Skincare Archives - With love from Lou

Give the Gift Of Nivea This Mother’s Day

27/03/2019 by Louise 15 Comments

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of weeks, you’ll be well aware that it’s Mother’s Day here in the UK this Sunday. We’re constantly being reminded about it thanks to the adverts on our TV screens and the huge window displays in all of the shops. But, if you’re still struggling to pick out a gift that your mum will truly appreciate this year, don’t panic! I have some recommendations for you here on my blog today. And they come in the form of some absolutely gorgeous body care products from Nivea.

Now, Nivea is a brand I’ve been using on and off for years. So when they got in touch to see if I’d like to choose some of their lovely products to review as part of a Mother’s Day feature I jumped at the chance! It was difficult to know which products to pick from Nivea’s massive range, but in the end, I opted for two products I hadn’t tried before, along with an old favourite. And after testing them out extensively over the past few weeks I’m ready to give my verdict on them. So, are you sitting comfortably? Then let me tell you all about them …

Q10 Sleeping Melt-In Mask – £11.99

First up, I decided to try Nivea’s Q10 Sleeping Melt-In Mask, which (as the name suggests) is a face mask you can sleep in! The mask has that classic ‘Nivea scent’ that so many of their products have, and it has a beautiful creamy texture to it. I find that it absorbs into my skin quickly and easily, and doesn’t leave any greasy residue. I really like this as there’s nothing worse than using an overnight product that transfers onto your pillow during the night!

The mask costs £11.99 and comes in a 50ml pot which lasts for 12 uses, which I think is really good value for money. It’s a super easy product to use as well – I apply it to my freshly cleansed face, neck and décolleté every other evening, massage it in gently and then wait for around 5-10 minutes to ensure it’s fully absorbed before I head to bed. It’s as simple as that! I think any mum who loves her organic skincare and makeup products would be thrilled to receive Nivea’s Q10 Sleeping Melt-In Mask this Mother’s Day as it’s a truly wonderful product.

Wild Raspberry & White Tea Body Mousse Moisturiser – £3.99

Next, I decided to give one of Nivea’s Body Mousse Moisturiser’s a try. There were a few different scents to choose from, but I went for their wild raspberry and white tea one as it was the one that appealed to me the most. And I’m glad I did because it smells incredible! I’d never used a mousse moisturiser before as I’m quite lazy and usually use an in-shower one. But I think it’s safe to I’ve been converted, as I’ve been reaching for this stuff pretty much every day for the last few weeks.

The mousse costs just £3.99 and comes in a 200ml aerosol can which you shake vigorously, then hold upright and dispense into the palm of your hand before applying to the body. The first time I used it I dispensed way too much, and quickly learned that a little bit goes a long way because of how light and airy it is. I found that it spread evenly over my skin, and I could get dressed pretty much straight after applying as it absorbed into my skin really quickly, which is always a bonus. I also love that the scent lingers on my skin all day as well. And I think this would be a great product for people who like to self-tan to use as it makes moisturising ridiculously easy. I’m so impressed with it!

In-Shower Body Moisturiser – £3.00

The third product I’m recommending to you guys today is actually an old favourite of mine – the amazing Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser. This is the one product that I’ve been repurchasing over and over again since it was first released, and can’t ever imagine not using as part of my shower routine nowadays. As I mentioned before, I’m quite lazy when it comes to moisturising, and hate waiting for ages for it to dry before I can get dressed. Which is why I love this stuff because you actually apply it in the shower. Eek!

Nivea’s In-Shower Body Moisturiser comes in a handy 250ml squeezy tube and is the most easy-to-use body moisturiser imaginable. You just jump in the shower, use your regular shower gel as normal, then apply the moisturiser all over, rinse, and you’re good to go! It’s that simple. And at £3.00 per tube, it’s super affordable too. Perfect for busy mums up and down the country.

Mango Fruity Shine Lip Balm – £1.79

And last, but not least, is an extra little treat that Nivea sent me to try out. Their Mango Fruity Shine Lip Balm. I’ve been taking this with me everywhere I go this last week as it’s absolutely gorgeous. It has a unique formula enriched with natural oils to help keep lips moisturised all day. It’s infused with a subtle mango aroma and pigments that leave a beautiful touch of colour and shine on the lips. And at just £1.79 for 4,8g of product, what’s not to love? I think it will last me a while!

And there you have it, four Nivea products I highly recommend treating your mum to this Mother’s Day. Although to be fair, there are loads more you could choose from. Why not head on over to their website to find out more? You’ll find everything from face and body products to shower, sun care and much, much more. It’s well worth taking a look. I promise.

Have you ever used any Nivea products before?
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Birchbox | June 2018 Edition

30/06/2018 by Louise 4 Comments

You guys may have noticed that I haven’t written a Birchbox review for a good few months now. And I have to be honest with you and say it’s because they’ve not been arriving until the very last day of the month, which hasn’t given me anywhere near enough time to try out the products and share my honest opinions of them with you guys. It was really frustrating.

Luckily, though, this months box arrived much earlier than usual. And I’ve spent the last couple of weeks testing out each of the products inside. So, for today’s post, I’m going to be giving the box a thorough review. I hope you guys enjoy reading all about it.

As I mentioned before, my Birchbox (or Birchtin as it was transformed into this month) was delivered a couple of weeks ago, and I was really impressed by the gorgeous design on the tin. It has a blue floral design on a white background, and it instantly reminded me of some of the pieces of Wedgwood crockery I have in my collection. It’s really, really beautiful.

The lid of the tin lifts off completely to reveal the products inside, and I have to say I’m really impressed with how tight-fitting it is. I can see myself reusing this when I do some baking later in the month as I think it will keep my baked goods nice and fresh inside.

So, back in May, Birchbox UK turned 5. And to celebrate, they decided to base June’s box around one of the most British things they could think of … the tea party! From the special keepsake biscuit tin to the launch of the Birchbox Beauty Awards, June is all about them thanking their wonderful subscribers for their continued support. Now, let’s get this parTEA started and let me tell you what I thought of all the products that came in this months box.

Ella Eden Compact Eyeshadow in Faith

The first product I received in this months Birchbox was a full-sized Ella Eden Compact Eyeshadow in the shade Faith, which is a deep, chocolate brown colour. The eyeshadow itself is a mineral one, but it’s been pressed into a compact to make it less time-consuming to apply. I love this idea! The shade I received has a subtle shimmer to it, and I like that it’s really pigmented, so I don’t need to use loads at a time. I’ve found that it blends really well with other eyeshadows, and it doesn’t tend to crease on the lid. It’s a really lovely product that I’m super impressed with so far. The eyeshadow retails at £12.99 for 3.0g, which I think is a little pricey for a single shadow. But I do think it’s a good quality product overall.

