2015 Beauty Favorites

With the final countdown to 2016 upon us (yes it is nearly here!) I decided it was only right to fulfill my bloggering duties and put together a favourite beauty list of 2015 for you all!

Yes... totally predictable and totally cliche but hey - the end of December wouldn't be the same without one now would it?

So here they are.... my favourite beauty bits from the past 12 months - including everything from hair to eyelashes!

Eylure 101 false eyelashes have become my go-to lashes - I've talked about them so much on here and over my other social media channels for so long now. For someone who has fairly small eyes and can't rock a huge pair of fabulous lashes these are the perfect size for me. I used to wear 107's but they changed the design slightly so they were way too big for me to wear so I thought I'd try these and they are the best - I love buying the trio packs!

Mascara fav of the year has to be L'oreal's Volume Million Lashes Feline. I decided to try this on a whim when it first came out as the brush looked similar to Benefit's Roller Lash which I had tried and loved but couldn't afford to invest in!

Such a great dupe for Roller Lash and I've already repurchased it once or twice, girls this is awesome if you have short stumpy lashes!

Two MAC favourites now - Velvet Teddy lipstick & Whirl lip pencil have to be my two most worn lip products of this year! I'm on the last couple of uses of VT now and not too sure what I'm going to do once it's gone, I'm just going to have to splash out again as to be honest I don't think I can live without this shade! Whirl is the perfect lip pencil to wear alongside it and as much as I've worn it I still have so much left, brilliant value for money!

theBalm are the brand that have taken 2015 by storm and these two face powders I've used nearly every single day. Bahama Mama and Mary-Lou Manizer have been raved about throughout the blogging world and they are two of my favourite products I own (which says alot when you see the ridiculous size of my make-up collection). The perfect matte bronzer and gorgeous shimmer highlight are my favourite duo for both everyday and 'night out' make-up! (Full post about the two - here.)

Lush is a store which, I'll be honest, I don't pop into that often. Mainly because I live on the Isle Of Wight and we don't have one haha but when I am in a town with one I don't always even bother going in. (As a blogger I know this sounds ridiculous but I've never been overly excited about it..... maybe I just need to try more products!) 

Something I had always wanted to try however was the Bubblegum lip scrub and back in June whilst in Victoria train station I decided to treat myself. I have been using it non-stop ever since. I am prone to dry, flakey lips - which is gross - so this is the perfect product for me to keep on my dresser and use most days! (It also tastes amazing!) 

Perfume of the year for me has to be Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge. Oh my lord I've been obsessed, so obsessed that I have actually in fact I have none left. Which is so sad.... but I'm thinking I may treat myself for my birthday (less than 6 weeks to go!) .... plus I did just get Alien and Angel for Christmas so I'm sure that will keep me going for a while!

I can't believe I only have on hair product in this years favs but there we go! Aussie's 3 Miracle Oil has been my go-to oil, especially over the last few months. I love the scent, it's not too heavy on my short hair, it lasts for months on end plus it's affordable! So yeah.... go and try it!

Last but not least is something that seems to be in every favourite, holy grail and skincare post - but I STILL haven't found anything that I like better and that's the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. I love this stuff, it's the only product that I use that actually makes me feel like I have removed all of my make-up and it leaves my face feeling clean, fresh and totally bare.

If you are still yet it try it - get it on the top of your list for 2016, you won't regret it!

So there we have it. My 2015 beauty favourites.... what have been yours? I'd LOVE to know in the comments below :)

Shop my favourites :

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June Favourites 2015 : Beauty

It's monthly favourites time and this month I decided to split it up into TWO videos for you guys, 1 being beauty and the other 'non-beauty' products! 

Everything featured is listed in the video info! I hope you like :)

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Aussie Mega 3 Miracle Oil Review

Yes.... you've read that correctly.

Aussie, that sweet smelling hair brand we all know and love have released a BRAND new product - and I think most of us are thinking 'it's about time too!'.

