Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Valentine's Gift Suggestion - Lush PS I Love You


I love this Valentine's Day Gift box from Lush, from the contents to the beautiful, reusable box.

PS I Love You - contains the following items :

Silky Underwear dusting powder - Jasmine fragranced
Sweetheart soap (100g mini heart shape) - Jasmine, mandarin and vanilla scented soap
It’s Raining Men shower gel (100g) - rich honey-toffee fragrance shower gel
Soft Coeur massage bar - Soft centred massage bar with cocoa powder and honey that you can both enjoy

This really is a box full of romantic treats. Inspired by the bygone act of writing love letters, the box is adorned with amorous messages and is ideal to reuse as a memory box after. I think this is an ideal gift to give or receive.

PS I Love You costs £16.95 and is available at Lush stores or online

Guest Post - Feel Unique Beauty Box 2012 - Reviewed

Today's guest post of the Feel Unique Beauty Box has been written by the very talented Kerri Miller from Starstruck Designs. Starstruck Designs specialises in Bridal Tiaras and Jewellery.

I’m a Mum first and foremost. Second and third place are fiercely fought between being a wife and being the crazy woman that stays up until the small hours making bridal tiaras. Me as an identity rarely gets a look in these days. Between Christmas and New Year (2011) I managed to convince my husband that the Beauty Box, from www.feelunique.com was a good, economical way for me to try new beauty products, whilst helping me to stick to my New Year’s resolution of spending a bit more time on ME. The fact that it appealed to my utter obsession with miniatures is another matter entirely…

On Monday, 9th January my first gorgeous black and hotpink box arrived.  Cue a lovely hot cuppa and a rare peaceful 5 mins to “oooh” and “ahhh” over the contents:



Dead Sea Spa Magik Salt Brushing
Lierac Creme Mesolift Anti-Aging Radiance
Caudalie Vinotherapie Nourishing Body Lotion
Phyto PhytoBaume Color Protect Express Conditioner
This Works Clean Skin for the Face

Dead Sea Spa Magik Salt Brushing

This is billed as a best selling body hero. Coconut oil and vitamin E are combined and the aim is to reduce cellulite, increase circulation, improve tired skin, and to nourish and hydrate. I liked this product, apart from one thing – the smell. It was really citrusy, and we’re not talking “just pierced lemon skin”, but more of a “just opened the bathroom cleaner” kind of way. The product itself is easy to apply, feels lovely going on, rinses off beautifully and left my skin feeling super soft for the entire day (I didn’t moisturise afterwards just to be sure). With only 2 packets in the box I can’t vouch for long term benefits, but unless the synthetic fragrance is changed, I’m unlikely to be buying it to find out!

Lierac Creme Mesolift Anti-Aging Radiance

Ah this is more like it!  I’m pretty fussy when it comes to moisturisers.  I like them to be deeply hydrating, but to feel lightweight and absorb quickly.  I cannot bear creams that sit on the skin and do nothing!  This ticked all the boxes for me.  Beautifully lightweight, and quickly absorbed.  I could apply my makeup within 5 minutes or so. I tried it overnight as well and was really impressed to find my skin still felt really soft first thing in the morning. This one gets a big thumbs up from me, and I will probably buy it again.

Caudalie Vinotherapie Nourishing Body Lotion

Mmm…a super soft moisturiser, smelt very nice, fresh but not in a “ZING” wake you up, kind of way.  However, at this time of year my skin is ultra dry and I’m afraid that this body lotion wasn’t intense enough for my papery legs!  Perhaps in the spring when the weather is less cruel (and the central heating is turned off), it would fare better, but at this time of year, it was only an hour or so before my skin started to feel tight and dry again.

Phyto PhytoBaume Color Protect Express Conditioner

This is supposed to be suited to colour treated hair, which is ideal for me, as I need to colour mine on an obscenely regular basis to cover up the child induced greys.  The sample that I had lasted 6 washes (I have very short hair) and it was indeed lovely.  Not sure it was any more lovely that the conditioner I normally use though. The smell was really nice, the first word that sprang to mind was “buttery”, I guess it was quite subtle and creamy, felt lovely going on and rinsed off very easily.

