Popping my Forever Living Cherry...

Happy weekend y'all!

I hope we are all well and the sun is still shining where ever you are. Is it me or is this year going by super fast? You blink and it's the weekend again. The fact that I am turning the big 30 next week probably isn't helping either. You know when you dread something from happening SO bad... it happens SO much quicker. That's life. Dammit.

Anyway... Before I fall back into my current midlife crisis situation (which is legit happening) ... I have been testing some new products over the past 4 weeks which come from the company Forever Living. 

Forever Living has been around for a while now and is a well established company and from what I have gathered... Aloe Vera plays a big role in their products. I have known a few ladies to sell the products online but in all honestly... I have never tried them. 

So when Elaine popped up in my inbox asking me to try some of her products and give a real genuine review... I said WHY THE HELL NOT. 

Like I said... I am nearly 30. I need all the help I can get in the skin and detox department.

So here is the package I received. I even got chocolate. How did she know I LOVE creme eggs.... freaky. You get brownie points for that Elaine.

I will run through everything now one by one - And I have to say I was very impressed... especially with the eye cream. Wait til you see my results. INSANE.

1. Aloe Blossom Herbal Tea

So since I am sat here sipping the tea... I thought I may as well start with it. So let me just tell you a bit about me and tea. I don't drink it. Not even herbal. I can be so fussy sometimes. So yes... I am not a tea enthusiast.

 But for you Elaine... I gave this a whirl. And I drank it all. The first thing I noticed is it smelled lovely... Very fruity and the actual taste was not overpowering at all. It is quite sweet. I can imagine this would be really nice iced.

The ingrediants are: Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Cloves, Blackberry Leaf, Allspice, Fennel, Ginger, Cardamon, Aloe Blossom, Gymnema Sylvestre and Chamomile.

There is a lot of goodness in there for sure.

There are ZERO calories and no caffiene also so this would be perfect before bed with a nice book or facebook scroll. 

Detox teas at the moment are very popular. Going off first impressions I would totally recommend this one.

2. Smoothing Exfoliator

I don't use facial exfoliators often so I was excited to try this. I have always been kind of scared of them because my skin is an absolute arsehole. It is so oily and I am prone to breakouts so I have never wanted to irritate it further. 

After doing some research... I have been SO wrong. Exfoliators are actually good for ANY type of skin. Even mine. 

As well as revealing fresh skin cells... exfoliating removes dead skin cells from pores which will then make your pores smaller... which then obviously makes your make up look more on point. Winner winner chicken dinner.

Removing a build up of skin cells will also allow your moisturiser's and creams to absorb into the skin much better too. I am so angry with myself right now.

So I have used this 3 times a week and I found this scrub in particular very very gentle. My skin is always silky soft after use and it smells like orange as well. Super yummy. And it hasn't caused me any extra breakouts plus I still have a tonne left. A little bit goes a very long way. I am one happy bunny.

3. Awakening Eye Cream

This bad boy is my absolute favourite.

Without going into any details, I have quite a lot of crap going on at home and it has completely flared up my anxiety. I haven't had a good nights sleep in at least a month. It sucks. 

And I am also turning 30. Not sure if I have mentioned that yet. Collagen is depleting and everything is going South. Plus the skin around your eyes is SO delicate - We only get one skin so take care of it.

Despite all of this - I have still seen a significant improvement in my bags of doom in only 4 weeks. Just check out these results below.

Left is before. Right is after. 

My under eye bags honestly feel more plump and fresh. 

One of the main ingrediants is Marine Collagen. That stuff is literally like gold for your skin and has CRAZY anti-aging properties. 

I also have a tonne of this left still as well and when it runs out... I will be ordering more for sure. 

4) Aloe Propolis Cream

So this is a moisturiser for dry skin in particular and it helps sooth irritation. I am a chip pan face so I didn't give it a whirl. My other half Dave did however as he suffers with dry skin quite a lot. He loved it. Its super soft, non greasy and kept his flaky face- Sorry dry skin at bay! 

And finally...