It was only a matter of time before the brains behind the Australian brand thought of adding a hair oil (or 2) to their ever popular collection and when I spotted this last week I nearly leaped at it with a spring of excitement!

I LOVE the scent of Aussie and I have done ever since I was a teenager, I swear if they made a candle it would sell out in like 10 seconds haha.
 This 'mega' oil has that classic scent and with it's 3 main ingredients creates a multi- purpose formula for everyday use.
 Macadamia Nut Oil, Coconut Oil and Safflower Seed Oil work together to help protect the hair from everyday life while keep it looking and feeling fabulous.

Seeing as my Ultimate Blends oil was on it's last couple of pumps, this stuff couldn't have come at a better time for me!
I've used this every single day since picking it up and am LOVING it! 
I had my hair done (cut and coloured) last week so it's not in bad condition luckily, but this has keep my hair feeling soft and looking shiny - no dry ends here. (Perfect for this heatwave AND it smells gorge!)

Everytime I've washed my hair I've popped a few pumps of this into the ends and then added a little each day when it hasn't been washed.

At £9.99 for 100ml this is a great purchase, hair oil lasts me months and months (especially now I have shorter hair) so it's a great price for something that I will use daily!

Are you an Aussie fan? Fancy trying this oil?

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The Perfect Pamper Night In For Under £6!!!

I LOVE a good pamper night in. There's nothing better than a bit of 'me' time after a long hard day/week.

Treating yourself to some of those treatments and goodies can make you feel revived and put that smile back on your face!

BUT these things don't have to be expensive and I am forever buying cheap little pick me ups to help myself, hair and skin to feel it's best even if I am half asleep!

 So....... I thought I would share with you lovely ladies 5 great products to complete the perfect girly night in and guess what - the total only comes to £5.58!! That's surely only a couple of drinks in Starbucks or a Subway right - totally worth it?!

1. Grazia Magazine - £1

Guess what...this weeks Grazia mag is just £1! There's nothing better than chilling at home with your feet up, cup of tea (or wine) in hand, reading through the latest celeb gossip, fashion must-haves and beauty secrets! Plus it's got Jen An on the front aswell - always a winner!

2. Montagne Jeunesse Hot Chocolate Face Mask - £1

These masks are some of the best value for money beauty products out there! I buy them constantly and if you read A Yellow Brick Blog alot you've probably noticed! This hot chocolate mask is a fabulous self heating detoxing mask which smells amazing and always leaves my skin feeling smooth and refreshed! To read more about it check out my previous review - here. 

3. Milkybar - £1

A night in isn't complete without some chocolate to crush that sugar craving - every girls best friend in a bar.

4. Boots Sleep Well Bath Foam - 89p

Bath's are something that I have rarely, I'm more of a shower girl myself but once in a while I like to have a good old soak! This bubble bath is infused with lavender to help you relax and unwind, perfect for after a long week at work for me! This bottle is huge so it will last me ages and for just 89p it is a must buy!

5. Aussie Travel Size 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor - £1.69

TOP TIP : IF you have short hair you can buy the sachet of this product for only £1.09 (another 60p saving, making it less than £5!), but my hair is too long for just one sachet now so I thought this mini bottle would work better! Hair masks are my favourite thing, I love giving my dry, drab hair a lift with one of these and Aussie smells the best! I like to leave these on for at least 10 minutes and then let me hair air dry for a soft, long locks!

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My Festival Style & What's In My Festival Beauty Bag?

With festival season well underway and with Bestival (my fav) on the horizon I thought what better thing to do, in true beauty/fashion blogger style, than to share with you guys a cheeky Festival look and also my top beauty essentials for a Festival!

Recently Folli Follie asked me if I would like to join their My Festival Style campaign. I am a huge festival lover as you may already know. Living on the doorstep of two of the UK's biggest I always love to spend weeks and weeks planning my outfits for the weekend aswell as my hair & make-up choices (am I sad? no! I'm a girl!)

