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Pretty Big Butterflies

Family, Food & Plus Size Fashion Blog

9 Pretty in pink perfumes

With Mother’s Day AND my birthday fast approaching there’s no safer gift than a bottle of perfume. Seriously, never underestimate the power of a pretty bottle. Opening up a pretty package is half the fun in my eyes. What’s so nice about having a perfume present is that it lasts a long time. It isn’t like a box of chocolate that last a day week in my house. Perfume is long lasting and these days becomes almost like a bit of home decor. The bottles that brands create now are almost as beautiful as the fragrance themselves!

If you’re on the look out for the latest, prettiest perfume to hit the shelves in time for Mothers Day, here are my top 9 choices. Sense a theme going on? It might just be me but pink hues are winning right now and makes me think of spring!

Let me know if you pick any of these little beauties up!

Beauty prep hacks for your next summer holiday

Going on holiday soon? Well, we know how much of a pain it can be to keep on top of your beauty routine when you’re unable to pack all of your regular lotions and potions. If you want an easy holiday look in a matter of minutes, take some of our beauty prep advice before you jet off.

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Befriend baby powder 

In hot weather, baby powder can be your best friend. It has many different uses meaning you can fit it in your case in place of a number of items. It’s a great alternative to dry shampoo, can be used as a setting powder to keep your makeup in place and you can even use it to remove any uncomfortable wet sand from your skin. 

No more self-tan stains

Everyone who’s ever used fake tan before will know the struggle of trying to avoid patches that somehow appear on elbows and knees. To solve this, choose the best gradual tan moisturiser we’ve found from Tropic Skincare. This lotion uses patented technology plant allo-melanin to mimic the colour of your skin and create a natural tan that beats self-tan stains hands down. 

Slow down on shaving

Those that want perfect bare legs in summer will need to keep up with their shaving routine. However, this is often the last thing you want to be doing when you’re on holiday. Instead, mix some sugar with lemon and water and apply it to your legs. This natural remedy is known to slow down hair growth and keep your legs smoother for longer. Of course, if all else fails – wax! 

Banish bikini rash 

Bikini rash is a huge downside to pre-beach preparation. Not only is it unsightly, but it can be incredibly uncomfortable too. To combat this, leave some chilled chamomile teabags onto the rash, and after a few minutes, you should start to notice the difference.

Keep your skin hydrated

 As well as making sure you drink enough water, you need to make sure that your skin is properly hydrated too. Branded face mists can be expensive and will also be another thing to pack in your case so instead, make your own when you get there. To do this, you’ll need to mix mint, lavender, cucumber and rose with water in a clean and empty spray bottle. Chilling it in the fridge for a few hours will do the trick.

DIY bronzer

Arguably, this is a tip that can be used all year round but our summer holidays are usually the main time we bust out the bronzer. If you’ve got any broken metallic eyeshadow shades lying around, mix them with some moisturiser and voila – you can use it as a highlighter on your cheeks. Clever and cost-effective!

A long-lasting manicure

There’s nothing worse than chipping your DIY manicure before you’ve even got on the plane. Rather than dealing with this frustration, opt for a gel manicure that will last two or three weeks without any signs of wear. The only downside of this is that you’ll have to choose one colour and commit to it for your entire holiday. In that case, we’re thinking red. How about you?

 

 

 

 

 

Candy Crush Lip Balms – Will you get addicted?

Who remembers the totally addictive Candy Crush game? Well get ready because they’ve launched a range of Candy Crush lip balms that will get you totally hooked. With National Smile Month coming to an end, there’s nothing like a new and fun way to keep your lips feeling and looking great. These fun balms do just the trick. Available in flavours inspired by the game; Lemonade Lake, Peppermint Palace, Chocolate Mountains and Bubblegum Bridge the choice is all yours.

Candy Crush Lip Balm's

Lemonade Lake is my favourite, it’s a soft and gentle aroma with a light citrus taste. Nothing overwhelming or heavy. It’s glides on really well and makes my lips feel instantly soft and hydrated without drying them out. I was a little surprised at how well the balm lasted, it was much better than expected!

Candy Crush Lip Balm's review

There isn’t really any lip tint from these balms, which I personally prefer and if you’re after one that really does have a sweet smell or taste, opt for the chocolate one. None of the balms are sticky or tacky (I’m really surprised!) and really do apply like a balm to the lips.

Candy Crush Lip Balm's review

The balms are available from Primark for £1.50 each. A cute little gift or pick me up and they won’t break the bank. It’s great value for money as these little beauties will last for ages! There is a guideline that they should be only be used for children ages 6 years and upwards, so keep that in mind if treating your little ones. I’d definitely recommend popping one in your bag during the summer months as they are great for dry lips and adding a little sheen in the sun.

