Skincare Wonders!

Last week I indulged in a selection of new skincare products I wanted to try out. My eczema drives me up the wall at the best of times due to the dry patches I get on my face leaving it feeling itchy and red. I've tried covering up the red blotches with concealers and cover up-sticks but they only dry my skin out more! The key for me has to be soothing the skin.

Last week a friend of mine introduced me to Forever Living - she had signed up to be a distributor and was raving about the amazing business opportunity they offered. I was instantly interested and once I laid my eyes on the aloe vera based products I was hooked! Aloe vera has soothing and healing qualities making it great for people prone to eczema, psoriasis and scars - um, hi!

For a week now I have been using the following, and the difference they are making is crazy.

Aloe Vera Gelly

I have been putting this on every night just before bed, after I've washed my face. It's been keeping my skin hydrated and protected over night, and I wake up in the morning with skin smooth as a baby's bum! Dry patches remain but soothed and softened. Due to its healing properties this can also be used to calm sunburnt skin, on scars and to soothe skin after electrolysis. My friend even uses this on her pets!

Aloe Moisturizing Lotion

I use this in the morning as a make-up base. After applying I leave it to sink in for about 5-10 minutes then apply my make-up which goes on smoothly and dry patches are significantly reduced. I hate moisturisers that sting when you apply them, this one doesn't, and is designed to counteract the effects of pollution and the environment. It feels silky smooth and best of all it isn't too oily!

Aloe Propolis Creme

I thought the gelly was my favourite but this is doing me wonders! Whenever a patch of eczema flares up, usually on my arms or face, I just apply this crème to moisturise. It isn't as soothing as the gelly but excellent for calming my eczema and dramatically improve any areas of dry skin! Never has anything worked as well for my eczema. This contains aloe vera, bee propolis, camomile and vitamins A and E.

Inspiration Wednesday #3

"Work like there is someone working twenty-four hours a day to take it all away from you."

- Mark Cuban

I found this on Instagram the other day and it gave my work ethic a hefty kick up the bum! Mark Cuban is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks (NBA basketball team) and is listed in the Forbes 400 richest people in America.

Bringing the blog back!

Lil Loves has been on hold for the past few months unfortunately due to other commitments. Finally I feel like I am in a good place to start writing and reviewing again, and so the blog is back! My love for beauty and skincare products is still strong and I don't think it's likely that I will ever tire of finding new sweetly scented shower products to obsess over.

I'm looking forward to letting you in on my latest favourites, and reading up on everyone else's. What has been your ultimate favourite beauty product in May? Bring me up to speed!

Lil x

Benefit's Total Moisture Facial Cream

Before I tell you about this moisturiser, know that I have areas of really dry skin - like so dry it cracks. This is mostly down to my eczema, and some areas of my face (like my chin) do stay oily and are prone to the odd spot, however my eczema really bothers me, especially in winter as it worsens, so I'm always on the lookout for new hydrating products (as you may be aware if you read some of my previous skin care posts). 

I came across this moisturising cream by chance, after being approached by a Benefit sales assistant who wanted to show me their new eyeliner (it really doesn't budge once you've put it on, which many people love about it but I hate). She then started encouraging me to try lots of the other Benefit products, at which point I panicked slightly - I'm not made of money! These included the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation (love) and the Total Moisture Facial Cream. 

When the sales assistant began applying the moisturiser the first thing I noticed about it was how refreshing it felt on my skin, then there was the smell. Something smelt lovely, fresh and fruity in a such a soft, subtle way. I spent a good five minutes trying to figure out if what I could smell was the facial cream or a perfume the lady was wearing on her wrists! I didn't know what it was but I loved it, and was about to ask her what perfume she was wearing when she mentioned that the ingredients included mango seed butter. Mmm mango.

Not only does the cream feel great and smell fabulous (I've never had a moisturiser that smells so fresh!) it works amazingly too. Most moisturisers keep my skin hydrated for the good part of an hour, then my skin goes dry and flaky. This one however lasts a lot longer. Due to the consistency of the cream I usually apply it to my face then leave it for about 10 minutes to let it sink in properly before putting on my make-up - otherwise it sits on the surface of my skin and leaves my foundation looking shiny and feeling moist, which isn't fun.

As with all Benefit products, this cream aint cheap. Despite this you do get a lot of cream in this one little jar (and how gorgeous is the jar may I just add?) and it works wonders so you are definitely getting what you pay for. I highly recommend this cream to anyone with problematic dry skin, if you want to try it head over to the Benefit counter and ask; they are usually happy to let you try the products there and then, and will sometimes give you a free sample too. 

