FAIRYPANTS

I discovered the Chester-based, handmade, independent company 'Fairypants' on Twitter a while ago and I absolutely loved the idea of some of their products, though I've only very recently remembered about them and decided to have another look. (How amazing is their brand name and logo by the way?)

I dropped some water on it, which annoyingly damaged the label ever so slightly

Fairypants is a vegan company, and I'm not vegan, but I simply couldn't resist trying their lip balms after I saw the flavours. Fairypants' lip balm speciality is 'cocktails and cakes', and with a mixture of cocktail or desert flavoured lip balms, how could I resist? All Fairypants lip balms contain Shea butter, jojoba wax, sweet almond oil and natural colourings and flavourings, have you ever see a more lovely line-up of ingredients? (As they're a vegan company, all products are natural and none are tested on animals).

Choosing a flavour of lip balm was a near impossible task for me. Personal favourites of mine from the cocktail range were Irish cream, mojito, margarita and ameretto and cola. And from the deserts range I was tempted by key lime pie, banoffee pie, sticky toffee pudding, cherry bakewell, blueberry muffin and parma violets. They have 20 incredible flavours of lip balm, all for £3.99 each, plus many other cosmetic products.

In the end, I opted for Irish Cream after a very lovely conversation I had on Twitter with the creator/owner/inventor (I don't know what to call her) of Fairypants. I really like it when business owners get involved with people on Twitter, it adds such a nice, personal touch and it makes me all the more keen to support their company. After asking exactly what Irish Cream smelt like (exact Twitter reply: 'happiness, Rosie. It basically smells like rich coffee, and Irish Cream liqueur. Like pouring bailey's into your cuppa') I couldn't resist; if you seen the ingredients photo (above) you'll note that it contains coffee and whiskey, though it's definitely not alcoholic. This lip balm does smell incredible, I occasionally find myself sitting in my room and sniffing it while I'm browsing online. You can definitely smell the coffee and whisky but it's so good and not at all overwhelming; you can't smell it while it's on your lips, but I prefer it that way. The creator of Fairypants has said online that this lip balm is one of the more Christmasy scents, and it can definitely makes you feel all warm and wintery when you smell it. I'm desperate to try out some of the other scents, which are bound to be equally as incredible.

Now onto the lip balm itself. When I first opened it, it looked like a hard balm and I was fully prepared for that, but surprisingly it turned out the be the complete opposite. The minute I touched it, it was a lovely smooth and creamy texture that feels really good on the lips. It sinks into your lips, rather than just sitting annoyingly on top, though this does depend on how much you put on. If I'm at home or before bed, I tend to be very generous with my lip balm application, so it takes slightly longer to sink in, but I wake up with beautifully soft lips the next morning. One of the things I like about this lip balm is that it's thick but not at all greasy, and everyone knows I really cannot stand anything greasy.

It's no secret that I've tried a hell of a lot of lip balms in my time, but I'd go as far as to say that this is one of the best and one of my current favourites. I've been using for a little over a week now, and my lips are super soft and smooth. They started to peel slightly after I didn't use the lip balm for a couple of days, though that is most likely due to the awful weather, and they healed literally over night with the help of this product. My lips do not like the winter weather and I can already tell that this product is going to be a life-saver over the next few months. It's such a lovely lip balm, the thick and creamy texture is incredible and my lips feel amazing. I'd highly, highly recommend, I can't rave about it enough, and I'm itching to try out some more of their stuff.

OCTOBER PLAYLIST

You'll see a trend in this playlist that it's mostly entirely Clean Bandit. I've been discovering some new artists, rediscovering old favourites and finally joining the Clean Bandit obsession that my best friend has been on since last year.

(Check out those screen protector air bubbles)

'Uma Thurman'- Fall Out Boy
I challenge anyone not to dance when they hear this. I've loved Fall Out Boy for years now and this is definitely my favourite from the new(ish) album. It's so catchy and I like to sing along as loud as I can.

