Harry Potter Studios: The Dark Arts Tour

Hey All

Last weekend L and I headed to catch up with uni friends for a Harry Potter themed weekend! Our friend is so crafty and had totally decked her house out and made an amazing Harry Potter Monopoly. As it was Dark Arts special we decided to head to the studios for another tour!

We'd all been before but there are so many things to notice I think every time you go you notice more things. We knew there would be extra things to see as on facebook there were some sneak peaks! We've been lucky enough to get special badges every time L and I have been!

The great hall is amazing and being able to walk through the same doors as all the cast have is amazing! It holds a crazy amount of double decker buses (I want to say 20+ I've forgotten the exact number!)

The hall was laid for the Halloween feast! Originally in the films real food was used but as the days went on resin food was used instead! It all looked so realistic!

There were death eaters around to have photos with! Of course we couldn't miss that opportunity!

The Horcruxes was one of the new exhibits! They were amazing to see. We all wanted the Ravenclaw Diadem!! It was so pretty!

The vanishing cabinet was amazing! The detail in all the set work really is unbelievable.

Imagine having had a part in making all of these, the books, the skulls, the random objects that probably came from an image in someone's head.

Borgin and Burke's was one of my favourite new additions for the Dark Arts exhibition, seeing all of the bits and bobs on display was so interesting

The Dementors were also hung up from the ceiling which was amazing to have them hanging around just like the real thing, very creepy.

Malfoy Manor was also there and was really good to see, the fire flickered in the background and all of the casts wigs and outfits were present on dummies which made the scene come to life.
The muggle teacher Charity Burbage was also hanging from the sky just like the scene at the manor with Voldemort and Nagini, who was also present on the table.

Another amazing thing was the case full of death eater masks, they were so detailed and unique to each person who had had their faces cast.

The death eater masks were beautiful! The detail to the was amazing! Everyone was different and cast from the actors face.

It was like an emotional rollercoaster looking at the new scenes. They even had real snakes for us to touch; the real snake they used for Nagini couldn't be shown as she was shedding her skin but they had some of the smaller ones for us instead which as just as good. The man was really informative and it was very interesting to hear about lots of the other animals he has for films.

Dolores Umbridge is arguably one of the most hated characters of the entire series; but obviously one of the most brilliant too. Her sugary pink sweetness goes way overboard into leaving you with a nasty after taste and her wardrobe and office match this overload!

I've seen pictures of Mary Berry sat here drinking tea from the celebrity opening of the exhibition; she suits it perfectly but in the complete opposite way.

One of my scariest but favourite moments was wandering through Diagon Alley which was totally different to normal. It was eerily quiet and the lights were dimmed; not to mention the terrifying Death Eaters who were wandering around too, look how scary they were!

Last time we went we didn't take photos outside, this time we had a little pose! It's great to have the cars and Privet Drive to have photos in! The night bus is also there which is amazing!

One thing we all loved is the books. Everything was thought about. All the currency was properly minted and you can buy the coins but after they started to disappear on set in later years plastic coins were used! In the books used on set one was written in Runes. Some made sense some didn't and it also had English in so Hermoine could read it. The staff are so knowledgeable and are on hand to give information!

This time we decided to treat ourselves to the butterbeer mugs!! We are both fans but it does get sickly, imagine caramel cream soda and it's similar to that!



We both went to the shop with huge lists but tried to be sensible. We both left with chocolate frogs and Hermione wand pens. L also snapped up a Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain t-shirt too which has barely left her back since, perfect Sunday wear!


Have you been to the Harry Potter Studios? Will you be going to see the Dark Arts exhibition?
We are already planning our next trip to see it, we cannot get enough!

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Hey pals!

One minute I feel I've used nothing up.....the next minute my empties bag is overflowing and this time I actually broke it by picking it up! Oops.

Here's my beauty rehab installment for recent times, I've been working my way through my stash like a boss!

Ojon Detox Shampoo - really nice, not sure how much it costs but i generally believe that shampoo isn't worth paying out for, however if i did....this would rate quite highly!

Macadamia Conditioner - cheapy from Lidl, well worth a try for the money (£1 I think?) though I dod prefer more hydration for my colour damaged locks

Toni & Guy Heat Protection Mist - I've never any idea if this really makes a difference but I thought this one smelled lovely and wasn't too heavy on my hair, thumbs up!

Charles Worthington Dry Shampoo - bought these for about 86p in the bargain section of Boots, will never bother with that again as these were absolutely crap. I begrudge paying 86p for cans of mist that disappear into thin air

Good Things Manuka Honey Cleanser - loved this and am using a different cleanser from them to see which is best; Good Things are really good and I can't wait to try more. currently using the matching moisturiser to this too!

Lacura Q10 Body lotion - This is an oldie but it's been great for sinking into skin straight away leaving it hydrated and non greasy. Would repurchase

Batiste - love at first use! Always the best.

