2018: May Favourites | Hair Products, Face Masks & Jewellery

@stilclassics

There was no favourites post last month due to me being completely overwhelmed with how busy things were last month but regardless I thought I'd share a few favourites I've come across over the past few months. Let me know if you've come across any new products that you think are worth me trying out.

Pandora Rings

I was gifted one of the most beautiful presents from one of my best friends for my birthday. They're the most gorgeous yet minimal rings. I love Pandora and I own several pieces of their jewellery but the Shining Wish Ring and Rose Linked Love Ring have to be a couple of my favourite pieces. 

Essano Rosehip Clarifying Clay Masque 

I've used Essano Rosehip products in the past and been very fond of them. I was in need of a new clarifying clay mask so I thought I'd give this one a go and I'm loving it. It helps removes any gunk from the skin yet leaves the skin feeling throughly hydrated. I'm a sucker for products that smell good and this face mask has the most gorgeous scent which I would assume is the Rosehip and Shea Butter. 

Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream

My skin always seems the most dehydrated in the Winter months and I hate it. I'm always trying new products to see what helps hydrate my skin the most. I'm currently giving the Water Boost Hydrate Gel Cream by Simple a go and I don't have anything bad to say about it. I love that it's more of a gel than a cream, it seems to keep to skin hydrated and feeling plump throughout the day which is a big thumbs up by me. I'm not surprised I enjoy using this product as much as I do because I've loved some many other products by Simple in the past. 

Lush Bunny Moon Jelly Face Mask

This was another gift I was given for my birthday and you all know how I love a good face mask. This one is slightly different from all the others I have at the moment. Bunny Moon Jelly Face Mask by Lush has so many amazing properties to it I highly recommend checking it out. It helps keep the skin calm, clear and hydrated which is everything and more I could ask for in a product at this time of year.

Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator  

Highly enjoy using this Matrix leave in treatment. It helps nourish the hair, boost shine, smooths cuticles, prevents breakage, heat damage and a huge amount more. The scent it gorgeous, leaving hair smelling incredible all day. For someone with lots of hair plus the curls this product is amazing.

What are some of your favourite product this month? 

Much love, B x 

Highlights From The Past Month | May 2018

I didn't get around to publishing a highlights post last month because I was so overwhelmed and unprepared for how busy things were going to be after first moving. May has been completely different and I'm back on top of my game posting new content every Tuesday and Thursday at 630PM NZST so don't be afraid to check back in regularly. In the last 4-6 weeks there have been a bunch of great highlights including my birthday, Mother's Day and finally getting my restricted. May has been crazy busy but I finally feel like I'm slowly starting to get somewhere.

ANZAC Dawn Service
ANZAC Day is the 25 April every year and every year we've honoured those who fought for us and our country. My Pop fought over in Bueno, Malaya so ANZAC has always had a huge significance to our family. This year was no different to any other however this year I decided to attend a Dawn Service. It was a beautiful service and I'm really pleased I decided to get up at 530AM and freeze my booty off because it reality it was nothing compared to what these people did for us and our country.

Restricted
I finally got my restricted and I'm stoked! Having my restricted has lead to so much more freedom and independence but more importantly I no longer have to depend on others.

Christchurch: 2 Months 
I've been in Christchurch for roughly two months now and while I'm slowing losing my patience waiting for my house to be ready, I'm glad to be back. I'm enjoying being around friends and family all the time and it's great to be back in the old stomping ground. Can't wait to be in the house and to see what the future holds.

20th Birthday
On the 3rd of May I turned 20. While I didn't have a mid life crisis, I did feel slightly old especially when the kids at work said they thought I looked 30. Regardless, I had a fantastic day so thank you to all those that made it so special.

Mother's Day 
Last but definitely not least Mother's Day. Ever since my Nan passed, Mother's Day has been hard for our family. Last year we weren't able to all be together so this year we decided to make it happen. We had a lovely dinner together, laughs we had and memories were shared. It was the perfect way to celebrate the amazing women in my life.

Overall the last 4-6 weeks have been busy but exciting and I'm hoping for the same next month. I hope you all have had a fantastic month with June being just as great, if not better.

Much love, B x

Currently In My Makeup Bag

@raphaellovaski

I've been living out of my makeup bag now for about 2 months. As some of you may know, I've moved to Christchurch and while I had a house to move into, there have been some hiccups along the way and I'm temporarily staying elsewhere.

I've never really had to live out of my makeup bag before because all my makeup is normally with the rest of my collection but it's been a great challenge that's for sure. A lot of these products will be familiar to you because I've spoken about them before. Living out of my makeup bag as really made me figure out my true utter favourites and go to products but I'm definitely more than ready to have my own makeup space and storage back.

