Tuesday, August 5, 2014

My fitness and health journey

Hey everyone! So this is my first fitness post, I thought I would start doing these to help not only myself but to inspire others to join me ❤️ 

I'll start of by telling you abit about my healthy and fitness journey so far.. 

In 2012 I stopped playing sports to focus on school and I gained a lot of weight and became very unhealthy... I was around 55kgs to my highest at 90kgs around May 2012 (I also really love fish and chips and junk food) from June 2012 I started to lose a lot of weight and became so much healthier and had so much energy. I was 59 kgs before I went to university in March 2013 from then on I creeped up the scales but still remained a healthy diet and was going to the gym on a regular basis. I started to put a lot of weight back on and became super unhealthy around exam and study time. August- November 2013, I weighed Atleast 74kgs. my health was seriously degrading, I couldn't sleep, at a point I wouldn't sleep for over two days and found it hard to go to classes, study or go to the gym. It got a little better over my Christmas holidays, I lost 4kgs before I started university in 2014, went to the gym everyday, had a proper gym routine, started to enjoy it so much. Until exams came around again... 

I hadn't been to the gym for around 3 months until I went the other day. I had lost so much of my muscle it gutted me. Although I now weigh 75kgs, my sleeping pattern is getting so much better, (no more asleep at 2am & awake at 1pm or even worse asleep at 10am and awake at 7pm...) I still can't keep myself away from junk food completly, but I'm back into fitness and eatting better. It's been such a hard journey to keep off the weight that I had previously lost, but with more knowledge and my keen attitude for exercise I will be able to reach my goals. 

Here's some photos that I took on Monday 4th of August (week one) 




I encourage all of you to share your health and fitness journey with me, or even some tips of your own! Anything is appreciated :) we can do this together ❤️

Lots of Love
Bridgette xx

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Lush haul/short review ❤️


Hey everyone! So I went a little lush crazy. Their products are amazing!! I honestly wouldn't be able to pick my favourites.. 

~ I got a hair treatment which lasted me about a month, I constantly used it and was so good knowing there weren't any toxic ingredients in my hair. I would leave it in over night and for the first time in a long time I could put a comb through my wet hair ~ I recommend this product if you are dying or bleaching your hair as it really helps. I prefer this products compared to most hair salon products. 

~ the lipscrub has been a life saver.. I hated wearing lipstick and my lips being cracked, it looked horrible. So I would use this then my Nivea butter after and after doing this every few days my lips have been in tip top condition for months now. 

~ any makeup wipes or remover I have ever, ever used has also stung my face and been such a painful experience to take my makeup off, and I really hate wearing makeup to bed. I got a makeup cleanser and it's amazing, no pain and smells amazing, a must buy product!! 

~ I got a colour supplement and I use it under my eyes to brighten up the circles around my eyes. I even prefer it to my YSL touch éclat. It's so easy to just use your finger and dab on where you want and pattern it in. It's so light and you barely need more then a light touch into the pot. It smells amazing as well. So glad lush has a makeup line as well as their amazing soap range!! 

~ The rest I bought are soaps and a exfoliant. They smell amazing and make my room smell so yummy!! The exfoilant works wonders as well. 

I can't wait to get more!!! If you have a lush shop near you I highly recommend going in and checking it out. I know a few people don't understand lush but just go in and ask, the staff are so friendly and lovely. They are against animal testing, vegan and organic. Love it!!!! 




Thank you for checking out my blog, I hope you all are enjoying 2014 and good luck to those of you who are having exams at the moment, have a lovely day! 💗 


Lots of Love
Bridgette xx

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Auckland makeup haul ❤️

Hey lovelies!! Its been sooo long since I have posted something.. I was back home from November last year with no internet then I moved into my flat about 2-3 weeks ago, we only just got the internet on the other day so I'm so happy to have it! I went to Auckland from 20-25th of feb because it was my birthday on the 24th. It was amazing there compared to Invercargill or Dunedin (in the South Island). There was so much more to do, it was hard though as I had to bus everywhere so I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to do, but I can always go back up! (: I thought I would show you guys what I bought, I can't really show you the clothes that I bought and I did get my hair done but if you wan a check that out head over to my Instagram and type in Bridgettebeauty, Im going from Natural dark brown to blonde!! eeeeekkk such a change. Anyway I was pretty amazed to be able to go into a Chanel store and Louis Vuitton! as I don't have shops like that were I live, we do have lancome, YSL, MAC and revlon etc but Auckland has soooo much more. I did have a bit of a budget so I didn't buy that much and my hair costed $243 so that took most of my money. Hope you enjoy this post!!

