Empties #1

ESPA Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer // COLAB Dry Shampoo in Paris // Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Milk // Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner // Moroccanoil Treatment // Diptyque L'Ombre Dans L'eau // Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3 in 1 Cleansing Water // Origins Make A Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Moisturiser // Dainty Doll Powder Blush // No7 Stay Perfect Mascara

Empties posts are nothing new to Lost In Lipstick; I used to post them once a month. However, I began to get bored of them and felt like writing them was a chore. I still love reading empties posts and watching empties videos on YouTube and I still save my empties because I'm a creature of habit. Because of this, I have decided to start them up again but they're going to numbered so I don't feel any pressure to publish once a month.

I absolutely loved using ESPA Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer everyday. It's so refreshing and the smell is gorgeous. This is what got me into facial sprays and I'm definitely after another luxury one like this. Any recommendations? 

I've used two or three cans of COLAB Dry Shampoo in Paris now. It's definitely my favorite dry shampoo. I've only ever tried the Paris fragrance up to now but I want to try some of the other scents. I think I'm probably just drawn to the pink packaging! 

Of all the Soap & Glory products I've tried, I don't think I've found one I didn't like. Smoothie Star Body Milk is a great body moisturiser if you're in a rush. Because of the pump, it's easier to apply than a body butter and it absorbs really quickly. The scent isn't too overpowering so it's great for people who don't like strong scents.

I have already repurchased Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. It's a great exfoliating toner but I only use it once or twice a week as it's too much for everyday use. Every morning I use the Pixi Glow Tonic for reference. The Clarins toner has a subtle scent that I actually really love. 

This was my second bottle of Moroccanoil Treatment and I'm currently working my way through my third! It's safe to say I'm a fan! I've been using it for over two years now and I can't see that changing. It's definitely improved the texture of my hair and it's now more manageable. It also helps to speed up the drying process which is a bonus when you have so much hair like me!

I actually bought Diptyque L'Ombre Dans L'eau at the end of 2013 in the half price sale. It lasted me almost two years but I didn't use it everyday. I enjoyed this perfume but I have to admit the scent didn't last very long. Because of this, I definitely wouldn't pay full price for a Diptyque fragrance again. I might be tempted by half price again though!!

I received this Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3 in 1 Cleansing Water in a goodie bag and used it when my previous cleanser had ran out. Bee Good is a new brand to me and I enjoyed using this product so I will definitely be checking out their products in the future. Can you recommend any?

I have to be honest that Origins Make A Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Moisturiser wasn't for my skin. It didn't suit my skin type but I loved the scent and texture so much that I continued to use it which is probably not a good thing! 

I can't remember which website I got this from but I remember getting two Dainty Doll Powder Blushers for £1.99 each. I think they had been discontinued or something. The shade that I used up was a beautiful pale pink and I'm looking to replace it with a NARS blusher this year. 

I first used No7 Stay Perfect Mascara for my wedding day and it was a complete gamble that paid off! I love the mascara and as I mentioned in my 2015 favourites, I recently repurchased it and fell in love. It's just a pain to remove but I'm going to invest in a really good eye makeup remover this year so I can continue purchasing it. 

Rachel x

Hair tips that could change your life

image source

Having amazing hair can be your crowning glory. It’s so important that you look after it, as once it’s dead there isn’t much you can do other than wait for it to grow out. And we all know how long that can take!

Use Products to Suit Your Hair Type

Make sure you know your hair type and use products to suit it. This is the only way you’ll do your hair some good. If you have thin hair and you use products designed for thick hair, you could end up weighing your hair down and making it look even thinner. Make sure you read the packaging to ensure you’re using the right stuff. You can also use the internet to find the best products for your hair type to take all of the guesswork out of it!

Invest in a Hair Oil

Just about any hair type should use a hair oil after washing to add moisture and shine. There are plenty of different oils, so it just depends on your budget! All oils should last a long time if you use the recommended amount. My favourite is Moroccanoil. Yes it seems expensive at £30+ but the bottle lasts for months as you really only need a few pumps depending on the length of your hair.

Sleep in Your Conditioner

If you want to treat your hair, then you don’t necessarily need to buy a good hair mask. You can apply conditioner and sleep in it. Then all you have to do is wash it out thoroughly the next day and dry it. Your hair should have a new lease of life! If you haven’t got time to sleep in it, you can also wrap it in cling film and use the hairdryer on it. This is something I often do when I’m on holiday abroad as the sun and the chlorine really dry my hair out.

