Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast

I've mentioned it briefly before, and now I've hit the end of this amazing lip balm, I thought now was the time to fully declare my love for the lip treat that is the Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast.  I actually first bought this last year in the airport whilst I was waiting for my flight to Cancun as it had the added SPF 15 to add a little extra care to my lips in the scorching heat, but it has been a regular in my top drawer at work ever since.

The name says it all to be honest - Raspberry Lemonade.  This is probably the nicest smelling, and tasting lip balm that has ever graced my lips (although the other Blistex Blast that I bought recently comes extremely close...).  I am often disappointed when I buy lip balms, because the '"flavour" sells it to me, and I'm usually left with little to no taste, or a horrendous artificial taste.  To me, the Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast tastes and smells like I have a mouthful of Skittles.  It's sweet, but slightly sharp and I can't even tell you how much I love it.  You can taste it every time you breathe in!  The scent and taste does die down, but it's still a nice treat!

It comes in a standard twist up tube, and application is super easy - twist, and swipe.  It has moisturising jojoba as well as Vitamins C & E and leaves my lips feeling super smooth and hydrated.  I think it applies quite thickly, and leaves a long lasting, moisturised feeling - although mine did get a bit melted in Mexico last year so I'm not sure if the super thick feeling developed from resetting itself, as my other flavour of Blistex Blast isn't this buttery.

The lip balm itself is a milky white, but applies colourless.  I'd love to see this with a raspberry tint to it!  I absolutely love this lip balm, and for the bargain price of £1.75, it's one that I'd definitely be picking up again ahead of my Burts Bees lip balms!

Have you tried any of the Blistex Blasts?  What's your favourite lip balm?

Wednesday Wishlist #5: ASOS Sale

I had been happily browsing through the ASOS site this last week, but unfortunately it was just "window shopping."  Having just moved into my house, and filled it with furniture, it's safe to say I'm pretty skint at the moment.  An Access All ASOS e-mail dropped into my inbox this afternoon giving Insiders an opportunity to win a voucher towards their wishlist!  I was on it...

1/2/3/4/5

First on my wishlist is this pair of faded blue Vans.  My Vans are pretty destroyed and I am still wearing my biker boots even though it's sweltering outside, so these would be perfect for bringing a bit of Summer into my style!  Even though I love my current Vans, I have always wanted a blue pair like these, so for this bargain price...well they need to mine.

I had spotted the Yes To range on ASOS a while back, so I'm pleasantly surprised to find some bits of theirs in the sale.  I've never tried the brand before, but have heard lots of great things about their products.  My skin is continuing to play up, despite being on tablets from the doctors, so I'd like to try the brand starting with the Yes To Tomatoes Balancing Moisturiser said to help reduce redness and blemishes.

I love midi skirts and everyone always compliments my figure when I wear them, and whilst it's a bit hot at the moment to crack them out, I think they are a wardrobe staple.  I also love this bottle green colour!  This one is from AX Paris and is a jersey style, so isn't your full on office pencil skirt.

Despite being completely skint, I have a holiday booked next month!  I have done no holiday clothes shopping, so I thought I'd slip in a nice playsuit!  I love this monochrome floral printed playsuit and think the swing fit would be really flattering on my shape.  I also think the contrast in colours would look amazing with a tan...even though I am definitely a burner over a tanner.

Probably my favourite item on this weeks wishlist...this Monki Denim Biker Jacket.  I have been after a denim jacket these past few months, but whilst I love the light acid denim jackets, this faded black denim jacket is much more my style and I could see myself getting a lot of wear out of this!  I love it!

What bargains have you grabbed in the ASOS Sale?

Making A Change: Weight Wins

Before I start on todays post, I just want to apologise for my lack of posting the last few weeks.  As you know, Liam and I moved into our house a few weeks ago, so everything has been a bit hectic, I don't know where anything is and have no internet or phone signal to be very sociable!  So sorry again, but thank you for still hanging around!

