The Benefits Of Lemon

Recently I've started putting slices of lemon in my water, to make it a bit more tasty and also because there are so many health benefits. I already knew a few of them but after doing some research I found a load more, and I have come to the conclusion that lemon is a magical fruit.

1. Helps keep your skin looking clear. Lemon juice contains antioxidants which will help to clear up blemishes and also keep you looking younger. Lemon juice can be applied straight to the face as well, apply it to problem areas (as long as they're not open wounds, or severe acne), leave the juice on for half an hour and rinse. Lemon juice will also make you look more radiant, as it's detoxifying your blood.

2. Boosts your immune system. If you're someone who gets ill a lot, especially if you get colds, (thankfully I'm not like that) then drinking lemon water is a good idea! Lemon juice contains loads of vitamin C, which helps protect and keep cells healthy, maintains the body tissue around your organs and helps wounds to heal.

3. Helps with digestion. Lemon juice will aid your body with digestion and relieve heartburn, indigestion or bloating.

4. Balances your pH levels. Having a good pH balance in your body is important - if unbalanced it can cause problems with the digestive system, immune system, respiratory system, nervous system, muscular system, and many more. Although on their own lemons are acidic once they're inside the body they are one of the most alkalising foods. Drinking lemon water regularly will help reduce the acidity in your body, which could have been caused by a high-fat diet, airway conditions like asthma, drinking too much alcohol, obesity, etc.

5. Stops you overeating. If you're trying to lose weight, or simply by healthier by not snacking so much then the pectin fibre in lemon juice will assist in fighting those cravings.

6. Helps reduce feelings of anxiety or depression. I didn't really believe this one, but lemon juice is supposed to be very calming, even the smell of it can really help.

7. Cleanses your body. Lemon juice helps to flush out any toxins from your body. The juice will help maximise enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification. It will also help loosen toxins in the digestive tract, due to the high number of minerals and vitamins in the lemon.

8.  Keeps your breath fresh. No-one likes smelly breath! Lemon juice will keep your breath much fresher.

9. Energises you. Lemon juice contains more negatively charged ions, which react with your body and provide you with more energy.

10. Great source of potassium. Potassium is really good for heart health, and also the brain and nerve functions.

So now you see what I mean, lemon is magical.

Try putting it in your water!

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The Face Five Challenge - Tag!

I was recently tagged by the lovely Daniela from Daniela Scribbles to do the 'face five challenge'!
The challenge is to create a makeup look using only 5 products….which is a bit tricky for me because I do definitely use more than 5 products on a day to day basis, but I have done it!

Rather than go for a foundation I've opted for just using concealer as a base. I don't think it's always necessary to have a full face of foundation, especially if you're having a good skin day or you're just hanging around the house or popping down to the shops to get a few bits and pieces. Maybelline Fit Me in shade 15 is my current favourite, it's much more creamy and less drying than the Collection Lasting Perfection and gives good coverage - great for under my eyes or any problem areas I want to hide!
I never feel right unless I've filled my brows in a bit so I've gone for the Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in 001 Black Brown, and I can use this as subtle bit of liner on my eyes too! To finish the eyes I've gone with Maybelline The Falsies mascara which I totally love!
For cheeks I normally contour, add blush and highlight too but as this is very minimal I've just gone for Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush in Pink Rose, it's a really pretty pink colour with shimmer running through it so it will add a bit of glow and highlighter effect to the face.
Lastly, my favourite part, lips! I didn't want to go for anything too bright as this is a natural look, so Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey is great. Honey is a lovely dusky pink colour, and it lasts for ages.

Rather than tag individual people I just tag any of you who want to do it! Do leave me a link in the comments below if you do, I'd love to check it out

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My Favourite Powder

Whether you have oily skin or dry skin powdering your foundation is a good idea to set everything in place and to help it last all day.

I've used the Rimmel Stay Matte powder for years now, I've repurchased it countless times and will continue to because it's so brilliant and a bargain at only £3.99.
It's quite a light pressed powder that comes in 5 different shades, and transparent too (which is what I use) so whatever skin tone you have you can use it.
I love the transparent one because it won't give me more coverage but it helps to minimise pores, control any shine I may have, helps foundation to look even better and really does set everything in place well so your makeup lasts a lot longer.
The powder contains natural minerals, is free from fragrance, oils, parabens and talc so it won't clog your pores and it feels silky soft and natural on the skin.
Rimmel Stay Matte does everything I want in a powder, and it's great for my dry skin as it's not heavy and doesn't accentuate any patches.
The only gripe I have with this product is the packaging, I'd much prefer something with a flip up lid and mirror….but for the low price I suppose I can't really complain when the product inside is so good.

