Melissa Eddolls

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ELF Makeup Review

April 4, 2018 melissaeddollss

Like a lot of us, I have recently been on a mission to find quality make-up products that are not tested on animals. I thought it would be hard, but it’s a lot easier than I imaged. Brands such as Too Faced, Kat Von D and The Body Shop are all animal friendly and don’t test their products on animals. I recently found that ELF don’t test on animals either, so I thought I would purchase some of their products and test them out.

I have previously used a few of ELF’s products before as they used to have a small boutique in Cardiff which was great. All of their products are reasonably priced, but as they don’t sell their products in any stores near me, buying online makes it that little bit harder. After finding out that they had a Spring Sale on, I decided to buy a few of their products and hope for the best.

I must admit that some of the products I ordered were slightly disappointing. Mainly because I had picked the wrong shade in some of the concealing products, but also the lip glosses I purchased were a bit too sticky for me. With that being said, there were some products I absolutely loved.

ELF Blemish Control Face Primer

Out of all the products I purchased, this was definitely my favourite. I have used this product every day since receiving it and I am so impressed. As someone who suffers with problematic skin, I was intrigued to see if this product would live up to its name. Not only is it a great primer that keeps your make up in tact, but it has also left my skin looking much clearer than usual. It’s not a heavy primer which leaves your skin feeling very light and fresh.

ELF Flawless Finish Foundation – Light Ivory

This foundation is a buildable full coverage foundation, which is perfect for an evening look. When used with the Blemish Control Primer it can be very long lasting. One thing to note is that the foundation leaves you with a matte finish. I love a matte texture, but if you have dry skin I’m not sure if it would work as well.

ELF Made for Matte Eye Shadow Palette

I am so pleased I purchased this palette! I think I have used it everyday since purchasing it. It has the perfect nude tones which can be worn for any occasion. The shadows are very pigmented and like the foundation, stays put all day.

ELF Prism Eye Shadow Palette

The second palette I purchased is full with beautiful shimmery shadows. I have used some of the lighter shades as highlighters as they give the perfect glow. Like the previous eye shadow palette, these shades are so pigmented. I can’t get over how amazing these palettes are considering as they cost less than £10 each!

ELF Highlighter – Moonlight Pearls

As always, I couldn’t test out a makeup brand without purchasing one of their highlighters. This champagne toned highlighter was only £5! The pot is quite small, similar to a single eye shadow pot, which can be very handy for travelling. I love the tone to this highlighter and like many of ELF’s products, it feels really light on the skin. I have been using this as my everyday highlighter and it’s definitely worth the money.

I am really pleased that I purchased these products from ELF. Not only are they a great brand for not testing on animals, but their products are reasonably priced. If you’re looking to try out a new brand, then I would definitely recommend you purchase some of ELF’s products.

Have you tried any of ELF’s products before? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the brand x

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SS Great Britain & Being Brunel

March 27, 2018March 27, 2018 melissaeddollss

Last weekend I decided to take my nieces out to visit the SS Great Britain, which was perfect timing as we were able to visit the new museum. Being Brunel, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the life of the wonderful inventor that is Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

As soon as you enter the museum you can’t help but notice this gigantic statue of the man himself. It’s incredibly detailed and a real show stopper.

Throughout the museum there are plenty of attractions to keep children entertained. On arrival there is even a chance to try out Brunel’s hat out for yourself, a real favourite with not only children, but adults too!

Remember to check in every drawer in order to get the most out of every artifact.

The museum features six galleries, showcasing 150 of Brunel’s personal artefacts. It’s a great insight into his work, but more importantly his family, life and creative mind. My favourite attraction was the chance to step inside Brunel’s mind. There is a cinematic experience behind the large statue, which gives you an short insight into his thoughts and feelings.

When I asked my nieces what their favourite part of the museum was, they said that they really enjoyed the moving train. This simulated carriage gives you the chance to attempt and draw a circle as perfect as Brunel’s, it’s safe to say we didn’t do as well as he did.

After checking out Being Brunel, it was time to step onto the SS Great Britain. Before boarding the boat it was only right we had a little dress up to get ourselves into character. I must admit I think I enjoyed this just as much as the kids did.

There are so many interactive experiences on the top deck of the boat. One part of the boat that I was not brave enough to explore was Go Aloft. This gives you the chance to climb the sails of the boat. I can only imagine how great the views would be from up there.

