● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD - GIFTED | If you're looking for the perfect treat to start your day, forget the Porridge, Pancakes and Avocado Toast... Açaí Smoothie Bowls are the new king of the breakfasts! They seem to be all the rage right now; packed with so much nutritional value, packed with vitamins, proteins and antioxidants, topped with fresh fruit and superfoods. It's the perfect breakfast for a warm Summers day... What more could you want?

Sambazon* is the world’s leading producer of Açaí; one of the purest, most nutritious botanicals on the planet. Allowing Brits to create the Insta-famous Açaí Bowl at home, Sambazon is on a mission to bring real Açaí to the UK!

"Taking its name from its core goal, Sambazon stands for the Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon. "

Açaí grows in the Amazon Rainforest, and it is one of the only fruits on the planet to be naturally sugar free, packed with antioxidants, and full of healthy omegas, fibre and protein. The Açaí Smoothie Bowl are ideal for enjoying as a health boosting breakfast, filling lunch time, pre and post exercise, healthy snack or as an after dinner treat. The perfect treat, with no guilt!

To make the Açaí Bowl, simply remove two pouches from the freezer and run them under the tap for ten seconds to loosen them up a little. Then add the sachets to a blender with half a banana and a splash of milk. Once combined, simply pour into a bowl, ready to add your yummy extras.

I topped mine with a variety of fresh fruit: Mango Chunks, Kiwi, Blueberries, as well as some Cacao Nibs, Dried Coconut and Goji Berries.

With this being my first attempt at making a Sambazon Frozen Açaí Smoothie Bowl as well as my first time trying one, I was very impressed! It has such an earthy, natural taste, with a slight chocolatey hint, it was unlike anything I had ever tried before. Once blended, the Sambazon Açaí* has such a thick and creamy texture; think of it as a similar version to a frozen yoghurt, it was the perfect refreshing snack to eat in the morning. After eating, I felt more awake, more energised and ready to get on with my day!

If I was to make the Sambazon Frozen Açaí Smoothie Bowl again, I would definitely love to try and add some fresh Strawberries, Pineapple, Peaches and Blackberries!

All Sambazon products are 100% organic, Fairtrade, vegan, non-GMO, gluten free and Kosher. The packs are available in the freezer aisle at Whole Foods Market and Ocado.

Have you heard of Sambazon? Do you like Açaí Smoothie Bowls?

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Reed diffusers are extremely popular in home fragrances right now. With an amazing variety of scents available, they are a great way to add constant fragrance to your home, and they will give you a scent that's much longer-lasting than a candle. As they lightly release the scent throughout the room without flames, making them more practical and much safer to use in the home.

I decided to head to my local Primark's homeware department and pick up a Reed Diffuser, to try out for myself and see what all the fuss was about. I opted for the very fruity and refreshing sounding "Pink Lemonade" diffuser, which just screamed Summer to me! A revitalising mix of fruity flavours and lemonade make this perfect for any home!

Reed diffusers are so quick and easy to use... Simply remove the stopper from the top of the glass bottle and insert the reeds into the fragranced diffuser oil. The reeds soak up the scent, emitting a pleasant and fresh aroma around your home. You will need to flip the reeds over, around once a week, to avoid them drying out so that the scent of the diffuser oil can continue spreading throughout the room.

The scent of the Pink Lemonade Diffuser is described as Rhubarb and Lemon, which to me is a perfect combination for a truly summertime fragrance. The sweet and sugary Rhubarb, combined with the zesty, zingy and citrus Lemon, makes this such a refreshing and uplifting aroma to have in the home. Super fresh and extremely fruity, it's definitely one homeware product to pick up on your next Primark trip!

The 100ml Pink Lemonade Reed Diffuser from Primark has great lasting power. It will keep your room smelling fresh for up to 8 weeks! That's a whole TWO MONTHS! Primark have plenty of other available scents in their homeware range, so if Pink Lemonade isn't for you, there will definitely be something to suit your preferences. From Madagascan Vanilla to Vintage Blossom to Sea Salt and Lavender to Pomegranate and Fig, there is a huge variety of fragrances perfect for any home!

