Portsmouth day trip | taking time out

The other day after my final exam (thank god) I felt like a huge weight had been lifted and I could breathe. It was like everything seemed so much better than before and I was ready to go on more adventures without feeling guilty about not doing any work or revision. About 2hrs after my exam, I set of to Portsmouth with my friends for a day of discounted shopping and Nandos. Just a dream really.

I had this whole planned post planned with lots of pictures but to be honest, I just didn’t take that many. I made purchases I probably didn’t need but wanted, smiled from ear to ear (as Beyoncé would say) and filled my stomach with good food. It’s so important everyone in a while to live in the moment, take a breath and realise what you have. It was a great way for me to unwind and catch up 

with my girls.

Nonetheless, here are some pictures I took and a flatlay of all the things I bought.

I hope you guys enjoyed the post and I’ll see you all Sunday for a new one x

Trial and tell #001

This is a little series I came up with at precisely 2am. Sometimes inspiration just has to disturb your sleep. But I have now made this figment of my imagination a little spectacle, so enjoy.

This is basically how it is gonna work. I test out a few things and then tell you my thoughts on them. And then in the comments if you have tried any of these out, tell me your thoughts below or any recommendations.

Simple micellar cleansing water – once one micellar water runs out, you really have to get another one. On a bit of a tight budget, I found this one on offer in Superdrug and I really do like it. It’s soft (if water can even be soft) and gentle on the skin and does the job pretty darn well. I owe you an apology Garnier micellar water but I will resume using you shortly

 

Skin therapy eye makeup remover – a wilko own brand product that I was eager to try as the Nivea double effects eye makeup remover was not on offer. I wasn’t expecting a lot as it was only 75p but for such a bargain, it does a hella good job. It’s not as good as the Nivea one from what I can remember, but it removes my eye makeup. A label that speaks the truth

 

P.S anti frizz serum – I felt like a magpie when I saw Primark had a haircare range to. Boy was I out of the loop about Primark new releases. I thought this would be a cheaper alternative to a Moroccan/argan oil type thing or at least along the same lines. Yeah, I was wrong. This just wasn’t for my hair or its texture. Not a winner for me. It left my hair feeling just loaded with product

 

Rimmel stay matte primer – not too long ago, I did a whole post about primers but none of them seem to work for me. And I can’t even say this one works 100% but 98% is as close as its going to get, ever, I think. It has its ups and downs with me and I may soon give up on primers. I won’t spoil it too much for you as there will be a post coming but let’s just say it is the weirdest things that we grow to love

Skin therapy eye gel – another wilko product I came home with. I wasn’t expecting anything amazing again because it was like 75p and I have never really found an amazing eye gel but this has been nice in the mornings on my puffy eyes

 

Argan oil night repair serum – the packaging of this bears a resemblance to the Estee Lauder night repair serum and well, when its only 99p, you really have to give it a try. I am big fan of their hair products but this serum really didn’t do much for me. I think it is just a little too greasy for the night time personally and it kind of just stayed on the surface of my skin. My face isn’t a product playground thanks

And that is all of this post. I had fun writing it and I will be sure to make this a regularity on the blog if you fancy. I have written this in the back seat of a car and I think I should try and get 40 winks. Do any of you know that phrase?

Have a great week

p.s. Wilko have AMAZING things in there that are incredibly cheap. Go have a browse

The Utility Basket | Holy Chic

This is a post I have had great difficulty attempting to write recently but I’m doing it and I hope I don’t have a mental block halfway through this post

This is the day where I share with you some of the things I have in this handy dandy basket I picked up in the 99p store (what a surprise)

I use this to hold all of my shower and bath necessities allowing easier transportation from my room to the bathroom. I can also chuck in products I want to try and the ones I use all the time. So I guess, here is what is in my utility basket.

I don’t want to make this post incredibly long or text heavy but some of my favourites have to be Bic Miss Solei razor because it shaves even the short hairs and leaves skin really soft and the Clean and Clear morning energy shine control face wash. Although it has an incredibly long name, it does a great job at mattifying the skin especially for you oily skinned people out there.