Giveaway, Discount & Review – No lipstick lipstick from Perricone MD

Being a new mum means I have a limited amount of time to apply make up, if I manage it at all! I feel like putting on my make up is a bit of a treat these days! So if I can find a product that gives me an easy and quick pick me up, well I’m going to celebrate it! Today I’m celebrating the No Lipstick Lipstick from Perricone MD. No Lipstick Lipstick? That’s right.

No Lipstick Lipstick - Perricone MD - Pretty Big Butterflies

Perricone MD is all about making make-up as natural as possible, letting your natural beauty shine through. I kind of see this lipstick as a lip moisturizer and a great lipstick base. It looks like a sold lipstick but applies like a serum. Not sticky like a gloss but gives the same subtle shine. Neuropeptides restore suppleness and fullness in the lips making it great for aging skin and I have to say, my lips do feel really hydrated when I wear it.

No Lipstick Lipstick - Perricone MD - Pretty Big Butterflies

I think this is a great summer product. As I’m writing this it’s boiling hot and humid. If I were wearing my normal lipstick it would have melted off by now. The No Lipstick Lipstick really is a summer essential. Every time my lips feel a bit dry, I just opt for this. If you can’t do without our bold make up shades. Don’t worry! This is the perfect lip base for any lipstick. Plus the shades are made to work on all skin tones. It literally is mirror free makeup!

Win The gift of Lip Perfection - Pretty Big Butterflies

Don’t believe me? Well now you have a chance to try out No Lipstick Lipstick for yourself. I’m giving away the almost SOLD OUT gift of lip perfect set worth over £50.00! Just enter via the Rafflecopter below. If you’re not lucky to win, I’ve got you sorted!

Receive a Free Half Size Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint Half Size Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint (worth £30.00!)  with your next order. When you spend more than £100.Use Code: HOLLIE2017

Please read the T&Cs – open worldwide, ends 12am 3/6/2017.

Need help with the answer? Head to Perricone MD for a clue!

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Skinfix – The Healthy Skin Face Collection

Since having Baby C my skin has been the worst it’s ever been. From coming out in spots to having small dry patches. It’s been a bit of a nightmare. The thing is, I’ve always had good skin (I’m lucky in that sense) so to suddenly go from great to awful almost overnight has been a bit of a shock. My usual moistuiser (that I know and love) hasn’t given me back my glow or clear skin. It doesn’t even seem to touch on giving me any moisture at the moment. It’s like losing an old friend. So to help with the devastation and change of skin I’ve been trying Skinfix. Not only has it helped freshen up my skincare routine but the packaging is uber cool too! Always a pro in my book.

Skinfix - The Healthy Skin Face Collection - Pretty Big Butterflies

The Skinfix philosophy that a healthy skin barrier is the key to happy, beautiful skin. I guess that’s the key think for me right now. I need to make sure I moisturise every day but that it isn’t anything too heavy or my pores clog up. They never used to but they do right now! Skinfix is a Canadian company using a formula that was created over 140 years ago. They leave out all the skin irritants like synthetic fragrance, parabens, phthalates and sulfates (well they weren’t around 140 years ago were they?!) I really like that Skinfix is a simple brand with a simple message. They believe in healthy skin and beating those skin insecurities to boost confidence. That sounds mighty fine to me.

I tried the foaming oil cleanser, hydrating lotion and moisture boost serum which are made to be used together as a skin care routine know as the Healthy Skin Face CollectionHealthy Skin Face Collection. The collection consists of their Healthy Skin Lipid Complex™, which is clinically proven to replenish essential skin lipids and maintain a healthy skin barrier against pollutants and other nasty stuff.

Skinfix - The Healthy Skin Face Collection - Pretty Big Butterflies

What I loved about this collection is how light it was on my skin. The cleanser didn’t make my skin feel dry or tight. The serum wasn’t greasy at all and the hydrating lotion was super light and didn’t take an age to sink in. Once the routine is completed my skin feels refreshed, soft and hydrated. It’s definitely made a difference to balancing my skin out. I don’t have any dry bits at the moment, which is GREAT. My spots have reduced although I do still have slight bumpy skin that you can’t see but I can feel. I think this has to do with me wearing make up again and sometimes forgetting to take it off. Woops!

 

I’d definitely recommend Skinfix. It’s a simple collection of skincare that makes me feel like it’s really looking after my skin. I’m impressed with how the dryness has almost vanished, especially from my forehead that was pretty stubborn. My skin definitely feels renewed and it hasn’t felt that way for some time. There’s also now a baby Skinfix collection, which I’d completely trust after getting on so well with this collection. If I do decide to give it a go, I’ll feedback to you!