has been applied, you can really see the difference in size!! The results last between 1-3 hours, which I believe is just about the right of time. It takes around 30 seconds (minimum) to make your lips bigger, and the results last all evening! If you use the enhancer every day, then the results will last longer! 

Have you tried the Lip Enhancers from Fullips? If so, what did you think? Leave your comments in the box below... Alternatively, if you have any ideas for future blog posts, I would love to hear them! 

Thanks for reading, 

Yvette Marie xo

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Turtorial: Homemade Face Masks

Hi everyone, last week I mentioned in my skincare routine post that I use Mask of Magnaminty from Lush; And whilst I do love this product, it can be a tad on the expensive side so below I've listed 3 of my favourite homemade facemask recipes! If you're on a budget, this is a great idea and so cost effective! Have a dig around in the kitchen cupboards, and enjoy x

1. Oatmeal Facial Mask -

Combine a TBSP of finely grounded oatmeal with a TBSP of plain yoghurt, and then add a small drop of honey into the mixture. Once all ingredients have been added, apply a thin layer to your face and leave to set for 10-15 minutes. Finally, rinse with warm water. This should give you a quick pick-me-up and leave your skin not only looking better, but also feeling it!! Apply moisturiser after for the best results!

2. Honey, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Face Mask -

 First, mix together 1 TSP of cinnamon and 1 TSP of nutmeg. Now add 2 drops of honey, and you're ready to go! Ingredients can obviously be adjusted to suit, but I find this combination works best. I usually leave this facemask on for 15 minutes, however, at the first sign of irritation wash off! What are the benefits of this face mask? Honey acts as a natural antioxidant, soothes skin and fights acne caused by microbes! Nutmeg reduces redness and inflammation caused by acne, and cinnamon can plump the skin by bringing oxygen and blood to the service. Cinnamon also unclogs and opens the pores by removing excess oil from the skin's surface. This mask is great for lightening blemishes, and reducing the appearance of scars. Although cinnamon is great, it can also cause major irritation and even an allergic reaction on the skin, so I would advise doing a patch test beforehand.

3. Ice Cube Facial Massage -

Ok so this isn't exactly a face mask, but I guess it can be described as a facial?! I recently read about a routine that I wanted to share with you, and now that it's the beginning of summer, this is the perfect time of year to try it out! Simply wrap ice cubes in a paper towel and massage your face in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes just before bed. Although this doesn't sound very pleasant, ice has a long list of benefits and can do wonders for your skin! Here is a list of just some; Minimise pores, control oil production, smooth complexion by easing the appearance of wrinkles, fight acne, promote blood circulation and help heal blemishes. There are plenty of ingredients that you can also include to suit your skin type too:

Dry Skin? Add Mint 

Oily Skin? Try adding sage

Wear make-up every day? I do! Include a TSP of olive oil to the water before freezing. The oil will nourish and smooth your skin.

Top Tips -

- Always wash your face, and remove any make-up before applying face masks to receive the best results!
-  Some ingredients mentioned may cause irritation, so always do a small test patch before applying it onto your face.
- If big oats aren't for you, grind them down so the mixture is a lot finer.

- When adding honey, run the spoon under a hot tap beforehand. It makes it a lot easier to pick up and drop off the liquid.
- Place a strainer in your sink to catch the oats when they've washed off.

Please feel free to comment if you found this tutorial helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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My Skincare Routine

Hi all, here is a little insight into my current skincare routine. Just thought I'd share this with you, as my next 3 blog post will be about caring for your skin. Enjoy x  

Lush Face Mask - Mask of Magnaminty - This face mask from Lush is perfect, and what's even better is that it's made from 100% natural ingredients (including peppermint!!). Best used to help assist in the fight again breakouts and eruption, and can be applied to both your face and back. It rids blackheads, and brings skin back to tip-top condition. Yes, Lush products can be a little bit expensive (£5.50 for 125g), but this item is made from a self-preserving formula which means that you actually have 4 months to use it all and still receive the same great effects as day 1!

