Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Posts tagged Feet
Summer Sandals from Shusole
1Though I have an ever-expanding collection of shoes, most of them are black, and most of them just don’t cut it for every day summer wear. As such, lately I’ve been on the look out for some lighter, and more sunny-weather-appropriate shoes, and the latest addition to my collection is this pair of Ciara Flatform shoes, from online women’s footwear specialists Shusole.
I’ve spotted two big trends on the highstreet this season – pastel brights and platforms – and these beauties tick both boxes. The sandals fasten at the side with a buckle, and have a strappy design reminiscent of ’90s-style jelly shoes, but with an open toe. The platform is around 4 inches high, but despite the height they’re incredibly comfortable as the sole is cushioned, and they’re flat so very easy to walk in.
I absolutely love the colour of these shoes. They’re a gorgeous bright pink that adds a perfect pop of colour to my (mostly) black wardrobe, but the pastel element gives them a dusky hue, rather than an overwhelming fluorescence, which I prefer. However, if pink isn’t your thing, they’re also available in black, white, green, orange, or yellow.
These sandals are so easy to style too. I’ve paired them with leggings and a long top for a casual day look, but they also look really cute with a strappy sun dress, a skater skirt, or even skinny jeans! I’m sure they’ll be featuring in some style posts in the coming months, so keep an eye out.
These Ciara Flatform Shoes cost just £13.49, which for a good quality pair of pretty, versatile sandals is an absolute steal. And even cheaper than Primark and suchlike too! Check them out here.
Naomi x
*These Ciara Flatform Shoes were sent to me by Shusole for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
BeTrousse Glitz & Glamour Beauty Kit
1
8 years
by Naomi in Beauty Boxes
2013 has been a quiet year for BeTrousse so far, with only a sale to their name since December, but towards the end of March I received their first beauty kit of the year, the Glitz & Glamour box. I was beginning to worry that they had run out of ideas so I was pleased to receive another kit unexpectedly, especially as it’s a good one!
The Glitz & Glamour beauty kit contains five full-size products to help you ‘get gorgeous’, and so far they haven’t disappointed. Every item in the box is different this time, with no repeats from past boxes, and no similar products within the box!
From Left to Right:
Jason Rosewater & Chamomile Normalising Shampoo
Benta Berry G-1 Exfoliating Facial Cleanser
Fair Naturally Mango & Safflower Body Moisturiser
Make Believe Enhance Shimmer Lip Gloss
Tulecos Tonifying Oil
As usual, BeTrousse provide full-size products so you can get a real feel for each one before deciding whether to repurchase, so for now I will give my first thoughts on each product and review a few, if not all of them, at a later date.
Jason Rosewater & Chamomile Normalising Shampoo – 255ml – RRP £7.29
This is the first shampoo to appear in a BeTrousse box and I absolutely love it. It is delicately scented with rosewater and chamomile (no parabens!), which help to soothe and balance the scalp, as the natural ingredients remove dirt without stripping away moisture. As such, it leaves hair feeling incredibly soft and clean, and also adds volume. A definite winner!
Benta Berry G-1 Exfoliating Facial Cleanser – 30ml – RRP £14.00
I haven’t yet tried this G-1 Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, but it is 100% natural and claims to remove impurities from the skin. I’ve used a Benta Berry moisturiser in the past and it was quite pleasant, so if this is anything like its cousin I expect it will do its job well!
Fair Naturally Mango & Safflower Body Moisturiser – 200ml – RRP £3.99
Fair Naturally’s Mango & Safflower Body Lotion is the cheapest product in the box, but also my favourite. It smells absolutely delicious, like peach yoghurt, and has a rich, creamy texture which massages in well, leaving skin feeling soft but not greasy. It’s organic, fair trade and made in the UK too – three things I always look for in products. I will be repurchasing this one!
Make Believe Enhance Shimmer Lip Gloss – 15ml – RRP £10.00
Make Believe are known best for their tanning products, and this lip gloss is supposed to enhance your tan. It is very sheer, but has a slight pink colour to it and a beautiful shimmer. It smells a bit like watermelon, but the scent soon turns a bit plasticky which isn’t great. I’m not usually a fan of tube glosses as they tend to be quite sticky, but this one feels lovely on the lips – almost like a lip balm.
