DIY christmas present idea: Peppermint foot scrub ♡ | Handpicked Beauty

I am wanting to start doing loads of DIY posts, as I am a crazily obsessed DIY person, and for Christmas I am making pretty much all of the presents I'm giving to people. It's much cheaper, funner and you can personalise to make extra special, thoughtful gifts.

For my Mum, I am making her a Peppermint foot scrub as it is so easy to make, and I know she will love using it and really appreciate me making it for her. I was inspired by seeing this one from the Body Shop and realising I could easily make it for a fraction of the price. It's so easy to personalise, and you can use any essential oil of your choice to create a different scent, but as it is christmas I thought peppermint was really cute and festive. I think this is a great present to get for anyone and it is ridiculously easy to make!

What you will need:
Adjust the quantities according to the container you are using, I just used rough measurements but you can add or take depending on your preference.

♡ 2tbsp granulated sugar( doesn't really matter what kind, but the granier it is, the more exfoliating it will be)

♡ 2tbsp brown sugar

♡ 1 tbsp olive oil(you can use any type of oil you want; e.g: almond oil)

♡  A dash of peppermint extract

♡  1 tbspHoney


The sugar gently exfoliates dead skin cells, the olive oil softly moisturises, the peppermint essence adds a fun scent and the honey is antibacterial and leaves the skin feeling super soft!

How to make it:



















♡add the granulated sugar ♡add the brown sugar ♡ add the oil ♡add the honey ♡ add the peppermint extract ♡ mix it all up and add it to a pretty jar ♡

I put it in a cute jar and added a checked piece of fabric with twine and a homemade label. I think it looks so pretty and festive and it's so easy to make :)


Let me know if you try this, and if you want to see any more DIY posts! Lots of love, Emma-Kate 

xxx

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

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Products I have been loving lately! ♡

I was going to call this post 'October favourites' but then I realised that October has been and gone, so this is my 'Products I have been loving lately'!

I haven't done my monthly favourites for a really long time, as I haven't been trying many new products but recently I have bought a few bits and pieces which I've been loving for the Autumn season. I decided to just write them out on my blog this time, and enjoy taking photos and describing the products as I haven't felt up to doing YouTube videos lately(hope you all understand!). However, I adore blogging and can't wait to show you my favourite products of the moment!

OPI shatter nail polishes

I treated myself to some OPI nail polishes recently, and I have been absolutely loving these shatter colours 'Silver Shatter', 'Red Shatter' and 'Shatter the scales'. They look amazing over a black coat of nail varnish, and the emerald shade is sooo gorgeous for the Autumn season! I think Silver shatter is lovely over any polish and is so gorgeous on the nails, and I also think the red and silver are really festive and christmassy :)

Rimmel stay matte pressed powder

I only just got round to trying this powder, after hearing sooo many people rave about it. I was previously using the Rimmel Clear complexion powder because the stay matte wasn't in stock when I bought it, but it smashed when I took it to Mexico in August so I have been using my natural collection one since then (which I really don't like). I finally bought the stay matte powder and I love it! It's so natural and finely milled, and isn't cakey at all. You can barely tell when it is on and it keeps my skin non shiny and clean throughout the day. I absolutely love it and after previously considering a Mac mineralise skin finish, I'm so happy I tried this and saved myself £20+! 

Maybelline Fit me concealer

I am so excited about this concealer! I bought it because lately I have really gone off my Collection lasting perfection one, as it seems to be quite cakey and thick when covering up blemishes. It is the only liquid concealer I've tried so I wanted to try something new, so I bought Fit Me in York. Although it is a little bit dark for me, it looks SO natural and it blends seamlessly into the skin; so perfect for school. It literally blends so so so well and covers up any redness amazingly, so I can work with the slightly off shades. I was hesitant to buy this, but I have loved it so much so far! I will be doing a full review after I have been using it for a little longer :)

MUA lipliner in 'Brooding Plum'

I picked up this lipliner because I was looking for something to go with my beloved Rimmel 107( review coming very soon). It is a dark red/burgundy shade and it looks amazing on the lips. I sometimes use it on it's own, or with lipstick to highlight and shape my lips. I always feel so confident when I wear it as it just looks so beautiful and perfect for Autumn. It can slide a little bit, but nothing too bad! And for £1 you can't really go wrong- definitely buying more shades!