5) Aloe Vera Jelly

 Like I said earlier... Aloe Vera is Forever Living's key ingrediant. There are so many health benefits.

 Historically, its main use was to sooth minor skin irritations so its perfect for any first aid kit. It can be used on the skin prior to ultrasonic treatment and after electrolysis. There have been some great results on eczema and psoriasis too which I know a lot of people struggle with. 

Heck - Even hairdressers have been known to use this around the hairline to protect the skin from perming and colouring. SO MANY USES.

Well guess how I used my sample... On sun burnt skin. I know... naughty Sarah. I forget I am a milk bottle under all my fake tan and should probably opt for Factor 50 aha! It really soothed my skin - God bless you Aloe Vera.

So there you have it. Some brilliant products that are natural and super gentle. Overall a huge thumbs up from me. 

If you have any questions about the products feel free to message Elaine at layneybabs@gmail.com. She also has a Facebook page you can follow...

www.facebook.com/thebeautywellbeinghub

You can also get 10% off all orders through Elaine by quoting 'SarahB'

So that's all from me this weekend. I am going to try and drag my child away from watching people open Kinder Eggs on Youtube and get him outside for some Vitamin D. 

Dave is taking me and Mason to the seaside again tomorrow as well and he is making a picnic. Lets hope there is some fizz in there hey... and cheese... LOTS OF CHEESE! 

Let me know what you are up to this weekend in the comments and have a good one!

See you soon. Much love <3 

Cohorted Beauty Box Review: June + Fun at the zoo!

Hey y'all! How are we diddlin? I hope everyone is super!

 I have a very exciting post for you today...

If you followed my blog when it first started, you will know how much I love monthly subscription boxes. I used to review both Birchbox and Glossybox... BATTLE STYLE but I have decided to switch things up. After doing much research... The Cohorted box seems to have the best reviews out there at the moment. It is way more expensive than the former two... But the value of your box is MUCH higher. Swings and roundabouts right.

So before I jump into all things make up... I just want to share what the Brokenshire family got up to last weekend. The weather again was bloody beautiful! We initially planned on going back up to Cleveleys in Blackpool... But we drove past Blackpool Zoo and decided to randomly head on in! It was a very good decison... Mason absolutely loved it.

He has always loved animals but he is literally obsessed with them these days. He definately loves the dog more than me too. I'm not even exaggerating. 

Mummy or dog? DOG. EVERYTIME. 

What is also really cool about Blackpool Zoo is they have a dinosaur section. Dinosaurs are another one of Mason's obsessions. You should have seen his little eyes light up. He 'roared' all the way round. Very cute.

So yeah... I would totally recommend Blackpool zoo. Its reasonably priced and they have a good variation of animals. A great family day out indeed. And afterwards... you can always head over to the beach and arcades for more fun. Them 2p machines suck me everytime.

Here are a few photos.

So apart from our little adventure here... I have been mainly working, gym'in, playing with make up and obsessing over Love Island. Standard Sarah behaviour really.

Drop in the comments who you are loving and not loving so much with Love Island! 

I have a feeling Eyaaaaaaaaaaal isn't going to be very popular aha.

So lets do this review shall we. 

As always... I am going to be 1 million per cent brutally honest.

First of all... I am a big fan of the packaging. Nice and classy with a simple bow. Love it.

The box also cost me £35 including delivery... The total box value is £146... And overall I am super impressed.

Normally you will get a mix of products from different companies in a beauty subscription box but this month's was all from one brand called Doucce from New York which I have in all honesty... never heard of. 

There is a great selection of products too ranging from a highlighter to blusher, to eyeshadow, mascara, a brow pencil, lipstick and lip liner. This box literally has you covered for either a yummy Summer daytime look to a glam night out.

This is the look I created. I decided to go all out baby. Go big or go home right? I would love to know what you think of the look - Just pop a comment below.

Someone please also tell me if gold hoops are in right now as well... I bought some to try and be a 'cool mum' aha!

I will run through each product now starting with my favourite.