Tulecos Tonifying Oil – 50ml – £33.00
I wasn’t familiar with Tulecos before receiving this box, but I have since learnt that they are an organic French brand who use essential oils to create luxury products. This tonifying oil contains peppermint oil, and is for use on the feet. It feels silky soft on the skin, has a relaxing, cooling effect, and softens any rough bits almost instantly. A fab little addition!
BeTrousse’s Glitz & Glamour beauty kit is available online and costs £10, which is well worth it considering you get five full-size products with a total RRP of £70, especially as with most beauty boxes you’re lucky if you get one full-size product for the same price! The box is full of unfamiliar brands and everything in it is great quality, so if you want to try something new for less then this is the box for you.
Naomi x
*This BeTrousse Glitz & Glamour Beauty Kit was sent to me by BeTrousse for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Philosophy 2 Piece Foot Pampering Set
8If, like me, you spend the majority of the day rushing around after one thing or another, you more than likely dream of a relaxing way to pamper your feet at the end of a long day, which won’t take hours or cost the earth. If so, then look no further, as Philosophy’s 2 Piece Foot Pampering Set has all the answers!
I’ve seen Philosophy featured on many blogs in the past, and their products seem to be very popular in the world of beauty, and after trying these two foot treats I can see why. The set contains a 120ml tube of Footnotes, an energizing foot scrub, and a 93g tube of Soul Owner, an exfoliating foot cream. I’ve always loved Philosophy’s simple packaging and quirky product names, and these two have both. The products are intended to be used one after the other, starting with Footnotes and finishing with Soul Owner.
Footnotes is a lovely mint green shade, and has an intense but refreshing scent of lavender and eucalyptus. The scrub works best when applied to dry feet, and I find a generous 10p coin-sized amount is plenty enough for one foot. Footnotes has a gel-like consistency and is packed full of micro granules of pumice, which are very fine, so no amount of rubbing makes your skin sore, as can happen with chunkier, lower quality exfoliators. The tube suggests that the scrub can be used with a pumice stone, but I prefer to massage it in with my hands, in a circular motion, focusing on any rough patches. The balls and heels of my feet are quite dry, and the exfoliating properties of this scrub have really helped to smooth these areas, softening them nicely so they’re almost back to normal after just a few uses – an impressive result! After you’ve finished scrubbing, whatever’s left on your feet should be washed off thoroughly with warm water. The eucalyptus content in Footnotes makes your feet feel cooled and very clean after use, and the effect lasts for a long time.
The next stage in Philosophy’s foot pamper session is to apply a liberal amount of Soul Owner to your entire foot area. Like Footnotes, Soul Owner is enriched with eucalyptus essential oil, so the two complement each other to give maximum tingly freshness with minimum effort. My feet always feel so awake and alive after using this set! Despite being labelled as an ‘exfoliating foot cream’, the cream itself isn’t rough or gritty, but is richly creamy and smooth. The exfoliating properties actually come from glycolic and salicylic acids, which help to reduce rough soles. The cream massages in extremely quickly, leaving behind no greasy residue, making your skin feel intensely moisturised and happy.
The results that this Philosophy 2 Piece Foot Pampering Set give are impressive. All it takes is a few minutes to instantly refresh, soften and smooth tired feet.
The set is available to buy here from QVC UK, and costs £22.25. QVC also stock a wide range of other Philosophy and Skincare products, so why not see what else they have to offer, too!
Have you ever tried anything by Philosophy?
Naomi x
*This Philosophy 2 Piece Foot Pampering Set was sent to me by QVC for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Kindred Sole – Shoes for the Soul!
11
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Ladies, allow me to introduce you to an exciting online shopping experience and the only shoe shop you will ever need – Kindred Sole. Kindred Sole is run by two lovely girls named Beth and Lizze, who both recently graduated from the same university that I used to go to, and who decided to follow their passion for shoes and set up business together. Kindred Sole sell their large selection of shoes exclusively online, in a wide range of sizes, and specialise in seeking only the best, high-quality footwear from talented new designers, as well as established brands. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of warm boots for the winter, a gorgeous pair of killer heels for a party, some pretty sandals for a sunny holiday or some funky flats for the office, Kindred Sole will have a unique pair perfect for you.
Earlier this week, Kindred Sole kindly sent me a pair of shoes to review so that I could experience their amazing shoes and service for myself, and I wasn’t disappointed. Yesterday morning there was a bang on the door and I was presented with a nicely packaged pair or brand new shoes. Needless to say, I was very excited, and also massively impressed with Kindred Sole’s quick delivery. The company aims to please its customers and they go out of their way to provide fantastic customer service by offering FREE, trackable next day delivery on all orders within the UK, and they also offer Saturday and worldwide delivery.