~ Chi Chi "Eyebrow shaper and Highlighter" 
I got this on special from Farmers the department store, Im pretty sure it was like 20% off so it would have been around $16 NZD , I do have Chi Chi where I live, but it only has really basic things and barely any of the new stuff, so I'm glad I got this.

~ Chanel "Rouge Coco Shine" Lipstick
As soon as I got home and toke the lid off I damaged it :((( very sad lol. The number is 87 and the colour is called Rendez-Vous, it was either $59 NZD or $69 NZD I don't remember. But I really love this colour and it was the last one as well so I was very lucky!

~ Essie "no chips ahead"
My first Essie nail product! I had my nails done and just for extra precaution I thought I should get my own top coat! I will put this on my natural nail as well without any polish as my nails grow so long but they can easily snap and rip off it really sucks! This was 20% so I paid $19.99 NZD from farmers the department store. 

~ L'Oreal Professional "Mythic Oil"
After I got my hair done I was recommended this, I find it sooo hard after my hair gets wet to try comb it through, they suggested this although I don't think It does much, I prefer my Matrix Oil, but it will still help me keep my hair healthy. It was $38 NZD from Rodney and Wayne Hair Salon.

~ Chanel "Hydration Gel Creme"
This is a tester that was given me, I haven't tried it yet but when I do ill let you guys know! I think the bigger product was around $180 NZD

~ Chanel "Soleil Tan De Chanel"
I have only wanted this like forever! For some strange reason my skin doesn't cope too well with power bronzers and blushes which sucks because there isn't a huge range for creme bronzers/blushes. The makeup lady put it on me and it looked so natural, I was a bit hesitate to buy it as it is $82 NZD and I know on the Chanel online store its only $48 USD but I couldn't be bothered waiting for it to be shipped, and with the NZpost shipping cost and the exchange rate it would have ended up nearly the same price. I look forward to using this so much!

~ Chanel Mascara "Inimitable Intense" 
This is another tester for a mascara, I still haven't tried it but ill probably do each eye using my ysl mascara then with this tester to see the difference. I don't know the price for the Chanel Mascara but it would be good to see the comparison. 

~ Chanel "Coco Mademoiselle" Perfume
I was given 3 testers as I was given a dud Chanel perfume and the makeup lady gave me this to make me feel better I guess lol, I will be ringing up the shop and getting a refund though. 

~ YSL "Glossy stain"
This was given to me by the Ysl makeup lady for buying a foundation which was amazing, I left my red lipstick behind in Auckland so luckily I can use this now. I didn't need a foundation but later in the year I will so smart thinking on that one lol. The number is 9 and I'm not sure on the colour it says "Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres" so maybe the last bit is the name. Such a beautiful colour. 

~ Ysl Nail polish
Ive been wanting a beige coloured nail polish for awhile now, It was $47 NZD  which isn't too bad, its expensive for a nail polish but if it was anymore I probably wouldn't have got it. I haven't tried it yet as my nails have gel nail polish on them so Ill wait until I get the colour buffed off.  The number is 41 and colour is Eau De Rose.

~ YSL "Le Teint Touche Eclat" Foundation 
My faaaaaavourite foundation of all time! This stuff is amazing, I had tried so many foundations, The most expensive was a Lancome one for 160$ and it looked sooo bad, then I found this for 95$ and yes its a huge price difference from when I started off with thinking I was so cool with my 45$ Revlon foundation, My skin type is both oily and dry skin then normal as well, and it works so well on my skin. I have noticed though after using my Dermologica active moist moisturiser that I have to wait at least 5 minutes before applying this as if I don't it won't go into my skin and just gets swiped across. Its really good for adding more and more, some foundations if you add it just looks cakey but this foundation doesn't at all. 

