GLAMGLOW - First Impressions & Review

You have probably seen this brand a lot on Instagram or elsewhere online the past few weeks and its becoming big in the UK and I'm not at all surprised by this. I had never actually come across this brand until the beginning of the year when my friend told me about "a face mask that makes your face silver" and I was intrigued. I won't lie, I did forget about it for a while after she told me until we were both down in Brighton last month and we saw Boots had the GLAMGLOW gift sets and we both just had to have one. I mean the packaging was to die for, a sparkly silver box is just something you can't say no to. The set contained 4 small tubes, GravityMud, SuperMud, HydratingMud and YouthMud. 

GravityMud: This is the amazing silver mask. You brush this mask on and you literally turn into the tin man. Once its dry you have the fun task of peeling it off. It is a firming treatment and I did personally feel and notice a difference even if only minor. I looked a little bit more radiant and awake. I love a peel off mask so this was always going to be a winner for me. The colour just makes it that extra bit fun! For sure a 8/10.

SuperMud: I do not know how I lived without this little gem. It is amazing. You can use it as a full face mask or just on spot/problem areas. Even after the first application I noticed a difference in my skin. You can see it drying on all your pores and spots quite literally sucking out all the dirt in your skin. I have always had blackheads and bad pores on my nose and it has totally changed that. My nose is actually rather smooth now as opposed to feeling like part of the M25. Totally give this a 10/10.

HydratingMud: The mother of all silky goodness. I love this mask so much. You basically just put it on like you're putting on a thick layer of cream and let it all soak in and it literally leaves you feeling like a baby dolphin. It is super moisturising and hydrating and as someone with dry skin I can honestly say this is totally worth it. So much so that i've already bought my second one! Definite 10/10.

YouthMud: Now this one baffled me a little bit. It has bits in the mask which at first I thought weren't meant to be there but turns out they are. So it can be a little messy to apply if they fall off your face whilst you are applying. It is a tingle effect mask and I did definitely feel it tingle. It works as an exfoliator and it did do what it says on the tin. Just a little messy to apply and slightly uncomfortable. I would probably use this maybe once every couple of weeks as I did like the effects. A good 6/10.

I can honestly see such a change in my skin from using these products over the past month and I am so pleased to have finally found something that works. The larger sized 50g products are definitely more on the expensive side but I shall definitely be purchasing once my smaller ones run out. The product lasts a long time and you get a lot out of the small tubes so the larger size would be great value for money! BUT if you aren't too sure you want to commit to something too expensive then they do have 15g pots which are a great size to try out or even for travel.

There are 2 more masks available in the UK, PowerMud and FlashMud that I am yet to try, as well as some new lip treatments. I have made an order online of a few more bits to try which I am excited to share with you. My skin needs all the love it can get at the moment. 

You can buy the products online at GLAMGLOW or BOOTS

Happy glowing!!

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*This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own

Am I Making New Years Resolutions?

I've seen a lot of New Years resolutions and plans for 2017 and I can't help but think I should be making some of my own. But do we need to make resolutions to have a good successful year? I used to always think I did but the more I actually stop and think about it, I really don't. I came to a few conclusions whilst I was sat thinking about this and I thought I would share them with you.

I feel to some extent that some people set themselves NY resolutions to then publish or tell friends/family etc, in the hope that they don't want to disappoint the ones they've told. Therefore giving themselves the motivation and push that they need to complete them.

Then there is the people who set a few (fairly) achievable goals and tell the world. Post pictures of them doing so. And continue to tell everyone until they have completed them. To then think they are gods gift and that they can shoot down someone else who many have not achieved theirs. Now I am such a believer of giving people motivation and a boost but when you start putting them down because you think you've done better, then that is not okay.

Myself, like some others keep quiet about everything. They set their goals in silence and continue to smash them until they are achieved. Even then, only some will share this success with you. Some are happy to sit back, smile at themselves and say "I done this for me"

I have a weird concept of time and find New Year in itself a slightly weird concept. Time is somewhat fiction so what does one days difference make to you as a person? Do you suddenly change overnight as if a switch has been pressed?

I am a believer that if you want to change then you will. No time will change that. Maybe you need the time as a starting point, but as a whole you should just do it because you want to, not because you are just following suit. I do have stuff I want to achieve this year but they are not my new years resolutions. If they happen they happen but if not then thats fine. There is plenty time to work on them.

Im not entirely sure where I was going with this ramble but it's been stuck in my head and I wanted to voice it. If you have resolutions of your own this year, I hope you absolutely smash them and if you don't then you be you. You're fab either way :)

Best wishes.

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MISSGUIDED WISHLIST

Missguided is one of my all time favourite online stores and now IRL store. Missguided has opened in Westfield Stratford TODAY and I'm SO excited!! It's like a dream come true. From what i've seen in the pictures it looks absolutely amazing. It's what I imagine my brain to look like on the inside: pink, and sassy➹

My wishlist is getting rather full and with my birthday coming up and being in search of some cute outfits, I thought I'd share some of my favourite pieces with you!