The limited edition Pro Pallette: Worth a whopping £50

This was actually made for Cohorted subscribers which I think is a very special touch. The shades are gorgeous with a mix of shimmers and matts... and for a powder pallette... They feel creamy when applied. So weird but so lovely. 

So from the top of the swatch going down - You have the 4 eye shadows. There are then two fabulous blushes and a highlighter. 

To be honest... the photos don't even do this pallette justice. The shades are even more pigmented than they look. I think its time I invested in a professional camera for sure.

The only critique I have is the price. For £50 I would of expected a few more shades to play with. Even throw a cheeky blending brush in... Or am I pushing it?!

Matte Temptation Lipstick in 'First Date' : Worth £18

I think the shade of this lippy is so pretty. Who doesn't love a nude!? You can either dab it on your finger and add to the lips for a light look or you can go completely full coverage. I also love how the logo is imprinted on it. I just wish it felt a little more nourishing like it states it is.

Lip Definer Pencil in 'Lyra' : Worth £15

 This liner matches the lippy above. Its a lovely nude shade which would be lovely with a clear gloss and it goes on nice and soft. I really cant complain. Its a keeper. 

Brow Filler Pencil in 'Ash Brown' : Worth £17

Just like the lip liner... I have no complaints. I am a brow wax kinda gal and haven't really ventured into liners. I used this to define them further and loved it. Its a shade that should suit most skin tones as well.

Fiece and Fine Graphic Eyeliner Pen: Worth £16

This initially seems like a pretty good eyeliner but only time will tell if it dries up quickly or lasts a while. I will keep you updated. The actual pen is brill and it has lasted the day so far. It is very easy to grip and draw with which is what you need really. Liquid eyeliner can be a right b*stard to perfect.  

And finally...

The Maxlash Volumizer Mascara: Worth £17

 I cant lie. I really don't like this mascara. It just didn't do it for me. I like my lashes to have a tonne of volume and length. It failed me as you can see from the photos above. 

Sorry Doucce. Better luck next time. Still love ya. Promise.

So there you have it - Overall I am really happy with the products I received. Its not often you love every product a brand comes out with. That's just life. It doesn't help that I am super judgemental as well. Bring on July's box. I'm a tad excited! 

I would love to know if you would like me to do anything in particular for the blog as well... Tutorials for example? Just drop a comment below with any ideas.

Have a fabulous rest of your weekend guys! May it be filled with lots of prosecco as always...

Bank Holiday Fun & My Bargain Summer Buys

Ola. How are we all!?

How bloody wonderful was the weather last weekend. I hope everyone got some yummy sun. 

I don't see the sun too often up North - It pretty much likes to piss it down ALOT... so I took full advantage and took the little man to The Ice Cream Farm in Chester and to the beach in Cleveleys, Blackpool. It was a brilliant weekend! 

We had never even heard of the Ice Cream Farm before - But it is such a hidden gem! 

There is so much to do for the kiddies - even the super little ones. Mason really enjoyed the inside water and sand land, the diggers, the huge ice cream tree that blew bubbles and foam and of course...the crap load of ice cream we bought at the end. Its free entry with a few free areas - And then you just pay £4 with a pass for each area you want to go in - We will be going back again soon for sure!

Cleveley's beach in Blackpool is also a lovely little trip. The beach is huge, really clean and they do a great Fish n Chips. They also have an arcade where mummy can play on the 2p machines... They are my guilty pleasure. I just love making it rain with those dam tickets aha.

This weekend was also a lil' emotional for me and Dave too. Mason is a wee bit behind on his speech and he hasn't really been putting sentences together yet properly. This weekend he came out with so many 3 and 4 word sentences! Mummy and daddy are proud little man.

SO... Lets talk BARGAINS. Summer bargains in fact.

If you don't get a buzz when you pick up a super sweet deal... There is something wrong with you. I would much rather raid 10 charity shops than go the a big shopping centre. ANYDAY. I got Mason 4 brand new books the other day... for 50p. Winning at life.

So here are a few treats I have found myself falling in love with. 