Thank you for reading my blog post! I know it was very quick and basic but Its my second day back at Uni and Im very sleepy! Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of the products that I got and let me know what you think of them (: Enjoy the rest of your day/night and ill write again soon! (: xoxo

Lots of Love
Bridgette xx




Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Belated December favourites xo

Well hello there everyone! So this blog post I loathe so much right now lol, for some strange reason it deleted itself last night, and there was no way of getting it back. I just left it until now, last night I didn't even want to do it again but I thought stuff like this is bound to happen so I should just man up and do it again lol so i did! anyway I hope you are having a fantastic day. I know it is reaaal late, but I'm going to do a December favourites! Some of these items have been my favourites for a wee while now, but I thought they were worth a mention. Most of these things are in my everyday routine and others just things I adore. hope you enjoy. Little disclaimer - some of my products are not 100% clean, just because of sticky labels being pulled off or staining from other makeup. - If you click on the title of the product it will take you to the website where they sell it (:
 
Brand: M.A.C Cosmetics 
Price $16.00 USD (Around $36 NZD)
I use this eyebrow pencil every single day and I love it. I have used a few eyebrow kits and nothing so far is compared to this eyebrow pencil. I wasn't too sure about buying the Mac eyebrow pencil, because Mac products are pretty expensive in New Zealand. I think around $30 or so or just under. But I'm really happy I brought it, its so easy to use (If I'm running late for uni it literally takes me like 20 seconds lol) and is the perfect shade for the colour of my eyebrows. Its really easy to fix if you don't do your eyebrows right and I always set it with a eyebrow gel. Its very natural looking, I just use it to fill in my brows, I never really try to make them look all perfect, I just fill in where hairs are missing and looks so natural for a daytime look. At night I do sometimes try to shape the eyebrows differently just for a more dramatic look. Overall, whatever country you are in, this Mac eyebrow pencil is worth the price. I got a lot confidence with how this eyebrow pencil makes my eyebrow look, I now realise how uncompleted my makeup looked before I started to use this pencil, its great! you could even say life changing. Heres some information that is from the Mac website: "Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining. Confidently adds what you need: shape, colour, density in one streamlined tool. Like a pen, creates its own just-right point. Provides definition, shape, deepens/fills in colour. Creates striking arches. Easy to tote around. No sharpener needed."      

Brand: Maybelline 
Price: $ 14.99 NZD (On sale from $19.99)
I brought this a few months ago, and I have tried around about 5 other eyeliners and this has to be the best.  I find that some eyeliners you have to double dip or even more to be able to do one eye. It leaves a glossy look - as the name describes it does. So it lives up to its expectations, sometimes I have to wipe some of the liquid back into the pottle but theres barely anything to complain about. I do recommend this product, to anyone from pro at using liquid eyeliners to anyone just starting out. Its great to work with and looks great! even the price is great! Heres some information from the website: "Dare to wear the glossiest line ever! The king of vinyl shine has arrived with Eye Studio Hyper Glossy Liquid Eyeliner. Inspired by the ultra shine of vinyl, the 24hr smudge proof formula lets you create a beautiful glossy line on your eyes. 10x shine for the glossiest vinyl line. Dare to shine all day. Ultra-Glossy Formula containing hyper-reflective polymers to give you 10x the shine for the glossiest vinyl line that is smudge proof and lasts for 24hours. Soft flexible brush guarantees a continuous flow to create either a sleek or boldly chic line."

~ A swatch of the eyebrow pencil and the eyeliner


Brand: Revlon
Price: $15.95 NZD (on sale from 24.90)
I got this lipstick for a great gatsby ball that my college had a few months ago and I wear it all the time now. Its a really creamy, long lasting lipstick and is very pigmented. Compared to my other lipsticks that are red, this lipstick actually goes red when you put it on your lips. After a few hours of putting things on your mouth like if your eating or drinking that lipstick does wear off and go to a pinky/red colour. There is a swatch of it down below, for best results put foundation or if you have nude balm, put that on your lips first, but generally with dark colours it doesn't matter what your natural lip colour is. Heres some information from the website: "Instant burst of rich, true color with a featherlight feel, Elasticolor technology provides immediate color release and hugs lips with a burst of weightless color that feels like a second skin. Expert Tip: Apply directly to lips for beautiful, high impact color. Can be worn with or without lip liner."
The expert tip made me laugh, lol. 

Brand: Nars
Price: $25 USD ($51 NZD from Mecca Cosmetica)
The colour is a little distorted due to me being lazy and mixing colours on my lips straight from the lipgloss. BUT the colour is swatted down below so check that out. I love this lipgloss, it is soooo pricey in New Zealand, I brought this due to good reviews and seeing celebrities wearing it. Because of the price I don't see myself buying other colours, unless I was testing them in person because the other colours don't seem to stand out to me as much. This colour is a simple and pretty colour that is easy to wear throughout the year and over or mixed with other shades of lipsticks/lip glosses etc. In countries where it is cheaper I highly recommend this, for countries where it is worth quite a bit and it is a stretch I would suggest to try find another lipgloss similar like Peach Petal by Revlon. Heres some information from the website: "Serious shine and sexy color in sheer, semi-sheer and creamy formulas. Extremely wearable and versatile shades may be worn alone or over other lip formulas for added dimension. Ultra-smooth, non-sticky, comfortable wear, Enriched with Vitamin E to help lips feel supple and hydrated, Iconic NARS shades."