The toothbrush is the very cheap alternative to a clarisonic. Probably not as good but I would knock it until you’ve tried it really. Oh and the Ren hot cloth cleanser with the muslin cloth work a treat too.

So have you tried any of these products out before?

Let me know if you want a more in depth review of something below J

Previous post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-facial-scrub-holy-chic.html

Have a good day J

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

The Facial Scrub | Holy Chic

There are many things in this world that I could blog about and today I chose facial scrubs. How weird yet wonderfully ordinary.

 

These two that I present to you re special because they have a smoothing effect meaning there are still micro exfoliating beads but they are coated in a smoothing moisturising cream and I have to say, it’s pretty cool.

It doesn’t feel as harsh on the skin and doesn’t leave it completely dry after wiping it off of your face.

I don’t really know where I am going with this but let me know if you have tried any smoothing scrubs and what are your favourites

Previous post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-usual-suspects-holy-chic.html

Latest student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/shopping/back-school-outfit-ideas/
Have a great day

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

The Usual Suspects | Holy Chic

Every day when I begin to get ready, I have come to realise that there are some products that I just use without fail. And you know what; I am going to share those with you right now J

 

Primer: it’s a must for me because I can’t deal with looking like a greasy pan all day anymore. The Nspa instant blur primer is the one I turn to.

Moisturiser: the face cream that has no faults. Palmer’s cocoa butter is one I have been using for years and don’t plan on stopping that any time soon.

Eye moisturiser: The garnier eye roll on is something my eyes appreciate in the morning. It has a great cooling effect and gives my eyes a boost of hydration

Eyebrows: I am not one to fill in my eyebrows but I do love a good spooley brush just to put them in their place

Makeup remover: Whether its makeup wipes or a liquid remover, the garnier micellar solution happens to be the one at the moment. Greta for makeup mistakes in the morning on a cotton bud and all over the eyes and face at night

Hand cream: The inecto hand and nail cream is where it is at really. Great all day moisturiser and travel friendly

Lip balm: The nuxe reve de miel does everything my lips wants. Keeps them moisturised, hydrated, lasts all day and on top of that, smells frickin amazing.

The body spray: if you know me, you will know that I always have Victoria's secrets fragrance mists on me and this so happens to be the mango nectar and hibiscus one. Great for all day use and can be used as a top up throughout the day

So those are the products that I use everyday without fail. Tell me some of yours below J

Previous post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/hello-old-friend-holy-chic.html

Have a great day J

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

The Round Up #2 : Primers | Holy Chic

It wasn’t until I had my makeup done at the NARS counter about a year ago that I discovered that primer could be the answer to all of my prayers. If you have oil skin, it honestly becomes your best friend.

So I thought I would share with you in #2 of my round up series, some of the primers that I own and a low down on my thoughts on them.

 

Nspa instant blur primer: this has been working really well for me recently and after it being feature in countless posts, how could it not be in this. Creates an even base for the face and holds back the oils.

The body shop pore minimiser: I have done a more in depth review on this if you want to read more here  but for the most part I really like this. I love the idea of tea tree in it and it creates an even base for my moisturiser to go on top of

NARS pro prime, pore refining primer: after giving it a mostly negative review on this post , I think my feeling were clearly expressed but every so often it decides to work so who knows what the deal with this is really

Benefit porefessional primer: probably the most talked and hyped about primer and I understand why. I thought this was going to give me a white cast because of its colouring vs. mine but once rubbed in, it’s invisible. Its smoothes over the skin nicely, keeps the oils at bay and creates an even base for my moisturiser.

That is all of the primers I own! Let me know if you have tired any of these and let me know your thoughts on them.

Previous Round Up post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-round-up-series-eyeliner-holy-chic.html

Previous post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/day-to-night-look-holy-chic.html

Be a part of my documentary!: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/be-apart-of-my-documentary-holy-chic.html

Latest student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/shopping/back-school-outfit-ideas/

Species magazine post: http://www.speciesmagazine.com/2014/09/nyfw-overview.html

Goodbye for today J

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

Testing Testing 1 2 3 | Holy Chic

Today I thought I would mix it up a little and just share with you some new things I am trying out/trying to do. I thought I would throw in some things other than beauty products because that seemed like a cool idea

 

For starters I am trying to read more. I whipped the kindle out and tried to rekindle (you get it, you get it…ah okay) my love for reading. Not working out too great so far but I’m hanging on in there to hope that I can love it again. I am trying to finish my nivea lip balm. That picture is an accurate representation of how much is left and it gives me pure joy to know that I have almost done the impossible.