Use Hair Fibres to Cover Patches

If you have any patches on your head, you can use hair fibres to cover them up. Whatever the reason, products like Toppik can sort you out and disguise any problems. Toppik is the instant solution to thinning or balding hair for both men and women. It works by naturally intertwining with your own hair to make it look thick and full in less than 30 seconds.

Always Use a Heat Protector Spray

When using heat on your hair, you should always use a heat protector spray to stop it from drying out. There are all different types, so again, it depends on your hair type and budget. If you can afford it, splash out on a slightly more high end one and you’ll love the way it makes your hair feel.

Eat for Good Hair

Eating for good hair is essential. If you’re not eating the right foods, your hair will suffer. Your diet should be full of healthy fats, so make sure you’re eating egg yolk, nuts, avocado and more. You should notice a big difference in your hair and body in the next few weeks!

Take Supplements

Take supplements to make your hair extra strong and shiny. You can go for standard multivitamins, or you can buy supplements specially designed for your hair. I have tried these when my hair was in really bad condition. They also strengthened my nails too!

Get a Regular Trim

Make sure you have a regular trim. One trim around every 8 weeks should be enough to keep your hair healthy and growing at a rapid rate. I had my hair cut short in November and already it’s long! I’m thinking of going even shorter next time!

These hair tips and tricks could change your life if you make a habit of using them. If you have any tips of your own, make sure you leave them below. Sharing is caring!

Rachel x

My 15 favourite beauty products of 2015

bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer // The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil // The Body Shop Colour Crush Nail Polish // No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation // No7 Stay Perfect Mascara // Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner // Moroccanoil Treatment // Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream in Cotton Candy // NARS Blusher in Orgasm // YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum // The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz // Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain // Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer // Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow Palette in Beyond Flawless // Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil - I have used a few different cleansing oils over the past two years and this is definitely my favourite. It's gentle yet effective at removing my make up. It has a subtle smell and I actually enjoy cleansing! I need to repurchase though as I have just ran out!

Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner - I have almost finished my second bottle of this and I will definitely be repurchasing, When I first purchased this, there was a lot of hype but it was Caroline Hirons' recommendation that swayed me. It is gentle enough to use twice a day but I just use it in the evening.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz - This was a new purchase in 2015 after reading a few raving reviews. I now use it every morning and it definitely wakes me up and gives my skin a refreshing boost at 6:30am! It smells delicious too!

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask* - I only received this mask in September/October but it's the one mask that I just keep reaching for. I usually use it once a week after a bath or shower and the morning after, my skin is so clear and radiant. 

Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow Palette in Beyond Flawless - I bought this palette in August and since then I haven't touched any of my other eyeshadow palettes. There's just so many gorgeous shades in here that there is no need to. Plus the quality is actually really good. Unfortunately I've had eczema on my eyelids since November so I haven't been able to use it since then.

NARS Blusher in Orgasm - This was in my 2014 favourites too but it's the nicest blusher that I own and I wear it everyday. I haven't reached pan yet but I don't use a lot as it's really pigmented. I might invest in another NARS blush this year. If I do, I would like a pink shade that isn't shimmery as that's one thing I would change about Orgasm. 

bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer - I still love my Clarins primer but I'm almost out so I'm saving it (does anyone else do that?) I don't like dewy foundations so I opt for a matte one (see below) and I'm really loving this primer as it adds radiance to my skin that I can just see under my foundation. I see a lot of people mixing primers with foundations but this is something I haven't tried.

No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation - I think I first started using this foundation in 2013! It's my everyday foundation and whenever I'm running low, I always restock so I don't ever run out! It provides a medium coverage and the shade I use is a great match to my skin. No7 have a wide variety of shades and they offer a colour match service!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - The review I wrote for this wonderful concealer is from the beginning of 2013 which means I've been using it since 2012! This makes sense as I started reading blogs in 2012 and that's the year I started Lost In Lipstick. I have gone through so many tubes of this throughout that time and I will continue to repurchase as it's a great concealer for less that £5!

No7 Stay Perfect Mascara - I initially bought this mascara in 2014 for my wedding and I loved it. I didn't repurchase it though as it's a pain to remove. A few months ago though I decided to give it another try and I fell in love all over again. It is a great mascara but I need to buy a really good eye makeup remover because removing it is a chore!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - I've had this lip product for a few years now but to be honest I didn't really get on with it. I didn't feel like the shade suited me. However during the last half of 2015, this has been my favourite go to lip product. When first applied, the colour is great and it is a little glossy but because it is a stain, the colour lasts for hours. 

Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream in Cotton Candy - Another lip product that's an oldie but a good one! Both of these lip products are always in my handbag and I actually have two of these so one is always on my dressing table. This is also a stain so the colour lasts ages. The applicator is great for a drugstore product as it's so easy to apply. 

Moroccanoil Treatment - This was also in my 2014 favourites but it's the one hair product that I have been loyal to and I use it everytime I wash my hair. I would say it has definitely improved the condition of my hair and it makes my hair look so shiny and sleek. I only need two pumps since having my hair cut so it'll last even longer. I think I'm on my third bottle!

YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum - I received this last Christmas but I've definitely been using it more this Autumn/Winter. I only have about half left now but it will definitely be repurchased as it is a beautiful scent. I have so many favourite perfumes but this is definitely my number 1.

The Body Shop Colour Crush Nail Polish - I have so many nail polishes and I tried to work out which was my most worn shade but I couldn't remember for the whole of 2015. However the brand that I have used the most is definitely The Body Shop. I have 5 shades altogether and I love them all. They apply really nicely and last really well. I can't wait to paint my nails again once I've taken my gel nails off. 

What are your favourite beauty products of 2015?

Rachel x

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My favourite moments of 2015

I love yearly round up posts. They are a great way of capturing all my favourite memories of the year in one post so I can look back in the future. 2015 was a good year but it was the year that I took a massive break from my blog and therefore there are gaps on my Instagram. I have scrolled through all the pictures that were uploaded and selected my favourite moments.

Valentines Day

Anglesey Abbey

Random Moments

Crete

Halloween

Delicious Food

Great drinks

Fabulous Series

Christmas

What are you favourite moments of 2015?

Rachel x

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My Most Popular Blog Posts of 2015

I was interested to see what my most popular blog posts were from 2015 and I thought why not share them with you. It tells me what you like to see on my blog and I will use this when planning my posts throughout 2016. Evidently, you like to see makeup and skincare, which is great as this is mainly a beauty blog, as well as Chistmas posts! This definitely makes me happy as I  love Christmas. It's interesting to see that a stationery wishlist was popular as I love stationery and this is something I'm planning on featuring more of on Lost In Lipstick in 2016. I am actually waiting on my very first Erin Condren Life Planner and lots of beautiful stickers to decorate it with! I'm so excited! Look out for those very soon (hopefully)!

I have included a link below each picture in case you wanted to go and have a read of that post.

Rachel x

My 14 Favourite Beauty Products of 2014

Paperchase Wishlist - Spring 2015

Updated Morning Skincare Routine

Makeup Revolution Beyond Flawless Eyeshadow Palette - Review & Swatches

10 Essential Steps to Beautiful Skin

Time Saving Beauty Tips for Busy Women

Beauty Advent Calendars 2015

A to Z of Christmas

The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Glazed Apple

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask - Review

You're Engaged, What Comes Next?

Christmas Party Dresses

Goals for 2016 - Life Goals

Continuing on from my blog goals for 2016 which you can read here, here are my life goals for 2016.

Fully embrace Mindfulness

Switch off from technology

Create a cleaning routine

Read more

Fitness

In 2015, I discovered Mindfulness and I have began using some of the techniques in my everyday life and I can already notice a small difference in the way I feel and the way I see life. In 2016, I would like to fully embrace Mindfulness and incorporate meditation in my everyday routine. I plan on scheduling time in my ECLP for this and I'm sure I will see a massive difference. I have lots of books on Mindfulness and a few colouring books so this is also something I want to embrace in 2016.

I spend so much time on my phone and I am a total procrastinator! The first thing I do when I wake up is check social media and the last thing I do before I go to sleep is check social media. Inbetween all that, I check social media about a billion times! It is really out of hand. I come home from work, sit on the couch, reach for my phone and spend at least an hour scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. When I've finished scrolling through my timeline, I do it all over again. I want to allocate an evening a week where I switch off from technology completely. I can indulge in a book, colour in my many colouring books, play a board game with my husband the list goes on. I'm too busy reading about other people's lives than living my own.

Three years we have lived in our house and we do not have a proper cleaning routine. Probably because I procrastinate and spend all evening on my phone. Ideally, I would like to allocate 30 minutes to 1 hour a day where I clean one room. Each day will equal a different room and it means I don't have to clean the whole house on a Saturday or Sunday which is too overwhelming and I just don't do anything. You guessed it - I'm going to use my ECLP to plan this and then I have the satisfaction of ticking it off when it is complete!

