Here are some shots from a recent trip to the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge, UK. They have a beautiful collection of plants and flowers, I would defiantly recommend visiting!
Sunday, 7 September 2014
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
// SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR DRY/SENSITIVE SKIN + PRODUCT REVIEWS //
HELLO!
Jess here and today I thought I would share with you my skincare routine and do some reviews on the products as I go along. I have fairly dry and very sensitive skin so if you have similar skin to me and find it difficult to find products that don't irritate or break you out you're skin then have a look at some of my recommendations!Molly is also going to be doing a skincare routine for people with oily/acne prone skin, which will probably be up just after mine. As we both have very different skin types we thought it would be really useful for us both share our routines!
(I have put all the products, prices and where you can buy them down the bottom as well as throughout the post if you were wondering)
This is the routine that I do before I go to sleep- in the mornings I just tend to splash my face with water and then apply moisturiser before sometimes applying make up.
// ONE - CLEANSERS //
Firstly I like to cleanse my face with any three of these facial cleansers to remove make up. I change between the Spa Magik and this Estee Lauder cleanser when my skin is having good days however if I have a few break outs then I will use the Biore one as I find it is better for fighting blemishes.
Products (left to right) Spa Magik gentle cleansing facial wash
Biore blemish fighting ice cleanser
Estee Lauder perfectly clean splash away foaming cleanser
REVIEWS
Spa Magik > I really love this cleanser as it very gentle on the skin, which I was surprised about because it is not specifically for sensitive skin. However the packaging states that the cleanser is skin-friendly and contains no parabens so its not surprising that it is gentle. The creamy formula means it is easy to rub into the skin and it washes off without you having to scrub your face. The product leaves your skin feeling plumb and extremely clean without being too harsh. I would definitely recommend.Boire > As I said, I only use this product when I have blemishes but it is definitely gentle enough for everyday use. The product has a gel like consistency but when lathered up it goes into more of a cream. I find this product is really good for removing dirt but is still gentle on the skin. Also this cleanser is very cooling on you're face which is great for refreshing the skin after being in the sun.
Estee Lauder > I have only just started using this product recently, however so far I am very impressed. The formula is really nice and creamy, great for hydrating the skin. Despite the product being for normal/combination this product is great for sensitive and dry skin also.
(Just realised they do not sell this exact product anymore as I think they have changed the packaging/range or something but I will put the one it has changed to at the end!)
// TWO - EYE MAKE UP REMOVER //
Sometimes just cleanser alone is not strong enough to remove eye make up so I like to use a toner as well. The one I go for is the Nivea daily essentials toner (normal and combination skin) which I find does the job however is not the most gentle of toners and I will soon be looking for a better one!
// THREE - MOISTURISER //
FACE
As I have very sensitive skin, I have tried many a moisturiser claiming to be gentle but actually have really irritated my skin. FINALLY I have found a moisturiser that is perfect for my skin and its the Aveeno moisturising cream. Its suitable for people with eczema and dry/sensitive and can be used as a face and body cream. Despite this cream being slightly on the pricy side (around £13) you get a lot of product and its really worth the money. I love this product and I would recommend this 100%.
BODY
Although the Aveeno moisturiser is for body as well as face, in summer I prefer to use the Garnier Ambre Solaire after sun as I think its great for soothing the skin after days in the sun. The formula is soaks into the skin quickly but is not greasy or sticky at all. Also the smell is AMAZING.
HANDS
For hands, I use the Nivea Pure and Natural hand cream. This hand cream is great for travelling as its in a handy size tube (100ml) and the moisturiser soaks in easily so your not left feeling greasy. Its great in winter as it protects all day and you don't have to re apply very often.
// PRODUCTS I DON'T USE EVERYDAY //
FACE SCRUB
I only use face scrub roughly once a week or when I want to give my skin a really good clean but when I do, I go for the St Ives sensitive skin apricot scrub. This scrub is great for a quick an easy skin clean and is so gentle. I would recommend this if you are looking for a face scrub you can use daily!
PORE STRIPS
I only use pore strips when I feel I have a lot of blackheads or spots, so probably in general about once every 2 weeks. The ones I have recently come across are the Boire deep cleansing pore strips (nose and face). I absolutely love these! They are great for removing dirt that is deep in the skin and they completely clear pores. However I think they are overpriced at around £10.99 (When I got them a while ago they were half price!), but they will last you a long time if only used when break outs occur.
// WHERE TO BUY THESE PRODUCTS //
These are the full prices of all these products however Boots/Superdrug etc always have offers so the products are made a lot cheaper!- Spa Magik gentle cleansing facial wash//John Lewis//£8.80
- Biore blemish fighting ice cleanser//Boots//£4.99
- Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Foam Cleanser/Purifying Mask//John Lewis, boots etc.//£22 (this is the similar product!)
- Nivea daily essentials toner (normal and combination skin)//Boots//£3.15
- Aveeno moisturising cream//Boots//£13.39
- Garnier Ambre Solaire after sun//Boots//£6.99
- Nivea Pure and Natural hand cream//Boots//£3.05
- St Ives sensitive skin apricot scrub//Boots//£4.29
- Boire deep cleansing pore strips (nose and face)//Boots//£10.99
HOPE YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL, THANKS FOR READING ! X
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
// WEDNESDAY WISHLIST //
HELLO
This is the first post in our new series - Wednesday Wishlist. We are going to do one of these posts once a month, with 3 items each, that we would love to own. Enjoy!