'Breezeblocks'- alt-J
I was first introduced to this song last Christmas and I still love it. I'm not all that bothered by the rest of alt-J's stuff but this one is absolutely incredible, it blows my mind.

'Rihanna'- Clean Bandit
This is another song that I was introduced to last Christmas, the first Clean Bandit song that I really enjoyed. I still love this song, I love the use of (what sounds like) xylophone, and my dad really loves this song as well.

'Mozart's House'- Clean Bandit
I never used to enjoy electronic music, I used to basically avoid it and look down on it a bit but damn this is catchy. I think it's so clever the way Clean Bandit mix electronic and classical music together, their violin and cello playing is absolutely beautiful and I am really enjoying their stuff.

'King'- Years & Years
Some more electronic stuff that I would never have listened to until recently. I don't have all that much to say about this one, I like it and I like the lyrics a lot, it's my favourite Years & Years song, give it a listen.

'Help Me, Rhonda'- The Beach Boys
A classic favourite. I rediscovered this recently and remembered why I loved it so much, I've had it on repeat for a while now and I just love, love, love the Beach Boys.

'Shine'- Years & Years 
This is probably the most popular Years & Years song at the moment, and the one I first listened to. It's super catchy and I have to resist dancing to it when we play it at work.

'Stronger'- Clean Bandit
More Clean Bandit, more stunning instrumentals, more love.

'Hold Me Down'- Halsey 
Everyone's obsessed with Halsey at the moment and I'm slightly behind (I've only just started listening to her). I wouldn't say I'm obsessed, I wouldn't say I'm that big a fan (I don't like all of her stuff), but this one is really, really good. I approve.

'Telephone Banking'- Clean Bandit
The final Clean Bandit song, I really love this one, it's so catchy and you can't help but enjoy it.

'Strange Love'- Halsey
More Halsey but I wanted to give this one some recognition as well (and also to mention that the album cover for 'Badlands' is so stunning). The chorus for this is catchy and great.

SKIN SAVIOURS

I have bad skin, it's not as bad as it once was, but it's still pretty bad. This is something that I have come to accept, though I'm always on the look-out for good spot treatments (and concealers- but we all know that already). One brand that I'd never tried before is Clearasil, but I spotted it at work (you can probably guess where I work) and I thought I'd give it a try.

I picked up two spot creams from Clearasil, the Rapid Action Treatment Cream and and Blemish and Marks Treatment Cream. The Rapid Action cream claims to 'visibily reduce spot size and redness in four hours', and the Blemish and Marks cream claims to 'clear blemishes and fight the appearance of red marks'. The majority of my problem with my skin is that I have a lot of scars, marks, blemishes and redness from previous spots. Both of these creams are twice-daily applications and came in at under £6 each.

First up, the Clearasil Rapid Action Treatment Cream. Clearing spots in four hours is a very bold claim, but this little cream surprised me. I put it on for the first time over night and I definitely noticed some changes the next morning, and my mum noticed it as well. This cream and I have got on very well. It reduces but it definitely doesn't completely clear spots within four hours, not that it claims to, I'd say it takes about two or three days for the spot to go totally. It has definitely helped me a lot and I'd highly recommend.

Now for the Clearasil Blemish and Marks Treatment Cream. I'd like to start by saying that this cream smells incredible, it has a kind of fruity-shampoo scent and my whole face smells really good after using it. I also have to say, though, that it is immensely drying to the face. I have dry skin anyway, but this leaves big dry patches where I've used it. Saying that, I'll live through dry skin if it means I have clear skin, and the dryness is nothing that can't be fixed by some good moisturiser. I'm not so sure about this cream, it has faded my scars, not as much as I would have liked, and I'm still a little bit red in the chin and forehead areas; I use it at the same time as the Rapid Action cream. I have definitely noticed some change in my scars so I'll definitely carry on using it, but I'm not entirely convinced.

I'm definitely going to try more Clearasil products soon.