I love reading but these days I seem to grab my phone more often that I grab a book. I have so many unread books that I'm dying to read but no time to read them. There is also a list of new books that I want to buy but I am not allowing myself until I have read some of the 'to be read' pile. I am thinking of scheduling reading time in my ECLP even if it's just 1 chapter a day or 15 minutes. I'm sure I'll soon catch the bug again. I can't sleep without reading first but it's always my phone that I read instead of a book!

I know every Tom, Dick and Harry includes some sort of fitness goal/resolution but I seriously need to do something before it gets out of hand or it's too late. I do ZERO exercise and my body knows it. I struggle up more than one flight of stairs, my knees and back always hurt and I'm always tired. My husband is a personal trainer which sounds perfect but it doesn't work very well as husband and wife. Every time we've given it a try, we always end up falling out! Maybe we'll try again in 2016 but first, I need to catch the fitness bug that I see so many people have. I hate the gym. It is just not my thing and I do NOT run! I try Just Dance and Zumba on the Wii but it doesn't last very long. There are some great fitness videos on Youtube and now I have a Chromecast, I could use those. My eating habits have improved in 2015 but I need to include more fruit and vegetables in 2016. I would like to plan meals more effectively and use it to buy our groceries.

What are your life goals/resolutions for 2016?

Rachel x

P.S. If you want your own Erin Condren Life Planner, you can get $10 off here

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Goals for 2016 - Blog Goals

I originally planned this as one post but it became so long that I thought it would be best if I split it into two. 

I'm feeling really positive and excited for 2016. I haven't felt like this for a long time. I can only put it down to the Erin Condren Life Planner that is about to be delivered and it is genuinely exciting me about planning my life. In 2014, I made the usual resolutions which I failed at sticking to so in 2015, I decided to mix it up a little and I just made beauty resolutions. Those beauty resolutions are still ongoing and you can read all about them here.

For 2016, I wanted to make a mixture of goals, rather than New Year Resolutions, for personal aspects of my life as well as my blog. Half way through 2015, I felt uninspired and unmotivated to blog and took a massive break. Now I'm back and I'm excited for Lost In Lipstick in 2016 (and beyond) and this year is going to my best yet!

Blog more frequently 

Learn how to take better photographs 

Learn how to edit photographs 

Attend more blog events and meetups 

Join in twitter chats more often

I'm going to using the monthly pages of my ECLP to plan all my blog posts in advance and as I will be using my planner everyday, my blog will benefit. As I work full time, I know trying to blog more than three times a week is unrealistic (for me) but when I put my mind to it and allocate time for my blog it is achievable. The three days I have chosen are Monday, Wednesday and Friday but I may change this depending on how they work out.

My blog photography has really got to me recently and I have not been happy with it at all. It has stopped me publishing so many blog posts as I'm so unhappy with how it looks. I don't think the weather has been helping as the lighting has been awful. I work Monday to Friday and at the moment I drive to work in the dark and I drive home in the dark. Therefore, all my blog photography has to be taken at the weekend. I have to be super organised with this as there can be weekends where I'm just so busy or it rains all weekend and the lighting is rubbish. Hopefully, as I plan my blog posts more carefully and in advance, I can schedule time to take my blog photos in advance therefore if the lighting isn't great, I can wait until the weekend after.

Linking to this, I want to learn how to edit my blog photos. During Spring and Summer because the lighting is better, I can get away with just touching it up a little. However, this Winter, I have become aware of my skills, or lack of, when it comes to editing. I plan on doing lots of research and playing around with the programs I use until I am happy. If you have any advice or know of any great blog posts on photographs, point me in the right direction.

In 2014, I attended lots of events and blog meetups which was great and I made so many new friends. Because of my blogging break, which was over summer, I missed out on so many events and meetups. There's always many more events in Manchester during Summer which I'm grateful for as no one likes going out in the dark and rain! Hopefully, in 2016, I get invited to lots of events which create great opportunities and attend meetups and meet new friends.

I love taking part in twitter chats and my favourite is the #bbloggers chat. The problem is my brain is useless and forgetful so when I remember it's a Wednesday or Sunday evening and the chat is taking place, I look at the time and damn it's 9pm and I missed it. I'm going to schedule these in my ECLP as they are a great way of meeting new bloggers and also a great networking tool. There are so many twitter chats out there that I don't know of so I would be grateful if you could share your favourites.