I have been using elastics more to experiment with different hairstyles and #daclip to stop the kinks. Wearing a watch because I was very anti watches but this one has grown on me now and I feel naked without it on sometimes.  I’ve been experimenting more in the skincare department with smoothing facial scrubs and really seeing smoothing it can be

And finally I’ve been trying cream deodorants like wtf?! It’s weird but quite wonderful. And some new makeup-y bits like throwing my eyeliner back into my routine, a new mascara and the oh so loved spooley brush.

As text heavy as this post was and the sincerity behind my apology, have you been trying anything out recently?

Missed my last post? : http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/haul-bts-holy-chic.html

Latest student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/shopping/back-school-outfit-ideas/
Have an awesome day

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

The pore minimiser | Holy Chic

 

It’s weird you know, that there are so many pore minimisers in the world. But the one I am sharing with you today is the Body Shop tea tree pore minimiser. I featured this in my holiday haul and it was something I had wanted to try for quite a while.

It is a lot liquidier than most primers I have tried and of a creamy beige colour. This product just smoothes over the skin effortlessly. I have a few blemishes on my skin and the tea tree stings it a little but it isn’t uncomfortable. It gives a matte finish to the face without drying it out and is very travel friendly.

Have you tried this product out before?

My last post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/yes-to-holy-chic.html

Student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/fashion/tailor-trend-style-tips-hourglass-shaped-bodies/

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

Yes to ... | Holy Chic

Recently I made a naughty trip to Boots and came across the Yes to range and I was a little over excited about it because I had only ever heard of Americans talk about it so when it was within my reach, I had to get something. I chose the Yes to cucumber facial wipes. They have aloe vera to help cleanse, are hypoallergenic  remove makeup and are all round just awesome makeup wipes

They remove makeup really well and leave the skin feeling really soft and smooth. I hate wipes that dry out the skin.

At £3.99 a packet, I don’t know how often I would be buying these but they are in a really thick and durable packaging but as a treat to myself, I would definitely buy them again.

Have you tried anything from the yes to range?

Missed my last post?: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/cold-drinks-holy-chic.html

Student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/fashion/tailor-trend-style-tips-hourglass-shaped-bodies/

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

Buy and Try : September | Holy Chic

As promised, the buy and try series is back. Apologies that this wasn’t up in august but its here now.

Just as a quick reminder to you all , my buy and try series is basically where every month I will go out (or over the course of the month) and find products that I really want to try. Then in the next post, I will show you some new things that I picked up to try and review the things that I tried in the month before. Again, I hope that makes sense to you people.

So here is a rundown of all of the things I tried out way back in June ;)

1.       Ted Baker body wash – I really liked this. It smelt great and was defiantly something I whipped out for a relaxing pamper evening. But I really don’t want it to run out so I am going to be saving it for more special occasions.

2.       The Moisture lip balm trio by M&S – I did want a change in the lip department and I got that slight change I was after. Because they were all tailored to do different things, I really felt that each did what was written on the tin.

3.       NSPA Instant Blur Primer – my primer needs were fulfilled with this little gem. It really mattified my skin and held back the oils on my face. But as I am now nearing the end of it I feel like it isn’t working as well as it used too. Just something to bear in mind.

4.       Vo5 Ultimate hold hair spray – this really gave me the hold that I needed. It doesn’t weigh down my hair or leave a sticky residue but just holds my curls in place.

 As for the products I will be trying out for the month of September, bring em on!

 

Kleenex facial cloths, Clean and Clear morning energy shine control facial wash (anything that will reduce shininess on my face, I am an absolute sucker for it), The body shop foot and leg gel (believe me, I find this a little weird too) and Simple eye makeup remover.