Benefit POREfessional Pearl Primer Mini

I’m a big fan of Benefit products, so I was over the moon to find a mini POREfessional Pearl Primer in my Birchbox this month. I have to say, I love the packaging of this particular primer. It’s really pink and girly, with a pearl finish to it. I’ve been a fan of the original POREfessional for more years than I care to remember, so I was really looking forward to trying out this updated version. And it didn’t disappoint! The POREfessional Pearl Primer is oil-free, lightweight, silky smooth, and adds a subtle glow to the skin when used. It definitely makes me look a lot nicer when I use it! I feel like it hides a lot of my imperfections, and whenever I use it under my makeup it sits better, lasts longer and looks better. I’ll definitely be repurchasing the full-sized version of this when I run out (which costs £27.50), as I can’t believe how much nicer it makes my skin look. I love it!

Number 4 Jour d’automne Smoothing Balm

Next up, I received a hair balm from a brand I really like called Number 4. I’d not tried this particular product before, so I was excited to give it a try. And boy, am I impressed with it! Not only does it smell great, but the product helps tame and smooth any frizzy, unruly hair that I may have, leaving it feeling silky, soft and smooth. I find I only need to use a little bit of product for it to work well, and what I do is distribute it evenly through damp hair, before drying and styling as usual. It’s honestly a fab little product, and I’m sure I’ll repurchase the full sized version, which retails at £24.50 when it runs out.

Polaar Velvety Sun Fluid for Face & Body

For me, one of the most important parts of a good skincare routine is using a good sun cream. So I was over the moon to find a generous sample sized one in this months Birchbox. The one I got was Polaar’s Velvety Sun Fluid for Face & Body, and it smells incredible! I’ve been using it every day since receiving it, and it’s kept my skin nice and protected from all the lovely sun we’ve been having here in the UK this last couple of weeks. It has a lovely velvety formula, which offers UVA and UVB protection, which fights sunburn and premature ageing. The cream absorbs into my skin really quickly, and it doesn’t leave any greasy residue. It’s awesome, and I’ll most definitely be purchasing this in full-size when it runs out.

Glamglow Supercleanse

If there’s one brand I’ve wanted to try for ages, it’s Glamglow. So I was excited to find one of their products in my Birchbox this month. The product I received was called Supercleanse, and it’s a cream-to-foam cleanser packed with a blend of three charcoals to detoxify and adsorb a range of impurities. Infused with kind to skin ingredients such as Mediterranean clay, eucalyptus leaf and bamboo, the gentle but effective formula helps to remove excess oils and makeup, leaving the skin feeling soothed and softened. I don’t think I’ve ever used a cleanser like this before, but I really like it. It has a lovely fresh scent to it, and I could see and feel a big difference in my skin from the very first use. I think it’s safe to say I’ll be repurchasing a full-sized version of this when it runs out. I absolutely love it. No wonder people are always raving about Glamglow!

Whittard of Chelsea Teabags

And last but not least, all Birchbox subscribers got an extra special treat this month. And that treat came in the form of one of my all-time favourite things … tea! Yes, this month we all got a box of Whittard of Chelsea teabags. The box contained 3 different types of tea – Earl Grey (my absolute fave), Mango & Bergamot and Lemon & Ginger. All 3 flavours were absolutely delicious, and I love the design of the box. I would most definitely purchase from Whittard of Chelsea again. And what a lovely way for us to celebrate Birchbox’s 5th Birthday. Cheers!

And there you have it, a mini-review of all the products I received in my June Birchbox. Overall, I was really impressed with this months box. For me, it’s been the best one I’ve received in ages, as I’ve continually used all of the products inside. And I know I’ll repurchase them again in the future. Well done, Birchbox!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!
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Stemuderm Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

28/12/2017 by Louise 15 Comments

Every woman is different, but they face a common struggle – finding perfect anti-wrinkle treatment for their skin. Sometimes it seems like the more products emerge on the market, the more difficult it gets to find something truly effective. Chances are you stumbled upon Stemuderm online but didn’t know whether you should buy it. The popularity of this product is surely impressive, but one has to wonder if it’s worth the hype.

Introduction of Stemuderm

Stemuderm is an anti-wrinkle dermatological treatment made by Solvaderm, a skin care company based in the United States. Solvaderm is considered a reputable skin care brand thanks to the extensive research and a tremendous amount of effort they invest into every product.

Stemuderm belongs to the range of professional strength products that “regular” women can use and achieve amazing results. Regular use of the cream has the potential to make skin youthful and radiant just like in favorite celebrities, but without surgical procedures or painful treatments, they undergo.

The product has a simple, yet elegant design which involves pump rather than a plain, old cream jar we see every day on drugstore shelves. Unlike many anti-wrinkle creams, this treatment is suitable for all women, regardless of their age and skin type. Even if you struggle with oily skin, Stemuderm is still the perfect solution for you and it will maintain sebum production in a normal range.

How to apply Stemuderm?

Getting maximum results from some skin care product depends on the way we apply it, although that’s not something we consider. Stemuderm is easy to use and fits perfectly into everyone’s skincare routine.

The cream comes after cleansing and toning, one should apply a small amount of this treatment on face, neck, and décolleté in circular motions which boost blood flow under the skin. Considering the product was designed to fit into skin care routine of every user, the best way to use it is twice a day (morning and before bedtime).

It might take some time for the skin to get used to the product, according to the official website of Solvaderm. They suggest starting applying Stemuderm every other day for a week and then continuing each day from that point onwards.

How does Stemuderm work?

The concentrated anti-aging solution has the purpose to address common concerns of aging and mature skin such as dull complexion, wrinkles and fine lines, among others. Thanks to the light formula, Stemuderm penetrates deep into the skin’s layers to target facial structures in order to decrease repetitive contractions and movements that form stress on the skin and ensure muscles are relaxed. In other words, Stemuderm functions similarly to Botox, but without uncomfortable side effects, needles, and frozen facial expression.

The regular use of this cream stimulates the refortification of extracellular matrix in order to improve firmness, smoothness, and fullness of the skin. The appearance of laugh lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles and fine lines is dramatically reduced. Benefits of Stemuderm extend to restoring youthful and radiant complexion for long-term i.e. results don’t vanish in a few days like with many other products.

Thanks to the ingredients that exhibit moisturizing effects, Stemuderm nourishes and hydrates the skin. As skin ages, its natural moisture declines and it becomes dry, lifeless and rough to the touch.

For maximum results, Solvaderm recommends the combination of Stemuderm and Maxatone (toner), Dermpura (cleanser), and Eyevage (treatment for declicate skin around eyes).

Ingredients present in Stemuderm

Stemuderm comes with a potent formula whose ingredients work synergistically to rejuvenate the skin. The vital component of the cream is Malus domestica fruit cell cultures i.e. stem cells obtained from a rare Swiss apple. These stem cells work to fight multiple signs of aging such as life cycle of vital cells.

Hyaluronic acid, present in the formula, acts as a potent moisturizing agent. A growing body of evidence confirms that hyaluronic acid is a key molecule in skin aging which prevents damage caused by UV radiation, too.

Yet another important ingredient in Stemuderm is squalane, an extract found in olive oil. The extract noticeably improves appearance and texture of the skin through moisturizing effects. Not only it hydrates the skin, but squalane also locks the moisture in.