The shoes I received were these – a pair of Mel Tangerine Bow Caramel Shoes. Aren’t they beautiful?
Mel is a Brazilian company and these Tangerine Bow Caramel Shoes are made of recycled PVC and are Vegan friendly. As a Vegetarian myself I was pleased to discover the ethical nature of these shoes, but my happiness didn’t stop there…
As soon as I opened the box and saw the shoes inside, I was instantly taken by how cute and stylish they look! The bright, glossy yellow colour and large bow detail on the front are so fun and playful, and the shoes have such a nostalgic essence of childhood about them as they are reminiscent of the plastic jelly shoes that all of us 80s/90s kids used to wear. However, Mel’s shoes are rather more grown up!
The shoes are lined with a soft, cushioned sole, so they don’t make your feet sweat like some jelly shoes do. Rather, they are VERY comfortable. When I first put them on I actually couldn’t believe how amazingly lovely they felt on my feet, and they’re also warm and waterproof so your feet can still look pretty even on cold days.
Mel Tangerine Bow Caramel Shoes look fab dressed down with skinny jeans, or even teamed with a girly dress and tights for an Autumn evening look. They are available here from Kindred Sole for just £31.99, which is a fantastic price for such a high-quality pair of on-trend shoes, and they also come in a lovely nude shade. However, you could get them even cheaper if you take advantage of Kindred Sole’s Birthday offer…
On 31st October Kindred Sole celebrated their third birthday, so as a special thank you to their customers, new and old, they are currently offering 33% off ALL shoes, which is an extremely generous discount! The offer runs until Sunday 4th November, and can be used by entering the code ‘HAPPYB33‘ at the checkout. Amazing, right?
To get you in the shopping mood, here a few of my favourite shoes and boots from the Kindred Sole website…
Ugly Duckling Hand Made Shoes
£59.99 (£40.19 with discount)
Beyond Skin Sirene Peacock Glitter Shoes
£130 (£87.10 with discount)
Redfoot Folding Patent Black Welly Boots
£29.99 (£20.09 with discount)
Love From Australia Tibetan Cupid Caramel Sheepskin Boots
£189 (£126.63 with discount)
Redfoot Cheryl Damson Fold Up Shoes
£34.99 (£23.44 with discount)
I hope you enjoy your vibrant Kindred Sole shopping experience! To keep up to date with all the latest Kindred Sole news, you can follow them on Twitter and on Facebook. They are currently running a Facebook competition to win your favourite pair of shoes from their website, so get liking!
Naomi x
The Beauty of Dr Martens
20
9 years
by Naomi in Fashion
You may remember that just over a week ago I posted about some of my August purchases, one of which was a pair of boots by Blowfish. Since that post I have only had them on my feet a handful of times, and already both boots are splitting at the sides. I paid over £40 for those boots and I am not impressed – needless to say they are going straight back to the shop for a refund! Though I regret buying them, I must also thank the Blowfish boots for being so terrible, as they have reminded me exactly why I usually wear Dr Martens boots (which I love) religiously throughout Autumn and Winter.
I have been wearing Dr Martens footwear since my childhood. People always say that you never forget your first pair of Dr Martens, and they’re right. I got my first pair in the early 1990s. They were bright red shoes with yellow laces and big, colourful flowers printed all over them. They were garish, but I loved them, and my love for Dr Martens never went away. I currently have five pairs of Dr Martens in my collection, most of which I wear regularly, and these are them…
The styles you see above, starting at the top and going clockwise, are:
- Regina Heeled Boots
- Purple Triumph 1914 Boots
- Black Triumph 1914 Boots
- Purple 1460 Shimmer Boots
- I’ve had this pair for so long I can’t remember what they’re called! Anybody know?
My favourite pair is definitely my purple shimmer boots, which are the latest addition to my collection and my only pair of classic 8-hole Docs.
So, why do I love Dr Martens so much? Allow me to share my reasons…
1. They’re ‘Made in England’
Dr Martens’ air-cushioned soles were invented in Munich, Germany by Dr Martens and Dr Funck, but it was in England (Northamptonshire, in fact) that Dr Martens leather boots were first made for the high street, in 1960 by the Griggs family. Dr Martens soon became popular within youth subcultures and this popularity has grown tremendously over the decades, giving Dr Martens’ boots an iconic image. Dr Martens still manufacture a lot of their boots in England, which makes me proud to be English as they are a brand I have always held very close to my heart.