A few weeks ago, I was reading Sophia's blog, Tattooed Tealady, where she spoke of her Non-Scale Victories.  As we all know, I've been trying to slim down and lose some weight to get into the healthy category of my BMI, as well as just feel generally happier in myself.  My weight this morning was eleven stone and thirteen pounds, which means...I've finally made my small starter goal!  My next target is going to be eleven stone seven, so hopefully I'll be meeting that one day this year!

Image Here

Now I've made me first weight loss goal, I thought I'd take a bit of inspiration from Sophia, and share with you some of my non-scale victories!

1. When I first started the gym, I couldn't do a push up.  At all.  Not a chance of that happening.  Now, I think I can push out around five.
2. I recently started Spin Circuits class.  When I first started last month, I absolutely hated it.  I was out of breath within the first minute and wasn't able to keep up with the gears, never mind actually staying stood up or hovering.  This week, I managed to be out of my seat when every else was, for as long as they were, as well as being able to be on the same gears.  I might not be as fast as everyone else, but it's certainly improving!  I also thought Spin would be right at the top of the list of classes I'd never do, but I challenged myself and I actually think I like it!
3. Before blogging, I would be in a size sixteen jean.  The waist would always hang loose because my thighs and ass were right out there, so I needed to get the size up!  I then managed to slim down a little and fit comfortably into a pair of high waisted, size fourteen jeans - all areas fitting.  Now, my size fourteen jeans fit my legs, but hang loose again around my waist again.  Maybe one day soon, I'll manage to fit into a size twelve!  
4. I need new work out clothes because the ones I have at the moment no longer fit.  I am spending half my time in these classes hitching up my gym trousers!
5. I'm not tired all the time.  Exercising really does give you energy!  In fact, I've started waking up naturally at around seven o'clock, every day.  This time last year, I was at University napping at every chance I got, laying in bed all day and generally doing nothing despite having had a gym membership for two years.

It's important to remember that the scales aren't everything!  My scales are very basic; I'd love to own a pair of scales which details muscle mass, fat percentage and water weight so I can get a scale confirmation of how my body is changing, even if my weight isn't!

How are your weight loss/health goals going?

(I still won't have internet for at least the next week, but hopefully soon all will be back to normal with posting!  I've got so much to show you all!)

GIVEAWAY: A Treat in Time for Father's Day - Remington Vacuum & Groom Beard Trimmer

Earlier last week, Remington were on the hunt for "bearded fellas" to trial and test the Remington Vacuum & Groom Beard Trimmer*.  Liam swears by his Remington shaver, so I thought I'd put his name forward to give this a go!  It arrived super quickly, and he has been using it for his past few shaves.  I have absolutely no idea about male electricals, so I thought I'd just pass you straight over to him as a mini guest post from Liam!  If you can manage to stay tuned until the end, there's a little treat so that you can be super organised for Father's Day, or just earn yourself some girlfriend points!

Having already owned a Remington Beard Trimmer, I expected this one to be just as good and I was not disappointed.  It is however rather large; the size doesn't have any impact on the weight though, which is good because the light weight means it's good for travel.  It also comes with a handy storage bag.

When Carly told me how it had a built in vacuum, I imagined it to be really loud and have a large bag attached - it is neither loud, nor attached to a bag.  The vacuum is a small compartment built in just below the shaving head.  I wouldn't say that it's 100% effective at sucking up all the loose hairs, but it does about 88-90% which is good for cleaning up afterwards, as I usually shave in front of the mirror over the sink in my bathroom and hair gets evvverryywherrre.  When shaving, the adjustable trimmer glides quite nicely and smoothly over my face and creates no pull on my beard at all, and the vacuum produces a breeze on my skin which was a nice added bonus. 

