It has been just over a week since a came back from my Mauritius trip and I still can believe how beautiful it is. Picture sandy beaches, crystal clear water and amazing weather, sounds like heaven right?

I spent 10 wonderful days in the Heritage Awali resort which is located in the south coast of Mauritius . The resort is amazing with a wide variety of activities, restaurants and bars.

One of the highlights of the trip was definitely a boat trip that we took to see the dolphins. I am an avid animal lover and refuse to join any activity that is potentially harmful for animals i.e. zoo’s, aquariums etc. It was absolutely amazing getting to see bottle nose dolphins as well as spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. There was also the option of snorkeling alongside them. We were then taken to a small island were we ate a typical Mauritian barbecue which was absolutely delicious, after lunch we were taken to a lagoon were we did some snorkeling and saw amazing fish a coral. 

It´s no secret that I am a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury. Some of her products have become complete staples in my makeup bag, but I do have to admit that I am not a fan of her entire line. I do think CT products are very hit and miss, and as the brand isn’t the cheapest on the market you really do need to choose well when buying.

The brand has had a few new launches recently and I decided to try them out.

Firstly, I had to get my hands on her new Instant eye palette. Yep, I was one of those that patiently waited for the pre-sale.

If there is one thing I love about CT is her eye shadows, I just think she nails it with the formula and this palette in no exception. The shadows are absolutely amazing, they have the right amount of pigment, they blend easily and there is no fallout. Some high-end shadows seem too powdery but these are just absolutely amazing. The palette itself is beautiful with similar packaging to her Filmstar bronze and glow.

The colour selection is also amazing, the concept behind the palette is really smart, there are 12 eye shadows grouped into 4 looks, Day, Desk, Date and Disco, making it the perfect palette for every occasion. Its perfect for that kind of girl that isn’t crazy into makeup but does want to have a one fits all palette.

 I tried the new CT Hollywood lips just by chance, I am not a big fan of her lipsticks except for her infamous lipstick in pillow talk. Liquid lipsticks definitely had its moment in 2016, now it seems that many high end brands are coming out with their own versions. The Hollywood lips are matte as you would expect from a liquid lipstick but don’t completely dry, therefore they aren’t as drying and flaky on your lips. They are more comfortable to wear but don’t last as long on the lips either. I do really like the formula but I don’t think I would repurchase as there are many high street brands that make really similar liquid lipsticks. What does stand out from the product is the applicator as its amazing for very precise applications, no need for lip liners! My shade is Too Bad I´m Bad which is a rosy pink.

After swatching the new Hollywood Light Wand in store I decided that I needed this product in my life, specially as I was about to go on holiday and I could see myself as the ultimate golden goddess on those warm nights out (yes, I do have a vivid imagination) The product itself is amazing, you can go as intense or as soft as you want as it blends like a dream. The innovative part of this product again is the packaging as it is dispensed through a sponge applicator very similar to the Maybelline age rewind concealer. I do love this product but I do have to say that the tube isn’t packed full of product which was disappointing.

The Hollywood Contour Wand is the perfect product for anyone that isn’t very good or doesn’t want to spend much time on contouring as it blends really easily and the sponge tip lets you dispense the product very precisely. As with the instant eye palette this contour stick is perfect for busy girls that don’t have time to spend on makeup but at the same time want to have their options open for a put together look. This product come is two shades and I have light to medium.

Let me know what your favourite Charlotte Tilbury products are.

It's  finally autumn and with the excitement of a new season comes the urge to add a few autumnie bits and bobs to our lives. I have created an autumn wishlist to embrace these e months before winter

I just find bobble hats really cute and perfect to keep your head nice and warm this Mohair Rib Pom Hat from Oliver Bonas looks adorable.

There is nothing that get me more excited for the colder months than a nice cozy sweater, this chenille sweater from Zara is right up my street.

I am really getting into the metallic skirt trend. I have never been a fan on midi and maxi skirts but I am a total convert know, they are so comfortable and look amazing paired with a cozy knit. (see what I have done there) This one is from Mango.

