Left to right: Pink Lemonade, Sweet Tart, Wild Watermelon, Tutti Frutti, Red Velvet and Juicy Papaya

My name is Lily, and I'm a Revlon Lip Butter addict. 

Revlon never fail to bring it all to the table with their lip products, but their lip butters are a whole new level of perfection. I've been loving these all year round, so it made sense to talk about them on my final post for 2014. Let's begin. 

I am not a matte lipstick kind of girl, which is why I think these work so well for me, as they have a nice sheen to them and are really moisturising, which is what I normally look for in a lipstick. They are highly pigmented, but can easily be blended so you can opt for the more toned down look if you want too. The only negative I can find is their lasting power, as it is only around 1-2 hours at most on me (cue shocked expressions), so if you don't like having to reapply, these won't be the best option for you. 

My favourite is Juicy Papaya, a peachy pink which is perfect to throw on in the day, and compliments gold/shimmery eye makeup amazingly. I have also been loving Red Velvet, which can be built up to be a really dark, arguably daring shade. 

I am absolutely obsessed with these lip butters, and have been for the whole of 2014, bravo Revlon, you've come out on top, again. 

Unlikely Style Icon

Wednesday Addams is my icon in both style and life in general. I know, you wouldn't necessarily think to look at Wednesday for inspiration when you're stuck for an outfit, but i've found that you can actually take a lot of fashion tips from her.

1) First of all, it is always okay to wear black head to toe- I am a serious advocate of the black on black look and Wednesday absolutely rocks it. If there is one thing we have to take from her, it is without a doubt this. After all she is famous for saying "I'll stop wearing black, when they make a darker colour".

2) Collars. Although they're seemingly very simple, I think they actually look really cute and just add something extra to your outfit. I've found that collared tops are especially well suited for winter, as you can layer them under a big wooly jumper to stay warm. If you want to tone it down, wear a peter pan collar instead of her big standout version. 

3) Finally, lace up boots. In all the pictures i've found of her, she seems to be sporting a simple pair of all black lace up boots. These are a staple item, especially for this time of the year. I think they look really cute with jeans, or a dress just like Wednesday!

I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe even take a little inspiration from Wednesday Addams when you're next stuck for an outfit! And why not go all out and throw your hair in plaits to complete the whole look!

I hope you have a merry christmas,
lots of love Lily Mint xx

The Ripped Jeans

Jeans are not something I buy very often, in fact, if it hadn't been for my discovery of Topshop Joni Jeans, I doubt I'd even be wearing jeans at all. Joni's are simply my holy grail jeans, but I wanted to try and branch out by buying a different style, at an attempt to bring some diversity to my outfits. 

I found that Asos have a wide variety of different jeans, but I settled for the 'Ridley Skinny Jeans in Phoenix Dark Wash Blue'. I really love the ripped jeans look, and think it just adds an extra aspect to an outfit. I went for blue jeans over black to try and add a little more colour to my outfits, as my wardrobe is definitely dominated by monochrome pieces at the moment. 

They're really comfortable and are a really great quality, especially considering they were £32, which is cheaper than other shops on the high street. The only thing I would say is that the sizes are quite big, as I've found that they are slightly baggy in some places. 

Overall, I would say I am really pleased with ASOS jeans, but don't worry, I will never stray too far from Topshop Joni's. 

Lily x

Managing Magazines

After religiously collecting Company magazine for months and months, I found myself with a crazy amount of magazines that were starting to curl up at the edges and were taking up useful room. I couldn't bring myself to completely get rid of them but wanted a way to display them in an easier, more condensed way. 

So I decided to buy a plain white scrapbook, where I would be able to cut out my favourite articles and pictures, and then get rid of the parts I wasn't interested in. 

I thought I'd share this with you as I've found that it is a really fun DIY, which results in me having all of my favourite articles in one book. Its ten times easier to find things you're looking for, while doing a little scrapbooking for fun. 

You should definitely try out doing this with your favourite magazines, as it is a really cool way of displaying your favourite articles, while being creative and having fun doing it. You can lay it out however you want, and can make it your own by customising it with pictures and stickers etc.

I still have a lot of Company mags to get through, but once I've got through them all I will be left with a really cute book full of all my favourite parts (and about a dozen Vogues, which I won't ever be able to bring myself to cut up). 