RRP £3.00 100ml

Also available £1.00 30ml

Have you tried Primarks Reed Diffusers before? What scents have you tried/would like to try?

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If you have always wanted to try out a quality sheet mask, I may just have the product that you have been waiting for... Let's take a look at a couple of the Moisture Bomb Tissue Masks I picked up recently from Garnier.

Sheet masks originated from South Korea, a country known for their dedication to beauty and skin care. Since then, they have taken the world by storm, many beauty brands now have their own ranges of sheet masks and they are now widely available in both the drugstore and supermarkets.

The beauty of sheet masks is that they can be used pretty much anywhere and anytime. A perfect wake me up for those tired mornings, an evening glow boost ready for your night out, or even on the go whilst travelling, they are definitely a great addition to any skincare routine.

Instructions for use are super simple.

1. Unfold the mask. Carefully apply the white tissue to thoroughly cleansed skin. Make sure the blue protective film is facing outwards. Smooth the mask gently to ensure contact with the skin.

2. Remove the protective film.

3. Adjust the mask contours on the face. Leave for 15 minutes.

4. To remove the mask, peel off slowly from the edges. Gently massage in any excess serum, or use a cotton pad to remove.

The first product I picked up was the Garnier Skin Active Charcoal and Algae Hydrating Sheet Mask. Enriched with Black Algae Extract, LHA and Hyaluronic Acid, a perfect pamper product for those will oily/combination skin, as this helps to mattify, purify, and detox congested skin, as well as tightening enlarged pores.

Black Algae Extract is packed with proteins, nutrients and amino acids. A natural ingredient known for its anti-ageing properties and treating dark circles under the eyes, as well as helping with skin elasticity and fine lines. These nourishing, yet soothing ingredients hydrate the skin’s surface, while the Charcoal works some magic by removing any impurities, to give a gentle, deep cleanse to the skin.

Next up we have the Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask. This has to be my favourite sheet mask that I have tried. Soaked in a super silky serum, enriched with Pomegranate Extract, Hyaluronic Acid and Plant Serum, this is a brilliant treat for those with dehydrated skin. Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, a nutrient important for skin health, as well as packed with antioxidants and anti-ageing properties. What more could you want?!

After using both these masks for the recommended 15 minutes, my skin looked super healthy and hydrated. It's amazing how my complexion looked smoother, plumper and more radiant in such a short space of time! These Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Masks contains one whole week's worth of hydrating serum, which will keep your skin looking moisturised, revitalised and nourished all day and all night long. Masks so good that I have repurchased more of these to try and test out as a weekly pamper treat, as they are so fuss-free and easy to use. I would highly recommend giving these mask a go!

Garnier also have some other products available in the Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask range for all your skin types and needs, including;

Green Tea; Super Hydrating Rebalancing Mask

Chamomile; Super Hydrating Soothing Mask

Sakura; Super Hydrating Glow-Revealing Mask

Lavender; Super Hydrating De-Tiring Mask

Have you tried the Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Masks? Which is your favourite?

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When it comes to haircare, Aussie is my go to brand. I've used their products for years and years, they just have the perfect products to fulfil my haircare needs and I am never disappointed.

“There's more to life than hair, but it's a good place to start“: The Aussie Philosophy

I recently picked another bottle up of the Aussie 3 Miracle Oil Intensive Lightweight Oil. (It's so good, I'm on my third bottle!) A treatment specifically designed for those with damaged hair, I thought now the sun is shining, and the weather is warming up, this could be a great product to bring out to add to my Summer haircare routine, to help avoid heat damaged and my hair drying out.

Aussie 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor Treatment

The product itself has a clear oil and serum consistency, which is easily absorbed into the hair. Blended with 3 beautiful, miracle oils ; Australian Macadamia Nut, Jojoba-seed and Avocado, encouraging your hair to look effortlessly silky, smooth and shiny. It smells super sweet, fresh and slightly nutty.