Apricot kernel oil and jojoba seed oil both act as moisturizers and contribute to the effects of hyaluronic acid and squalane. Despite the fact they provide moisture, these ingredients can regulate sebum production and prevent skin from appearing greasy.

Stemuderm contains powerful peptides in its formula. They include:

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 – inhibits muscle contractions to minimize the visibility of wrinkles
Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate – relaxes facial characteristics to reduce appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
Acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-1 – interrupts the pathways that lead to muscle contractions
Palmitoyl oligopeptide – enhances skin’s elasticity and makes it stronger. This enables skin to resist damage more effectively
Pentapeptide-3& palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl 3000) – together with malus domestic fruit cell culture, poses as a vital ingredient of Stemuderm. The role of this compound is to promote production of hyaluronic acid and elastin

Where to buy Stemuderm cream?

If you run a Google search to find out where you can buy Stemuderm, chances are numerous websites would show up on the results page, there’s no doubt about that. Stemuderm is available exclusively on the official website of Solvaderm. Purchasing from the official site poses the best way to ensure the product you use is “legit”. All orders over $60 qualify for free shipping.

Conclusion

Stemuderm is an anti-aging product created by Solvaderm. The cream doesn’t contain parabens and harsh chemicals but focuses on the use of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and other potent ingredients which inhibit muscle contractions and combat multiple signs of aging. What makes this treatment useful is the versatility as it’s available for women of different ages and skin types.

After the thorough analysis of the product, formula, and mechanism of action, it becomes easy to conclude that Stemuderm is, definitely, worth the hype.

Author Bio

Adonia Dennis, by profession a Health, Beauty and Skin Care adviser. She provides solution related to health and beauty problems. She is an independent researcher who researches for all skin related issues. She is a featured blogger at huffingtonpost.com and sheknows.com and share her views on health, fitness, and diet. Visit Adonia on Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Birchbox | July 2017 Edition

07/08/2017 by Louise 53 Comments

Last month I mentioned that after taking a few months away from my Birchbox subscription, I’d signed up again as I’d spotted the June box on social media and thought it looked right up my street. Luckily, I was over the moon with it when it arrived and I soon found myself looking forward to my July box being delivered.

When it finally landed on my door mat I discovered that the theme of July’s box was ‘Summer Daze’, which is just perfect for this time of year. And I’ve spent the last few weeks trying out everything inside it so I could share my honest opinion of it with you guys. I hope you enjoy reading through it.

To match the summery theme of the contents, July’s box had one of the most gorgeous designs I’ve seen. It has an ombre sunset on the front, which goes down from a mid-blue shade, through to lilac shades, and ending in a fairly deep pink. And then on top of the ‘sunset’ are the silhouettes of six palm trees. I believe the design was voted for by Birchbox subscribers a while ago. And boy, did they choose well!

You may remember in June that Birchbox subscribers were treated to a bag instead of a box, and although I loved getting something a little different for a change, I’m glad the box is back this month. I love how Birchbox boxes have a little pull-out drawer in them. I stack them all up and use them for storing my ever-growing collection of travel minis!

When I opened the drawer last month I noticed that there were six products inside, instead of the usual five. But sadly, they were all sample sized. I did think this seemed a bit stingy if I’m honest, as I tend to expect at least one full sized product in a box like this. The products looked nice at first glance though, so I tried not to let it bother me. So, what did I get? Make sure you read on to find out …

Benefit GoGo Tint

Every Birchbox shipped in July contained a Benefit Lip and Cheek Stain, and I got the GoGo Tint, which I was super happy about as it’s the newest stain in their collection, and I haven’t tried it before, despite being a massive fan of the brand. The GoGo Tint is a bright cherry shade that you can use as either a liquid blush or a lip stain. I did worry that it would be a little too ‘out there’ for me, as I tend to stick to pinks and nudes when it comes to lip colours. But I really love it – it’s the perfect summer shade. I love that the tint is super pigmented and long lasting, and I can definitely see myself repurchasing this once the sample has run out. Go, go Benefit for making such a fantastic tint!

Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water

Every July Birchbox also contained a 30ml sample of Balance Me’s Flash Cleanse Micellar Water, which I was very excited to try out. I love Balance Me as a brand and very often use their products as part of my skincare routine. I’d never tried their Micellar Water though. In fact, up until receiving this sample in my box, I’d never tried any Micellar Water. Can you tell I’m not one to jump straight on a bandwagon?! Anyway, I’ve been using this in place of my usual balm cleanser to remove my makeup before bed, and I’ve been really impressed with it so far. It’s a 99% natural cleansing water which removes makeup and impurities quickly and easily without having to rinse your face afterwards. I’ve found this does a fab job, although I can’t use it near my eyes or they end up stinging like crazy. I should also mention that it has a lovely subtle-yet-calming scent to it that seems to help me relax as well. Will I repurchase? More than likely. It’s a great product that I can see me using again and again.

Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery

Next up I received a 30ml sample of Percy & Reed’s Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery – try saying that when you’re tired or have had a drink! I’ve only used this product a few times so far as the idea is you apply it through dry hair, from roots to tips before heading to bed, and then shampoo it out the next morning. And sadly, I rarely know whether I’m going to need to wash my hair until I get up. I mean, I just hate washing it unless I have to! (It’s not the actual washing I dislike, it’s the time it takes me to dry and style it after. Urgh). Anyway, the product smells really nice, and it’s full of lovely conditioning properties, so on the times I have used it, it made my hair look and feel really nice. I can’t say yet whether I’ll repurchase or not as I haven’t used it enough, but I’m glad I got to try it out as I’m enjoying using it so far. Have you ever used it before? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on it if you have!

Anatomicals Softening Eucalyptus Foot Cream

I have to admit, I get through a lot of foot cream. So I was really pleased to find one that I hadn’t tried before in my July Birchbox: the Anatomicals Softening Eucalyptus Foot Cream. It smells really nice, and feels super nourishing on the feet. I’ve loved using it! I’ve found a little bit goes a long way with this cream as it’s not super thick like a lot of similar products I own. The packaging seems to be aimed at a much younger person than I am, but it’s definitely summery looking! And as it’s only £5.99 for the full sized tube I can see me repurchasing this in the near future.

Origins RitualiTea Matcha Madness Face Mask

Last month saw Birchbox treat me to a 5g sample of the Origins RitualtiTea Matcha Madness Powder Face Mask, and as I love Origins masks I was eager to try this out! It’s basically a revitalizing powder mask enriched with Matcha and Green Tea, and you have to mix it with water before applying it to your face. I have to be honest and say I wasn’t blown away by it as it takes quite a lot of effort to apply compared to all the other masks I use, and I managed to make quite a mess when I mixed it up. It also smelled like Sushi, which I wasn’t overly keen on. It did make my skin feel nice though! Will I repurchase though? I doubt it very much. Sorry Origins, I’m not a fan of this one.

Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence EDP

And the final product in last months Birchbox was a perfume sample: Catherine Malandrino’s Romance de Provence. I hadn’t received any perfume samples in a while, so I was interested to give this a try. And according to Birchbox, this is exclusive to them. So, what does it smell like? I’m rubbish at describing scents (as you may well know) but to me it smells very sophisticated – kind of like the scents I usually choose, but also a lot more daring! I imagined it to be quite a fruity floral kind of scent, but it’s not. It’s more of a musky, masculine sort of scent. It is described as containing layers of jasmine, orange flower, rose and violet with a backdrop of powder musk, amber and patchouli. For me, it’s a night out scent that I think I’ll probably repurchase in a full sized bottle as it’s different to all the other scents in my collection and I really like it.

Overall, I really liked July’s edition of Birchbox, and can see me repurchasing quite a few of the products in the box. The only downside for me was the fact that all the products were sample sized this month. I really think Birchbox should be including at least one full sized item each month. What do you think?

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
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Birchbox | June 2017 Edition

14/07/2017 by Louise 36 Comments

You guys may have noticed that I haven’t written a Birchbox review for a good couple of months now. And I have to be honest with you and say it’s because I fell out of love with it and cancelled my subscription. For a few months prior to cancelling, I felt that the products I’d been receiving weren’t really up my street. And a lot of them were hair care products that weren’t suitable for my hair type. As I’d filled in a survey on the Birchbox website specifying things such as hair and skin type, I found it really frustrating.

Anyway, last month I was scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw some pictures of the June Birchbox. And I have to say it looked so much better than any of the boxes I’d had in a long time. After a few days of reading reviews of the box on other blogs, I decided I’d renew my subscription for just one month and see what I thought. And as I managed to get my hands on a code entitling me to 50% off as well, I was chuffed to bits!

So, my Birchbox (or Birchbag as it was transformed into last month) was delivered a couple of weeks ago. And I couldn’t wait to open it up and see what was inside …

When I re-subscribed to Birchbox I was given the option of receiving June’s bag in one of two pastel colours: lilac with mint coloured stripes, or lilac with lemon coloured stripes. Being a true Libra, I couldn’t decide between the two, so told them to surprise me. And what a nice surprise it was when my bag turned up in lilac with lemon coloured stripes. It’s so pretty!

The bag itself is made of PVC. And as well as the gorgeous stripey detail, it has a pink zip and lemon coloured rope detail in the corner, which can be used to hang the bag up on a hook. This is ideal for anyone wanting to re-use it as a wash bag when they go away on holiday. When I opened the bag I was surprised to see not one, not two, but three full sized products inside. I know from experience that this is really generous, and I was excited to try them all out. So, what did I get? And, more importantly, what did I think of them?

Full Sized Meech & Mia Brow Liner in #21

I love receiving new brow products to try out, so I was really excited when I spotted a full sized Meech & Mia Brow Liner in June’s Birchbox. Sadly, despite being sent the lightest shade available, it’s a little too dark for my brows at the moment as I haven’t had chance to have them tinted for a while. I do really like the size and texture of the liner though. It kind of felt waxy when I applied it to my brows, and since I wasn’t leaving the house on the day I tried it out, I left it on all day and my brows barely moved an inch! I think if Meech & Mia started making this in lighter shades I would definitely repurchase. And I’ll let you know what I think of shade #21 once I’ve had my brows tinted again.

Full Sized Ecotools Enhancing Eye Set

The next item in my Birchbox last month was another full sized product, and it came in the form of a set of two double-ended eyeshadow brushes from eco-friendly brush brand, Ecotools. This means I got 4 different eye shadow brushes that are perfect for using alone, or all together to create a more dramatic eye look. I absolutely love the natural look of these brushes. And they’re super soft and fluffy as well! It tells you on each end of the handle what each brush is used for – there’s a smudge brush, and blending brush, a shading brush, and a defining brush – and there’s even a handy perforated guide on the back that you can pop out and keep to show you which brush to use on each part of your eyelid. This makes it an ideal set for beginners! At £5.99 I think this set is an absolute bargain, and I highly recommend it. Nice one, Birchbox!

Full Sized Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream

And the final full sized product I received in my June Birchbox was Cowshed’s Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream. I didn’t know what to expect from this as the name makes it sound like it’s going to smell of cow dung. It definitely doesn’t, though! It has a really nice, quite herbally scent to it that I really like. The product itself sinks into the skin really quickly and easily, doesn’t leave any greasy residue, and makes my hands feel super soft and moisturised. I’ve been using this every day since I received my box, and at just £8 for 50ml I think I’ll be repurchasing this once it runs out.

Scrub Love Original Lovin’ Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub

I love a good body scrub, so I was delighted to find a decent sized sample of Scrub Love’s Original Lovin’ Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub inside this months Birchbox. I’d never tried anything from this brand before, but I would have definitely picked some up if I’d seen it in a store somewhere as the packaging is just beautiful. The product comes in a little pouch that you tear open, but can reseal to keep the scrub nice and fresh. And this particular one has a white background with little black dots all over it and a pretty pink column that has the name and product info written on it. I really like it. The scrub itself made from 100% natural ingredients to buff away dead skin cells, reduce inflammation, and moisturise the skin. It has the most delicious coffee scent to it, and I feel like it worked really well when I used it. The particles in it were just ‘scrubby’ enough for me, and it left my skin feeling lovely and soft and smooth. It does leave a bit of a muddy mess in the bath tub when rinsed off, but it’s nothing a quick blast with the shower head can’t sort. I’ll most definitely be repurchasing this in full size when I run out. In fact, I love it so much I may even pick up some of the other products in the range to try!

Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream

And last but not least I received a sample sized pot of Bobbi Brown’s Extra Eye Repair Cream. I have to be honest and say this is the one product I haven’t actually tried out yet. And that’s purely because I’m going on holiday later this month, and it’s the perfect size for me to take with me. I’ve had a little sniff at it though, and there doesn’t seem to be any scent to it. The product is described as being like an espresso shot for tired under-eyes: brightening, smoothing, and prepping the area for concealer. I’m not sure how well it will work on mine though, as they’re super dark and horrible from not getting enough sleep. But as the full sized version of this retails at £46 I’m expecting to see results of some description. I’m really excited to try it out. And I’ll be sure to let you know how I get on with it.

And there you have it, a mini review of all the products I received in my June Birchbox. Overall, I was very impressed and thought the whole box was fantastic. I was over the moon with all 5 of the products I received, as well as the pastel coloured bag. They’re all products I will continue to use. Well done Birchbox. What more could I have asked for?!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
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Monthly Favourites | June 2017

08/07/2017 by Louise 97 Comments

Last month I realised I hadn’t done a monthly favourites post in years, yet they used to be one of my favourite things to write up! So today I decided it was time to make a start on bringing these sorts of posts back, and I’m keeping everything crossed that you guys will enjoy reading them now as much as you did when I first started blogging.

During June I tried out loads of different fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products, but only 8 of them have managed to make the final cut. So let’s jump right in and talk about each of the goodies I’ve picked out, and why I love them enough to label them a monthly fave. Are you sitting comfortably? I sure hope so!

Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate in 55 My Nude – £6.49

This month I just have one makeup favourite on my list, and that’s an absolutely beautiful nude lipstick from the Kate Moss Lasting Finish Collection at Rimmel. I love the really lovely, natural colour of this. And it applies just beautifully as it’s really creamy and moisturising. I’ve read a few reviews of this particular lipstick in the past, and people have said they don’t find it to be particularly long-lasting, but I can honestly say that I don’t have any problems with it, and have found it lasts all day with me needing to just top it up once. I’ll pop a really bad Snapchat pic of me wearing it below so you can get an idea of what it looks like on the lips …

I feel that ‘My Nude’ is a real ‘my lips but better’ sort of shade that really suits me. And I’m sure I’ll be wearing it throughout the whole of July as well as last month. I tend to wear it fairly sheer, but it’s definitely buildable if you’re into more intense nudes. I’ve actually had it in my collection for ages, but hadn’t tried it out until quite recently. I wish I had though as it’s most definitely my favourite shade of lipstick at the moment!

The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence with SPF50 – £16.00

I don’t think it will come as any surprise that I’ve included the Body Shop’s Skin Defense Multi-Protection Essence with SPF50 in my monthly favourites this month as I’ve raved about it loads recently. It’s basically a very light moisturiser that contains SPF50 to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. I really like this particular product as it’s sinks into the skin quickly and easily, is lightweight, and brightens up my skin no end. You do have to be careful when squeezing it out of the tube, as it’s quite runny, but with it doing such a great job I don’t mind that too much. And it has a subtle sun cream scent to it that I love as well. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

I have quite a few body care favourites on my list this month, starting with a couple of gorgeous products from a brand called Kind Natured. Now, I remember buying Stacey some bath products from Kind Natured when she was younger, but I never realised that they made gorgeous products for us adults as well! I was kindly sent a couple of body care products to try out in their nourishing shea and macadamia scent, and I have to say, they smell incredible! I didn’t open them for ages as I could smell them through the packaging and didn’t want to destroy them. Eventually though, I decided that I needed to open them and give them a try. And I’m so glad I did, as they’re both really great products that are 97% natural and free from Sulphates, Parabens and Petrochemicals, and they aren’t tested on animals.

Kind Natured Deeply Nourishing Shea & Macadamia Creamy Body Scrub* – £5.99

OK, so the first product I tried from Kind Natured was a creamy body scrub. Now, this product is aimed at people with really dry skin, but I wouldn’t say mine really fits that description, but it feels lovely anyway. I’ve been using this once or twice a week when I’ve showered, and I’ve found that the exfoliating fusion of shea, macadamia, crushed olive seeds and natural pumice is super, super scrubby, yet it’s still really gentle on my skin. I think this would be perfect for getting rid of dead skin cells before applying fake tan. Which, I should add, is something I’ve never ever done before, but I’m going to be trying later on this month. It could make for one interesting blog post! As I said before, the shea and macadamia scent is absolutely divine, and I can see me picking up another one of these when it’s run out, as I’ve really enjoyed using it.

Kind Natured Deeply Nourishing Shea & Macadamia Body Lotion* – £5.99

And the second product from Kind Natured that I’ve been loving this month is their deeply nourishing shea and macadamia body lotion. Again, this is aimed at people with really dry skin, but I’ve found it works well for me too, so I’m not complaining. If I’m honest, I would usually opt for an in-shower body moisturiser rather than a lotion in a tube like this, but I’m glad I got the chance to try it out as I’ve been super impressed with it so far. It sinks into the skin a lot quicker and easier than some of the other body lotions I’ve used in the past, it doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy, and (obviously) it smells great. I’ve also noticed that my skin feels really soft and smooth when I’ve used it, which is most definitely a good thing. I’m really enjoying using it, and I’ve found that a little bit goes a long way, so I think it will last me quite a while as well. Yay!

Palmolive Gourmet Mint Shake Shower Gel* – £2.49

Next up I’ve been loving using a luxury shower gel from Palmolive. Their Mint Shake Shower Gel is part of their gourmet range, and it smells just like mint choc chip ice cream. Yum! The shower gel itself is rich and velvety, and you only need a tiny amount to build up a really good lather. Oscar, my 4 year old, has declared this his favourite shower gel ever, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s definitely the most luxurious shower gel I’ve ever used! At £2.49 for 250ml it’s kind of on the pricey side for a high street product, but I personally think it’s worth every penny. As you can see, I’ve almost used it all up, so I need to pop into town and pick a new bottle up sharpish!

Body Fantasies Japanese Cherry Blossom Perfume Body Spray – £3.99

This past month I’ve pretty much just been using one fragrance non-stop. And that’s the beautiful Japanese Cherry Blossom perfume body spray from Body Fantasies. I know I’ve raved about this in several posts already, so I won’t go on about it too much. But I love everything about this particular scent! I think because it’s a perfume body spray you get a much stronger, more long lasting scent than you would with a regular body spray. Plus, you get over 500 sprays per bottle, which is quite a lot! I usually spritz on 2-3 sprays each morning, and I very rarely top it up during the day, so one bottle is lasting me ages. The bottle is made of plastic, rather than glass, too, so it’s perfect for throwing in to my handbag when I’m out and about. And the Japanese Cherry Blossom scent is so authentic – I just love it. Oh, and at £3.99 for 94ml you really can’t go grumbling at the price, either!

Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File* – £39.99

As the weather here in the UK has been surprisingly hot recently, I’ve found myself wearing sandals and flip flops much more than usual. Therefore, I’ve been making sure I keep my feet in tip-top condition so they don’t look all yucky while they’re on display. And to do this, I’ve been using my Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File from Scholl. It’s super easy to use, and what I do on the morning I’m planning on wearing sandals or flip flops is turn on the device, then gently rotate the file over any hard skin I can see on my feet. It’s amazing how much dead skin falls off in front of my eyes! I then wipe away any excess with a wet wipe, slather on some cooling foot cream, and my feet are all ready for the day ahead! I wish I’d picked one of these up years ago, as it’s made looking after my feet less of a chore, and I no longer have to worry about what they look like in my summer shoes!

Tan Plait Sandals – £8.99

And last but not least this month I’ve been wearing a pair of sandals I picked up from the teens section in New Look last summer. They’re a tan colour, with a flat sole, a plaited strap around the top, and a toe post. They have a leather-look finish too. And I think they look super cute with little summer dresses, playsuits, and even my light blue ripped jeans! I remember wearing them to death towards the end of last summer, and I’ve worn them on pretty much every sunny day during June, yet they still look quite new!

You might be wondering why I picked them up from the teens section, and basically it’s because I have ridiculously small feet (I’m a UK size 3, which is about a US size 5 and a Euro size 35-36), so if I buy kids shoes I don’t have any VAT to pay on top. I find I save myself a lot of money that way, and very often shops have the same styles in both adults and kids shoes, so if you have small feet it’s always worth looking to see if they do a kids version of the shoe you’re after!