Simple - Cleansing Facial Wipes & Toner - Both of these items feel great on my skin. The wipes contain 2 vitamins (Pro-Vitamin B5 & Vitamin E) and no articial colours / perfumes, so If you've got sensitive skin you can use these too! I use the wet wipes either in the morning or just before bed to leave my skin feeling refreshed and moisturised, and apply the toner after to keep my skin hydrated! Although wipes are £3 for 25 wipes, and the toner is £2.99 for 200ml, there are always shops that have Simple products on '3 for 2' or BOGOF deals, which gives you a chance to buy the product I'm going to talk about next... 

Simple - Rapid Action Spot Zapper - I was a little bit dubious about using this, because I've tried similar products in the past and they've not worked at all :( However, this is great! There is a silver ball at the top of the tube which allows you to rub the liquid over a spot (as soon as it appear) without too much waste! This also means that you don't have to use your hands to touch your face, saving irritation. The gel soothes redness and calms the breakout. Regardless of how much gel I've applied, my skin never feel too sticky / heavy. I would definitely recommend this to everyone! 

Nivea - Soft Moisturising Cream - I often find that the majority of moisturising creams make my face oily (which means that make-up doesn't stick) but now I've found this, I'll choose Nivea skincare products every time! Their products smell great, and make my skin super sot. The texture is the perfect consistency which makes it easy to apply and perfect for everyday wear! 

Garnier - Micellar Cleansing Water - I love this!! A recently launched make-up remover from Garnier which gently removes make-up, and also promises to cleanse, soothe and rehydrate the face, eye area and lips! I think this product is great, it can remove anything... Foundation, Mascara, even Glitter Lips (see previous post) It's fragrance free to suit all skin types, suitable for sensitive skin and requires no further rinsing! 

Lastly, (and potentially the most important) drink PLENTY of water, and eat lots of fruit & veg! Dehydration makes your skin look dry and wrinkly, however by dirnking loads of liquids this can easily be changed! Now for the science bit... Our bodies contain a lot of water, and our skin function as a protection barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. By keeping hydrated, you can help 'lock' moisture into your skin. As for for fruit & Veg, they contain powerful antioxidants that help to protect your skin from damager caused by day-to-day things such as pollution, sunlight and smoking which can lead to wrinkles and spots! The recommended guideline is a minimum of 5 portions a day!

Please feel free to comment if you found this review helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

 

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Review: Forever Living

A representative from Forever Living recently reached out to individuals in the surrounding area of Bristol, to ask for volunteers who would be happy to trial a box of products and in return complete a questionnaire. I signed up straight away of course, and was super excited when my delivery arrived!! The packaging is very plain, all products are white with a different colour font / banding for each product! Although it's simplistic, it works! Below you'll find reviews of my favourite skincare items. Enjoy x

Forever Aloe Scrub is a natural exfoliator for both the body and face, that will gently wash away dead skin cells and debris that’s been building up in your pores. It’s made from a unique combination including two natural ingredient; Aloe Vera Gel and Stabilized Micro-Spheres, which will help the skin’s own renewal process! It also protects the skin from drying out / any damaging effects from synthetic cleansers. This scrub is a very fine grain that’s gentle enough to for every-day use.

This is a face mask which you need to make yourself, and I absolutely love that! It’s something different compared to other companies, and makes the product incredibly versatile. This product is designed to blend perfectly with the Mask powder to create a unique combination and is extremely effective for a number of reasons; Cleanse pores, condition, sooth & tighten the skin and, lastly, remove dead skin cells. As the dead skin cells are removed by the mask, it means that the new cells are fresh which creates a vibrant and more luminous look to the skin. 

Whilst I did love the stages of BEFORE application (It’s pink, you get to mix two different products together and can control the texture of the mask if the recipe isn't to your desire), there are some things that I didn’t enjoy when I put the mask on. The smell was absolutely dreadful! My face smelt like a wet dog, and after 10 minutes (which admitaly, is probably too long for my first application) my skin began to feel very irritated. The mask was also very hard to wash off, but I fear this is probably because the amount of time the liquid was left on.

Aloe Propolis Creme - A rich creamy blend of Aloe Vera, Bee Propolis and Camomile to help maintain healthy skin whilst moisturising and conditioning. I used this as moisturiser for my face because Forever Living suggests that it makes an excellent product for everyday use and can improve skin tone! The cream was very thick which made it slightly hard to apply, although the results are great! My skin felt very soft and my complexion looked slightly improved. I only trialled this product for 2 days, so it’s hard to know the full effects of use over this period of time. 

