Nail Care Routine

After being inspired by The Nail & Beauty Files' nail care routine blog post last week, I decided to pick up a few purchases on my next shopping trip so that I could get myself into a routine of looking after my nails.

Upon the beginning of my nail care journey, I picked up a twin pack of nail buffer blocks in Primark, costing only £1! There are 4 sides to use. 
1. File down the edges of each of my nails.
2. Buff gently the top of each nail which removes most rough areas and ridges.
3 & 4. Polish & Shine helps to smooth the nail and give it a shine finish.

After using each side of the block my nails feel so smooth, so I highly doubt there is much of a difference between more expensive blocks except for how long they will last.

I follow on my by using my strawberry hand cream from The Body Shop, rubbing this all over my hands and focus on massaging it on and around my nails to help hydrate my cuticles and skin that surrounds my nails.
I can't emphasize enough how much of a difference this have made since I started using it regularly, especially due to how amazing it smells!

To help keep my nails strong and looking healthy I'll apply my base coat nail polish after the cream has sunk in. Whether alone or underneath a coloured nail polish, this create a naturally light pink tint to my nails as well as filling in any other naturally nail ridges I still have.

Of course my nail care routine is no where near complete, as I plan to get a cuticle oil/ cream of sorts to help maintain them, and a better nail file to use on the edges rather than relying on the buffer blocks. I'll be sure to report back when I invest more into my routine.

I'm so glad that I finally got around to purchasing products to use in my nail care routine, because it means that I now stick to using them all, and recommend you sort one out if you haven't already, you won't regret dedicating a little time to do it.

Do you have a nail care routine? What other products do you use to look after them?

- Tash.

NimbleWhaleBlog Giveaway! - CLOSED

I am giving away a bundle of goodies to one lucky winner that have a total RRP of £40. These include a mixture of typical items that I associate myself with and you would likely see me blog about. Hopefully, there’ll be something in there that you’ll like too.

Here are the bundle of goodies that one lucky winner will receive the entirety of:

5 Colour Uniball Jetstream Retractable Rollerball Pen

1 LUSH The Experimenter Bath Bomb

1 The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

MULK Bundle*;
1 A5 Geometric Eco Notebook, 

1 A6 Geometric Eco Notebooks &
1 Geometric Card

Crazy Kitten Creations Bundle*;

1 Sparkle Crystal Necklace

1 Antique Dragonfly Necklace

I absolutely adore all of the above products, such as the various necklaces that I was sent from Crazy Kitten Creations, not to mention the amazing notebooks offered from MULK, which I'm quite jealous I don't get to keep, and can be used with the pastel Uniball pens! Then finally I hope the winner can truly enjoy the explosion of the Experimenter whilst using their facial mask from The Body Shop.

Enter on the Rafflecopter Giveaway below!

Terms & Conditions

Due to postage costs, this giveaway is only open to residents of the UK.

Follow all the rules in the Rafflecopter widget.

If you’re under 16, get a permission from a parent.

The giveaway opens at 12pm today (10^th July) and runs until 11:59pm on the 31^st July.

A winner will be chosen and contacted within 24 hours.

The winner will have two days to respond or a new winner may be chosen.
Please note that there is an error with the number update of entries, and thus is higher than Rafflecopter states.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone,
and feel free to check out the online stores of the products that are included in the giveaway, such as MULK and Crazy Kitten Creations!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Kirsty Whiston on winning the giveaway!

- Tash.

Magnitone Lucid Cleansing Brush

After participating in #BHTWITTERPARTY, I was given the opportunity to review a Magnitone Lucid Facial Brush*. This brand offers cleansing brushes that produce deep-pore purification and gently exfoliation for the face, producing softer, clearer and brighter skin in just 7 days.

I chose the Aqua Green Magnitone Lucid brush, which comes with a wireless travel charger, and with a charger of two weeks is portable and easy to use on the go.

Upon first use, I found using the cleansing brush comfy to hold and easy to understand. Two modes, deep clean or sensitive, I chose sensitive due to my dry and sensitive facial skin, and the 1 minute auto-stop function, with 20 second facial timers made it easy to stay focused and not overwork your face.

I chose to use this both in the morning with my The Body Shop Aloe Facial Wash, and in the evening with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Cleanser, or alternatively in the shower due to it being 100% waterproof! I did prefer using this in the shower as it meant that if I put too much cleanser on the brush if it did go everywhere, including my hair, at least I could easily wash it out.

The result of using this for the past week has meant that my skin is smoother, by removing the dead skin cells thanks to the 10,000 pulsations per minute, and made my skin feel brighter and softer!

The convenience of this product, as well as the high quality and success of this product makes its price of £69.99, well worthwhile, especially if you use it regularly. Not to mention that it also comes with a travel adaptor for you to use if you are going away for longer than the two weeks the battery will last.

There are four colours to choose from (Plush Pink, Aqua Green, Dazzling Blue and Sunshine Yellow), as well as other accessorises that can be purchased from www.magnitone.co.uk

A fantastic cleansing product, that has helped revolutionised my morning routine, and dramatically improving how my skin looks. Perhaps in the future I may look into the other brushes they offer to see if there is a more beneficial one for me to use in combination with my cleansers!

Did I mention that you can get 20% off your order of a Magnitone Lucid Cleansing Brush until 31st July, costing you only £56 by using the discount code BLOVE20 and clicking here!

- Tash.

Timeless Truth Facial Mask

Recently I received one facial mask from Timeless Truth*, out of the many types they offer. This brand focuses on providing the latest advances in bio-technology for amazing anti-ageing results.

I chose the Luxury Elastic- Miracle Rejuvenation Mask, which states that it aims to brighten, rejuvenate and refine, by evening skin tone and diminishing the appearance of age spots and wrinkles.

