This time tomorrow ...

... I will be singing my lungs out and bopping about to the one and only Rihanna!!

I cannot tell you how excited I am to go, not to mention the fact that I am going with my buddy Jen who I don't get to see too often as we live miles apart (our lass is a Geordie).

The tour is sponsored by Nivea who are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year and Rihanna just happens to be the voice of the centennial celebrations! Thanks to Nivea, I have been given the opportunity to go along and watch this utter goddess of pop perform!  The Nivea tour bus will also be at the venue so hopefully I will get to pop on for a nosey.

Who knows, maybe I will bump into the lady herself *I die*

Now I need to go panic about what to wear ... ;)

Win a capsule wardrobe with ASOS/Nivea

Oooh, ladies ... here's something a l'il exciting and it's with fave online retailer ASOS.

To celebrate the launch of Nivea Invisible for Black And White Deodorant, they have teamed up with ASOS to create a delightful monochrome capsule wardrobe that can be won on the ASOS site between 18th April - 31 May.

Each week 50 lucky winners will win the 4 piece capsule range consisting of retro-esque tailoring in a classic monochromatic palette.  I have been on having a look a the range and have already spotted my firm favourite from the collection.

Usually an LBD girl ... I have gone outside my comfort zone and fallen for the LWD (Little White Dress, if you are trying to work it out ;p)  ... this gorgeous white skater style dress.  Isn't it lush?  It can be styled in so many ways and I always find the skater style flattering on my curves.  

I've used ASOS online styling tool to team this dress with killer cobalt blue heels, perfect for a summer wedding or a night on the razz :)  I have the perfect blue clutch to match too ... This is even a potential birthday outfit!

Make sure you enter the competition by going to www.asos.com/Nivea and style up your favourite from the collection to be in with a chance of winning.  With 50 winners each week, I have high hopes and my fingers crossed that one of us, if not a few, will be a winner :)

In anticipation for tonight's competition launch I decided to try out Nivea Invisible for Black and White Deodorant seeing as most days my work wardrobe consists of black and only black - a perfect road test.   It left me feeling fresh, smelling sweet and no talcy white residue left on my clothes.  WIN!  Thumbs up to a deodorant that won't stain and ruin my clothes :)

I am now off to crack open a bottle of wine, eat cake and do a bit of an ASOS splurge ... and that's even before the bestie gets here!  Ah well, she will just need to catch up ... I'll try and remember to leave some cake for her ... and some ASOS stock ... if she's lucky! ;)

x

Nivea Soft

In my last Nivea post I mentioned that my favourite day moisturiser is Nivea Soft.  I wear it everyday without fail using it as a replacement for a primer.  It is rich enough to re-hydrate my skin and light and easily absorbed enough to be worn under make up without it slipping off or causing oiliness.  It contains Jojoba oil and Vitamin E leaving skin feeling supple, smooth and refreshed.

Even though I love this moisturiser, even I was unaware of it's popularity - it's Nivea's best selling worldwide product with 13 sold every minute in the UK alone!

So, it was pretty exciting when 3 tubs of Nivea Soft arrived on my doorstep one morning.  I go through tubs of these like there is no tomorrow (it's also a body moisturiser so I end up using a LOT of this product).

My new arrivals weren't just any old Nivea Soft, these were limited edition packaged as designed by fashion designer Josep Font.  Known for his avant-garde pieces,  Josep's Nivea designs were inspired by his haute couture collections and were designed with the objective ...'the beauty creation'.

There are 3 limited edition designs:

• Estella - inspired by expressionist sculptor Frank Stella depicting the eyes of a fantastical female figure flash through a kaleidoscope of shapes and colours
• Sea - motif of a mermaid wearing a turban of starfish
• Dreams - evokes a mysterious night time world

If like me, you are a sucker for chic packaging, you can get these lovely limited edition tubs from April to July at an RRP £6.59

x

Kissable lips with Nivea Hydro Care

Can you believe we are already in February? ... the month of Luuurrrvve!

That's right Valentine's Day is just around the corner and if you want to be guaranteed of a smooch on the most loved up day of the year, you better get those smackers in tip top shape.

I'll be honest Valentine's Day isn't sold on me but soft, supple, kissable lips is.

On Valentines day I hope to be stealing a kiss from this man ....

My husband - schwing! :)

... who comes a close second to this man ;) ...

James Franco ... Double Sch-wiiiing! ;)

...Keep dreaming!