Like a lot of guys, I don't like to have a clean shave as I end up looking like ten year old boy.  The adjustable guide on the trimmer is a decent size for quickly shaving, but it doesn't quite get to the same length as my old one which was a bit annoying, as I had to go probably 1mm shorter than usual.  The foil attachment is quite narrow and I imagine it would take a while to shave your full face, so I don't think this is the trimmer for a clean face kinda guy.  This shaver has loads of attachments which are useful if you like to style your beard or have quite a thick, full beard.  I don't really use any special attachments when I shave, but I did especially for this review.  I had a play with the narrow styler which was good, but I felt a bit unsteady with this.  I also used the foil for under my chin and neck which provided a nice close shave.  The colour is also nice!

All in all, I would say this is a pretty good beard trimmer and does its job well.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone who doesn't have a clean shave.

GIVEAWAY

As promised, there is a little giveaway!  So if you are wanting to treat your man, or get super prepared for Father's Day, this giveaway is perfect for you!  To make this fair and square, I will be randomly selecting a winner from all eligible entries using Rafflecopter.  Coming from a girls perspective, this beard trimmer is an absolute God send.  It has come just in time for Liam and I moving in together, because if there is one thing that I can't stand, it's when Liam shaves and doesn't clean up every single hair after he's done!  I hate beard hair!

The prize will be a brand new, unused and opened Remington Vacuum & Beard Trimmer which has been provided by Remington.

This is a UK only giveaway, and the giveaway will end on Monday 9th June, so that I can get this posted out to you in time for Father's Day if you are wanting a gift for then.  There are two mandatory entries for this giveaway, which are:

1. Be a follower of this blog via Bloglovin'
2. Be a follower of CEE JAY ELL via Twitter - make sure you leave your Twitter handle so I can easily contact the winner!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*The Remington Vacuum & Groom Beard Trimmer was provided for Liam's consideration.  All opinions have been completely honest.

The prize has also been gifted from Remington. 

Real Techniques Silicone Liner Brush

The latest addition to my Real Techniques brush collection is the Silicone Liner Brush.  It was the only brush I wanted from their newer collection which also includes some retractable brushes.  It's my first eyeliner brush that I've ever owned that didn't come with the eyeliner, and is completely unique to any brush that I've ever used due to it's silicone tip.  It's perfectly designed, and perfectly shaped for making eyeliner an absolute breeze, even the dreaded cat flick.

I am very much an eyeliner girl - I've worn it for as long as I can remember.  I wore kohl eyeliner panda style pretty much all the way through school, and since I calmed myself down, I've been opting for a slick of gel eyeliner on my top lids.  One thing I always struggled with though was the cat flick.  I could never ever get a smooth line using the fibre brush that came with my gel eyeliner, or even with felt pen style eyeliners no matter how fine the nib.

The silicone nib glides effortlessly across lids leaving behind a smooth, trail of eyeliner.  I have found that I need to put more product on the tip than I had done previously with other brushes, or the silicone kind of draws it, but wipes it away at the same time.  But, this can be good for the cat flick as you can faintly map out your line, and then layer up when you've got it right!  One of the reasons I find this brush so easy to use is the fact that the nib has some slight flexibility - I often find that some felt pens, or some harder brushes drag the skin which in turn staggers the line.  This is an absolute dream!  The long handle is also amazing compared to the brushes I normally get with gel eyeliners, you know the ones that are literally about two inches long?  Well, the longer brush gives you so much more control.

The silicone nib also means it's insanely easy to clean.  I literally clean mine after every use by swiping it across a lightly soaked cotton pad and it's as clean as the day I bought it!  I literally couldn't recommend this enough!  It's perfect, and to put it bluntly, you need it.

What's your favourite eyeliner?  Have you tried the Silicone Liner Brush?

Tagged: The Lip Product Addict Tag

A couple of weeks ago, I was tagged by Laura from Pink Frenzy to do The Lip Product Addict Tag!  So let's get cracking, and see what lip products I think are worth a mention!

What is your favourite balm/treatment?

It's probably not the best one I own, but I really, really love the Blistex Blast lip balms.  I have almost worked my way through a Raspberry Lemonade Blast, and have recently bought an Orange and Mango Blast.  They taste and smell absolutely amazing, and they always leave my lips nice and smooth!  I'll be popping up a post on these two sometime, because the love definitely needs to be shared!