What powder do you use?

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Makeup I Got For My Birthday

It was my birthday yesterday! I had a lovely day spent with my family, just relaxing at home, opening presents, having a nice lunch and then in the evening me, my mum (whose birthday it was too), my dad and my sister went out for dinner at a restaurant called Bill's.
I am very lucky to have got amazing presents, and I thought I'd share with you the makeup bits I got! I'm only doing beauty presents because this is mainly a beauty blog and I figured that's what would interest you the most, but if you'd like to see some of my other presents do let me know.

(Disclaimer - I know some people find these sort of posts boastful, but I really hope it doesn't come across that way. I'm in no way boasting or showing off, I feel very lucky and I'm so grateful for all my presents and I just thought it would be nice to share them with you)


I finally got the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette! I've wanted this ever since I really got into makeup. Everyone raves about it and it's definitely a 'cult' product, along with the other two naked palettes. Naked 2 was definitely my preference out of the 3, it's got the most wearable shades in it for me and you can create so many different looks. I've already tried the palette out when I went for dinner and it's a dream to use, the shadows are amazing quality, they look beautiful on and last a long time.
I got my first MAC lipstick…I know, I know, I should have got one sooner. The shade is Fanfare and it's a gorgeous yellow toned mid pink that has almost coral tones to it as well, I think this lipstick looks different on everyone though. It's a cremesheen finish, which means it's gorgeously creamy and has a more glossy finish. I love it! (FYI it looks darker in the picture than it does in real life).
I got another lip product, which is the Revlon lip butter in Wild Watermelon. It's the most beautiful pinky red shade, perfect for Spring and Summer. I wore this last night and I just adore it.
I also got a new eyeliner. I've really been enjoying creating flicks with gel eyeliner recently, but that can take a bit of time and it's annoying having to clean the brush every single time. This Supercat liner from Soap And Glory is a pen style, so it's super easy and quick to use…perfect!
Last but not least, is the NYX blush in Taupe. You don't use this as a blush but instead as a brilliant contour shade for pale skin. It's great as it's well pigmented, not dark, not orangey, easily blended and creates the illusion of a shadow very well.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what beauty things I got for my birthday, I love reading these sort of posts.

If you'd like an in depth review of anything mentioned do let me know in the comments!

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How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes…The Right Way!

Washing makeup brushes is one of the most mundane things, but it's very important.

Why is it important to clean makeup brushes?

Not only do brushes apply products to your skin but they also pick up any oils, dead skin cells or dirt that might be on your face, so when you go to reapply makeup with the brush that bacteria will be transferred back onto your face….yucky! If you get acne or suffer from spots washing your makeup brushes regularly should make a difference. 

Keeping your brushes in good condition will make them last longer! Cleaning them regularly will keep the bristles soft, prevent them from drying out, caking together or falling apart. 

Clean makeup brushes will also apply makeup a lot better!

How should I clean my makeup brushes?

You can buy shop-bought brush cleanser from places like MAC but that can be expensive, these products can often contain alcohol as well which will make the bristles dry out. Using baby shampoo is the best option, I use Johnson's. It's nice and gentle and will do the job well. 

Firstly put the brush under warm running water, then remove it and massage some of the baby shampoo into the bristles gently, and rinse in CLEAN water! I usually repeat this twice to make sure all the product is off the brushes. Afterwards squeeze the excess water out, and place them somewhere to dry.  

This bit is important - make sure your brushes are NOT standing upright when they're drying, the water could go right into the brush and cause it to rot inside. Stand them upside down, a good way to do that is in one of the Real Techniques brush stands that come with their collections of brushes (pictured).

How often should I clean my makeup brushes?

Once a week is ideal, especially if you're using them every single day. I'd say try not to go over 2 weeks without washing your brushes. 

Extra tips

Using olive oil on your brushes before the baby shampoo will give them a deeper clean. So if they're looking extra dirty or you've used a thicker product on them this is a great thing to do. Tea tree oil is also good for this.

Reshape your brushes while they're still wet, you don't want them trying in a weird way and then you're unable to use them properly. 

Make sure your brushes are completely dry before using them again.

I hope you found this helpful!

Also, I announced the winner of my giveaway! To find out if you won 

click this link!

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