Just a few drops spread through the lengths and ends of my hair gives plenty of moisture and shine with no greasiness and no sticky residue. Simply making my hair feel super soft, more manageable and tangle free.

The directions for use are super simple, there are 3 main uses for this product and I honestly find all 3 very effective.

- use the oil before shampooing as a pre-wash treatment

- on damp hair to help with smoothness, seal split-ends and manage frizz and flyaways

- on dry hair for amazing shine, looking nourished and perfect for styling

I've used the Aussie 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor Treatment over and over again. I just love the way it makes my hair look and feel; amazing shine, visibly nourished and makes it feel super soft. Retailing at £9.99, it's on the pricier side for a drugstore oil, but seeing as it gives amazing results from the first use and will last a really long time as a little goes a long way, I definitely think it's worth the investment!

Have you tried the Aussie 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor Oil Treatment?

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New for 2018, L'Oréal Paris has added a trio of Smooth Sugars Scrubs to their skincare range, and as a skincare lover, I couldn't wait to try them!

The product I chose to pick up from this range is the L'Oréal Smooth Sugars Nourish Scrub. The Smooth Sugar Nourish Scrub is formulated with exfoliants of 100% natural origin, containing three fine sugars; brown, golden and white.

L'oreal Paris Smooth Sugars Nourish Scrub

The expert blend also contains 3 fine sugars; White sugar that melts on the skin while gently buffing away impurities and dead skin cells. blonde sugar, which is a natural moisturiser, and brown sugar which is rich in minerals that help strengthen the skin's barrier.

The three sugars have been combined with Cocoa Butter; a natural ingredient rich in essential nutrients to help soothe dryness, and to help exfoliate, producing a soft and smooth complexion and instantly reveal glowy, plump skin.

Upon application, the sugar scrub glides across the skin so effortlessly, simply melts into the skin. I like to use a flat brush to apply, as a little goes a long way! I like to leave the scrub on my skin for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off with a damp face cloth. The nourishing ingredients leave the skin looking super soft, hydrated and brightened, so I think this would be perfect for those with dry and dull looking skin.

The texture of the L'Oréal Paris Smooth Sugars Nourish Scrub is super smooth, velvety, non-abrasive and it just glides of the skin. Cocoa Grains are infused into the sugar scrub to help remove any dead skin cells to help improve softness, remove texture and clear the skin of impurities. It's an absolute dream to use on the skin!

"The expert blend also contains 3 fine sugars; White sugar that melts on the skin while gently buffing away impurities and dead skin cells. blonde sugar, which is a natural moisturiser, and brown sugar which is rich in minerals that help strengthen the skin's barrier."

I'd highly recommend the L'Oréal Paris Smooth Sugars Nourish Scrub for those will dry, dull skin or if you are just lacking that radiant glow. However, if the Nourish Scrub isn't for you, L'Oréal also have 2 other products in the Smooth Sugars range that might cater for your skin needs. Suitable for all skin types. For face and lips.

Have you tried the L'Oréal Smooth Sugars Scrub? Which is your favourite?

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I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love Garlic Bread. It's the most tasty, quick and easy to make side dish that I can think of, and doesn't require too many ingredients either, so you can't really go wrong -> just bread + garlic + butter = a winning combo!

It is such a popular side dish to serve with so many different dishes... You name it, Garlic Bread goes with it.

For my Ultimate Garlic Bread recipe, you will need;

- 2 ready to bake Baguettes, cut in half

- 4 Garlic Cloves, peeled and chopped

- 3 tbsp of Butter

- 1 tsp of Parsley

- Olive Oil

- Salt and Pepper

- Chilli Flakes (optional)

- Grated Cheese, Cheddar and Mozzarella (optional)

To begin making this tasty treat, you will need to firstly grab a microwave-safe bowl or cup. Then combine all of the ingredients together; the Butter, chopped Garlic, Salt, Pepper and Parsley, followed by a splash of Olive Oil.

Microwave the mixture on a low power setting, for 30-40 seconds, until the butter has completely melted. Then remove from microwave and give the mixture a good stir, making sure everything is combined.