~ A swatch of the lipstick and lipgloss


Brand: Lioele
Price: $34.20 NZD (On special from $38)
I love the packaging! One of the worst things is to have ugly looking make up products, but it isn't all about how it looks on the outside..If you have oily skin, this is the powder for you! I can only put it on parts of my skin though. Around my chin, forehead and checks I can put this on, but not around my nose, this powder doesn't like dry skin and seems to go flaky. It leaves a matte finish and lasts for me for about 6 hours, after that I do have to touch up areas that are quite oily, usually in warm to hot days. 
I recommend if you have blemishes that you should use a full coverage foundation or use bb cream or a concealer. Ive just noticed that on blemishes the powder doesn't seem to stay on top of the blemishes but everywhere else, and oily areas its perfect. Here is some information from the website: "Provides a hydrated look that won’t accentuate lines and wrinkles. Minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines, while instantly improving tone and texture.Absorbing excessive sebum with Sebum Block Powder. Provides sheer-to-moderate coverage. Expression of bright and shimmering look. Antibacterial puff included."

Brand: L'Oreal Paris
Price: $31.99 NZD (on sale from $38.99)
This stuff works! Out of all the primers I have used nothing compares to this! I thought it was normal to barley last till lunch time at school and find that my foundation had disappeared from my face. Until purchased this and my makeup lasts from when I first put on makeup to when I take it off before bed. This stuff is magical, I love it. It makes my face glow, looks so radiate under my foundation. I have been using this for months now and I'll be buying one again soon, you don't even need that much either, the size of a freckle will do then put on your foundation.  I find myself barely using much foundation either because you don't have to put so much on to make it last. I recommend this to anyone who hates having to reapply their foundation or even hates just the fact that their foundation doesn't last as long as it should. Heres some information from the website: "While a moisturiser is designed to hydrate and protect the skin, a primer is used to mask irregularities and uneven textures in the skin before foundation is applied. Some women believe that their foundation alone can help hide these irregularities; however foundation needs to be applied to a smooth and even-textured surface for it to look its best and stay on the skin for longer."


Brand: Ecoya
Price: $39.95 (NZD)
You guys know that I love this! If you haven't seen seen my review on this go read it! This smell is to die for, I still have no intention of lighting it because it smells so good, and I still sometimes move in with me around my room lol.  Ive tried to find another vanilla scent that smells similar, Iv'e looked in sooo many shops and I just cant find a smell that is as good as Ecoya. I highly recommend checking Ecyoa's brand out! Heres some information from the website: "A velvety and rich, full-bodied vanilla bean extract is deliciously wrapped in creamy tones of butterscotch to create a rich, indulgent and luxurious fragrance. A natural soy wax candle. Poured into a contemporary sand, soda ash and lime glass jar. Enjoy up to 55 hours of burn time."

Brand: Juicy Couture 
Price: $86.50 (NZD) from strawberrynet 
This is has been my favourite for over a year now. It's the ultimate girly, sexy, sweet, elligent scent..yes all those combined! I wear it going out, shopping even just go to lectures. I've been too scared to use this, but I recently got the bigger one so now I always use it ;)
"A sheer fruity floral fragrance for modern women. Cheerful, playful & dreamy. Top notes of Mandarin Orange, Red Berries, Water Lily. Heart notes of Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Jasmine, Base notes of Vanilla, Caramel, Sandalwood, Launched in 2012"