After exploring the top deck we ventured down below. I was amazed with how big the boat was. It took us well over an hour to explore the whole boat, peeping into every dorm and enjoying the replicas. Everything in the boat is really realistic, even down to the interesting scents.

One thing I would say is to hold your nose when you explore the washrooms, it’s a smell you will never forget!

I am really pleased we had a chance to visit this museum and although the weather wasn’t on our side, we still had a fantastic time. With the weather being as unpredictable as it has been lately, this is definitely a day out to keep in mind.

We had an incredible time and I can’t wait to go back and do it all again!

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The Florist Bristol

March 7, 2018 melissaeddollss

Living in Bristol gives me the perfect opportunity to visit some incredible restaurants and bars. I love living in the city as there’s always so much choice as to where to spend your evening. I recently visited The Florist on Park Street, Bristol, which is definitely one to add to the list.

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My boyfriend and I were so excited to attend the launch night, but I don’t think either of us expected it to be as unique and charming as it was.

As the name suggests, the cocktail bar and restaurant is filled with incredible fresh flowers and the most stunning decor. On arrival were greeted with a Violet Fizz cocktail, which looked and tasted amazing.

We headed upstairs to the Neon Lounge to enjoy our cocktails, where we were greeted by a DJ and more incredible decor. I couldn’t get over how great the atmosphere was. The team explained that there is live music most nights, which I will definitely be returning to see.

The neon sign surrounded by pink roses was an incredible feature wall. The quirkiness fitted perfectly with the open fire and crushed velvet furniture.

After having a good look around, it was time for some gin tasting. The gin was supplied by The Wild Beer Co and although they’re not well known for their gin, I was really impressed. The floral notes were really refreshing and it worked incredibly well with the whole atmosphere.

After the gin tasting, I was ready to jump in and try out some cocktail making for myself. I made an Apple & Vanilla Monthe which was perfect. The cocktail contained Tanqueray Gin and even had an edible flower to top it off.

After filling ourselves up on cocktails, it was time to sample some of the nibbles they had out for us. My favourite had to be the freshly made bread. We were given goats cheese and lavender butter to spread on it, which I know sounds odd – but it really did taste incredible!

The whole night was perfect and I couldn’t fault a thing. We really enjoyed our time there and I can’t wait to return for a cocktail night with the girls. If you’re thinking of trying out somewhere new and refreshing, I definitely recommend you check out The Florist.

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Australian Bodycare – Anytime Balm Review

February 23, 2018February 23, 2018 melissaeddollss

You may have previously read my review on the Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Skin Wash which I absolutely loved, so I was keen to try out another one of the their products.

If you didn’t get a chance to check out my review I will give you a quick introduction to the brand. Australian Bodycare is a company which uses Tea Tree Oil in it’s products in order to clear the skin from any harmful bacteria. They sell many products skincare products ranging from cleansers to moisturisers, which all aim to leave our skin feeling the best it possibly can.

I recently decided to try out their Any Time Balm. This multi-purpose balm is aimed at relieving dry or chapped skin, lips, cuticles and nails.

The product is super easy to use as you just need to warm the balm in your hand and apply to affected area. As with most of the products there is a strong Tea Tree scent to the balm which I find incredibly refreshing.

I have mainly been using this product on my hands and lips and I am really impressed with the result. The Tea Tree Oil in the product leaves your skin feeling really soft and refreshed, along with filling the area with moisture. This product has been a blessing through these cold months and I am so pleased to have been able to try it out.

The product comes in a 30 ml tub which is perfect for carrying around in your handbag or pocket. It’s a really handy product to have and I definitely recommend you check it out.

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Vegan Chickpea & Spinach Slimming World Curry

February 21, 2018 melissaeddollss

I recently tried out a new Slimming World vegan curry recipe and I absolutely loved it. The Chickpea and Spinach curry is super easy to make and is delicious. The recipe is completely free on Slimming World and feeds four people.

Ingredients

fry light or alternative low calorie spray
1 onion
1 red pepper and 1 yellow pepper
3 crushed garlic cloves
2 tsp of ginger
2 tbsp of curry powder (heat dependent on personal taste)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
2 x 400g chopped tomatoes
2 x 400g chickpeas
large bag of spinach
salt and pepper
lime juice

To start chop the onions and peppers into small chunks.
Spray a non-stick frying pan and add the onions and peppers on a high heat.
Leave till lightly brown (approx 5 mins).
Crush the garlic and add it to the pan along with the spices.