Rosie

AUTUMN/WINTER WARDROBE WISH LIST

Autumn is one of my favourite times of the year and, now that it's October, I feel like I can finally start dressing all autumnal and enjoying scarves and hot drinks and just general autumn-ness again. I also really love October, it's just a great month, definitely autumn but not too cold. As I do love a good list, I've made a list below of my wardrobe wish list for the coming months.

1. Roll Neck Jumpers 
Also known as the humble turtle neck or polo neck, I've previously not been too much of a fan of high-necked clothing, until now. I'm really loving this style, I think it's really flattering, and I've already bought a black roll neck jumper but I'm eyeing up more in different colours.

2. Button-Down Skirts
I didn't know what to call this style of skirt so I've gone for the obvious. Literally just a skirt with buttons down the front. I want a denim one but I'm also thinking of getting a camel coloured cord material one, which I think would look great with my black roll neck jumper.

3. Stripes
I just love stripes. I want everything in my wardrobe to be stripey. T-shirts, jumpers, long sleeves, short sleeves, I want so many stripes.

4. T-Shirts 
Recently I've become really into plain or simply-patterned t-shirts and sleeveless tops. I want to introduce more into my wardrobe as they're so simple but effective.

5. Cardigans
There's a distinct lack of cardigans in my life and that needs to change. 

6. Fjallraven Kanken Rucksack 
I know I got a new rucksack recently and obviously I'm still absolutely in love with it, BUT it's more of my version of a handbag than anything else. It's just slightly too small to comfortably fit a pad of A4 paper, and definitely not big enough to carry a ring binder, and that's my defence for wanting to buy a new bag. I really love the Fjallraven Kanken bags, who doesn't? My best friend got one for her birthday and that made me love them even more. They can carry an A4 ringer binder and textbooks, which is perfect for college, and this is me just basically convincing myself that a £70 bag is worth it (I can use it for uni as well, yes). I might just put this on my Christmas list.

7. Jumpers 
It's no secret that I really love jumpers, and I'm bored of all my current ones so I want more.

8. Denim Jacket
The denim jacket is such a classic and flawless look and I want to take part in it. I'm more inclined to get a slightly over-sized one (or I might just borrow my brother's).

9. New Black Jeans 
My black jeans are basically grey so it's high time I got some new ones. I'm planning on getting exactly the same ones as before, which are the Topshop Jamie Jeans, my favourite jeans (as everyone knows by now- see previous post).

10. Tweed Shorts
If you go right back to September 2013 on this blog, you'll see that I wanted some tweed shorts. I still don't have any. I still want some. It's getting ridiculous now.

11. Trashy Christmas Jumper 
Yes, of course!? I want one that looks like an entire Christmas pudding, it's a wardrobe essential that I can't believe I don't own.

12. Waterproof Coat
I want a really nice waterproof coat, not a hiking one or a jack-in-a-pack, but I really nice, thick proper one. I have one ordered and it will be featured in a outfit of the day post, most likely in December. Watch this space.

WHEN SIMPLE WORKS BEST - OOTD 05/10/15

Recently I've become quite a fan of basic t-shirts and wearing the colour white. I find that simple clothing looks really good a lot of the time, and I am really in love with one of my latest buys; this simple white top is from New Look and has a cute pocket on the front, it's quite slouchy (which I love) so it isn't just a boring, plain white t-shirt. I like to wear it with the equally simple-but-effective blue jeans and I either wear it with black Dr Martens boots or white Converse low-tops. With simple clothing, I also like to layer quite basic and low-key necklaces.