What are your blog goals/resolutions for 2016?

Rachel x

P.S. If you want your own Erin Condren Life Planner, you can get $10 off here

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Did I stick to my 2015 resolutions?

For 2015, I didn't make the usual resolutions as I never keep them. I tried something different and instead I made six beauty resolutions, which I thought would be easier to stick to. Before I make any new resolutions (or goals), I thought it would be fun to reflect back on my old resolutions and see whether I succeeded in sticking to them. Read on to find out what those resolutions were and whether I managed to achieve them.

1. Take my makeup off when I'm home from work

When I get home from work, I usually sit in my makeup all night and wait until I'm getting ready for bed before I remove it. I made this resolution because I wanted to let me skin breathe for longer and be makeup free for longer than I'm in makeup. I have to admit this didn't work out how I hoped it would. This has probably only happened in the Winter as I've wanted to put my PJs on much earlier. I have been having more makeup free days this year so I suppose that's a positive!

2. Wash my makeup brushes at least once a week

Hahahahahahah! As if! What is it about cleaning makeup brushes? I always put if off and off for ages and ages until I'm physically repulsed and can't use them again! Then when I do wash them, I always think to myself - that didn't take too long but that never urges me on next time! I'm fortunate that I have a few foundation brushes and a few powder brushes so when they are dirty, I just grab a clean one. The only problem with that - I then have all my brushes to wash at once and it takes forever! Hopefully I'm going to be more organised in 2016 with my Erin Condren Life Planner when it arrives. I'm planning on scheduling time to clean my brushes once a week or at least once a fortnight! Let's be realistic!

3. Use a face mask twice a week

I feel like this has been one of the resolutions that I have stuck to the most. I'm not saying I used a face mask twice a week every week but I have used face masks a lot more in 2015. Some weeks, I applied one twice a week but other weeks I just applied one once a week. Don't get me wrong there were still weeks where I didn't even touch a facemask but I'm getting there! I'm hoping 2016 will be the year I fully embrace face masks as I plan on allocating times in my ECLP for 'me time'. 

4. Moisturise my body at least twice a week

Throughout 2015, I would say I moisturised my body all year round but only once a week rather than my goal of twice a week. I'm happy with this and I'm sure this will increase in 2016 as I'm loving taking those extra minutes to care for my body. It's just about gradually adding things into your routine so it becomes the norm. Plus it has meant that I've been able to use up some of my stash as I had (and still have) so many body butters and lotions! 

5. Paint my nails and toenails more often

I say I have probably painted my nails a little more than 2014 but not much. I love having painted nails and I love nail polish - I have almost 100 bottles - but it's the waiting for it to dry that puts me off. Plus my husband doesn't like the smell and if I paint my nails in the same room as him, he gets a headache. I would love to paint my nails as I watch TV but I usually watch TV with my husband so it isn't gonna happen! Throughout December, I've actually been to the nail salon and had gel nails applied twice. It's been so much easier while I've been so busy but it's takes the fun away and I cannot afford to keep up that habit! My toe nails have been neglected and probably will be until Spring! At least I'm honest!

6. Be more adventurous with eyeshadow

During 2015, I have worn eyeshadow a lot more. I've worn it for everyday activities rather than just saving it for special occasions. My favourite palette of 2015 has definitely been this one (spoiler alert for my 2015 favourites!) and it has allowed me to experiment more it contains colours I didn't already own. At the end of November, eczema flared up on my eyelids quite badly so I haven't been able to wear eyeshadow for the whole of November and December! I was gutted especially at Christmas especially as I have never suffered from eczema before! 

Did you manage to stick to your 2015 resolutions/goals?

Rachel x

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Photo Diary | Christmas 2015

I wanted to share a snippet of my Christmas with you. Apologies for the quality of these photos but they are all taken on my phone and you all know how bad the lighting has been! Anyway here is a small selection of the photos I took this year. There are many with family and friends on but I don't want to share those online without permission. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year! Let's hope 2016 is a good one!

Rachel x

Our Christmas Tree

Our mantlepiece

Wrapping Christmas presents

Presents!

Fun on our Christmas Do

Treats for Father Christmas and Rudolph

Christmas Eve bath

He's been!

Husband and Wife selfie

All ready for Christmas Dinner

Christmas Day Selfie

My delicious Christmas Dinner

Half of our Boxing Day Buffet

All the cheese!!