L'Occitane Shea Vanilla Bouquet Hand Cream Review

A good hand cream is an essential in the colder months, to try and keep our hands soft, supple and looking good. The richer ones will have to include different moisturising butters, and as this promised to contain 20% Shea butter I was curious to try it out. Likewise,vanilla scent is one of my favourites but it can be really hard to come across one that isn't too overpowering in a product. 

While the butter helps to soften the hands, the coconut oil, and various other plant extracts create a barrier to protect the skin from the different elements and make sure long lasting moisture is provided. I spend a lot of time outside so any cream that manages to keep my hands moisturised all day is good! Once applied, the vanilla scent is very slight and disappears quite soon (sadly :( ).

I don't need to use much as the consistency is quite thick but it still manages to absorb quickly not leaving any residue. The tube is only 30ml, but I think it will last a long time as only a bit is needed each time.

I actually got this cream on an offer for only £1, but it is currently sold on their website for a more expensive £8.  Overall I think the ingredients do justify the price, as they are good quality and the hand cream works wonders!


xx

River Island White Shirt Collar Bib

Isn't this such a good idea?

 I have never seen this in shops before but when I walked into River Island and saw it I was taken aback. 

The collar was £10 and the size of it is big enough to cover even the deepest of shirt necks, successfully covering up to your shoulders. 

The material is a good quality, thick white cotton, and has gold spiked stud buttons to decorate. Luckily it is one size fits all! 

I have found it to be a great use under all types of tight jumpers were wearing blouses or shirts underneath would be too uncomfortable.

Under a jumper it looks exactly like a plain white shirt- no one will be able to tell it is just a collar!

What do you think of it?

Superdrug's Mud theraphy Mud Mask review

A good clay mask is perfect for detoxing the skin, so I've recently gotten in the habit of applying one at least once a week. After trying quite a few, I've finally settled on my favourite- Supredrug's own branded one.

The ingredients in this product should be sensitive enough for all skin types, even if there is a slight fragrance when you apply it. I think it is perfect for oily skin, or blemished prone ones as the ingredients do not dry excessively but leave my face soft.

The consistency is quite thick, so goes on very nicely on the skin. Apply it  to the face avoiding sensitive areas, and then leave for 10-15 minutes, even if I recommend removing it as soon as it begins to feel drier.

 I find that the best way to apply this is while in the bath or shower, so the steam will open up you pores and make sure that the product sinks in deep into the skin.

The cheap price of £2.59 and it being Superdrug's own brand product makes it a budget friendly spend so I definitely recommend it :)

xx

Rimmel Scandaleyes retro glam mascara Review

After hearing a lot of positive things on this mascara I decided to give it a go, and I definitely don't regret it!

I'm extremely picky when it comes to mascaras as the brush needs to be not too big but not too small. When I noticed this had a hourglass shaped one, it interested me straight away. It really can get even to the smaller corner lashes, unlike straight shaped ones. 

The formula is a bit wet, so it can smudge quite easily, especially on lower lashes. When applying on them I use a tissue underneath to not ruin the rest of my make-up. It can also go clumpy if you apply too much of it at one time- however the results are really good!

without mascara

with 1 coat!

It volumises and thickens so well, false lashes aren't needed anymore!The wand must be one of the best shapes I have tried as it really fans the lashes out well, in a shape that lasts. I find that it is a really long lasting formulation that is suitable for the daytime but also evening.
Plus it comes as 12ml instead of the usual 9ml, what a bonus!

xx

The Body Shop goodie bag

I went into my local town centre yesterday and guess what- the Body Shop store was getting reopened and they were giving goodie bags away to the first customers! They also gave a £3 off voucher which I used to buy the Almond body butter with, but everything else was completely free. It was handed to me in a lovely reusable bag which I am sure I will find many uses for.

Refining bath lily- Beautiful and big so assures you will get a rich lather, while gently exfoliating your skin - a must buy! This is also stronger than cheaper versions other shops sell, so I am really looking forward to using it.

Coconut body butter- This is the smaller version of the usual bigger product, but obviously just as good. The smell of coconut is not too overpowering, and as soon as the product comes in contact with the skin it melts, leaving no sticky residue. Great for dry skin.