Lily xx

Marc Jacobs Daisy on a budget

I have always loved Marc Jacobs fragrances, however the price tag can sometimes be slightly off putting. Primark is the last place I would usually go to when in search of a new perfume, however after stumbling upon their new range in the make up section, I decided to give them a go. As soon as I sprayed this one, I knew that it was coming home with me.
I am absolutely terrible at describing perfumes, so here is how Primark describe it: "Innocent daisy and sweet lily of the valley combine deliciously with a mouth watering crush of green apples and juicy pear"
It is extremely similar to the original Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume, however it is only £2 in comparison to Marc Jacobs' eye wateringly expensive price tag of £50. Even the design of the packaging is very close to MJs perfumes. The box this perfume comes in reminds me a lot of the packaging for Dot (it does actually have yellow dots on the side, it just can't be seen on the picture). It also has a great staying power, I have found that it stays for at least 4-5 hours before I need to think about topping up.
I chose to go for the roller-ball over the bottle purely so that I can throw it in my school bag without taking up valuable textbook space. It is also makeup bag friendly as when out of the box it takes up next to no space.
If floral perfumes aren't really your thing, Primark are selling at least 4 or 5 other perfumes, so if this one doesn't suit your fancy, I'm sure there will be one there that does. 
▪Lily Mint▪

MORNING AND EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE

left to right: Clean&Clear face scrub, Garnier Moisture Match, Nivea Night Cream, Simple Face Mask, Yes To Cucumbers Cleanser, Simple Spot Zapper and Simple Eye Roll-on.

 After having a month off from blogging I am back and will hopefully be getting a couple of posts up a week! Today I decided it was time I shared my skincare routine with you, especially considering nothing skincare related has ever been on my blog.
MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE:
When I wake up I like to head straight to bathroom and wash my face to wake myself up (especially when it's school). I start with the Simple Revitalising Eye Roll On which has a metal roller ball applicator which is very cooling underneath the eyes and tends to wake you up even before the product has come out. The actual product is very refreshing and also feels very hydrating. I then move on to my Clean and Clear Skin Energising Daily Facial Scrub. I have really sensitive skin, so normally I steer away from face scrubs as they tend to irritate my skin, however this one is very gentle on the skin. It contains mini 'beads' which exfoliate without being too harsh. I then finish off with my Garnier Moisture Match in Normal to Dry Skin. This is just a very lightweight moisturiser which keeps my skin feeling hydrated for the rest of the day.
EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE: 
After I have removed my makeup (usually with Nivea makeup wipes) I wash my face with my Yes To Cucumbers Daily Gel Cleanser. I am a really big fan of this cleanser, it cleans my skin well without irritating it or drying it out. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and is very soothing. Once a week I like to then use the Simple Deep Cleansing Face Mask. This mask helps clear my skin when I have a bit of a breakout, and is really handy to do just before bed as it only needs to be left on for three minutes. After that I apply my Simple Rapid Action Spot Zapper to any blemishes that I have which helps to dry them out. Finally I then apply my Nivea Rich Regenerating Night Cream. This has to be my favourite product in my skincare routine at the moment. It leaves my skin feeling really soft and keeps it looking healthy and dewy.
Lily Mint xx

My Summer Essentials for 2014

 Hey everyone,
In the spirit of Summer I decided to show you my essentials for the sunny months.
Whether you're at the beach or just in your garden, a good book is a must have for Summer. The book I'm (re)reading at the moment is IT by Alexa Chung. This is pretty much the bible of all things cool. It's a super easy read and is full of great fashion and beauty tips. Still trying to find that perfect Summer read? Don't worry, Alexa's got your back!
The next essential is a lip balm with an spf, to protect your lips from the sun. I like to use the Nivea Hydro Care balm, which has an spf of 15, so I don't have to worry about getting burnt lips when I'm sunbathing!
Another product that I think is a must have for the sunny months is a bright nail varnish. During Summer you'll never see my sporting a nude or muted nail varnish, it's all about the brights in Summer! This one is No7 Gel Look Shine Summer Nail Colour in 'Lemon Drop'.
The next essential is a bit of a no brainer, but it's a pair of sunglasses. I bought these ones from Primark for around £2 and I absolutely love them, even if the round frames make look a little like an insect.
I speak from experience when I say this, that when it's sunny, a hat is a must. I burnt the top of my head the other day, and since then I really haven't stopped wearing this hat from Joules. Wearing a hat like this means you're protecting your head from the sun, while also looking reasonably stylish in the heat.
Finally, my latest obsession has been this FujiFIlm Instax Mini 8 Polaroid Camera. You've probably seen people talking about these left right and centre so I'm going to spare you the details! These cameras are perfect to have in your bags on days out!
What are your summer essentials?
Lily

Battle of the Balms: Nivea 'V' Maybelline

left to right: Intense Care, Hydrate, Peach Kiss, Mint Fresh, Nivea Essential Care, Pink Punch, Nivea Hydro Care, Cherry Me