This Works Clean Skin for the Face

I’ve used Soap and Glory Hot Pore Cleanser for about a year now, and This Works, Clean Skin for the Face seems like a pretty similar product to me.  You use it as a cleanser, massaging it all over the face and neck, and then rinse off with water. It smells divine (very similar to its S&G counterpart), and leaves my skin feeling utterly pampered.  I also tested it on bare skin, and on skin that was caked (after a rare night out!) with all my favourite make-up brands.  It came up trumps even when tested with black liquid eyeliner and a pillar box red lippy.  I would definitely buy this again.

I also got a teeny sample of another Lierac product: Lierac Hydra-Chrono+ Intense Re-Hydrating Balm, Emergency Hydration. This wasn’t listed on any of the paperwork that came with the box or in the email that told me what to expect. When I tried to look it up online, I hit a brick wall, I couldn’t find it anywhere, which made me suspect that I’d been given an old sample that was no longer available.  However, to my absolute pleasure, I found out this was not the case!  I contacted BeautyBox at Feel Unique, and their communication was excellent.  They asked me exactly what the product sample was, and when I explained, they informed me that it was a brand new product that hadn’t been added to their site yet. They then emailed me again with a link to the new page, where I could buy the product. Talk about customer service. I cannot wait for my next box to arrive!

Kerri 

Thanks so much Kerri for the review. A great insight into another beauty box service that is available.

Unfortunately since this was posted Feel Unique have closed their Beauty Box Service, but they are apparently working on something to replace it. Watch this space!

Monday, 6 February 2012

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms



With the weather being particularly harsh on the lips right now, I am currently loving lip balms and in particularly tinted ones.. They are ideal as they protect the lips whilst providing a pretty hint of colour, but without the stickiness of a gloss. With Valentine's Day looming you will want to ensure that your lips are in tip top condition...


Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms are formulated with soft flower waxes, moisture-rich Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Beeswax and are 100% natural.

Available in six shades – Hibiscus, Tiger Lily, Pink Blossom, Honeysuckle, Rose and Red Dahlia, my only decision will be which one to choose!

All Burt’s Bees products are free of petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate and are not tested on animals.

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip balms cost £5.99 each and are available from www.burtsbees.co.uk, Boots, John Lewis and specially selected independent stores nationwide.

Sunday, 5 February 2012

Snow Sunday - Fun In The Snow

To the delight of my 3 yr old it has snowed overnight just as the weather forecasters predicted. A rather excited little one pinged open his eyes, declared that he wished to look out the window and I watched as a smile beamed across his face. He got dressed and ate his breakfast in record time just so he could run outside and play in the beautiful, powder white snow. He has been watching the animation 'The Snowman' for a a couple of years now so it really is magical for him, he couldn't wait to head outdoors to play and build a snowman...

Throwing snowballs

The big build 

Tada!



In the absence of a carrot and buttons we had to improvise and used nuts from a toy work bench, a pink bouncy ball and a banana!

A peek of the snow from our window

Obligatory snow scene

You can see from his very first year he has always been enchanted by the snow flakes!

Here he is aged 7 months old loving the snow.


I hope you are enjoying the snow today...

Friday, 3 February 2012

Currently Loving.. Lush Steamer Tabs


If you follow me on twitter you will know that I have been suffering terribly with sinusitis, to ease my symptoms I have been steaming my face with some Lush Steamer Tabs which I have found to have really helped.

How To Use - 

Fill a bowl with hot water, pop in a tab, watch it fizz around the bowl and disintegrate, cover your head with a towel, inhale and let the steam get to work.. 

Pictured on the left is Moon and Sun Steamer Tab - £2.50 each

This contains Neroli and Lavender Oils, I found this really soothing to inhale and gave me a good relaxed feeling cleaning out my senses and even my pores. It left my face feeling super clean and ultra soft.  Once the water has cooled it can be used as a facial toner. Great stuff.

On the right is Dream Steam Steamer Tab - £2.50 each

Dream Steam has the same blend of oils as the famous Dream Cream. Tea tree oil contains antibacterial properties and rose absolute will calm redness. Chamomile and lavender oils help relax and calm the mind.
This is such a delight to inhale, smells gorgeous. Once again, once cooled can be used as a facial toner.