// MOLLY //
£57 Online
// JESS //
£125 at Urban Outfitters
£23
£34 at ASOS
GOODBYE FOR NOW
JESS & MOLLY x
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
// HONG KONG - TRAVEL TUESDAY //
HELLO
It is Molly here and today is the first post in our Travel Tuesday series! In July, I visited Hong Kong for 7 nights with my family and it was incredible. I had been once before in 2009 but this time around I really experienced what HK had to offer. Within the same trip I also went to Bangkok, Thailand but I will save that information for a future Travel Tuesday post.
// What did I do? //
// What did I do? //
1. Watched the Symphony of Lights
So every evening at 8pm the buildings are set up to create a laser show that runs for about 20 minutes. It is a really interesting this to see whilst in the city and makes the skyline truly breathtaking. Lasers that can be seen are like the ones in my picture below.
2. Visited a Buddhist Temple
This building was one of the prettiest and most relaxed places I have ever been. It is an ancient temple in the centre of HK, with lanterns and incense burning throughout the rooms. So beautiful.
3. Went to Sai Kung
Sai Kung is a town in Hong Kong, which as more of a suburban feel to it than any other part I had the chance to visit. The place is filled with fish markets and small independent restaurants, oh and not to mention amazing views.
4. Explored Ocean Park
For animal lovers, this place is incredible. There is a huge variation of things to visit, from seals to giant pandas. There is a main zoo, aquarium and theme park within Ocean Park - for me, it is a must visit.
5. Used the Star Ferry
The city have a public ferry system in order to get from one side of Hong Kong to the other, this boat provides amazing views of the buildings, a positive for me as one of my favourite things about HK is the architecture.
// Shopping? //
Hong Kong, like all major cities offers most of the international shops (e.g. Topshop, H&M, Zara) but being that I can easily get access to these places at home, I tried my best to avoid shopping there and went on the hunt for local boutique style fashion stores. My favourite shop that I found whilst in HK was called Style Nanda which was really cool and trendy, but on the more pricey side. I would really recommend checking this shop out if you ever find yourself in Hong Kong.
// More Pictures //
To conclude, my trip to Hong Kong was fab! I really want to go back and do all of the other things the city has to offer that I unfortunately didn't have time to do. Keep your eye peeled for a future Travel Tuesday on my experience in Bangkok.
GOODBYE FOR NOW
MOLLY x
Saturday, 9 August 2014
// CHOKER COLLECTION //
HELLO
It's Molly here and today I am going to be showing you my choker collection. This summer chokers have been very in, as a part of the throwback 90s trend, so big brands have been releasing them in all different styles. Most of the chokers I own are from Topshop, however there are lots of stockists of this accessory - especially online.
// TEXTILE CHOKERS //
I got these 4 chokers from Topshop, and they are sold in packs of 2. This style of choker is my favourite because they are the most colourful and fun. Being that these are very bold, I think they are a good piece for if you are wearing a plain / dark top as they will make the outfit more interesting. A positive of these chokers is that they are adjustable, so you can have them as tight / loose as you wish.
// PENDANT CHOKERS //
I consider these next four to be my more feminine chokers as they are smaller and delicate. These chokers are longer than the other ones in my collection, I really like to layer them with the tattoo / fabric ones.
The first choker on the left I received as a gift from my friend Charlotte for my birthday, she makes them and they are amazing! The other two were a part of a 3 piece set from Topshop.
The choker below I also bought from Topshop when I was in Oxford Street recently. This one is very different to the typical chokers found on the high street because of the pearl like detail. This is really easy to wear and instantly gives an outfit a girly / pretty vibe.
// TATTOO CHOKERS //
Ahh, the infamous tattoo chokers are everywhere at the moment - I've seen them in a lot of shops and on a lot of people. I personally really like the look of these, especially when layered with other necklaces. These chokers scream 90s punk to me. I got my hot pink one from Topshop and my black one from Claire's - although the best place to buy them is on Ebay, its defiantly the cheapest option! The bracelet / anklet versions of these are currently on my wish list, as these are so comfortable yet cool.
GOODBYE FOR NOW
MOLLY x
Friday, 8 August 2014
// JULY IN PHOTOS //
HELLO
In the month of July I got really into photography so it now being August means I am going to share 10 shots I took last month.
1. Prom: a few photos I had developed from Jess and I's prom.
2. Wild Flowers: A picture I took whilst on a walk last month.
3. Cambridge Punting: Myself, Jess and two friends went punting on the River Cam in July - it was so funny.
4. Harvest Season: A field with a church and trees in the background.
5. Sai Kung: A town in Hong Kong I visited in the month of July.
6. Fishy: A fish market in Hong Kong.
7. Thailand Temple: A shot of a Koi pond in Bangkok.
8. Summer?: A flower I photographed on a walk in mid July.
9. Garden Envy: My Grandma's garden is so dreamy.
10. Sparkly: An apple tree I shot on a sunny day.
GOODBYE FOR NOW
MOLLY x
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