When Baby Lips first hit the UK, I was completely brainwashed by their cute colourful packaging and their promise of baby soft lips. Being a lip balm addict it's not surprising I went out and bought all six. Initially I really loved them, however I've noticed that in my case, they don't really seem to have any affect on my lips. I found that on me, they aren't as moisturising as I hoped, and don't seem to do anything to my lips when I use them.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a complete Baby Lips hater. I actually really like the tinted ones in the collection, mainly because I think they are great for an effortless pop of colour on the go. All three of the colour ones are super pigmented and will be perfect for Summer when you just want to throw something on. Each one has a different scent and they all smell amazing. In terms of scent, Pink Punch definitely wins.
After deciding Baby Lips just weren't cutting it for me, I decided to repurchase a tried and tested favourite of mine, Nivea lip balms. These are the lip balms that I always seem to turn to when my lips are dry or cracked, as they are so nourishing and hydrating.
I bought three from the whole collection, one of which was coloured. It leaves a pale pink sheen on the lips, which is really good just to throw on (As you may have noticed, the pink one isn't in the picture, purely because I seem to have lost it when I went shopping last week). The other two are just clear lip balms, which I like to use when my lips aren't looking their best, or when they're just feeling slightly dry.
Nivea lip balms also smell amazing, however in terms of coloured balms, I have to say I favour Baby Lips as they have a wider range and a realy good colour pay off.
Overall, I have to side with Nivea in terms of how moisturising they are. However, I'm not a complete Baby Lips basher, as I would always chose them over any other balm when I want an effortless pop of colour.
Lily Mint. 

Mini S&G Haul/Review

Lets talk Soap And Glory.
Soap and Glory have had my undying support ever since I jumped on the S&G shower/bath products bandwagon. I now keep at least one miniature 'clean girls' in my shower, needless to say I've never looked back. However even though I fell head over heels in love with all their shower gels and body lotions, soap and glory make up was unknown territory for me…until a few weeks ago.
After reading countless reviews on a lot of Soap and Glorys makeup products, I decided it was about time I got my hands on some of their things. As you can see I picked up the 'Supercat' eyeliner and the notoriously famous 'Kick Ass Concealer'.
Kick Ass Concealer- I suffer from really bad under eye circles, so I love to try different concealers to find which ones work best for me. The 'kick ass concealer' comes with two shades of concealer, and an under eye setting powder. So far, i've found that they work really well. The formula of them is very creamy, and I've found that they don't go cakey. I use the salmon shade under my eyes to counteract the blue, and the more yellow shade for any blemishes I have. The setting powder is white so it also brightens the under eye area as well as setting the concealer. It sets the concealer really well and on me it lasts all day.

Supercat eyeliner- I'm still very new to eyeliner and it's going to be a while until I master the Alexa Chung cat eye, so I need an eyeliner that is easy to use and a formula that doesn't fade or smudge throughout the day. This eyeliner meets those demands and more. It is a 'felt tip' like eyeliner, which I find is so much easier as you don't have to mess around with different brushes. It is really opaque and lasts all day without fading, which can't be said for other eyeliners I've tried. It's super easy to use and so perfect for all eyeliner newbies.
●Lily Mint●

Botanics BB Cream

Now that summer is officially upon us, it's time to make the transition from foundation to BB creams. I am a huge fan of BB creams, especially because I only really use light coverage foundations anyway. I can't say that I've tried many different BB creams, the list contains only two: Maybellines Dream Fresh BB Cream which I enjoyed for a while until I found this one from Boots' own range, 'Botanics'. 

I've had this BB cream for around a year now, and I use it most days and really enjoy using it. It is a light to medium coverage, however it can easily be built up if you prefer a heavier coverage.

Like I said, I've owned this BB for around a year now and it hasn't caused any massive breakouts and my skin seems to respond really well to it. I like to use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to blend it into my skin as I've found that it applies much more evenly when blended with a brush instead of my fingers. It doesn't emphasise any dry patches I have and leaves a dewy finish which is perfect for summer!

Another thing that makes it perfect for the sunny months is that it has an spf of 30, which means it will really protect your skin from the sun.

I have it in the shade 'light' and it matches my complexion perfectly. The only downside is that they don't have a very wide shade range, I think there are only three shades, light, medium and dark, which means it may be hard to find a colour match. 

●Lily Mint●

Summer suited lipstick choices

Left to right: Ohh La La, Brighton Rock

Topshop lipsticks and I have a love hate relationship. Sometimes, I absolutely adore them and can't stop using them, and other times they find themselves right at the back of my lipstick collection. 
Topshop lipsticks are semi matte, which is why I think I go through phases with them, as matte lipsticks really aren't my cup of tea mainly because they feel like they are drying my lips out. Give me a really moisturising lipstick that's more on the glossy side and I'll snap it up, whereas with matte lipsticks it's a whole different story. However I've found that the formula of these lipsticks isn't whatsoever drying, and as they aren't completely matte I really like using them
Ohh La La is a peachy shade, with an almost neon tone to it. I'm not really in to wearing really bold lipsticks so I like to apply a little bit and then blend out with my fingers for a much more toned down look. 
Brighton Rock is a very bold fuchsia pink, which similar to Ohh La La, I only apply a little bit of, which leaves a really pretty pink on my lips, without going too far out of my comfort zone.
Topshop seem to have expanded their shade range, so if neither of these really suit your fancy, I can guarantee you will be able to find one you like in the shop. 
I think these are perfect for spring/summer when you want to put away all the dark purples and reds and crack open the bright, fun colours for the sunny seasons. 
●Lily Mint●