I think £2.50 is expensive for a single tab to be used regularly, however it would make a great addition as part of a home facial. I would highly recommend the steamer tabs as a really nice occasional treat for your skin and senses and if like me you are suffering from congestion, it can help ease symptoms.

*PR samples



Wednesday, 1 February 2012

No7 Airbrush Away Primer And No7 Stay Perfect Primers Reviewed


The buzz at the moment in the beauty world is most definitely for products that can make you appear '10 years younger' without going under the surgeon's knife or having product injected into your skin..

I am reviewing two primers from the No7 range for reasons that will become apparent as you read on.

No7 Airbrush Away Primer - £19.50 for 30ml 


This is the latest Primer from No7


The claims - This innovative primer is the first of its kind, reducing the appearance of all the signs of ageing instantly. The unique complex combines filling properties with light-diffusing particles to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and put uneven skin tone and pores into soft focus. Proven results can be seen in just ten minutes and last for up to eight hours.

My thoughts - I have a couple of fine lines on my forehead so although I did judge it on how it performed in that respect I was more interested in what it would do for my uneven skin tone and pores... I have tried this primer about 5 or 6 times to really get a feel for it.

Texture wise it feels like a nice light cream and it absorbs well into the skin drying to a matte finish. It has a pleasant scent that incidentally is identical to the Stay Perfect Primer. I applied my foundation both immediately after the primer and I also waited the ten minutes to judge the difference.

I am afraid that this primer just really didn't do anything for me, I didn't really notice any change in my skin tone, there was a slight coverage over the lines and the pores but nothing that really wowed me enough to love it and reach out to keep using it.

It provides an ok base for makeup but then so do other primers I have tried and I wasn't convinced that it made applying foundation any easier. It was a real shame as I was looking forward to seeing a real difference. I wonder if this primer is better suited to people with more pronounced lines and wrinkles.

Stay Perfect (L) Airbrush Away (R)

Above is a picture of the Stay Perfect Primer which is pinker in tone and on the right is Airbrush Away which is white.

No7 Stay Perfect Primer - £10.50 for 20ml 


This primer was part of the Autumn 2011 Collection and was Limited Edition.

Claims - All day Perfection. Beautifully soft to apply and easily blendable, this oil-free formula creates a perfect canvas for foundation to keep skin flawless all day. Contains Burdock extract to help prevent blemishes and Vitamins A and E to help condition and revitalise skin. Microsponges help balance oil product to give flawless finish.

My thoughts - It is an absolute shame that this was a limited edition product because I really, really like this primer.

Texture wise it dispenses looking a bit frothy/foamy but doesn't look that different in the photo above. Applied to the skin it feels much like the 17 Photo Flawless Primer and sits on top of the skin like a silky film but it is not oily or wet. I saw an instant difference in my skin from the moment of application. The redness in my cheeks was lessened, the pores barely visible and the skin smoothed. Foundation glided over the skin and I had a perfect canvas just like promised and it lasted.

I mentioned on twitter the day before trying this primer that I had yet to find a primer that would convince me to go without wearing a tint or foundation but actually with this primer I might just have been convinced.

I was all set to rave about Stay Perfect Primer until I couldn't find it on sale online at Boots. I wonder if there is still some stock left in Boots. I must check.

*PR Samples

Kiss It Better With Clinique





Clinique is for the fifth year running partnering Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity for the KISS IT BETTER appeal which raises money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

This year, Clinique has created a special NEW Limited Edition Kissable Lip Set featuring the following fabulous lip products -

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Woppin’ Watermelon
Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour in Pink Me Up
Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Raspberry
Long Last Glosswear SPF15 in Mystic. 

The Kissable Lip Set comes in a chic silver purse with specially designed KISS IT BETTER heart key ring.

The set costing £25 will be sold exclusively in House of Fraser stores nationwide and online at House of Fraser and Clinique during the month of February. A rather generous 50% of the RRP will be going to the appeal - £12.50 - (£6.50 from Clinique and £6 from House of Fraser).

That is not all... 

A £2 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipstick or lipgloss sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide, throughout February 2012. (£1 will be donated by Clinique and £1 will be donated by House of Fraser). 

There has never been a better time to pucker up for a good cause!




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