The BodyShop berry lip roll on

This is basically a lip moisturiser in the form of a roll on. It's so easy to use and so hydrating for the Autumn weather when my lips get so cracked and dry. I apply this whenever I'm wearing lipstick as it leaves my lips so smooth and soft, and is such a lovely product to whip out of my handbag.

                             What are your October favourites/ products you've been loving lately?

                                                                                  ♡ 

Please let me know if you would like me to review any of the products mentioned in detail (as you can tell I have a lot to say about them but I don't want to bore anyone! :P ) xxx

My top 5 picks from the Cath Kidston sale | ♡ handpicked beauty

I was browsing the Cath Kidston site as usual, and I noticed they have a huge sale on at the moment! For me, Cath Kidston is really expensive so as soon as they come out with a sale I literally squeal with excitement and add everything to my basket before it's all sold out. It is one of my all time favourite shops. Also, as christmas is coming up I like to snatch bargains while I can, so I can get pretty presents for my friends and family without having to spend ridiculous amounts of money. 

I thought it would be fun to show you guys my favourite picks from the sale, so you can get a gorgeous bargain too ♡  

Circle Ditsy tin bin £5:This bin is reduced from £15 to £5, and I have this myself and I adore it! Such a gorgeous staple piece in my room, and a big discount! 
                                                                            ♡
Mini Trains iPhone 5 case £12.50: This phone case is reduced from £24.95 and is so vintage and pretty! I think this is a gorgeous phone case for Autumn and if I owned an iPhone 5 I would definitely be buying this, as the normal price to pay for CK iPhone cases is a little steep!
                                                                           ♡
Star collection assorted lip glosses £6: These lip glosses are reduced from £12 and would be such a great present for someone, or even for yourself to slip in your handbag 
                                                                          ♡ 
Brighton Daisy bikini £25: This is reduced from £32 and is a lovely, colourful bikini. I think it's great to pick something like this up for next summer, so you don't have to pay the full price. I think £25 is quite reasonable for such a pretty, floral bikini.
                                                                        ♡                                                                      
Car stationary tin £7: I think this tin is a super cute present for someone, as well as being gorgeous storage for any pens or miscellaneous items and buttons. I would love to get this for my 4 year old cousin, he loves cars! This is reduced from £12 
                                                                        ♡ 

disclaimer; I am not associated with Cath Kidston in the sense that this is completely my own opinion, and I wrote this post because I genuinely love the shop and was so excited to share with you my picks from the sale. Rest assured, I am not paid to say any of this, all these products I absolutely love and I want to share with everyone :) x

Lush bubblegum lip scrub | Handpicked Beauty

Hey everyone,

During the winter season I get really cracked, dry lips. It’s horrible to apply lipstick on, and they are so dry and chapped. ( I know, so attractive ;)) I know a lot of people have this issue, and I wanted to review this popular lip scrub from lush because for me it is an absolute winter essential.

I showed how to make your own DIY lemon lip scrub -here- but although I think they’re equally effective the lush one is brighter, happier with a bubblegum flavour for dark winter days.

I love Lush packaging and this is no exception; in a gorgeous cute tub with the unique Lush branding, this product is really distinctive in my makeup drawer and feels like an expensive product due to the glass jar.

I do have to admit I think the lush lip scrub is overpriced for what it is, but I definitely don’t regret buying it. However, if you want a more budget version you can just make the lemon lip scrub, massage a towel over vaselined lips or simply use a toothbrush. These all work just as effectively, but the Lush one is pink with a bubblegum flavour which is a cute treat for your handbag.

It tastes so delicious (i could eat it from the jar with a spoon)!!!

I gently scrub it over my dry lips and then lick it off, and my lips feel so smooth with no flakiness whatsoever. This is the perfect product to use before applying lipstick as it it so softening too. I then apply some Carmex and I feel like I’ve had a lip spa treatment!

I use this about once a week, or whenever I am wearing a bold lipstick so my lips are more smooth.

Overall, I think this is a lovely Winter product to treat yourself to and it gives your lips some extra love in the cold weather.