And that’s everything on my list of monthly favourites for June 2017! I hope you guys enjoyed reading it, and if you’ve tried any of the products that I mentioned please make sure you let me know what you thought of them.

What were your favourite products last month?
Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading.
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Birchbox – October 2016 Edition

10/11/2016 by Louise 22 Comments

Well, we’re into the second week of November and I’ve just realised that I never posted my review of the Birchbox I received last month … whoops! I really need to work harder to get these reviews up during the correct month don’t I? I promise to be on time from now on!

Anyway, during October Birchbox teamed up with world renowned astrologist, Susan Miller, to bring 4 different boxes to their subscribers : Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The box we got was dependent on our star sign, and as I’m a Libra, I received the Air box.

I have to say I thought the box design last month was absolutely beautiful. It’s a midnight blue colour adorned with stars that actually glow in the dark! I love it. So, what did I get in my box last month? Make sure you read on if you want to find out …

LORD & BERRY 20100 MAXI MATTE CRAYON LIPSTICK IN INTIMACY

The first product I received in this months box was a full sized matte lip pencil from Lord & Berry in the shade ‘Intimacy’. I actually fell in love with this particular shade at first glance (if that’s even possible) and I wasn’t disappointed when I started using it! Intimacy is a beautiful pinky nude shade which is a lot like my lips (but better). Shades like this really suit me, and are the ones I tend to pick up when I’m out shopping for lip products.

I’ve never tried any matte lip products from Lord & Berry before, and I thought it might be a little too drying on my lips. But I needn’t have worried, as it didn’t feel dry at all. It lasted really well throughout the day too, with just the odd top-up needed here and there.

The Lord & Berry 20100 Maxi Matte Crayon Lipstick in Intimacy retails at £12.00 and I will definitely be repurchasing once I’ve run out!

BATISTE STYLIST OOMPH MY LOCKS XXL VOLUME SPRAY

The second product I received in October’s Birchbox was something I bought when it was launched last year – Batiste’s Oopmh My Locks XXL Volume Spray from their range of styling products. Now, I’ve always got on really well with Batiste’s range of dry shampoo’s, but their styling products really don’t suit me. I have really fine hair that I never seem to be able to add any volume to, no matter what products I use. I did give this product a second try so I could write up a fair review, but it still didn’t give my locks any sort of oomph!

What I will say though that the product is really easy to use – just shake, spray lightly on to dry hair, then massage in with your fingers to give it some volume. The mist is really fine, so it doesn’t leave your hair feeling like there’s loads of product in it. And it has a lovely light and pleasant scent to it. I just feel it would work better on thicker hair.

Batiste’s Stylist Oomph My Locks XXL Volume Spray is a steal at £4.29, but unfortunately I won’t be repurchasing myself.

DOUX ME PURE SPRING MIST

Next up I received the Doux Me Pure Spring Mist which, I have to say, has the most gorgeous packaging. I absolutely love the dotty design on the can. I’d never heard of Doux Me before, but that might be because they’re a Birchbox exclusive brand, and I’ve only been a subscriber for a few months.

The Doux Me Pure Spring Mist is designed to spritz onto your face to brighten tired complexions and hydrate thirsty skin. And although I love products like this, I see them as more of a summer thing than an Autumn one. I’ve used this a few times since receiving my box, and have found that it feels really nice on the skin when first spritzed on, but doesn’t really live up to its promises. My skin never looks any brighter or feels very hydrated after use.

I was really impressed by the size of the sample (50ml) but I definitely wouldn’t repurchase this at £16.00 for the full 100ml version. As the can only contains pure spring water it feels a little bit like daylight robbery!! It’s not for me.

NKD SKN PRE-SHOWER BUILDABLE TAN

October’s Birchbox also included a NKD SKN Pre-Shower Buildable Tan. Now, I don’t really get on with tanning products so I haven’t used this yet. And I haven’t decided whether I ever will or if I’ll pass this one on to a friend or family member. But I do have to say it looks really simple to use : you just apply to dry skin, wait for ten minutes and then wash away in the shower.

According to the Birchbox website, this tanning treatment is quick-drying, odourless and made from natural ingredients. Even I have to admit that it sounds great. And what’s more, the tan is said to last for up to 7 days. Wow!

The NKD SKN Pre-Shower Buildable Tan costs £13.95 for a full sized tube, which I think is a good price for something like this.

NUMBER 4 FLUORO5 ELIXER RESTORE & REPAIR OIL

The fifth product I received in my October Birchbox was the Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil. I have to say I really wanted to love this product. But unfortunately, I didn’t. Hair oils have become big business over the last couple of years, and all my friends rave about them. When you have super fine hair like mine though, it’s not a product you can use. Why not? Because it leaves my hair looking limp and greasy instead of shiny and sleek. Which, believe me, is not a good look!

What I can’t quite understand, is that when I first signed up to Birchbox I filled in a survey to let them know what skin and hair type I have. Yet I keep receiving hair products that aren’t suitable for me. It’s a real shame.

I’ve had a quick look at some other reviews of the Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil and it seems that people with thicker hair and those with dry or damaged locks found this product the most useful. So if you don’t fall into any of those categories it’s probably best to steer clear.

The Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil comes in at £18.40 for the full sized 2.0 fl oz bottle, which I think is quite pricey, but would maybe consider if the product actually worked for me.

BIRCHBOX EYEBROW BRUSH

And last but not least in October’s Birchbox I received an eyebrow brush from their own range. This actually came at a good time for me as I’d left my only other brow brush at a friends house and was missing using it every morning! It’s a duo brush, so one side is for combing your lashes and the other is for tidying your brows. I always opt for brushes like this as I’m a big fan of multi-tasking products. The tool is a good size, well made and does what it’s supposed to do.

At £1.99 the Birchbox Eyebrow Brush is an absolute bargain, and I wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase it.

Overall I thought the October Birchbox was OK, but not as good as the previous two boxes I received. As we’re now on the run up to Christmas I’m hoping the products we get in the next two boxes outshine them all. Well, a girl can dream!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

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*Product purchased with my own money

Birchbox – September 2016 Edition

07/10/2016 by Louise 12 Comments

Ever since I signed up to Birchbox back in August, I’ve been looking forward to receiving my next box. And I have to say, it didn’t disappoint! The theme for September’s box was ‘Heroes’, and it was said to contain lots of lovely ‘hero beauty treats’. As soon as the box arrived I dived straight in and started trying the products out, and today I thought I’d let you guys know how I’ve been getting on with them.

September’s treats arrived in a really pretty box which had a pastel coloured pattern on. But instead of having a lid, like most of the other subscription boxes out there have, it actually has a pull out drawer! I absolutely love this idea as it means I’ll reuse it rather than just recycling it like I usually would.

This month I received 5 products – one of which was full sized and 4 that were sample sized. There was a good mix of products, from makeup and skincare to hair and shower products. So, without further ado, let me tell you what I got and what I thought of each product …

MODELCO CREME ROUGE IN JUST PEACHY

All boxes this month included a full sized product from ModelCo, and we could choose from a creme rouge (which can be used on lips and cheeks) and a highlighting trio. I went for the creme rouge and I’m really pleased I did as it’s a really gorgeous shade, despite looking super scary in the pan! I used it as a cream blush, and found it gave my cheeks a lovely, natural-looking glow that lasted all day.