Aloe Vera Gelly is a thick, clear gel that's used to moisturize, sooth and condition skin; And that’s exactly what this ‘gelly’ does! It’s a very thick (but smooth) consistency. Once I applied this to my legs, they shortly began to feel cold and tingly (which is great when you’ve got shaving cuts!) This would be an idea product to provide temporary relief from minor sunburn, cuts, bumps and insect bites. It’s definitely one for the First-aid box! The only complaint I do have; When the cream dried my legs felt VERY sticky which isn’t relaxing or soothing…

Aloe Heat Lotion is exactly the opposite to the Gelly described above. This is a Aloe Vera based heat lotion, designed to sooth and relax muscles. It’s very similar to deep heat / tiger balm but a less intense sensation / smell. The rich lotion contains deep heating agents to make it ideal to use as a massage companion for tired muscles, plus it’s long lasting! Although this product RRP is £12.24, it’s a thick cream and a small amount goes a long way.

Forever Living products are available to buy online - click here to visit their website https://www.foreverliving.com/retail/entry/Shop.do. Alternatively, look out for posts from your friends & family who have signed up to represent the company.

Please feel to comment if you found this review helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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Review: Dr Paw Paw Original Balm

I received this delivery from Dr Paw Paw earlier in the week, and was very excited to give it a try! Not only is it an ultimate lip balm, but it also appears to be a 'fixer' of everything. The packaging is fun, colourful, easy to recognise and promises the following results:

• Ultimate Lip Balm
• Brow Smoother/Shaper
• Skin soother
• Moisturiser for skin
• Eye Primer
• Make-up finisher/primer
• Nappy rash soother
• Helps with bites and stings
• Say goodbye to cracked heels

The product really does work wonders. My skin felt soft after use, my lips were smooth and eyebrows shaped! The product retails at a price of £6.95, which is a very reasonable price considering the amount of areas that the balm works on.

The texture of the product is quite thick, and almost like a Vaseline jelly. I tested the original balm, which is clear and fragrance free. I would have probably preferred something with a smell, but as the products fixes a lot of different areas, a fragrance would most likely irritate! In the future I would love to purchase the Tinted Ultimate Red or Peach Pink balm, as these colours can also be used to add a lip colour finish or colour to cheeks!

Dr Paw Paw products are available on the high-street, but if you'd like to visit their website, click here http://www.drpawpaw.com/

Please feel free to comment if you found this review helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo
 

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20 facts about me!

As I'm new to this blogging business I thought I'd start my page off by listing 20 facts about me, hopefully it's interesting read!

1. Marie is actually my middle name.

2. I was born in Bristol.

3. My birthday is 6th May.

4. I have a cat called Amber, and she only has three legs due to an unknown accident.

5. I am the 3rd born out of 4 children, and have recently become an Auntie to one awesome little guy.

6. I've changed what career I want to have 'when im older' so many times!!

7. I own far too many DVDs.

8. I love make-up but I don't wear it as much as I would like to.

9. The Big Bang Theory is one of my favourite Tv shows.

10. My boyfriend bought me a George Foreman Grill for Valentine’s Day..

11. I've signed up to run the Bath Half-Marathon (all 13.2 miles) for a local charity.

12. I hate scary films.

13. Lasagne is one of my favourite meals.

14. I own a lot of shoes, but tend to wear the same three pairs on rotation.

15. I live with my dad, and we have very similar interests so we often watch Tv, cook food and listen to music together.

16. I asked for a brand new Xbox for my 17th birthday, and I've only ever used it to watch DVD's.

17. I LOVE all of the classic Disney films from the 90s - Lion King, Jungle Book, Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast etc.

18. I want to visit a different festival every summer.

19. I work with a Mortgage and Protection advisor, and I'm currently taking CeMap exams (Certificate in Mortgage Advice Practice) in order to become a qualified Para Planner.

20. I would love to travel the world. Firstly, I would like to go Interailing around Europe, travel around America in a camper van/car and finish off in someplace such as Australia, New Zealand or Asia.

Thanks very much for reading!

If you enjoyed this post or have any ideas for future topics that you'd like me to blog about, let me know by leaving a comment!!

Yvette Marie xo