Pink Bardot Frill Bodysuit  || Black - Kim Kardashian Dress || Badge Leather Jacket || Pink Faux Fur Denim Jacket || Choker Jumper Dress || Grey Sweatshirt Dress

There is 35% off at the moment for students! Don't miss out on this amazing saving!!

nicole x

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"You're so skinny!"...

Why should it be okay to tell someone that they are "too skinny" but all hell breaks loose when you fall someone fat? Why is there any difference?!

I am sick of people telling me that I don't need to lose weight or I need to eat more because their perception of me is that I'm "skinny". Whilst it is fine for them to have that opinion, it makes no difference to me when that's not how I feel. They wouldn't walk up to a bigger person and say "you don't need to eat that slice of cake!" but of course, no one sees it as a problem when it's the other way round. Skinny shaming, fat shaming, any kind of shaming is just a no-go! Keep your mouth shut! You don't know how much your words can affect someone who has an eating disorder - and FYI, you don't need to be skin and bones to have an eating disorder!! You can be any size or shape, it's a mental health issue. The little voices in your head will be there no matter what size you are. Summer can be the hardest time for this because of holidays and the image of a "beach body" - anyone can have a beach body, just take your body to the beach. All this bullshit about being a certain size or you need to cover up is just crap.

I have a love/hate relationship with food and this is such a big thing for me. I really do struggle with it. It's gotten to the point that I no longer eat out at restaurants or infront of people I don't know. This is down to me feeling hella self conscious and "fat" when I eat and the fact that people picked up on my smaller portions or not finishing my plate and I just don't want to put myself in that situation where I feel like I need to explain myself. I know I'm not fat as such, but I know I'm not skinny either. My state of mind regarding my body and health lately has been awful. I've gotten into the bad habit of all or nothing. I either binge eat and want to purge after or I eat nothing at all. 

I can not explain how hard it is, and I'm sure some people will agree with me, that is can be SO difficult to sit down and tell yourself that you need to eat this plate of food to be healthy. That although that little voice is saying you don't need it and you're already the size of a beached whale, deep down you know you are being irrational and one plate of food won't make you gain 2 stone BUT once you get into that state of mind, nothing will tell you otherwise. If you don't feel comfortable eating infant of people then don't do it. If you're the person questioning why someone won't meet you for dinner then stop and tell yourself that this person isn't being an arsehole and not wanting to see you, but rather that restaurants can be the scariest of places. Being around people who are so comfortable with food and what they eat can be really hard. I know myself, that I feel most comfortable at home where if I'm eating, I can cook my own meal, of my desired size and I know exactly what im eating.

I feel like i've gone off on such a tangent and i'm now just rambling but I think you get the gist of what I'm trying to say. PLEASE just be mindful of what you are saying to not so obvious fragile people. By all means have your own opinion but maybe just keep it to yourself to not cause any issues. If you are struggling with an ED then please know that you are loved and no one wants to see you suffer, it' okay to ask for help. They can be incredibly hard to beat alone. 

Stay safe. Stay strong.

You are beautiful.

Kisses,

nicole x

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My weekend in Monte Carlo

I have just had one of the most amazing weekends in...forever! I went on a little solo trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco for 4 days! I AM IN LOVE!!

 I stayed at the most beautiful hotel, EVER! The Fairmont Hotel. It is safe to say I am totally in love and am already looking into when I can go back again! This is the view from the roof...

I stayed in one of the garden rooms which had a gorgeous view of the central garden from my balcony! I only wish I took more pictures! 

The room itself was massive! It had 2 huge king size beds even though it was just me staying there. A huge chest of drawers below the TV. A mini bar selection shelf AND a fridge! A little desk with a internet cable for your laptop! 2 huge wardrobes as you walked in and then a chair, side table and lamp in the corner! 

The bathroom was floor to ceiling white/grey marble and was to die for! Literally all the goals! I had

my own little selection of shower goodies and products to use too!

Outside was a little table and chairs set and a sun lounger! My balcony had the sun in the late afternoon and was so peaceful to just sit out there and catch the last of the rays! Not to mention, I had the view of the Casino/Opera House from there too! 

My trip here wasn't a spontaneous one. I came to see The Bodyguard! You may or may not know of my love for Alexandra Burke and her role in The Bodyguard tour. Alex was coming to the end of her time in the show and her final performances were in Monaco at the Grimaldi Forum so of course I HAD to be there. There was no questioning it. I went to the final 3 shows and it was just as amazing over there as it was in the UK. I do think the sun and the amazing weather made it all that little bit better!

The one thing I googled before I left the UK was "where is Sephora" and that was my first stop when I went out exploring! It was in the most beautiful underground shopping centre - The Metropole! It was filled with designer stores and little french boutiques and was just so cute! The Sephora wasn't massive but I still managed to spend most of my money in there!

Unknown to me, the Longines Tour (Show Jumping) was out there whilst I was there so I strolled down to the harbour and sat and watched all the riders in the practice ring for the afternoon. There was always something to do out there, it wasn't at all boring!

As far as destinations go, this is without a doubt one of the most aesthetically pleasing places I have ever visited! This was the 5.30am sunrise from the Saphir24 bar in my hotel...

Keep your eyes peeled for a few more Monaco related posts! 

nicole x

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