~ Premium Sunless Tan Dark Lotion 
Brand: Xen Tan
Price: $65.10 NZD
This is my all time favourite self tanner! It works so well with my skin, isn't patchy and doesn't crease around my ankles like other self tanners do. I use around 2 coats to go quite dark, the bottle has lasted me for around 5 months so its really worth the price! I go a nice brown/olive colour, not orange because it has green base colours not orange. Highly recommend this tanner!! Also if you are a student you will get 15% off at ASOS and also ASOS have really good sales so sign up to get their emails (:
"Dark Lotion weekly self-tan by Xen-Tan. Featuring a moisturising formula enriched with jojoba nut oils and aloe, the streak-free self-tan provides an instant, long-lasting dark colour with natural olive undertones for the face and body. For best results wait three hours before showering or swimming after application."
Brand: Lioele
Price: $41.50 NZD
This is my favourite as of yet BB Cream. When I first got this I used it all the time under my foundation, until I realised I could wear it just by itself, it was great using it in the winter because the light colour matched my skin tone, and it was so much faster to apply since I had to catch a bus to get to my classes. It looked just like a foundation, in the summer was great as well as I didn't want to have a lot of makeup on my face, because it was a little too light for my skin colour for summer I darkened it with my MAC foundation - just a little bit. I have used two now and its been over a year, which is great! out of all the Lioele products this is my number 1 (:
"It makes your skin moist as yoghurt and hyaluronic acid supply moisture and nutrition. It is a slow stimulating product since it doesn't contain the ingredient of organic ultraviolet screen. The index of SPF 30 and PA++ not only control the gereration of skin blemish but makes your skin bright."

Brand: Nivea
Price: around $4 NZD in supermarkets 
I was just doing my weekly shopping and came across this, only because it had the word butter in it I thought it sounded good to get my lips back into tip top shape! After wearing lipsticks all the time and being on a farm (which is incredibly windy) my lips get cracked and sore, and it sucks when I put on lipstick and it looks all weird. After a few applications my lips were cured!! they felt so creamy and moisturised plus the butters smell amazing.. I found another product by lush cosmetics that exfoliates the dead skin from your lips, perfect combination! after I exfoliate my lips I then use the lip butter to hydrate and help restore the fresh skin from underneath the dead skin to be smooth and conditioned.  It can be a little bit sticky if you put too much on your finger, so apply a little bit each time (:
"NIVEA Lip Butter Vanilla & Macadamia is formulated with NIVEA's own Hydra IQ deep moisture technology which helps to restore and maintain soft and healthy lips and shea butter which protects the sensitive lip skin against the elements. With mild almond oil, NIVEA Lip Butters help to condition and calm even very dry lips for long-lasting moisturisation.  Contains nourishing Shea Butter and Hydra IQ for long-lasting moisturisation. Almond Oil to rehydrate dry lips.  Enticing vanilla & macadamia scent"

Brand: Lioele
Price: $26 NZDD
I thought it was normal that by the end of the day my chin, nose and forehead had no foundation or powder left on it. Until I got this spray, I saved soo much product and then money! I just thought I wasn't putting enough foundation on but it was just because I didn't have a makeup setting spray. This product is so great in the summer, I find that in the summer because of the heat the makeup just melts of my face, with using this I now can come home to a face full of makeup (: Also its a cool mist that sprays out of the bottle so its great to use on a hot day, I love how its also a mist because of the way it comes out. Its so much better than my MAC setting spray, I have to use a brush which is just less convenient compared to just spraying it over your face. It also comes in three different sprays but all help to set your makeup and hydrate your skin. This product gets huge thumbs up from me (:
"Makeup Fixer: with Violet Extracts and Polyglutamic Acid, it hydrates skin and helps makeup last longer. With fine particle spray system, light and tiny moisturizing particles penetrade deeply into skin."
"Pore Control: No shine. Pore control mist. Organic Marronnier, which obtained Ecocert, controls sebum secretion for soft skin. Fine particle spray moisturizes deeply and effectively refreshes skin."
Vitamin Moisture: Moisture-filled with Vitamin C, E and Rose Extracts, resolves skin roughness and vitalizes skin. With fine particles spray system, moisturizes deeply and effectively refreshes skin."

Brand: St.Ives
Price: Around $8.00 NZD
I have been using this product for about half a year now, I'm currently on my second bottle. Its amazing, it smells so good and the scent actually lasts! Its perfect after shaving my legs, keeps my legs smooth and keeps the dry cracked skin away.
"Indulge your skin and your senses with St. Ives Naturally Indulgent Body Lotion. Made with coconut milk and 100% natural moisturizers, this non-greasy luxurious lotion delivers hydrating moisture to keep your skin touchably soft and hydrated.  Made with all-natural Orchid extracts, this formula leaves a light fragrance while gently absorbing into your skin, leaving your feeling fresh and looking beautiful."

I hope you all enjoyed this post and found something interesting (: I love reading blogs because it helps me decide on whether something sounds like its worth getting or not. If you have something that is in my favourites or are contemplating on getting something leave me a comment below on your thoughts on the product or any questions (: Enjoy the rest of your day or night! Im looking forward to going to sleep straight after this! hehe love you all ! xx

Lots of Love
Bridgette xx