Place the cooked onions, peppers and garlic into a large saucepan.
Add the chopped tomatoes and chickpeas to the saucepan.
Bring to boil and then leave to simmer for ten minutes.
Gradually add the spinach and leave to simmer for a further 8-10 mins.

Add the lime juice and serve with rice.

I also made some Vegetarian Slimming World Onion Bhajis. These can be made while you wait for the curry to cook.

Ingredients

2 onions
50g plain flour
1tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander
2 eggs
salt and pepper

Chop the onions into thin slices.
Mix the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and mix for 15 mins.
Separate the mix into balls and oven cook for 15-20 mins on 220°C/fan 200°c/Gas 7.

Once cooked these Onion Bhajis are only two syns each and they taste great.
They work really well with the curry and make the perfect healthy dish.

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Stila Eye For Elegance Liquid Eyeshadow Set

February 18, 2018 melissaeddollss

After purchasing the eye for elegance liquid eye shadow set from Stila, I decided to write a quick post letting you know my thoughts.

I am always looking for a glitter eye shadow, as I feel that they complete any evening look. I seem to struggle when it comes to finding an eye shadow that is both glittery and pigmented. I decided to pick up this set and after testing it out a few times now, I am really impressed.

The set comes with six mini liquid eye shadows. Three of which are described as shimmer and glow, which have a more metallic look and the other three are glitter and glow, which as the name states are much more glittery. The shades easily match up with each other, which allows you to wear both a metallic and glitter eye shadow at once.

Next To Notte and Twig.

This is a swatch of the two deeper red shades. They work beautifully together and are very pigmented as you can see. The glitter and glow eye shadow has more of a copper tone, which works well when matched with other brown shadows.

Kitten and Peachy Sheen.

These are by far my favourite shades. The glitter shadow has a peachy, champagne tone which I love. The metallic Kitten shade is also incredible and can be work everyday. These shade really brighten up a look and help give off that perfect glow.

Grace and Smoldering Satin.

These two shades are a lot more pinky than the the previous two. The glitter shade Smoldering Satin is a lot pinker than I would usually go for, but can be toned down with a darker shadow.

These liquid eye shadows are great and they dry really quickly. After wearing these all day at work, I was pleased to find that they don’t budge at all. By using a liquid glitter eye shadow you don’t have any of the residue ruining the rest of your makeup which is also a plus. If you’re looking to try out a new glitter or metallic eye shadow, I would definitely recommend you try these out.

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Amphora Aromatics Review

February 1, 2018 melissaeddollss

After recently discovering a new organic and locally based brand, I was so excited to test out some of their products. Amphora Aromatics have more than 30 years’ experience in creating amazing aromatherapy products. They use high quality ingredients from independent producers around the world, which is definitely reflected in their products.

The company prides itself in creating high quality products, yet still being able to sell them at a reasonable price.

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The first product that I am obsessing over is from the essentials collection is the Sandalwood and Palmavosa Moisturising Face Lotion. One of the reasons why I love this face lotion is that it’s incredibly light on the skin. The refreshing fragrance is the perfect scent to get you ready for the day.

I’ve been using this product for just over a week and it’s a huge impact on my face. I love using it in the morning as it’s the perfect base to apply my makeup, or to simply leave my skin feeling refreshed. It really does protect your skin from the cold winter months and leaves it feeling silky smooth.

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The second product I tried out was the Sleep blend from their Aromatherapy Blend collection. Amphora Aromatics have six new blends, all of which are 100% pure. The range includes Sleep, Energise, Revive, Focus, Relax and Festive. They can be used in diffusers or burners to help promote relaxation and well being.

These oils are priced at just £7.50, which is incredible value for money.

I tried out Sleep – Comforting.

“A relaxing and balancing blend of Juniper, Patchouli and Lavender gently soothes you to sleep. Comforting and warming Orange, Marjoram and Howood help combat insomnia by working to calm restlessness and anxiety – promoting peace and tranquillity. “ www.amphora-retail.com

Like many of us, I spend most of my week stressing out at work and drinking way too much coffee for my own good. Unfortunately this is regularly reflected in my sleeping pattern. With this in mind, I was excited to try out this blend and see if it would make a genuine difference to my routine.

Not only did this help me have a incredible nights sleep, I felt much more relaxed and stress-free in the evenings. This product definitely helps you chill out and it’s something I will be continuing to use for a long time.

If you’re looking for some natural and locally sourced products, then I definitely recommend you check out this brand. They’re based on Cotham Hill, Bristol or you can find them online at www.amphora-retail.com.