25 Day’s Of Beauty: Day Fifteen

Welcome back to 25 Day’s Of Beauty. 

In Day Fifteen I received a full supersized tube of the Percy And Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm. This balm can be used on wet or dry hair to help ease frizz, protect from humidity and give hair a sleek smooth look. It definitely is something I could enjoy because it sounds like it could help ease the terrible baby hairs that I get when I put my hair up. 

Percy and Reed is a brand that is featured every year in the Calender and they usually always get it right. This is one of the six full sized products that this Calender has to offer and I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed by it. It didn’t go back in the box and I’m sure I’ll be getting a lot of use out of it. 

Recipe: Jaffa Cake Cupcakes

Who doesn't love a Jaffa Cake or two? I for one adore Jaffa Cakes and can easily devour a packet without realising. And even though they aren't Christmassy in the slightest, they were something I just had to bake this month. It's a pretty simple recipe and essentially doesn't take long to make. These are perfect for coffee mornings, afternoon teas or just as a treat for family and friends.

Ingredients
100g Caster Sugar
100g Self Raising Flour
100g Stork
2 Eggs
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Packet Of Orange Jelly
1 Tub Of Betty Crocker Ready To Use Chocolate Icing

Method 
1- Pre heat your oven to 180C. Line a twelve hole muffin tin with paper cases.
2- Into a bowl place the caster sugar and stork. Cream the two together until it's pale in colour and fluffy in texture.
3- Add one egg followed by a tablespoon of flour. Beat until combined and then repeat with the second egg.
4- Beat until everything is combined, taking time to scrape the sides of the bowl so nothing is left out.
5- Gently fold in the rest of the flour and the vanilla extract, taking care not to knock all the air out of your mixture. Spoon your mixture into the paper cases and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
6- Leave to cool in the tin for five minutes then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
7- Whilst they're cooling make your jelly. I just followed the instructions on the packet as I have absolutely no idea how to make jelly from scratch. I wanted it to only be a thin layer of jelly so I poured mine onto a thin cling filmed baking tray before letting set. Once your happy with your jelly, pop in the fridge and leave to set.
8- Once your jelly is set, cut out twelve circles of jelly and place on top of your now cooled cupcakes.
9- Now you could make your own buttercream but I didn't have time so I cheated and used a tub of the Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Buttercream. Place your icing into a piping bag and pipe as roughtly or as neatly as you'd like on top of the jelly.
10- Leave to set on the wire cooling, then enjoy. 

Marks And Spencer Beauty Advent Calender Day Fifteen

 

Welcome back to Day Three in my 25 Days of Beauty Series where I show you what I get in my Marks and Spencers Advent Calender.

In today's box I recieved a full sized Diego Dalla Palma Cigilione Lash Booster Mascara. With a waved bristle brush, this mascara works to not only give lashes volume and definiton but also to strengthen lashes as well as promoting natural growth. It's perfect for all lashes but those with sparse, widely spaced lashes are more likely to benefit more from this.

I was intrigued by this when I opened the box this morning. The brush is like no other that I've tried before and I was looking forward to trying it. And it's not a bad mascara, it gave my lashes volume, definition and made my eyes look wide awake. And usually after a few hours my lashes have drooped and fallen flat but with this I still had definition in my lashes a good six hours after I applied it. It hasn't flaked, smudged or transfered in any way but I can't say it is sweat or cry proof so I'd still definitiely choose a waterproof mascara if you know you'll be having a good cry.

Mark's and Spencer Beauty Advent Calender Day Fifteen and Sixteen

Welcome back to Day Fifteen of my Mark's and Spencer Beauty Advent Calender Unboxing. Today I'm throwing together both day fifteen and sixteen. Due to technical issues last night I couldn't get Day Fifteen up in time.

In Day Fifteen's box I recieved one of the Rosie For Autograph Lip Glossy in the shade Supermodel Smile. These lip gloss sticks are non sticky, easy to wear and long wearing. This shade is a stunning nude shade that'll suit a multitude of skintones and looks. They also come in this stunning rose gold packaging that just gives it a gorgeous finish.

First Impressions:I already own one of these in the shade Sun Kiss. They are so pigmented, easy to apply and don't feel sticky or uncomfortable to wear. For a gloss finish they can last very long on the lips but do need retouching if you eat or drink. I'm definitely going to be getting a lot of wear out of this.

And in Day Sixteen I recieved a tube of the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer. I think this actually came in a box last year aswell. This is a pre shampoo treatment that is supposed to moisturise hair and leave it feeling soft, supple and easier to style. It contains Castor Oil and Olive Oil which helps add moisture, bounce and shine.

First Impressions: I like the idea of this product but I didn't try it last year and I'm not sure if I like the idea enough to try it this year. If you have some spare time and washing your hair isn't a chore (it is to me) then definitely give this a go. If I change my mind I will let you know and a review will probably appear on here at some point.

Marks and Spencers Beauty Advent Calender Day Fifteen

Welcome back to Day Fifteen in my 24 Days of Beauty Series where I show you what I get in my Marks and Spencers Advent Calender. 

In today's box I recieved a Roger and Gallet Fleur de Figuier Hand and Nail Balm. It's a 30ml tube which I believe is a full sized tube. And what a little miracle worker this balm is. Containing a host of ingredients including shea butter, argan oil, evening primrose oil and aloe vera to name a few this oil like balm dries matte on the skin and leaves skin feeling nourished. It's also helps protect the skin on our hands with SPF15, something that I like as sometimes it's very easy to forget that our hands need protecting like the rest of our body. 

The scents not my favourite but I've learnt that if it doesn't smell nice then it's more likely to work better on the skin. I think this tube wouldn't last long if you use it everyday but I will of course let you know if I write a review or pop a mini review up over on Instagram. 

I'll see you all tomorrow for Day Sixteen.