Soltan Tan Exfoliator - great cheap exfoliator for use before tanning and any other time you feel the need for a good scrub; think the formula has got better recently too so well worth it especially as it is on offer quite a lot!

Molton Brown Facial Wash - used this for body as my skin is quite sensitive in my face. Lovely smell and foamed up well too, expensive as an every day one though!

Benefit Triple Performing Face Emulsion - sinks in super fast yet hydrates skin, it's a great one for use in the mornings for an even base for make up and also I used it in place of a serum in evenings for an extra boost.

Origins Make A Difference Hand Treatment - I will forever love the MAD range and even this hand cream makes it onto the list, lush smell and works a charm! Would repurchase

Nivea Q10 Skin Refining Serum - this didn't help my skin at all, it drank it up but it never felt hydrated. Wouldn't repurchase.

Oz Botanics Deep Conditioner - hated this, felt like my hair was coated with plastic.

S&G Righteous Butter - love love love, already on my Christmas list!

Origins MAD rejuvenating treatment - love the smell and my skin does feel clearer when using it though I do feel it's an additional product that isn't really necessary

Vichy Aqualia Thermal - love this, would repurchase both light and normal versions

Nip and Fab Tummy Fix - not convinced by this at all, wouldn't repurchase but I do love N+F as a brand

Aussie 3 min miracle - love Aussie, this was my last one and I think a new one will need to be purchased soon but need to work through some of my stash first

Baby shampoo - will forever be my go-to for washing brushes!

Porefessional - expect to see lots of these, I have 7 to use (eek!) which is very handy!

Crabtree and Evelyn - tester of handcream, very lovely and would recommend

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil - not convinced this was the 'best' but it melted most make up off, wouldn't repurchase as I've others I prefer

Benefit Erase Paste - already repurchased, LOVE

Molton Brown lipsheer - bought for me ages ago and loved them, though they've gone off colour I've had them so long so decided to get rid. Lovely lovely gift!

All of these have been favourites for ages but sadly have either dried out or run out. Needless to say I've replaced them where possible but some aren't available any more.

Revlon Colorstay - love this, will repurchase when I've worked through the dregs of some other bottles

Korres Citrus little body milk - came in a Birchbox, love it and need the full size!

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Eye Serum - also love this, have another ready to start once I've used some samples!

Revlon primer - fab primer for the £10ish price; worthy contender for Porefessional in my opinion and will repurchase

Origins MAD moisturiser - see above! This is just the travel size

Rapid Brow - my brows were lovely and conditioned after using this though no convinced it helped my brows grow as my small bald patches weren't helped!

Rapid Lash - same as above really, my lashes were in great condition afterwards

Rimmel 1000 Kisses - lovely colour, balm snapped on second use so that was disappointing

Elemis Lip balm - free with a magazine but really liked the peppermint smell

Benefit Gimme Brow - a product I thought I'd hate but fell head over heels for; need to repurchase but waiting for a cash injection into my purse!

So there we have it; what a ridiculous list of empties and used up products!

How is your stash looking? Mine has slimmed down in places but not in others. Skincare is definitely something that I'm obviously obsessed with!

What have you been using up lately?


L xxx

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Hey there!

A few weeks ago I spent probably what is termed a 'ridiculous' amount of money in Space Nk. It was my first ever purchase from them so I thought it was fitting I picked up my first ever Nars product....or should I say five products! Whoops!

I went for it, and I thought after hearing so much about it for such a long time I had to pick up the Orgasm blush.

The packaging is monochrome and obviously a good start for me. It's made out of rubberised material which sadly gets dirty from make up the easiest out of any other product I've ever got my make up covered hands on. It's infuriating but I'm having to get over it and allow my fingerprints to build up on it. Sigh.

The Orgasm blush is a pinky corally blush with a beautiful rose gold shimmer; it's so flattering I can barely believe how easy it is to pile on in the morning in a rush.

In some ways its pinker than i would have imagined, but a quick swirl with a brush and this can be blended out for a very light wash of colour or piled up (it's really pigmented!) to give you a sexy glow of which i would imagine that's where the name came from!

On the skin with a quick swirl using a Real Techniques blush brush and here's the effects, without and then with flash:

Super flattering, subtle shimmer, perfect glow for every day wear. I think I've actually found a rival for Coralista which is saying something as someone who has lots of blush products and only uses the one. Sorry coralista but I imagine you're going to be having a holiday for the next few weeks!

I'm really impressed with my first Nars product and for £22.50 for 4.8g I'm pretty happy with the price too. It's great quality and I'd recommend it to anyone. I also snapped up another blush in my haul along with 2 lip pencils and a concealer so I'm sure they will feature in the reviews very soon.

Have you tried Nars? What's your favourite blush?

L xxx