So obviously this campaign was right up my street and I jumped at the chance to be involved, with millions of ideas for outfits flooding my mind I settled for this one - something I can hopefully wear to Bestival in a few weeks time (*praying*)

Hat : Primark

Sunglasses : Primark

Necklace* : Folli Follie

Dress : Fashion Union

Watch* : Folli Follie

Bag : ASOS

Wellies : Hunter

So with the sun shining and music on I've gotten in the funky festival mood! I love this dress, it is from Fashion Union but I managed to get it half price in a sale at New Look! It's super comfy and as much as I love the look of playsuits in the summer - they aren't always festival practical!

This hat is something I was a little nervous about buying, it's a little OTT for me but it was a total bargain in Primark and I actually really like how it looks! Hat's are great, especially when it's sunny and you're outside for most of the day - protect yourselves people! Wellies are essential.... as well as sunglasses!

Folli Follie were so so lovely to send me some gorgeous items to help perfect my Festival look! I think a watch is a must have item for a Festival, with bands on at certain times and meeting people left, right and centre - you need to know the time 24/7! Yes we all have phones but when you're in a crowd or in a muddy field you don't always want to have to delve around in your bag to find your phone! 

This watch is gorgeous, it is the Watchalicious Watch* (best name ever!) It's a super pretty rose gold (blogger fav right?) and I love that is doesn't look too bulky even on my tiny wrist! I have literally worn it everyday since receiving it, incredible quality and soooo pretty - I mean... look at it! 
And the necklace, oh I love the necklace! It is the Rose Gold Carma Necklace* and it's gorgeous I'm obsessed, it goes with so much, I'm proper chuffed with it! (Yes, I just used the word chuffed!)

Now, style part down let's hit the beauty bits! Even though, yes there may be mud, there may be smelly toilets - hell, there may even be sick - us girls still want our beauty products near us at all times right? Why should a Festival be any different?

These are things that I always take with me and use when heading to a Festival.

Floral headbands ..... a total obvious cliche choice I know. But..... they look pretty and can seriously hide a bad hair day! I love this red and pink one from New Look* and the baby pink one I've had for years, they finish off a cute outfit perfectly.

False eyelashes are a must have for me at a festival! No worrying about re-applying mascara all day, these make anyone look glam and you can go as big as you want at a festival, anything goes! My favs are 107's or 101's from Eylure.

Eyeshadows after a whole day at the festival don't always look the best (well on me anyway!) as much as I'd love to have some crazy mutli-coloured look I always stick to my trusty neuttals! The Naked Basics* palette is perfect for me, so compact and gorgeous shades! (I'm such a wimp when it comes to eyeshadows!)

Lip products that are a 2 in 1 are also up there with my favourite things to take to a Festival! The new baby lips electro are perfect, amazing colour whilst keeping your lips hydrated!

It get hot seriously hot and sweaty in all those crowds so the Liz Earle Skin Tonic Spritzer is perfect for keeping you feeling refreshed and awake, I love spraying this across my chest and up my arms!

You wanna smell nice during your weekend of fun don't you? Travalo's are a godsend. I have used these for years and they were just made for things like this! Pump your favourite perfumes into the handy tiny atomizer! As well as this why not get some testers to take with you aswell? The new Hugo Boss Ma Vie* is gorgeous (you got even put a tester into your Travalo!

Suncream is a must, protecting your skin and doubling up as a moisturiser too! For my hair Umberto Giannini's Backcomb In A Bottle* is fab for keeping all that mane how you want it and looking big, bouncy and fabulous, plus a dry shampoo is a must for a weekend of madness, I love this one by Aussie! 
Tissues, tissues, tissues, you will be using poratloos alot.... lots of drinks are to blame there and there isn't always loo roll so I have have a pack of tissues in my bag constantly..... just hide them when your in the queue otherwise every Tom, Dick and Harry will be asking you for one!
Back to talking about portaloo's and all those other grimey places you'll come across.... anti-bac gel will make you feel alot better about life!