With a fork, press some holes evenly across the baguettes; this allows your buttery mixture to absorb and fully soak into the bread better, giving a much better flavour to your dish! Spoon the Garlic Butter mixture evenly over the baguettes until covered. Now they are ready to bake in the oven!

If you are using ready to bake Baguettes, these will take around 8-12 minutes to cook in a preheated oven, around 200° is perfect. Once the baguettes are ready, I like to finish them off by placing under the grill for a couple of minutes, this allows the mixture to soak deeper into the bread and the fresh Garlic to super crunchy! Delicious!

I prefer to make my own homemade Garlic Bread, as I find store-bought versions sometimes lack in flavour, or can be completely dry as there is not much butter mixture added. I like mine to be super buttery and packed full of garlic, for that extra punch!

As an added extra, you can finish off my Ultimate Garlic Bread Recipe by adding some grated Cheese and a pinch of Chilli Flakes (for a little spicy kick) before you place under the grill. I like to use a grated Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese, as for me this is the best combination of cheeses to use, as they melt perfectly and go super crisp under the grill.

Do you make your own Garlic Bread at home? What is your favourite recipe to use?

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As a lover of all things skincare, I always switch up my face masks. I usually use them 1-2 times a week, according to my skincare concerns and what I feel my skin needs. Recently my skin has had a few breakouts, probably from the constant changes in the weather, and I've needed something to help cleanse my skin thoroughly and make it look clearer and healthier.

I opted for The Body Shop Skin Clearing Tea Tree Face Mask; a skincare product suitable for those prone to blemishes, helping to soothe, calm and promote clearer looking skin

This the perfect face mask for those with an oily/combination skin type or those who need to deeply cleanse then skin. A clay mask infused with purifying Tea Tree, a powerful antibacterial ingredient, with healing properties, grown in the foothills of Mount Kenya, this is a great product for those with blemished complexions, that need a quick skin refresh, without leaving a tight or drying feel to the skin. This mask will help to clear any impurities whilst absorbing excess oils and sebum, leaving skin feeling smoother, softer, calmer and clearer looking.

"This instantly cooling face mask cleanses, soothes and refreshes the skin."

In terms of appearance and texture, this face mask from The Body Shop has a very thick and creamy consistency, with a soft, minty green colour. There is a definite Tea Tree scent, but nothing too overpowering. Upon application, I tend to use a flat brush to apply my masks to help get an even layer across my skin, the mask feels very smooth, with a slightly cooling and tingly sensation once applied.

As the mask begins to dry, you will still feel the skin tighten ever so slightly. This face mask from The Body Shop somehow manages to keep the skin feel hydrated, which is unlike any other clay mask I have used, as most of them tend to be super drying on the skin. Once fully dry, I simply remove with a warm flannel or muslin cloth, to reveal clean and refreshed skin, that looks revitalised and plumper.

I would highly recommend this Tea Tree Face Mask from The Body Shop to anyone suffering with blemishes, redness and impurities or those wanted to help control oil production on the skin.

Have you tried this Body Shop Mask? What are your favourite face masks?

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Maui Moisture; A brand that has made its way straight into my current hair care routine. They are a brand inspired by the handpicked and handcrafted ingredients which can be found on tropical islands, such as Maui. With hair care ranges to nourish, revive, strengthen, quench and restore hair, Maui Moisture caters for all hair types and textures, offering a variety of shampoos, conditioners, hair masks and mists, combining the best formulas and ingredients needed to help keep your hair looking soft and silky.

Incorporating ingredients such as Shea Butter, Coconut, Agave, Bamboo and Vanilla Bean, combined with their signature blend of Aloe Vera juices infused with pure Coconut Water, there is definitely something for everyone. If you’re new to Maui Moisture, you're definitely missing out and need to get your hands on their products asap!

Maui Moisture Revive & Hydrate Shea Butter Hair Mask

I opted for the Maui Moisture Shea Butter Hair Mask, which is part of the Revive & Hydrate range, a product suitable for those with dry, damaged hair. For a girl that loves to blow dry, straighten and style my hair, I needed something that would keep my hair feeling strong and nourished, as well as providing deep and intense conditioning, to prevent heat damage and breakage, and this did just the job.