Personally, I found using this mask a great experience as the elastic cotton mask was super flexible by hooking on to my ears, and slits to enable contact to your face in all places, and even my under chin area as well as my entire face. This unique fitting mask is the best mask in terms of not causing a mess when applying the mask when compared to peel-off and mud masks, plus didn't fall off whilst I was walking about.

The result of it made my skin feel fresh, tighter, and brighter!

However, they state that this product can be used multiple times due to the generous amount of serum that is included in the packaging, which subsides the costly price for this face mask of £6.50.

There are also other types of facial masks that Timeless Truth offer with fab benefits, which use cloth masks including non-woven fabric, bio-cellulose and silk fibre. These can be found at www.thebeautymask.co.uk.

This was a good luxury face mask to use, however if I was to purchase, I would ensure I had put more thought into my choice to ensure I found the perfect mask to suit my skin type!

Also, they suggested to put the mask in the fridge previously, for a refreshing experience, of which I will be certain to do with all my masks in the future, especially during summer.

- Tash.

Travel Toiletries Essentials

                         

                        

As I'm packing away my carry-on essentials, I thought I'd make a note of what I chose to pack on my week trip to Amsterdam!

The Body Shop: Travel Rainforest Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

Yesto: Cucumber Soothing Facial Wipes

Maybelline: Lash Sensational Mascara

Maybelline: Cover Stick Concealer in Vanilla

Benefit: Posietint & High Beam

Mirenesse: Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss

Sanex: Dermo Invisible Deodorant

MONU: Hydrating Moisturiser

Maybelline: Brow Pencil in Blonde

Accessorize: Floral Hair Scrunchie

Lovemilliecrafts: Elastic Hair Ties

- Tash.

Argan Hair Oils

Oiling hair is wonderfully beneficial, as it can form a protective layer, whilst nourishing your hair! I've found adding a hair oil to your hair care routine, can be worthwhile, especially during summer.

I had not before considered using a hair oil until I received two samples through my door! Both are based with Argan Oil and both state to apply to damp hair and massage in. By trying these after I had washed my hair, it gave me the opportunity to compare the two, to see their fab benefits. 

Argan Dew: Miraculous Argan Oil- daily hair treatment*

Similar to their hair mask, their Miraculous Oil rehydrates, repairs and nourishing all of your hair. As it contains nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants it helps to improve hair strength, prevent frizz and creates a lasting healthy glossy shine on hair for the rest of the day.
 It also pleases me to know that this product is SLS, paraben and alcohol free, and is cruelty-free. Seriously, a great hair oil to help your hair get in great condition.

This product is available from their website, but specifically can be found here for roughly £25 for 100ml glass bottle.

Beauty Protector: Protect & Oil

As stated when receiving this in my Birchbox, this hair oil has a sweet vanilla scent, and somewhat gloopy texture. As well as leaving your hair glossy, this oil focuses on protecting against UV rays and heat damage, as well as strengthening hair strands. Alike Argan Dew, this hair oil is also a paraben-free formula and cruelty-free!

Available for purchase through Birchbox, this product comes in 118ml plastic bottle at £16, the more price-friendly product out of the two.

Both of these products have helped to make my hair really soft and glossy continuously! If I'm going to use heat, I'll grab Beauty Protector, but if not then every few days I will stick to Argan Dew!

These two hair oils have been wonderful additions to my hair care routine. I look forward to continuing to use these, to get the best out of my hair. 

Bring on summer with my healthy and shiny hair! 

- Tash.

Birchbox Review- June 2015

June 2015's Birchbox is a collaboration with French Sole and the theme revolves around 'Stepping Outside' in preparation for this summer!

For £10 (+ P&P) you can receive and try out 5 chosen samples that you receive in your monthly subscription box. This month I had the choice of choosing the design of the box and shoe bag that I would receive, further relating to this months partnership. The products that received are...

Yes to: Cucumbers Facial Wipes (buy here) 

A small compact size version of their cooling yet rejuvenating cleansing wipes which are a the perfect size to fit into a handbag this summer, whether it is during the day when out or to use at home to remove makeup.

English Laundry: No. 7 For Her (buy here)

My first perfume sample that I have received in a Birchbox, and I think it is a great way to trial perfumes a few times before commiting to a large bottle! No. 7 for Her has scents of that are bright and fruity with a hint of Musk; personally I'm not a major fan of this perfume, but I will certainly take advantage of the small handy size!

Mirenesse: Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss (buy here)

A cross between a lip stain and a balm; this lip stick pencil is great for every day use. I received the colour Angel Kiss which I wasn't sure at first, however after wearing it many times I love and I probably wouldn't have ever tried this colour if it hadn't been in my box! The lipstick came with tips of how to wear it for a glossy or matte look, or to even use on your cheeks. A great versatile product!

Cowshed: Body Lotion in Knackered Cow (buy here)

Knackered Cow has essential oils of lavender and eucalyptus which are great to use to pamper and nourish my skin. I don't usually like lavender, however the scent of this is not overwhelming and perfectly soothing.

Beauty Protector: Protect & Oil (buy here) 

This vanilla scented hair oil smells amazing for starters, and not to mention that I received 2 small sample sizes of this product. This aims to give you glossy hair and also protects against UV rays and heat damage. I thoroughly look forward to using this regularly!

STYLondon: Temporary Metallic Tattoos (buy here)

These new trend accessories are super cute, I almost don't want to use them they look so pretty. I can see these adding a stylish metallic look to an outfit this summer. A fab beauty bonus on behalf of Birchbox! 

This months box is filled with sample products to get me ready for summer, and not to mention have encouraged me to try new things that otherwise I wouldn't have considered. Bring on next month's Birchbox! 

- Tash.