NARS bronzer in 'laguna' and "casino": review

I LOVE bronzer and there is no way I would leave the house without it in my handbag - good job too as I got to work today and I forgot to put any on!!! 

Whatever the weather and season, just adding a hint of colour can really make a difference, giving you a healthy glow any celebrity that’s just come back from LA to be jealous of. My latest love ins are the ones from NARS in “laguna” and "casino".  

ok, I admit it, I am a bronzer junkie! 

love the gorgeous matte bronze colour

Sanctuary Spa - time reversal face mask: review

I have been lucky enough to have some time away in the sun with a week away at a festival in Croatia and a few days away in Madrid with the Boy. 

All the holidaying is great but time in the sun (and probably too much sangria) has left my skin looking less than perky!

So my must use face mask when I got back had to be the“time reversal face mask” by Sanctuary Spa. One of my favs!

It claims to be an intensive collagen boosting treatment to help firm, plump and restore the skin. Sounds good and it actually lives up to the claims, so fixed my skin up a treat! 

I often use lotions and potions, reading their grand claims but then wondering if it actually works. But with this, I honestly feel that it does minimising my fine lines on my forehead.

House of Holland stick on nail art in "neon nibs"

When I went to New York last Halloween, I blogged about these funky little stick on nails called "neon nibs" and before that, when I went to Ibiza, I blogged about these stick on nails called "game changer". Both are from Boots, from the 'The house of Holland' collection. 

neon nibs! 

As you can see, there is a pattern emerging ... holiday equals mental talons! 

This time round for Hideout festival in Croatia was these beauts - glittery, black and sleek! A little on the gothic side and I love them!!! They are even glittery on the reverse!

"Glitterbug" is the perfect name! 

get the gltiter bug  

shiny and sparkly!

Completely impacticle for typing, these are not work friendly for me but they are quite durable and usable so have found these ok to work with for normal chores and every day activities. 

24 nails in various designs 

The sets are completely OTT and fun. 

got2b Oil-licious dry oil mist (psst it gives you shiny hair!)

Some of you may have realised from some of my blog posts that shiny, healthy hair is always on my wish list. The key to great hair is no secret. It's a blend of a good diet, not over doing the straightners and getting regular trims. Or getting extensions I guess like the celebs. 

But scrap that hard work, I have cracked it and the answer comes in a bottle...

It is got2b "oil-licious dry oil mist"
A light, dry oil spray - it is shiny hair in a can.

Skin Doctors ingrown hair treatment: review

I have always seems to have suffered from ingrown hairs and whilst the pesky things aren't a health concern, the bumpy skin just isn't a good look, then they cause issues when you start to re-shave over them and sometimes they are a tad painful! All in all they are about as welcome in my life as flowers are to a hay fever sufferer!

One afternoon whilst in the park, moaning at my friend and picking at the unsightly buggers, she recommended that I tried buying a treatment for them. I must admit that I can't remember the brand she suggested but I took to the internet and set a budget and found this great buy.

this has been a beauty savior 

It is an ingrown hair solution from Skin Doctors. It is available on line and I have also recently seen it stocked on the shelves of some Boots stores (Putney was one of them FYI). 

I have never used an ingrown hair treatment before so admittedly I cannot benchmark it against other products but for me, this has worked well.

the tops of my calves are particularly bad 

L'Oreal fibrology thickening shampoo: review

I don't know that many girls that don't wish that they had thicker, more lush hair. I am always on the look out for a product that will thicken my locks and even more so at the moment seeing as I managed to get my hair in such a matted state at the end of last summer, which meant having to brush and tear the knots out and taking out half my hair with it. The result? 6 months down the line, I have the embarrassment of matted hair, and also a thin barnet!!!!


But then I started using this - 

L'Oreal Elvive Thickening Range

L'Oreal's fibrology thickening shampoo! I am not sure it is a long term solution (ie it will make the hair grow) but it does seem to some how thicken up the stands after I wash my hair!!!

The formula in the shampoo apparently thickens each strand, penetrating the hair fibre and expanding it. The substance remains in the fibre and increases after each application, so it claims to help immediately.

L'Orea to the rescue 

Get super soft hands with this one trick

Winter plays havoc on most people's skin. The blasting cold air and the constant change in temperature as we go from freezing cold to hot central heating inside. In particular for me, it is my hands that take a battering and I am always left with sore, red, chapped hands.

But I have found a new trick which has left me with lovely soft hands this winter!

Ta-dah!

Sleeping in gloves!

doing my best Michael Jackson impression 

Yes, really.

Ok these aren't gloves in the sense of thick winter outdoors gloves. These are specifically for wearing at sleepy time. 

L’Oreal’s anti aging collagen wrinkle decrease filler: review

Ahh the quest forever maintaining our youthful skin. If it’s not on your wish list, it is certainly on mine. There are many factors that add up to skin appearing less youthful, including sagging skin, patches, sun spots and most commonly, wrinkles!!! 