This particular creme rouge costs £14.00 for 3.6g, and I’d definitely consider repurchasing as a special treat to myself in the future.

AMIKA BOMBSHELL BLOWOUT SPRAY

Next up I received Amika’s Bombshell Blowout Spray. This spray is designed to be used before blow drying to give the hair extra texture and lift while providing a weightless layer of heat protection. It contains sea buckthorn berry oil, which contains nourishing antioxidants to strengthen and repair any damage to the hair as well. It claims to be suitable for all hair types, and as I struggle to get any volume in my super fine locks, I was hoping that this product would help give me the lift I crave.

Unfortunately, as with similar sprays I’ve tried, this did absolutely nothing for me. It smelt absolutely divine upon application, but left my hair looking really limp and greasy. I tried it on both freshly washed hair, and on second day hair and I had the same problem both times. From reading other reviews on the Birchbox website, this seems to be a common problem so I most definitely wouldn’t recommend trying it at its hefty £14.99 price tag. On a more positive note, I loved the packaging to this, and some of Amika’s other products look more up my street, so I think I’d be tempted to give them a try.

THIS WORKS IN TRANSIT CAMERA CLOSE-UP

This month I was excited to find there was a product from This Works in my box! They’re a brand I’ve loved for a good few years now, but the product I received in my Birchbox was actually one I hadn’t tried before – their In Transit Camera Close-Up. I mention time and time again that I’m a big fan of multi-functional products, so I couldn’t wait to give this one a try, as it just happens to be a mask, a moisturiser and a primer in one handy little bottle!

The product itself is packed with hyaluronic acid, argan and starflower oils, and also has a hit of caffeine in, to really help brighten up the skin. I found that it smelt really nice, and it’s quick and easy to use. I felt it really hydrated my skin, leaving it looking brighter and feeling so much nicer than before. The only downside for me is that I didn’t find this product sooner, as it also has SPF 30 and would have been perfect to use as part of my summer morning skincare routine!!

The full sized version of the In Transit Camera Close-Up comes in at £30.00 for 40ml and I can honestly say that I’ll be repurchasing it again and again. It’s absolutely fantastic!

NUXE PRODIGIEUX SHOWER OIL

Nuxe are another brand that I really enjoy using, so I was thrilled to find something of theirs in September’s Birchbox. And again, it just happened to be something I hadn’t tried before – their Prodigieux Shower Oil. Now I have to be honest and say that I wouldn’t usually use a shower oil, as they tend to leave my skin feeling a tad greasy, and I’m always wary of it transferring to my clothes. But I didn’t find that at all with this one. Instead, it left my skin feeling soft, smooth and supple, and the scent lingered faintly on my skin throughout the day. That’s good though, as it smells really nice!

At £10.00, the Nuxe Prodigieux Shower Oil is slightly more money than I would usually like to spend on a shower product. But as I felt it helped nourish my skin I would definitely be tempted to repurchase it.

PURISKIN NURSE AID CREAM FOR HANDS & NAILS

And last but certainly not least I received the Puriskin Nurse Aid Cream for Hands and Nails. I have to be honest and say I haven’t tried this product properly as I thought my mum could make better use of it than I could. She’s suffering with really bad cracked skin at the moment, and there’s very little that she’s tried that has helped her.

According to the Birchbox website, this rich barrier cream has been developed with nurses and clinical practitioners in mind. So it’s formulated to help protect the skin from regular exposure to harsh alcohol-based gels and soap, caring for dehydrated hands and nails.

I gave it a quick try and found that it sinks into the skin really quickly and easily. And it didn’t leave my skin feeling at all greasy, which is great. I think if it works to heal my mums hands then it will truly be a dream cream. I promise to keep you posted!

The full sized Puriskin Nurse Aid Cream for hands and nails is priced at £12.99, which, if it works, I think is a great price. What do you guys think?

Overall I thought the September Birchbox was really good. Although I was super jealous of everyone who received a Laura Mercier product in their boxes as I love their stuff. I’m looking forward to receiving my October box now, which I hear is based on the astrological elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. It sounds right up my street!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
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*Product purchased with my own money

Birchbox – August 2016 Edition

23/08/2016 by Louise Leave a Comment

I’ve been a regular subscriber to a number of different beauty subscription boxes for a while now. But in all honestly I’d started to get a little fed up with them as the same tried and tested products were popping up time and time again. So, I decided to shop around a little and see if any of the subscription boxes I hadn’t tried before looked like something I’d like, And the one that really stood to me was Birchbox.

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box which gives you the chance to try out 5 luxurious treats from both new and well known brands that are currently available here in the UK for just £10.00 per month (plus £2.95 P&P). I thought this offered great value for money, and I just couldn’t resist signing up!

August’s Birchbox is called ‘Dive In’, and rather than arriving in a box, this months goodies came in a super cool neoprene makeup bag (y’know, the material scuba suits are made of) with a neon coloured zipper. And this month it contained 6 summer beauty essentials, along with an extra special treat for me becoming a subscriber. How cool is that?!

The makeup bag itself is said to be worth £8.00, and you receive one of 4 different coloured ones as part of this months subscription. Each bag contains different products and I was sent the one with a yellow zipper. At first I was a little disappointed as I’d seen a couple of reviews on the pink zippered version, and they looked right up my street. But once I looked inside I realised that I’d probably use the products inside this one a lot more.

So, without further ado let me tell you what I got in this months box (or bag) and what I thought of each product …

MARCELLE WATERPROOF EYELINER IN EXPRESSO

All boxes this month included a mini Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in either Mulberry (purple) or Expresso (brown) and as we could choose which one to get I decided to play it safe and go for the brown shade. I like how lovely and creamy a consistency this liner has, and I think the shade is a lot nicer than some of the other browns I have in my collection. It also lasted really well throughout the day, and as I’ve had quite watery eyes recently due to suffering with terrible migraines, I’ve learned that it’s claims of being waterproof are well founded too!

At £10.50 for 1.2g, I think this is a really reasonably priced pencil liner and I can definitely see myself repurchasing the full sized version of this in the near future. I love it!

PHILIP KINGSLEY ONE MORE DAY DRY SHAMPOO

I’m going to be honest here and say that I’ve received Philip Kingsley’s One More Day Dry Shampoo in other beauty boxes before, so I already knew that I liked this product. I find that it doesn’t leave any nasty white residue in my hair that many of the other dry shampoos on the market do, and I can definitely tell a difference when I apply this to un-washed hair. It absorbs all the excess oils and leaves my hair looking less greasy and feeling a lot more manageable, which is great. The product itself feels really lightweight and it smells so good.