Autumn is certainly the season for hot beverages and what a better way to embrace it than getting a new mug. I have been eyeing up this Karine mug from Anthropologie, I think it looks very Hygge

I love burning candles all year round but I there is nothing more cozy than lighting a nice candle whilst your rapped up in front of the TV watching a nice film with a lovely hot drink in your hand. That´s #lifegoals right there. Im not sure how well this Anthropologie candle smells but the packing is adorable and you can then reuse it

One of the best things about the colder months is being able to enjoy a nice long warm bath, and nothing makes a bath more relaxing than bubble bars from Lush. I still have so many I want to try, A French Kiss looks like the perfect one to use before bedtime.

I have been looking for a small carpet to but beside my bed, this one for Oliver Bonas looks amazing, its light grey with a gold foil patter running through it. I will definetly be picking one up before they run out of stock.

Since starting this blog I have become increasingly more aware of potential harmful ingredients in cosmetics.

Parabens, sulphates, silicones these are all “bad” ingredients that have been used in cosmetics for years but that brands are starting to stay clear of these days. Aluminium is one of many “bad” ingredients that is contained in deodorants. Aluminium is an ingredient that has been linked to breast cancer. Although the direct link hasn’t been proven it’s enough for me to try to avoid as there is a strong history of breast cancer in my family.

The main difference between an antiperspirant and a natural deodorant is that antiperspirants reduce sweating by blocking sweat glands with aluminium salts, whilst deodorants act on masking the odour. To refresh our memory, body odour isn’t created by sweat rather than by the bacteria decomposition in sweat. Meaning that the best deodorant would be the one that more effectively neutralises that decomposition.

I have used antiperspirants all my life, my favourite one is the creme deodorant roll by Fenjal. I have used it for years and years and has always done an amazing job. But as I said before I have come to a point in my life were I am starting to stay away from potential harmful ingredients, in March I decided to make the switch to natural deodorants and started my hunt for the perfect one.

Going on the hunt for natural deodorants is quite frustrating as 99% of deodorants sold on the high street contain aluminium and the other 1% are marketed for children. I find it ridiculous that there is such a small selection of natural deodorant that are easily available to us.

The first natural deodorant I tried was Salt of the Earth, which is made with potassium alum. This is a natural mineral salt that has been used as a natural deodorant for hundreds of years in the Far East, inhibiting the growth of odour causing bacteria leaving you feeling fresh. It’s a good deodorant but a faff to put on as you need either to wet your underarm or wet the deodorant in order for the product to glide on. Then you need to wait for it to dry before you put the cap back on. Honestly I have no time for this in the morning, I prefer something more practical. There is also a liquid version of this deodorant but I still haven’t tried it.

Then I made the switch to The Healthy deodorant from Lavanilla in pure vanila, I had previously seen some bloggers rave about this product and I thought it was worth a go. It claims to be a “dermatologist-recommended deodorant that provides superior, long-lasting odour protection” It also has soothing essential oils blend with powerful anti-oxidants and beta glucan technology for daily defence and nourishment. In my opinion this is an okay product, its really practical as you just need to glide it on and it smells really nice but I did feel that I wasn’t as fresh as I would have liked to at the end of the day. So I don’t think this is the one for me.

Then out of a whim a decided to try the Aesop deodorising spray. It is formulated with eleven essential oils that help neutralise underarm odour. Many of the oils in this product, such as Lemongrass, Patchouli, Clove, Thyme and Vetiver Root, have been shown to inhibit the growth of Coryneform bacteria (the main contributor to strong body odour).

I have to admit, I don’t like the smell at all, its very herbal and spicy and unisex all at the same time (sorry, I’m not the best at describing scents) and I prefer feminine flowery scents, spicy scents are just not my thing.

The first thing I though when I tried this deodorant was “Crap I have just wasted £26” but to my surprise this is the best one I have tried to far. The scent is strong but it does fade and keeps you feeling nice and fresh throughout the day, and I have used it whilst going to the gym and getting really sweaty. I am really impressed by this one. Its so quick and easy to use and keeps you fresh the whole day. I would love for Aesop to come out with a different scent but regardless, the results are amazing.

Have you tried any natural deodorants? Let us know which are your favourite brands!