1. Nyx Total Control Drop Foundation - £14

Now Summer is fast approaching and everyone is jetting off on their jollies... Nobody wants a heavy foundation that is going to melt off your face. Fact. 

We want to look matt darling... MATT.

Nyx is a brand that I am quite new too but if its good enough for Ru Pauls Drag Race... Its good enough for me baby.

This little beauty is awesome and I have been using it for a few months now. What I love about it the most is it is totally buildable. You can choose to use a couple of drops easily to cover your whole face giving you a light silky smooth matt finish. Or if you do want more coverage... Just build it up. 

And don't be fooled by its small appearance. A little goes a long, long way. 

I also have super oily skin and it lasts me all day. I'm in love.

2. The Himalayn Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask from the Body Shop - £17

Now you make be thinking... HOLD UP SISTA. £17 for a face mask isn't really a bargain.

Trust me... THIS IS. I would happily pay triple the price for the results this mask gives. I was literally blown away. I have tried a tonne of face masks and this is my ultimate fave so far.

I have quite large pores and my skin is legit as greasy as a chicken wing. I use this once a week rather than the recommended 3 times and it instantly sorts my pores out, absorbs excess oil and my skin looks so fresh afterwards I actually get compliments on it.

It is very gritty in texture as it exfoliates, it feels like you have spearmint on your face and it drys within 15 minutes to the point where your face can't move. Anyone else love that feeling from mud masks??? I bloody do aha.  

If anyone would like one of these - Hit my girl Jenny Bull up. She did me a fab deal: jennybull1988@gmail.com

3. Primark's Glow Pallette - £5

Back in the day contouring was the IN thing to do... Now we also highlight.

 You can never have too much in my opinion and there are so many pallettes around these days it is really hard to choose.

So when I saw this in my local Primani for a fiver... I though I would give it a whirl.

I am super impressed. There are 4 fabulous shades including a blush and you can build them up easily and the pigment is so pretty. Perfect with a Summer tan. 

Primark's make up game is seriously strong. I am going to go on a huge haul soon.

4. The Mighty Mattes Pallette by W7 - £4.99

Please excuse how messy my pallette is inside. I am a messy person. I can't help it.

So W7 are also a brand I have only really recently heard of and they have a whole rang of eye pallettes that you can grab for around £5 each. They even have a dupe of the Urban Decay Heat pallette which I definately need to try. 

I bought this one because I am a total nude gal. I didn't expect much from it to be totally honest going off the price. 

Now don't get me wrong... This is no Jacylin Hill Morphe Pallette. The pigment is pretty basic. But if you use a wet brush... You still get some lovely shades and it stays on all day. 

For a fiver and all these shades... You can't really complain.

There is also something very therapeutic about swatching. Anyone else think so?

And to finish off with some tanning products of course...

5.  Garnier Summer Body Tinted Moisturiser - £5.49

I have been using this bad boy for YEARS. 

My real shade is 'MILK BOTTLE REALNESS' and nobody needs to see that. 

And lets face it... as I have become older... I have also become lazier. I treat myself to a proper spray tan on special occasions but other than that... This keeps me happy. 

You can apply this SO quickly without getting any streaks, its a fab moisturiser and I find I only need to use this a couple of times a week to keep my tan up. There is a lighter shade if you are a little scared of tanning products - you will just need to use it more often if you want a deep tan.

6. FM's 2 Phase Tan Accelerator - £12

I have never ever used a tan accelerator before. I have always just let the sun do its thang. I am now a total convert. 

I put this literally to the test on my boyfriend who never really gets one of those amazing tans... his is always pretty basic. Sorry. Not sorry Dave. 

So he used this when we went to the beach at the weekend... and OH MY GOSH. He tanned a ridiculous amount. And it has coconut oil in to moisturise and improve the skins firmness. 

I am going to take a crate load of this to Crete.

So those are a few of my favourite Summer bargain picks at the moment guys! 

Totally honest reviews as always. I would also love some feedback on the blog - Feel free to pop some in the comments. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend lovelies. And drink lots of prosecco. Its good for the brain.