A hair mask packed with Aloe Vera Juice, Coconut Water, Creamy Shea Butter, Rich Coconut Oil and Pure Macadamia Oil, this was the perfect remedy to improve the look, feel and texture of my hair, especially my dry mid-lengths and ends. The scent is absolutely dreamy, so fresh and fruity, it's like being sent to a tropical paradise!

The texture of Maui Moisture Shea Butter Hair Mask is so rich and thick, you know it's going to do a great job. Packed with creamy Shea Butter and blended along with exotic Coconut and Macadamia oils softening and nourishing hair back to looking healthy and shiny.

Upon application, I like to shampoo my hair first to make sure my hair is clean and free from any product build up. I apply an egg-sized amount of product all over my hair, mainly focusing on my ends. I then gently brush through my hair to make sure each strand is coated with product, and leave for around 10 minutes and rinse. When my hair is feeling extra dry, I also like to use it as a leave-in treatment, simply apply a small amount onto freshly washed, towel-dried hair to deeply condition mid-lengths and ends."

"The next big thing in haircare, Maui Moisture takes out the bad to leave more room for the good."

Maui Moisture is crafted into 5 other amazing ranges for all different hair types and textures to help get your hair looking healthy.

Curl Quench + Coconut Oil for curly hair

Strength & Anti-Breakage + Rich Agave for chemically damaged hair

Smooth & Repair + Vanilla Bean for frizzy, unruly hair

Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibres for weak, brittle hair

Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk for dry hair

Have you ever tried anything from Maui Moisture before?

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AD - GIFTED | When it comes to everyday makeup, I like to keep things quite simple and natural. Usually a touch of concealer, a few coats of mascara and a quick fill in of the eyebrows and I'm good to go.

Recently I was contacted by ESQIDO; a brand focused on professional grade mink lashes that claim to be "the softest, lightest, and most natural looking false eyelashes you’ll ever wear." Baring in mind I had never used false lashes before, as I felt it could be quite fiddly to use and very time consuming, I thought this opportunity would be something worth a go, and to see what my first attempt at false lashes would be like.

I was very kindly gift a pair of Esqido 'Unforgettable' false eyelashes*. For an everyday look, I like my eyelashes to look long, volumized and separated, this helps to give my eyes a dramatic and defined look. These lashes looked exactly what I wanted for an everyday look, full and fluttery yet still very natural.

The ESQIDO eyelash glue*, a clear coloured formula with strong all day hold, just what you need in an eyelash glue, as you don't want them peeling off half way through the day! With a fine tip wand applicator, it's very easy to brush on the right amount of glue to your false lashes, without making a mess.

Unforgettable Mink Eyelashes*

"Natural and elegant. Perfect for wedding. This pair of mink lashes features a gradient of increasing length and thickness across the lash band, resulting in a subtle yet beautiful winged out effect. The Best Style for Everyday Wear."

Here are my before and after photographs.

As you can see, the results these Esqido lashes gave were amazing! My lashes went from straight and flat, to looking extremely lifted and fluttery, creating quite a defined and dramatic eye look without being too over the top. These lashes would definitely be suitable for an everyday makeup!

In terms of application, I struggled at first. I've never applied false eyelashes before so I had no technique whatsoever! I needed to trim the lashes slightly, just so they would suit and fit my eyes perfectly. I found using tweezers to be quite difficult, so I just proceeded to use my fingers to apply. It took me a few attempts to line up and apply the lashes as closely as I could to my lash line. I did find that the glue did dry quite quickly, so you need to be ready to apply the lashes straight away once the glue has gone tacky on the lashes, I left it around 10 seconds to dry before applying them. I made sure I had plenty of glue on the outer ends of the lashes, as they were much harder to get to stick firmly than the centre of the lash.

Have you tried Esqido Lashes before? What are your favourite eyelashes to use for a natural makeup look?

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