FACE

Revlon Colour Stay Foundation For Normal/Dry Skin

Chichi BB Cream in Light

Maybelline Master Conceal Concealer 

Maybelline Matte Maker Powder

SCULPT 

Mecca Max Skin Halo Diamond Dust Highlight

Too Faced Chocolate Soleli Bronzer

Revlon Sculpt + Highlight Contour Kit

BROWS

Natio Brow Kit

Chichi Brow Pomade

Maybelline Brow Drama Brow Sculpting Mascara

EYES

Too Faced Natural Eyes Eyeshadow Palette

LASHES

Revlon Ultra Volume Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

Much love, B x 

Over Night Travel Essentials

@stilclassics

In a few weeks time I'll be doing an over night trip with my sister and a friend to take them to one Niall Horan concert's here in New Zealand. I thought I would take this opportunity to talk about some of my over night travel essentials. We fly in the day of the concert and head home the following afternoon so it'll be a flying visit but I'm really looking forward to it. 

I'll be travelling with carry on luggage so I want to keep everything as minimal as possible but also make sure I have everything I'm going to need. 

Cleanser + Moisturiser 

When thinking about what I wanted to take with me, skincare was the first thing that popped into my head. After a long night at a concert, nothing sounds better than taking off your makeup, cleansing, moisturising and heading to bed. Although I'm sure we'll all still be buzzing by the take we get back to the house, I still want to take a little bit of time to look after my skin. Plus flying always does something funky to my skin. 

Toothbrush + Toothpaste

Again, another personal hygiene essential. Pretty self explanatory but nothing feels better after a long night than clean teeth. It's just one of those things you bring regardless of how long you're going away for. 

Keys, Wallet, ID, iPhone, Chargers

Just a few of the handbag essentials that I think I'll need while I'm away over night. I tend to carry a  bunch of unnecessary shit in my handbag but that's not exactly what I want to be taking with me when trying to pack minimal. 

Minimal Makeup

I'll of course take a little bit of makeup with me but again I'll be keeping it as minimal as possible. So products that I can use for more than one feature is always great. My guess is that I'll take concealer, brow products, mascara and a highlight and contour kit. 

Perfume 

I'll always take a little travel size perfume with me. It's just something nice to have with you and of course means you smell delicious 24/7. 

Bedsocks & PJ's 

Comfy clothes are always an essentials. I'd never go anyway without comfy clothes. Bedsocks are an essential for me, especially in the Winter when my freezing my booty off. 

What are your over night travel essentials? Am I forgetting something important? Let me know. 

Much love, B x 

OG Beauty Guru's

I've been interested in anything and everything beauty related ever since I can remember. I've watched my fair share of beauty guru's on YouTube and I'm sure there are plenty more I haven't watched too. 

I realised I share a lot of what I like and use product wise but I haven't to often mentioned those that I enjoy watching on a regular basis. While I'm always finding new creators and content to watch, these are creators that I always find myself going back to, constantly learning new stuff from and continually amazed by everything they do. 

Feel free to let me know of any beauty creators that you think I might be interested in checking out. I'm always looking for new content to delve into. 

James Charles

@jamescharles

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Shannon Harris 

@shaaanxo

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Desi Perkins

@desiperkins

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Katy 

@katy 

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Kathleen Lights 

@kathleenlights

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Make sure you check out the above creators. I adore them and I'm sure you will too. 

Much love, B x

Productive AM's

@sahuraomedia

My morning routine is something I treasure. I’ve not always been a morning person but oh how times have changed. I’ll happily start my mornings at 5AM if need be but that’s not how it’s always been. If you’re not a morning person, that’s okay because I haven’t always been one either but if it’s something you’d like to work on, here are the five things that have really helped me set my morning off to the best possible start. 

No Snoozing

Do not snooze the alarm. As tempting as it can be do not hit snooze. Right from the start, I knew the first thing I need to do is get my mind and body into a good sleeping pattern. I then decided that anything over 8 hours was a bonus. 8 hours of sleep became my benchmark and of course it varies but I figured that was okay because there is still some kind of structure. When my alarm rings each morning I make sure I get out of my cosy duvet straight away because there is nothing worse than fooling my brain into thinking it’s allowed more sleep. It’s so easy to fall back into the snooze button trap, especially in the cooler months when getting our toasty booties out of bed is the last thing we want to do but it’s worth it in the long run. Not hitting my snooze button is now a natural habit of mine but of you’re struggling I recommend putting you’re phone on the other side of your room, forcing you to get up and out of bed to turn the dreaded thing off. 

Water

I love a good, strong coffee in the morning but I know it’s not the best choice of beverage. Rather than getting rid of my morning coffee completely, because who would actually do that; probably sensible people and that’s definitely not me, I’ve started having my coffee plus a large glass of water with breakfast. I’m usually pretty good with keeping my water intake up but having that extra boost of H20 when I have a coffee has help keep me more hydrated throughout the day. But it’s also been a great, refreshing kick-starter to the day. 

Clear Workspace

This applies whether to work from other or otherwise and I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again because I swear by it. A clean + tidy space = a clear + tidy mind. Waking up in the morning knowing that my space, generally meaning the entire house, is clean and tidy puts my mind at rest. Mornings can be busy and I don’t want to have to worry about a messy space when I’m trying to start my mornings in a positive mindset. 