I have been using Nivea Hydro Care Lip salve for the past 2 weeks now having been sent it for review purposes.  I had been suffering from dry lips due to the cold snap but during the day I never remember to apply a lip salve or balm to lips, usually opting for another coat of gloss which in fact ends up drying out lips even more.

I apply Nivea Hydro Care at night time before going to bed and also keep it sitting on my desk at work during the day to remind me to use it when lips are feeling particularly dehydrated.  This is a lovely salve to apply and doesn't layer on too thick at all.  It leaves a nice shine and a moisturising, hydrated feeling on the lips.  After a few days my dry lips had greatly improved, therefore the bright lipstick has come out instead of my neutral cover up I have been sporting for the past while.

Because it quickly absorbs and is non greasy it makes a good balm to wear underneath a lipstick, especially brights if you want to tone them down a little or prevent them from drying out your lips.

Nivea Hydro Care is available at Boots for around £2.

So who's your dream lip locker this V Day?

x

Nivea Pure & Natural

As a teenager, my mum told me that Marilyn Monroe's secret to beautiful skin was Nivea moisturiser.  My mum uses it, she has wonderful skin and ever since I have used it too.

Recently, I have done a bit of googling on the subject and evidence seems to point to the fact that Marilyn did indeed use Nivea moisturiser and there is even photographic evidence on the matter.  She was a beauty - is it any wonder I wanted to follow in her footsteps?  I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream everyday before applying my make up and my skin is usually (touch wood) in good shape.

Obviously Nivea as a brand has evolved and grown since the days of Ms. Monroe so I was extra pleased to be asked to try out some new products from a brand I have trusted and has been part of my daily routine for so many years.

Nivea Pure & Natural has been developed by scientists to deliver incredible results with natural ingredients at an affordable price.  95% of the ingredients are of 'natural origin' and are free from parabens, silicones, colourants and mineral oils.  The lead ingredient in these products is Argan oil which contains 3 times as much Vitamin E than Olive oil and is a natural antioxidant.  

I was sent the the facial cleanser and toner which are priced at £3.36 along with the anti-wrinkle day and night face care priced at £8.49.

Now to fill you in, I don't have a hard and fast cleansing routine.  I try earnestly to remove all my make up at the end of the day, even after nights out but every now and then i do slip up.  Usually slipping up means I have resorted to facial wipes but in my mind even this is better than nothing.  More often than not though, I cleanse, tone and moisturise before bedtime.  I have no particular brand I stick to, I have tried lots over the years but I am yet to find my Holy Grail.

Nivea Pure & Natural Cleansing Lotion & Toner

For the last month I have used the Nivea Pure & Natural cleanser and toner before bedtime.  The cleanser is a white formula that feels just like a moisturiser.  There is little to no scent.  I massage this lotion all over my face and massage gently over my eyes and lashes.  I then use a cotton pad to remove.  I usually double cleanse with this particular product which is something that has been recommended to me by most facialists I have encountered.  I then use the toner by splashing straight onto a cotton pad and sweeping over my face lifting any excess make up residue.

The lovely thing about this new routine is how cool and soothing they feel on the skin as well as super nourishing.  Even before I put my moisturiser on, my skin feels soft and hydrated. 

Nivea Pure & Natural Anti-wrinkle day and night cream

After cleansing I go on to use the anti-wrinkle night cream from the Nivea Pure & Natural collection. The anti-wrinkle collection not only contains argan oil but also Burdock Fruit which contains arctiin which has been discovered to support the synthesis of collagen in the skin.  I apply my usual oils to my face and once settled I apply the night cream.  It is quite a thick, rich cream but doesn't feel too heavy on the skin.  I wake up with my skin feeling firm and looking smooth, radiant and most importantly awake!

The anti-wrinkle day cream is the only product I haven't tested as extensively as the rest.  Unlike my Nivea soft moisturising cream, it doesn't sit so well under my make up, however as I had a few weeks ill with flu after New Year, I was able to use this cream every day while I was make up free.  Instead of my skin looking dull and feeling grey under the blues of my sickness, it kept a subtle radiance and felt hydrated and nourished despite how I was feeling.

Personally I am really excited about this Nivea launch, a brand I have a real bond with can now provide me with so much more than my tried and tested moisturiser, a 95% natural range at a fantastic price too.  I am not sure if it's in my Holy Grail category just yet but it is definitely a repurchase collection for me.

You can find more information on these products at the Nivea website http://www.nivea.com/.  The Nivea Pure & Natural collection is available from the 20th February and you can purchase at Boots stores and online at Boots.com.