The only problem I have with this product is the price. I mean, the sample size in the box is 50ml, which is perfect for throwing into your school or gym bag. But the full sized version is 200ml and comes in at a whacking £14.50! It’s most definitely not something I’d consider buying as I wouldn’t want to be carrying something of that size round with me all day, and I think there are similar products on the market that cost less and do the same job. Don’t let me put you off though. If you’d rather pay more for hair products like this then I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

BALANCE ME RADIANCE FACE MASK

Another product I’ve tried before (and still enjoy using) is Balance Me’s Radiance Face Mask. I won’t go on about this too much, as I wrote a full review of it here, but can I just say that this is one of my all-time favourite skincare products?! I love anything that’s multi-functional, and this product most definitely ticks that box! I apply this to my face once a week, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wash it off with a damp cloth and my skin always looks and feels better for it. It’s a mask designed to cleanse, exfoliate and brighten, and I can assure you that it does just that – I can always see a difference straight away.

This particular mask is quite pricey at £18.00 for just 75ml, but I’ve repurchased it several times over the last 18 months as it works well for me and does exactly what it says on the tube. It’s most definitely one of my favourite Balance Me products.

ANATOMICALS SMOOTHER BUTTS LOVE COCONUTS COCONUT + MANGO BODY LOTION

Next up I got Anatomicals Smoother Butts Love Coconuts Coconut and Mango Body Lotion. Wow, that’s a mouthful! I’d never tried anything from Anatomicals before. Mainly because their packaging looks to be targeting a much younger generation of lady than I am. But I was blown away by how lovely this smelt! I can smell both the mango and coconut in equal measure, and I don’t know why but I’m surprised at how well the scents compliment each other. The lotion rubs in really quickly and easily, and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling at all greasy, which is great. The only downside for me was that it didn’t seem to leave my skin feeling all that hydrated, which is a shame as Birchbox promised me truly nourished skin after using this!

I’m happy to report that Anatomicals products are purse-friendly and this particular body lotion comes in at £3.99 for 200ml, which I think is really reasonable. I’m not sure I’d buy the body lotion again, as I like something that gives my skin a little more hydration, but at this price I’d consider trying a few of their other products.

RITUALS HAMMAM BODY MUD

I always get excited when I find Rituals products in beauty boxes as they’re one of my favourite brands. And in this months Birchbox I got my hands on something I’d not tried before – Rituals’ Hammam Body Mud. This product can be used as both an exfoliator and a nourishing body mask, and I’ve tried both ways and think they work just brilliantly. And I’m not just saying that because I’m a Rituals fan! The scent of this is just gorgeous – really clean and refreshing. Perfect for early morning baths or showers. I felt the product really brightened up my skin. I loved this and would say it’s my favourite product in the bag. At 2.3 fl oz it’s a very generous sample size as well.

I don’t think it will come as any surprise when I say I’ll most definitely be repurchasing this body mud in full size soon. It’s not that cheap, coming in at £14.00 for 5.0 fl oz, but it works so well that I’m happy to pay that amount for it. I’ll also be checking out some of the other products in the Hammam range!

YES TO … COCONUT FACIAL WIPES

This month Birchbox subscribers were treated to an extra little treat in the form of a Yes To Coconut Facial Wipe. Now, there was just the one wipe in the packet, so I don’t think it would be fair of me to try and give you a proper review of this product, but it smelt really nice and it did a good job of taking off the light layer of makeup I was wearing the other day. I didn’t feel that it cleansed my skin or anything like that though so I’m not going to rave about it. This is definitely something you need to try yourself to see how you feel about them!

I’m going to be honest here and say that I don’t use facial wipes at all so I definitely wouldn’t repurchase these. And at £3.99 for 25 wipes they seem really expensive. I’ve heard great things about some of the other products in the Yes To range though, so I’d be more inclined to try something else from their coconut collection. Let me know if you have any recommendations!

MIRENESSE GLOSSY KISS CRAYON IN PERFECT KISS

And finally, because I became a Birchbox subscriber this month, I bagged myself a full sized Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Crayon in the shade Perfect Kiss! I’ve never tried any of their lip products before, so I was excited to try this out. And I found that it’s a beautiful pinky nude shade that compliments my skin tone perfectly. I’ve read a fair few reviews on these before and people always say how long lasting they are. But although I was super impressed with the colour payoff, I didn’t find they lasted any longer than any of my other lip products do. But maybe that’s just to do with my lips? I don’t know! I really like how creamy and pigmented it is though so I can forgive the longevity issue.

Glossy Kiss crayons retail at £17.50 each, and although I probably wouldn’t repurchase them on a regular basis, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick one up now and then for a special occasion as I really liked this one.

Overall I was really impressed with my very first Birchbox, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they have to offer in their September box next month. Way to go Birchbox!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Pinterest

*Product purchased with my own money

Anti-Aging Laser Options

13/10/2015 by Louise 13 Comments

There are few industries that are more reliable than the cosmetics industry. It’s probably always going to not only survive, but grow and thrive. The simple reason for that is the fact that people always want to make the best possible impression on each other. To do that, they have to look their best. Of course, that’s easier for some people than for others, especially when age becomes a factor. If you’re finding yourself less confident about your appearance as you get older, anti-aging procedures, such as those involving lasers, might be able to help you.

Why Not Try Creams and Lotions, Instead?
There are plenty of creams and lotions out there that claim to reverse or slow down wrinkles and other signs of aging. So, you might be wondering what the big deal is about having laser therapy when you could just try a good lotion or cream. Well, that is certainly an option, but creams and lotions can take a long time to work, if they work at all. Lasers tend to be faster and more reliable, assuming you choose the right type of laser therapy.

The Different Types of Laser Treatments
One type of laser treatment is Fraxal, which is short for fractional photothemolysis. A fraxal laser essentially creates microscopic shafts down deep into the skin. The idea is that the undamaged cells around those shafts or columns of damage will start to send help to the damaged cells, allowing them to grow back healthier and stronger.

Another form of cosmetic laser device is an ablative laser. Ablative lasers are extremely powerful, but with that power comes some higher risks. Since all layers of your skin will be treated, you’re likely to experience bleeding and oozing skin for a little while after the procedure. That means that your recovery could take a little while and you’ll have to be careful about developing possible infections. So, you should follow any instructions your technician gives you to the letter, even after you leave the clinic.

A third option is to have non-ablative laser treatment. A non-ablative device won’t actually have any major impact on your top layer of skin. That means that bleeding isn’t a likely side effect. However, non-ablative lasers are only capable of treating minor skin problems, since they aren’t as strong as ablative or fraxal treatments.

Take Your Time Making a Final Decision
When it comes to treatment with laser devices, there are really two decisions to be made. You don’t just have to decide which laser treatment to have, but also whether or not you should have one at all. That’s why you should always take your time and consult an expert. They can go over all of your options with you, including sound wave treatment, various types of peels, microdermabrasion, and more.

As long as you follow expert advice, there’s no reason you have to live with your wrinkles and other signs of aging. The right skincare treatments can help you to maintain a more youthful appearance. That way you will always be confident that you are looking your best.

Have you ever considered having laser treatment to help reduce the signs of aging?
Or do you prefer lotions and potions? Let me know in the comments below!

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