                                                               <3

Pastel Bedroom

Hey everyone,

I am currently decorating my bedroom, and I really wanted to show you a moodboard of what I am hoping my room will be like. I'm going for pastel, vintage items with white walls. I've been out of my room for a week and it will be done in about 2 weeks, so I'm staying in my brothers room while he is at university. He has awful wifi in his room which is why I've been unable to blog, so I am typing this on my phone hoping it will work! I'm so excited for my room to be finished and I will be doing a room tour when I get to 100 YouTube subscribers (hint hint link is to the right ;)) If anyone knows where I can purchase any cute decor please comment below, as I am looking out for accessories for my bedroom.

Dressing table: IKEA
Pillow: Cath Kidston

Duck egg throw: British Home Stores 

Bed frame: IKEA 

Candle: Yankee candle 'Pink Sands' 

Emma-Kate

<3

No.7 blush in number 12; Coral Flush

Today I thought I would review a blusher which I have had for a veryyyy long time! It is the No.7 blush in number 12; Coral Flush. I have a special place in my heart for this product, as it was one of the first makeup products I bought with one of those 'Get £5 off no.7' cards from Boots, with my Dad about a year and a half ago. It was the only blush I owned for a very long time, and as I still don't have many blushes this remains my go to item!

The packaging is so sleek and cute, and I can clearly see the colour through the packaging so it saves time having to open up all my blushes to decide which one to use. It hasn't broken or anything and the packaging still clicks shut.

Like I said, I have had this blush for ages and used it nearly everyday, and I haven't even hit pan on it at all! If I do use it up, I will definitely be buying it again and I would love to get more shades.
The product itself is so long-lasting and pretty. It is a gorgeous coral shade, so perfect for Spring and Summer! You only need a tiny amount because it's so pigmented, and it makes the skin so bright and fresh, and I also use it for contouring too. It's also beautiful for the Autumn/Winter time as it gives that lovely 'I've just been outside' glow. If I am wearing absolutely no makeup but I put on a bit of this blusher, my skin looks so radiant and happy. It also looks so natural, so it appears like the gorgeous blush on your cheeks is real.

Overall, I absolutely adore this product. I can't believe i've only just got round to doing a review of it! I haven't even hit pan on it; it is so worth the money.
Lots of love,
Emma-Kate
xxx

A chat about candles and my Yankee Candle collection!

Recently, I have become a candle person.

I have really gotten into all the different scents and as I love collecting things, I've decided to collect candles. It started about a year ago when I thought I would collect a Yankee candle tart for each season, and I would decorate my room with that candle in the season to make my room festive and fun. Since then, my love for them has spiralled a little bit and I've recently decided I want to properly collect them and accumulate a reasonable amount. I mainly collect yankee candles because I love how they all have different unique scents and their own cute label, and I think they look great as a collection. I don't burn the tart ones as I like to keep the label on and I think they look super cute around my room, but I do possess a couple of the glass jar ones which I do burn. When I finish them I will definitely keep the jar for accessories as they're so beautiful! I especially think the red ones will be so festive in my room for Christmas.  I don't burn them in my bedroom because it would probably end badly, so the glass ones are around the house. I thought it would be fun to show which ones I have so far and have a chat about them! I really want to buy some more tart ones as they are only £1.25 and I really want some cinnamon, christmassy ones and some of the cotton scents. I don't have a lot yet,  but my collection is rapidly increasing and I would absolutely love to hear any recommendations! <3

//Sweet Strawberry- Such a gorgeous, berry scent which is perfect for the Spring season!//

//Waikiki Melon- A tropical, fruity scent which reminds me of Summer days and Mexico//

//Sun and Sand- A gorgeous summer scent which smells of the waves //

//Pink Dragon Fruit- A lively, strong fruity scent//

//Bahama Breeze- A relaxing, calming scent which reminds me of holidays!//

//Pink Sands- A calming, girly scent of sweetness and bliss//

//Beach Wood- A lovely outdoor scent which reminds me of long walks in orange Autumn leaves//

//Black Cherry- The nicest autumn scent in the world. It smells absolutely incredible and reminds me of cosy jumpers and sitting around the fire. My favourite Yankee candle by far.//