Night Prep + Planning

Preparing everything at night means that I go to bed with a clear mind and wake up with one the next day. It’s a good idea to plan your outfit, organise lunch and have your bag ready for the following day. My planner is also always filled out the night before which means that I can wake up knowing what exactly needs to be done and where I need to be, at what times. 

Evening Routine

My evening routine works hand in hand with my morning routine and vice versa. The idea is that everything I do the night before is going to help me wind down and relax from the current and prepare for the following. The purpose of my morning routine is to ensure that I’m as stress frees as possible when I wake meaning that I can be as productive as possible throughout the day and then repeat. 

Being productive means that I’m on top of my game, well I try to be anyway. With that being said, I’m not perfect. I might forget things here and there, I might have a bad day but we’re all a work in progress and we’re continually growing as an individual. 

Much love, B x

2018's Winter Staple Lip

@wx1993

It's not quite officially winter yet but it sure feels like it. My skin is dehydrated, makeup minimal and new staple lipstick shade for the winter. 

You all know how much I adore all nude lipstick shades especially in the winter. I think nude lipsticks compliment all makeup looks and skin tones. I've had this nude lipstick for awhile but my love for it hasn't really wavered. I still adore it has much as I do the first time I brought it. 

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in 'The Right Note'

MAC has a fantastic variety of lipstick shades and finishes. You're bound to find something you love by MAC. I haven't used a lot of products by MAC but those products I have used have been of incredible quality. 

What's your current staple lipstick?

Much love, B x

Weekend Reset + Update

@theexplorerdad

Before I jump into today’s post I want to give you a wee update on where I’ve been and why there’s been a lack of content. As most of you probably know by now I’ve moved backed to the big smoke, back to the city where I spent the majority of my childhood. Christchurch is incredible and I’m so happy I made the move. With that being said, I’ve been so busy settling in, trying to figure shit out along with working, that it all became a bit too much. I got overwhelmed, tired and then of course, sick. But I’m happy to say that I’m back with 2 posts a week which are going to be Tuesday’s and Thursday’s plus the occasional extra post. To make sure you don’t miss any of my future posts, make sure you’re following me on my social media platforms, @bonnieellenxo, for daily updates. 

I thought the perfect way to jump back into things was by sharing my weekend reset. I’ve include the top four rituals I like to carry out on the weekend to ensure that I’ve reset my body and it’s refreshed for the new week. Let me know what you do to help prep yourself for a busy week. 

Having a good beauty reset where you tackle everything in one go is a great idea! I don’t think there is any better time than the weekend to do so. Getting all those beauty rituals done and dusted helps me feel easy to tackle whatever the up and coming week has to throw at me. So I thought I’d give you a run down of everything I do as well as some of my current products for washing my hair, deep cleansing my skin and exfoliating my body. 

Makeup Brush Cleanse

We all know washing your makeup brushes is never fun and we should probably do it more often. I’d be silly to wash ALL my makeup brushes on a weekly basis so instead I wash any face brushes and beauty blenders. As much as we put it off, there’s nothing better than having freshly cleaning makeup brushes to reach for on a Monday morning. Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is going to help give you a flawless application to the base but also eliminate the chances of spreading bacteria which in the long run can cause nasty blemishes. 

Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

I’ve never been great at remembering to exfoliate and moisture but I’m slowly getting better. Exfoliating and moisturising is that one beauty ritual that always makes me feel great again. My favourite body scrub is Lush Rub, Rub, Rub. It can be used dry or wet, it smells delicious and leaves the skin glowing.  For moisturiser, Vaseline have an amazing product range but the one I’m using at the moment is a Body Shop Body Butter. Their body butters are highly nourishing, not tacky and come in a variety of gorgeous scents. 

Refreshing The Skin

There can be a lot of reasons why our skin isn’t looking or feeling it’s best. For me, it’s either two things, diet or hormone related. Regardless, I like to ensure my skin has an in-depth cleanse for the beginning of the week. Keeping my skins hydration levels up is important step I like to include in my skincare routine. My skin isn’t unbearably dry but to prevent it from worsening I like to keep my skin nourished with a facial oil when needed. My skin seems to have a mind of it’s own at the moment so it’s a little touch and go. 

Deep Hair Wash

Many of you will know I have a long curly mop of hair. I adore my long curly mop but it takes a lot of effort to maintain. This is purely because of the length and it’s ability to dread itself. I give my hair a really deep cleanse every 10-14 days. Shampoo twice, condition, hair mask and hair oil. I’ll always let my hair dry naturally and wash it at night. It just takes far to long to be washing my hair in the morning, so nights it is. 

Remember all posts from now on will be scheduled for Tuesday’s and Thursday’s and to follow me @bonnieellenxo for all of the updates. 

Much love, B x 

Happy Birthday Nan

29th April marks the second birthday without you here. You would've been 73 this year and although I wish I had more time with you, I'm grateful for the 18 years I did have. I'm grateful for your love, your time and your compassion. I miss you more and more everyday but I know you're now resting easy with Pop. Much love, Bonnie xo

B x