So there you are, a little look at a festival wardrobe idea and my fav beauty bits to take with me! Thanks so much Folli Follie for getting me involved, I love anything to do with Festivals and I've found this so much fun!

Have you been to any Festivals this year? Going to any?

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Aussie Mega Instant Miracle Dry Shampoo

NEW product alert! 

I'm not normally one for dry shampoos (I know I know, stare at me in confusion!), I've just never been overly bothered by them! Saying this, I recently saw that Aussie had just released some newbies into their collection and being a huge fan of theirs I thought it was time I gave dry shampoo another go!

Now Aussie have released 3 different versions of this dry shampoo, mega instant, colour mate and a volume version and all in great large sizes.

 But... where I have never been that excited by the likes of these products I thought I would just stick to the handy miniature size to start off with - and then I could always buy the regular size if I fell in love! (Also saving me money if it turned out to be pants!)

The only 65ml size available was the mega instant - which was fine with me!

 This dry shampoo is made with the classic Aussie Australian Jojoba Seed Extract ingredient and like all dry shampoo's promises to revive your dull, greasy hair into fresh, foxy locks that look and smell as clean as the day before!

This fast acting high-speed clean has been working brilliantly for me as both a nice refresher and great aid in giving my hair a bit of oopmh and texture! Definitely helpful for those "messy" up-do's!

 The smell is so much nicer than other dry shampoo's I've used previously.... although it's an Aussie product so what did I expect?

So... maybe I am converted, we'll see how it goes but so far I am surprisingly chuffed with it!
This small can was £2.29 and the full size shampoo's are £4.99 each.

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Aussie Aussome Volume Deep Treatment Mousse Review

Hello new product from Aussie, how you doing there?

Yes it's that new product everyone has been raving about - and I know I'm on a spending ban but this was free as part of a 3 for 2 at Boots .... so really it's okay right?

This is the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Light, Aussome Volume Deep Treatment Mousse! (basically a mousse conditioning treatment)

Over the last month or so I have spotted lots of those bloggers who love beauty speaking about this stuff! So of course after reading their reviews I instantly wanted to hunt this product down and hop in the shower!

This is a mousse that you pop on after shampooing and leave on your locks for 3 minutes before rinsing it out.... hence the name!

I was excited to try this out as I haven't used anything like this before - mousse is something I normally stay clear of when styling, I've just never seemed to get on with it so I was looking forward to trying it in a different form!

The aim of the product is to give you more volume - something we are all striving for right?
 I've always been a fan of Aussie since I used to steal my mum's as a kid/teen - the smell is just divine.... why have they not made an Aussie candle yet?
Saying that.... this smell is nice but it doesn't smell exactly like the usual shampoos and conditioners from Aussie which is what I was expecting... ahh well!
Being a 'mousse' something I was worried about with this was the feel of the product. When I think of mousse I think of sticky but thankfully this stuff is anything but! Creamy and fluffy this stuff feels fab!

I definitely feel like I used a fair bit on my hair - I started with a good handful but as soon as I ran it through my hair it felt like it had disappeared so I added a little bit more and a little bit more.
It is a strange feeling for a conditioning treatment - I'm so used to feeling a thick and creamy mask type product on my hair when doing a treatment - but this felt like it dissolved and soaked right in!
I didn't let this put me off thought and after the 3 minutes I washed it out and headed to my hair dryer to see the results!

I could definitely see some volume improvement in my hair after I had given it a quick blow dry! Surprisingly I could really see it in the ends. My hair didn't seem to be it's normal 'thicker at the roots, thinner at the ends' self - the ends had alot more body which I was chuffed with!

This stuff is a nice treat to have and even though I think I used alot when I shake the bottle it doesn't feel like alot has gone, so hopefully this will last me a while!
 At only £4.99 it's alot cheaper than other treatment type products and if you've got really fine, flat hair then maybe this is the product for you!

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