See you all in October (jheez how time flies) with the next instalment ;)

Missed my last post?: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/acetone-free-holy-chic.html

Last buy and try post: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/buy-and-try-june-holy-chic.html

Student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/fashion/tailor-trend-style-tips-hourglass-shaped-bodies/

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

Vaseline lotion vs. Spray and go | Holy Chic

A little while ago, I posted this...

...picture on Instagram and a few people were asking about my thoughts on the Vaseline spray and go so that made a perfect blog post opportunity. I have also paired it with the Vaseline lotion and thought I would put them head to head

Vaseline lotion: this I found to be highly moisturising. It is of a thicker consistency and my skin looked more radiant looking and softer due to this. It applied evenly and didn’t leave a sticky residue once applied. Although you do have to rub it in. My skin felt moisturised pretty much the whole day without re application needed

Vaseline spray and go: why it took me soo long to try this, I will never know but this is really a great product. You literally can spray, (sorry but you do have to rub it in) and go. But the nozzle makes it spray continuously and you can cover large surface areas quicker. It is moisturising and makes your skin feel radiant and softer. The down side though, this DOES NOT keep you moisturised the whole day. 3-4 hours at the most I would say. I found myself having to reapply this throughout the day so I would go for the lotion over this for long days. But if you are only going to be out for a short period of time, I would give it a go.

There you have my hopefully not too lengthy review of the two products. Both great at what they do.

Have you tried either before? Tell me your thoughts in the comments :)

Missed my last post?: http://holychicxox.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/post-16-holy-chic.html

Student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/fashion/tailor-trend-style-tips-hourglass-shaped-bodies/

x (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

Worth the splurge? : NARS | Holy Chic

I don’t think I have fully dedicated a blog post to my NARS Pro Prime, Pore Refining Primer so here is that much needed post.

 

I included this in a haul a little while back as a gift from my mother. This is a white oil free primer of a watery consistency priced at £26. Now to the question in the title. Is it worth the splurge? No!

The makeup artist at the NARS counter recommended it to me as it would help with my oily skin and would help stop my face from getting oily throughout the day. Well, it did not. If anything, it made my skin 10x oiler and because I think it was of a similar consistency to my regular moisturiser, it just didn’t work well under it. I tried other moisturisers and got the same results.

Also, the amount. For £26, 30ml isn’t a lot to get and a little bit really didn’t go a long way for me. I found that I got halfway through it insanely quickly.

Trying it again, it worked on my face one day and the next day I used it, it didn't work again :(

So overall, I recommend that you save your money and try other ones because I think that they would work so much better. But let me know if you have tried it and your thoughts below.

Other than that, the packaging is to die for and very instagram worthy J

New student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/shopping/style-steal-youtuber-edition-ingrid-nilsen/

Stay Chic – Ax (holychiccontact@gmail.com)

p.s. I paid my mum back as I felt bad that this didn’t work for me and it was an impromptu present.

Mask me up | Holy Chic

Someone was very silly in my household and decided to throw away my face masks that I usually use because I had squeezed the crap out of them, it looked like I had finished them. That said, it did give me a reason to go to Superdrug and try two of their facemasks. So a blessing in disguise?

 

There is something so satisfying about peeling off a mask off of your face so there were no questions asked when I picked up the refreshing cucumber peel off mask. Although I didn’t get this to peel of very well because...

But when it was off, my skin felt cooled and refreshed and somewhat softer.

Straight to the other end of the spectrum, I also picked up the dead sea mud mask that is detoxifying and I really felt it got into my pores and purified my skin and it just felt better after. It tightens your skin a lot and that to me was an indicator it was working.

 

Superdrug had a buy one get one half price offer on these and with an excuse to purchase, I couldn’t say no.

I hope you guys liked the post and let me know of any face masks you have tried out recently J

Deep sea mud mask: (not on the website. apologies)

Cucumber peel off mask: http://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face/Masks/Superdrug-Cucumber-Peel-Off-mask/p/718459#.U8lpRdEg-cw

New student fashion blog post: http://studentfashionblog.co.uk/shopping/style-steal-youtuber-edition-ingrid-nilsen/

Stay chic – Ax (holychiccontact@gmail.com)