Strawberry shower gel-This is a 60 ml version of the original, which is soap free so suitable for sensitive skin. Again the smell isn't overpowering, and strawberry oil in it will keep your skin nice and moisturised.

Vitamin E Cream Cleanser- This best seller cream cleanser is suitable for all skin types and even removes eye make-up. The vitamin E and Shea butter in it softens and moistures your complexion, leaving you with a healthy glow.

Pink grapefruit body scrub- I think this has either a love it or hate it scent, but personally I love the sharp zingy smell that leaves me feeling energised and ready to face the day. The scrub itself works well, containing pink grapefruit oil, which leaves even your elbows and knees soft.

Almond body butter- This is the only product I bought and paid it £2, as they gave me a £3 off voucher which could be used on any product. I have never picked this type up before but I was pleasantly surprised by the sublime smell. This one contains sweet almond oil and is more suitable for dry skin as it does leave a bit of an oily residue, but also leaves your skin feeling very hydrated.

Overall these are the perfect size for someone to take on holiday with them, so will definitely be using them this summer!
So I spent £2 that day and got this many products..............not bad, huh?

xxx

Spring Make-up Buys

First Superdrug with the buy 1 get one half price on Rimmel, them boots with their 3 for 2's - how could I resist?

Both of these are first buys and I have been loving them. The crystal clear vinyl lip gloss can be a bit sticky but does dry and leave behind a glossy shine that lasts. The foundation is light coverage and easily blended, leaving behind a dewy look. A definite pro must be that even if it contains SPF18 it doesn't leave much of a white cast in flash photography!

This has always been one of my favourite concealers as it can hide all sorts of imperfections even when used alone. It lasts for ages, but due to its consistency can settle into fine lines so make sure to use powder on top! The only con must be the amount of shades, there are only 4 in this range.

Collection's lasting colour lipsticks only cost me £2.99 each, but last so much longer than higher end lipsticks I have bought before! Their consistency is not to dry, making it easy to apply on lips. I bought a deep red colour and a more pinky nude for everyday use.

First buy for both of these with the first being a lip liner, and the second being an eye liner. I have found that the nude pink shade of the lip liner is much darker than my natural lip colour, but the long wear and consistency of it totally make-up for it. I love to buy from MUA so when I saw they had a white eye liner for £1 I just had to give it a go. It's great to use on the waterline to make you look more awake, or in the inner corner to give the illusion of bigger eyes. Plus, it also comes with a pencil sharper in the lid!

I buy this time and time again as nothing quite matches up to it. Its jet black colour and 3 end-felt tip make it so easy to create the perfect flick, you won't be able to live without it! It doesn't smudge during the day and even lasts under the rain. Unlike many felt tips, this doesn't dry out after a couple of months.

Have you got any great make-up you can't live without? Comment below!! 

xx

Review | Graze Boxes + FREE box for you!

...just arrived

A few weeks ago I got given a voucher for one of these great snack boxes, and I just fell in love with them! For the people that don't know about graze, they are a company that send healthy snacks to you in the post. All the boxes are nutritionally balanced, with different types to choose from to suit your needs. The boxes are also 100% recyclable and each one fits through the letter box. If you want to try it out and get your 1st, 5th and 10th one free click on this link, there is no commitment and you can cancel any time!

As soon as you sign up you get asked to rate the snacks and get sent four of them, plus a booklet detailing its nutritional information. Favourites from my first box must be the Honeycomb Crunch which had coated milk chocolate, raisins and almonds and also the Cookies and Cream with mini chocolate cookies, roasted hazels, white chocolate buttons and sunflower seeds.

From my second box I loved the Garden of England dried fruits and the Fruity Mango Chutney! 

Overall these boxes have been a great hit in my family, especially with my parents, which, food-wise are very hard to please. They offer a great alternative to snacking on crisps and cookies, making a satisfying snack on-the-go. I await every box with excitement as I am just too curious to taste all the snacks they have.

Remember to click on the link here to get your free boxes!

xxx

Review | MUA Power Pout

I really love lip products, and one that delivers shine, colour and moisture all-in-one must be praised. These lip crayons have a permanent space in my make-up collection! Other brands have expensive versions, but these are an amazing cheaper alternative.