2. They’re Comfortable
I’ll admit, Dr Martens can cause you some pain when breaking them in (I suggest wearing anticipatory plasters to stop them rubbing), but if you’re willing to put up with a few days of sore feet you will have a pair of boots so comfortable you won’t even know you’re wearing them. The insoles and leather soften, shape and bend with your feet and the air-cushioned (or ‘bouncing’) soles make them light and easy to walk in. As you can probably guess, the specially designed soles contain air which makes them extremely durable and comfortable as they reduce the impact on your feet and ankles when walking.
3. They’re Versatile
Many people still hold the misconception that Dr Martens’ shoes and boots are all black, bulky and worn only by labourers, with the exception of cherry reds, but this is not the case. As you can see in my photographs, and on the Dr Martens website, their range is vast and adorned with many different colours, patterns, styles and designs. There’s a boot there for everybody’s needs, and they can be dressed up or down as you like. I often wear my Dr Martens with girly dresses and tights, skinny jeans and slouchy jumpers or full on hiking gear when I’m out walking, and they look (and feel) good with everything. You can really make a pair of Dr Martens your own, adjusting them to fit your own style and thus making the statement that you want them to make.
4. They’re Long-Lasting
Dr Martens boots are notorious for being hardy, and they really do last a very long time. I’ve been wearing a few of my pairs for over five years, solidly so for two seasons a year, and they’re still going strong. They haven’t split at the sides at all, there are no holes in the soles and they show no sign of giving up any time soon. In fact, with a quick clean and polish they’d probably all look as good as new, but I prefer them to look a bit battered. I used to know somebody who had owned some of her Dr Martens for over twenty years, and she was still wearing them. Amazing!
Many people think that Dr Martens are expensive (mine cost between £75 and £110 each) but for the reasons above they are well worth the price you pay for a pair. Cutting corners and going for a cheaper boot isn’t always a good idea as they rarely last as long as a Dr Marten boot will, so it’s worth investing in one good pair, rather than wasting money on several pairs of lower quality boots! Whether you like them scuffed up like I do, or looking neat and new, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Dr Martens and never again will I stray from the beautiful, trusty brand – I’ve well and truly learnt my lesson!
Do you own any Dr Martens?
Naomi x
Leor Cooling Peppermint Foot Scrub
2A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to review a product from skincare company Leor’s new range, and last weekend I received my item – their Cooling Peppermint Foot Scrub.
Before I tell you about the Foot Scrub, I thought I’d share a little bit about the company… Leor were originally established in 2011 as FeelGood Box and only sold gift boxes. Leor have changed a lot since then however, and now sell a variety of full-size pampering bath and body products, as well as their trademark boxes. If you want to view their range for yourself, you can do so here.
Now, the Foot Scrub.
When I first received my Leor Foot Scrub I was impressed with its simple yet luxurious-looking packaging and branding. The tub is a nice size, 120ml in fact, and retails for £8. When I unscrewed the lid I was met with an icy blue, fairly chunky scrub which looks a lot like a Slush Puppie ice drink! Not entirely appealing, but not off-putting either.
The scrub contains just four ingredients, all sourced in the UK and all natural: Fine grade epsom salts, grapeseed oil, peppermint essential oil and cranberry extract. There are no parabens or sulphates in the product whatsoever, and it isn’t tested on animals, making it a guilt-free treat which is extremely kind on the skin. The peppermint oil is what gives the Foot Scrub its lovely scent. The scent is very strong and hits you as soon as you unscrew the lid, but it’s not overpowering.
On the back of the tub is a brief explanation on how to use the scrub, and it reads ‘Apply scrub to wet feet and massage to exfoliate. Rinse.’