Just to add, I wanted to write a quick paragraph here about my favourite jeans. Topshop Jamie jeans. I've been favouring this style of jeans for well over a year now, I have them in black and blue, and I think they're possibly the most perfect jeans I've ever found. I think it's quite important to invest in some nice-quality jeans, because jeans tend to last ages and ages, so I don't really find myself minding about the £40 price tag. I like my jeans to be skinny, and these definitely are, they hug my legs in a flattering way and they haven't become baggy and misshapen over time, which is perfect. They're the style known as 'ankle grazers' so they finish just on my ankle bone, but I think that's a pretty good look with folded over socks and low-cut shoes. All in all, I love these jeans. I think they're perfect. The perfect style, the perfect fit, they've lasted ages without having to buy a new pair, and they have a soft denim feel (for some reason, I like my denim items of clothing to actually feel like denim, that's important to me when buying jeans). I can't see myself changing my jeans style for a long time.

Top- New Look (£6.99)
Jeans- Topshop Jamie (£40)
Shoes- Dr Martens (£100)

SKIN MONTH

I am absolutely awful to my skin, I mistreat it, I ignore it, and I just generally don't take good care of it, therefore I have decided that October will be my Love Your Skin Month (or just Skin Month). So throughout October I will be aiming to trying out different skin care products, starting with the Body Shop.

I have always found the Body Shop to be one of the best for skin care (plus there is a three-for-two offer on all skin care products at the moment, there is also there same offer for everything in Boots, Soap and Glory here I come). I have really bad skin at the moment and colder weather does nothing to help it so firstly I have bought the Body Shop Seaweed Iconic Clay Mask which I am hoping will clear up my spots and stop my skin being so dry (SIDE NOTE: the lovely lady in Body Shop said you only need to use the face pack once a week or even once a month will be fine otherwise it will have the reverse affect and rid your skin of all the nutrients).

I also bought the Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes as the makeup remover I am currently using is feeling very bad for my eyes so I thought a change was necessary.

I am looking to try out some Soap and Glory skin care products and possibly a hot cloth cleanser, and the purchase of more Body Shop products will be inevitable, especially with all the offers everywhere at the moment. I will be reviewing the products as I go, so happy Skin Month!

SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES

Hello October!

I am so happy that October is finally here, I've been waiting for this all month (pun intended, I am so funny)! I love October, now we can finally stop saying 'oh well it's still sort of summer' and embrace the comforts of autumn and comfy clothes. It is my opinion that October is the official start of autumn, and summer will be sorely missed, but now the weather has an official reason to be crappy (and also it's nearly Christmas).
So, hello to October and the autumn months, and here is my official September favourites list:

1. Neutrogena moisturiser - September is the official start of my winter dry skin and, no matter how many different moisturisers I try, I will always come back again and again to Neutrogena and it is a permanent staple in my bathroom.

2. Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Lychee - This is the perfect nude colour that I have been loving this month, (sad to admit) I felt all grown up swanning into sixth form with my nude nails. I cannot rave enough about the Barry M Gelly line, I wore the nail varnish for nearly two weeks without having to repaint it because it doesn't chip! I am so excited about this and I can't wait for Barry M to bring out more colours (hint hint a black one please).

 

3. Soup - I feel like I don't need to explain this one, soup is amazing in every way.
4. New stationary - The highlight of the school year.
5. Thick jumpers - Praise the Lord, jumpers are officially back! Thick jumpers are the best item of clothing ever invented, apart from maybe onesies...
6. Maybelline  Baby Lips in Peach Kiss - Yes, I talk about these a lot, but I have fallen in love with Peach Kiss, it's simply the best (cue break into Tina Turner impression).

7. Twinning's Lemon and Ginger tea - Looks a bit like piss (to put it politely), tastes amazing.
8. Body Shop concealer - I have found the perfect concealer, it's my exact skin colour! Body Shop makeup is always brilliant and this is no exception.
9. THE NEW YOU ME AT SIX SONG IT IS AMAZING OMG NEW ALBUM IN JANUARY 2014 SOMEONE HOLD ME. Sorry.
10. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - I have been hooked on these since I got back from  America and, much to my great joy, you can get them in England too!

This month I aim to take better care of my skin and use my Balmi more (and try unsuccessfully not to buy any more lip balms).

(Apologies for these next couple of posts being a lot later that I originally planned them to be).