What is your best eye catching red?

I think it will have to be my newest MAC lipstick, which is Relentlessly Red.  It's a beautiful matte shade, which is red but has a pink undertone.  I always get compliments when I'm wearing it, and it's not like any other red I own!  Plus, matte is eye catching on it's own without needed a unique shade!

What is your best drugstore and best luxury lip product?

I really love Topshop lipsticks; I only have two, but I love them both, and would happily buy more!  They are really comfortable to wear, last a long time and there is an amazing shade range!  The favourite from my two is Hazzard - I actually am on my second one because I lost one, and couldn't be without it!

I don't own too many luxury lipsticks.  The most luxury brands in my collection are MAC and Illamasqua.  I own more MAC lipsticks than Illamasqua, but Illamasqua are really daring with their shade ranges and cater for literally everybody.  My favourite, most worn shade is Magnetism, which is a gorgeous berry shade.

What is your favourite MAC lipstick?

I feel like I'm mentioning MAC quite a lot!  It's hard to choose a favourite, because I'm quite careful to only buy shades I'll love.  So my favourite and most worn MAC lipstick is Plumful.

What is your most disappointing lip product?

I'm not disappointed often, but I think my most disappointing product was the Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss.  They are just so sticky, and I can't bare to wear them!  It's such a shame, because I love Soap and Glory!

Liner.  Yes, or no?

I'm a half and half!  I don't wear it religiously, but I do like to wear liner when I am wearing a red lip.  I like having sharp definition, and it really makes a huge difference in how long your lipstick lasts.

What is your favourite lip gloss?

I'm not really a gloss lover, but I have been loving the Benefit Coralista lip gloss.  It's so natural, and doesn't feel like a gloss on your lips because it isn't sticky at all!

Something extra...what is your most worn lip shade?

My flat out favourite shade is a toss up between two.  I have worn these two so much, and they are both from the original Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.  I love Rendevous, a bright orange, for Spring and Summer, and also love Honey, a gorgeous, rosey pink for every day.  I absolutely love the Revlon Balm Stains, and own a lot, but these two are my favourite!  I'm yet to try the newer gloss and matte versions though!

I tag...

You!  Leave me your links if you decide to do the tag, I'd love to see your answers!

Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo

My name is Carly, and I can't live without dry shampoo.  Specifically, I can't live without Batiste.

I stick to my favourites, which are Blush, Tropical and Cherry so...the majority of them, but a few weeks ago my Mum actually bought me one I haven't tried before.  This is the Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo and damn, this is bloody good.

It's your standard dry shampoo - I'm sure we've all used it, and if you haven't, don't waste your time washing your hair next time, and just spritz in some of this and you are good to go.  Anyway, it's your standard dry shampoo, but with extra volume.  I find that dry shampoo gives my fine, flat hair volume anyway, but this has some serious texture to it as well.

It feels a bit like a mattifying dust powder; a bit tacky (which dries down) and super matte, so it doesn't feel as easy to massage into the roots of your hair as your normal Batiste, but it really does the job well.  I struggle to get any volume or body in my hair because I'm too lazy to do anything in the way of styling in the mornings, but this makes it a breeze and even I can do it.  I don't think the volume lasts all day without a light cover of hair spray, but even without, a quick massage of the roots re-lifts the bounce you initially had.  The scent is nice, nothing special and I don't think it's as nice as their normal scents, but it doesn't last long anyway.

It's actually a pound more than the standard Batiste sprays, which is a little annoying...but I do think I might convert and buy this one from now on.  But at the same time...seeing as we've just bought a house, and are flat out skint, I might just aim to have one of these in my stocks!  I always get my Batiste from Superdrug because they always have the best offers there.  Right now, you can get the XXL for £1.97 instead of £3.99!

Have you tried the XXL Volume Batiste?  What's your favourite dry shampoo