Here I have 'Broken Hearted' a light raspberry pink, and 'Crazy In Love' a darker berry colour, the only two I own, but they come in 6 different shades which can be found here.

The crayon shape makes it easy to apply, filling in and lining your lips perfectly. The product glides on with no tugging, giving immediate moisture and providing a very glossy lip colour. Even after a couple of hours, the moisture lasts. However I found they sometimes, but only sometimes, they can settle in lip lines.

one coat applied

one coat applied

Once applied they have a minty smell- a bit like carmex- and you can feel a pleasant tingly feeling on your lips for a little while. Go for one coat for a sheer colour and two for a more intense one. Some time after you've applied them, I find that they develop into a darker, more intense colour. They lasted on my lips for a good 6 hours-ish even after eating and drinking.

Be careful though- they do melt in hot temperatures- like I discovered last summer in 40°C heat...... but this is due to the oils, butters and waxes it contains.

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance CI 77019, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI15850:1, CI 45410, CI77492, CI 77499 

The shades are very wearable- yet I do wish they'd get a wider range of colours, maybe darker ones.
Prise-wise they are a steal at just £3 from Superdrug, even though often they have offers so you can get them for even cheaper! As they compare very well to their higher-end alternatives this is a must for any lip crayons fans, so what are you waiting for?

Review | Naked Thirst Aid Moisturiser and Bare Faced Cheek Face Wash

I've been using these products for the last few months and have become a huge fan of them. They are 97% natural and are fragrance free- only the natural smell of the ingredients can be smelt . Also they are not as expensive as other natural skincare brands as most products are priced under £10. I am in love with organic skincare.

My combination skin suffers a lot in the cold weather and this rich moisturiser seems to do the job very well. It contains Shea butter, argan, neroli and starflower oil, and needs to be massaged into your skin. The scent of it was completely new to me- must have been down to the starflower or and neroli oils- but was a very sweet, pleasant one.

Overall, I don't think it lasted as long as the 12 hours mentioned on the packaging, but I think it is very good for dry skin as it gives lasting moisture. It is priced at £7.49, making it an affordable face cream.

"irritation when your computer crashes may still occur"

The face wash I bought for a few pounds at a local store and was instantly intrigued as it contained the beautiful Damask Rose oil. This is known to be kind to sensitive skin, have anti-ageing benefits, and fight free radicals.

The cleanser comes in a thin transparent gel which doesn't lather much. This can be because foaming agents are known to dry out the skin, so are not included in natural skincare. However my skin was left feeling very soft and moisturised, thanks to the damask rose. The smell of it can be quite daunting at first (it has quite a sharp aroma) but it is what makes the product feel like a luxury.

"your face should feel as clear as a brand new credit card"

The only thing these products lack is good looking packaging, however they are made from 50% recycled materials. Naked is also a well-known brand for not testing on animals, and most of its ingredients are vegan friendly. Good luck trying to find some of them on the high street though; my local stores are quite short on variety of this brand!

Review | Teangi Tea Tree Conditioner

I'm really picky when it comes to hair products as none of them do anything for my thin, frizzy hair. I gave up products containing silicones long ago, as the build-up just made my hair look flat and lifeless, so I thought my search for a perfect conditioner was going to be endless.

 I picked up this product up straight away as the ingredients are all natural. The mixture of tea tree oil, rosemary extract and vitamin E (with other great stuff they put in there) have done wonders for my hair, making it soft and healthy. I can't stop touching it! It's a leave-in so I just spray it all over my hair, and not once has it looked greasy because of this. The only thing is the smell, which can remind you a bit of disinfectant for the tea tree oil, but is not a problem.

It came in a 200ml bottle which I got from Savers at £1-Bonus!  This can save you a lot of money, you won't need to worry about build-up and can actually do some real good to your hair, what's not to love?

Ingredients: aqua, tea tree oil, rosemary extract, PEG-15 Cocopolyamine, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Soluvit Richter, Cetrimonium Chloride, Lauryl Glucoside, Citric Acid