When applying the scrub to my feet I used a scoop measuring about an inch across on each foot, which was plenty. The label on the pot states that it should be used to exfoliate dry skin and calm aching feet, so I put it to the test. When rubbing in the scrub the peppermint oil had a slight cooling effect on my skin, which did feel lovely on my tired feet (I’d just been swimming so needed something to soothe my muscles). The salt itself wasn’t too harsh and massaged the soles of my feet nicely, softening the dry bits noticeably without any soreness or irritation. However, I found the scrub to be far too greasy. It left a thin layer of oil on my hands when I was applying it which was impossible to wash off, and the same happened to my feet – the salt washed off easily but the oil stayed on my skin. Yes, the oil left my skin feeling soft and moisturised, but it wasn’t necessarily a pleasant feeling when I was walking around. Luckily, the greasy feeling wore off after a while, and my feet still feel soft.
Overall, Leor’s Cooling Peppermint Foot Scrub is a nice, good quality product and a quick and easy treat for your feet. It smells divine and does what it says on the tin as it softens and refreshes your feet, it’s just a shame about the grease!
Which Leor pamper product would you like to try?
Naomi x
Vaseline Feet & Legs Stimulating Lotion
3Ladies, I have great news! I have discovered this year’s must have summer product, and this is it – Vaseline Feet & Legs Stimulating Lotion. Now, first thing’s first, the price. Vaseline products of this size (200ml) usually retail for about £4.00 in Superdrug, which is a great price in itself considering the quality, but I have a heads up for my UK readers as this is currently available in Poundland stores for, you guessed it, £1! Trust me when I say it is worth stocking up on this lotion, and this is why…
Firstly, the lotion smells absolutely gorgeous as it contains menthol and eucalyptus, which are definitely the ‘stimulating’ ingredients in this. When you rub it in, your legs feel instantly cooled and slightly tingly which is really refreshing, especially on hot summery days like today and after warm showers! It’d feel wonderful on your skin after a day in the sun as well, I’d imagine.
Another thing I love about this lotion is that it isn’t thick or greasy. When it’s hot, the last thing you want is moisturiser that won’t rub in and that makes you sweat, but this is lovely and light and massages in like a dream, and very quickly at that. This also means that it’s a quick hit – 30 seconds and your done, no waiting for it to dry before putting your clothes on or anything like that! Having said that, your legs are left with a delicate sheen from the lotion which looks wonderful in the sun.
Last but not least, this makes your legs feel amazingly soft. I accidentally forgot to apply this after my shower one morning, but my legs still felt as smooth as they did after moisturising the morning before, which is great as my skin usually feels quite dry after showering.
If you want cool, soft, sexy looking legs this summer, this is definitely the product for you. Not only does it work (and quickly at that) but it’s cheap, which is always a bonus. I have a lot of lotions, and this is my favourite at the minute and I’ll be using it all summer long.
Naomi x
PS. I’m going to my step-brother’s wedding tomorrow so I won’t be posting, but keep an eye out on Wednesday for a post about the outfits/makeup/jewellery that I’ll be wearing!
NOTD: Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique Colour in ‘Joanna’
2
9 years
by Naomi in Nails
Hello everyone!
I hope you’re all having a great Monday. I’ve been having a busy one, but I finally have 5 minutes to myself so I think it’s time for another NOTD. This time, because I didn’t want to remove the Models Own ‘Pearly Queen’ so soon, my NOTD is actually a TNOTD, as I have painted my toenails bright pink for you!
My varnish of choice is Andrea Fulerton’s Nail Boutique Colour in ‘Joanna’. Andrea Fulerton is a renowned creative nail technician and this varnish comes from her fabulous range of nail products.
‘Joanna’, described as ‘pink glitz’, is a vibrant shade of fuschia with a slight silvery gold and pink glittery undertone. The picture below was taken in natural light and gives quite a good idea of what the polish really looks like.
The varnish comes in a little 5.5ml bottle and has a recommended retail price of £4.99. The brush is a good size and great quality which makes for easy, smooth application. I initially thought the varnish would be gloopy as it is quite thick, but it actually applies neatly and evenly with no sticky mess. The bottle recommends one or two coats, and surprisingly I found that one coat was enough, which is fantastic, and it dried extremely quickly! Having said that, I would probably apply an extra coat if I was using it on my fingernails, but I always put on more than necessary, ‘just in case’.
‘Joanna’ is very pretty indeed. I think some ‘glitzy’ polishes can look fairly cheap but this one is a little bit more classy in my eyes.
Andrea Fulerton varnishes are said to be ‘durable’ and ‘long-lasting’ and allow nails to ‘flex without chipping’, impressive!
Have you tried any of Andrea Fulerton’s products yet? I definitely rate this varnish and I would like to try more soon.
Naomi x