I don't usually like to pay a lot for skincare, however I think it's worth investing in a product if it does you good. I couldn't quite justify purchasing the foundation to go with it however! 

Liebster Award

THE RULES

1. Post the award on your blog

2. Thank the blogger who presented you with the award and link back to their blog

3. Write 11 facts about yourself.

4. Nominate bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 500 followers.

5. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees 11 questions.

I've been nominated by several people now, so thought it was about time to do this post! The following bloggers all nominated me:

Frae
Zhixin
Laura Emily
Elizabeth

FACTS

1. I love staying in hotels.

2. I'm addicted to Dance Moms

3. I eat Nutella straight from the jar.

4. I haven't properly read a book in about 2 years.

5. I've recently developed a new love of baking

6. At school my favourite lesson was Art.

7. At college I hated Art.

8. I keep changing my mind about which career path I want to take :(

9. I was a bit of a tomboy when I was younger.

10.If I could get a dog I think I would choose a Beagle.

11. I wish I could do ballet!

-x-

For the sake of saving everyone the boredom of scrolling through 44 questions, I'll answer 3 from each blogger.

Zhixin's Questions

1. If you could marry one celebrity, who would it be?
Aaron Paul

2. If could master one dish, what would it be?
 Creme Brulee
3. Who has inspired you and why?
Cara Delevingne. She's just so zany she reminds me to be myself.

Frae's Questions

4. How important is “original content” to you?

In terms of photography, very. I never post photographs that I haven't taken myself unless it is essential to the content of my post.

5. Do you write regular features to keep yourself motivated?

I've just started doing Inspiration Wednesday!

6. What would be your last meal?
I can't think of a more morbid dilemma! No idea, sorry!

Laura Emily's Questions

7. If you were to be one Disney princess, who would you be and why? 

Elsa - only because I think she's the one I look most like.

8. If you were only allowed to choose between blush and lip colour, which would you choose? 

Lip colour.

9. Where would you most like to travel to either home or abroad? 
Italy or America.

Elizabeth's Questions

10. What are you most proud of?

My photography.

11. What is one thing you like to do "the old-fashioned way"?

Keep a diary.

12. Name your favorite YouTube channel(s).

Zoella, Watchusliveandstuff, PlanetGabb

-x-

I nominate...
Victoria G
Stephanie
Karolina Anne

My Questions

1. If you could only use three make-up products every day, which would they be?

2. What is your most played song on iTunes?
3. What is your favourite item of clothing to go to when you need comfort?
4. Favourite season?
5. When it comes to your blog if you had to choose between great content or great photographs which would be your priority?
6. Favourite lipstick colour?
7. What is your least favourite TV show?
8. Heels or flats?
9. Your favourite healthy meal?
10. Your favourite Disney film?
11. One thing you are proud of?

Velvet Gh0st Phone Case

I've recently become addicted to Gabriella Lindley's videos on Youtube channel Velvetgh0st, and her side channel PlanetGabb. In a recent video Gabby mentioned her phone case which was designed by Polly from Sighh Designs and created to match her channel header. I was intrigued to see more of Polly's designs and can I just say how awesome they are?! If you haven't visited the website go and have a peek at the case designs which range from cute and colourful to stylish and witty!

The Velvetgh0st case was available only throughout August 2014 so after falling in love with the design I quicky ordered myself one of the cases for my Samsung! (There is however a similar design in baby blue which also looks fab). I think the case definitely suits iPhones better (as most phone cases tend to) however I can't get over how cute it is! It brightens my phone up and gives it a sprinkle of personality. Thanks Polly :)

Polly's Website: 

http://sighh.bigcartel.com/

Gabby's Channels:

https://www.youtube.com/user/velvetgh0st

https://www.youtube.com/user/PlanetGabb

Inspiration Wednesday #2

'Sometimes we need to stop analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want, and just see what happens.'

-Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City)

Ever feel like you spend too much time just thinking about everything, worrying about things so much it begins to make you feel a little ill? I think this is something we all do from time to time (or in some of our cases, all the time!) therefore this week I like this quote and thought I would share it with you all. It's important sometimes to just take a step back, take a deep breath and consider our life as it is in that moment. This can be applied to life's smaller problems (I think Carrie was more specifically referring to dating) however it is a good motto to consider when over-thinking is hurting your head and causing you more problems than you had in the first place. Live in the moment!

Hope you all have a great day,

Lil x