Whilst there are many lotions and potions out there to prevent as many signs of aging as possible, sometimes we need a cream to help us reverse the onset of those appearing fine lines.

the wonder duo 

Whilst at dinner this week with a friend, she asked me what beauty products and creams I was using. Cue me going on about how much I love L'Oreal's Collagen Filler. I swear by it! This works! Cue me also having to blog about it. 

Khiel's midnight recovery serum: review

For my birthday my lovely in laws gave me a bottle of Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Serum, something that has been on my wish list for a while now, well a few years actually. Often reviewed in beauty sections, I wanted to see what the fuss was about for myself.

Kiehl's midnight recovery serum 

After using this serum on my face for about 6 weeks, I can see why people love it! Usually at this time of year my skin is parched, dehydrated and full of dry patches. Whilst it isn’t looking amazing (thanks Christmas boozing and over indulging) considering that I haven’t been doing the usual to look after skin (early nights, lots of veg and litres of water), it is looking fine!

skin saviour 

just needs a few drops 

The health benefits of an Epsom salt bath

With the cold weather setting in and the stress of Christmas, you'll be forgiven if you have a few aches and pains in your muscles. Along with regularly using my foam roller (I blogged about my love of this recently) I also try to treat my aches to a a very vigorous deep tissue massage (I went to Achilles in Fulham FYI, which is great). Jerry, my masseuse therapist, always suggests that I have a long soak in an epsom salt bath.

epsom salts don't bubble so add a little bubble bath!

I have heard about this before (thanks to my dad actually) but I didn’t realise how many health benefits there were from epsom salts. I must admit too, after a long soak I felt so much better, my aches and pains practically gone!

my tub of Epsom salts

Firstly though, what re Epsom salts?

Epsom salt is not actually a salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulphate.

Here are some of the health benefits of using Epsom salts...

Health benefit one: restore magnesium levels

Magnesium actually plays an important role in the body including reducing inflammation, helping to prevent artery hardening and helping muscles and nerve functions. Most of us do not have high enough magnesium levels and as the body easily absorbs magnesium through the skin, an Epsom salt bath is an easy way to boost your levels.

Health benefit two: eases stress and relaxes the body

We all know stress is bad for us and I am guessing it is something you would welcome into your life like you would a swarm of wasps at a picnic. Stress drains the body of magnesium and increases levels of adrenaline. The magnesium in Epsom salts help to produce serotonin, a mood-enhancing chemical within the brain, helping to produce a feeling of calm and relaxation. When dissolved in warm water, the Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body.

Elizabeth Arden hydrating face mask: review

This is something I blogged about a year ago (on the 20th November if anyone is asking) but I love this product so much I want to share it with you again. I first bought this face mask because the wintery weather was wreaking havoc on my skin at the moment. My face was feeling permanently tight and dry.

I am in love with this product

Doing what I always do when I need to find an answer to my problems, I went to Google. I simply typed in "hydrating face masks" and one of the answers returned was this Elizabeth Arden's hydrating mask. But it has been the best find ever! I've just bought a new tube of it and using it religiously twice a week. 

Nivea Q10 firming body oil: review

The older I am getting, the more I am thinking about beating the signs of ageing. But not just my face. My body too! Whilst you don’t quite get the same wrinkles on your limbs at the same rate as you seem to on your face, I am well aware that skin does also lose its firmness. So I have started using body lotions that offer firming benefits as well as moisturising properties.

Nivea Q10

My favourite one so far is the Q10 firming body oil from Nivea.


With coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and avocado oil, it nourishes and firms skin to firm and soften. We’ll have to trust the science here as only time will tell if it is keeping my skin from sagging!

The "validation facial" at Lush Spa

For my birthday last year (a whole 13 months ago!) the Boy treated me to three spa treatments at the Lush Spa on Kings Road in Chelsea - the sound bath, a tailor made massage (read the blog about that here) and a validation facial. If like me, you didn't realise that the Lush cosmetics company also did spas, then look into it! They are so amazing and nothing like other beauty spa treatments you might have tried before! 

ready for my facial!

The year has gone so quick and I still hadn't made it back for the facial, but with a trip to New York coming up, I felt that last week was as good as any time to have it.

spa treatment room 

Having had two gorgeous treatments there already I knew I was in for a treat and I was right. If I could some up the treatment from start to finish, it would be "wonderful".

Lush seem to employ the happiest, friendliest and most relaxed staff and just talking to my softly spoken therapist made me feel ten levels calmer.

my skin was in need of a facemask! 

Asking about my skin needs, he took me through the shop, giving me the chance to play with the products, smelling them and touching them, to see what ones I would like to use in the treatment. Plopped on to a round slate, by the end it looked like an artist's palate! Let's hope it can make my skin a work of art!

the beauty products I chose 

No 7 micro-dermabrasion face exfoliator: review

This is not a new beauty buy for me, although I did get some as a pressie from my lovely brother -in-law for my birthday so I do have a brand new tube! My love in with this beauty product actually started when I bought a bottle in Koh Samui, Thailand in 2008!!!! And I still love it!

still a beauty fav...6 years on! 

This is more than just your average face scrub - this is a micro-dermabrasion exfoliator! This beauty bad boy from no 7 will slough away that layer of dead skin, rejuvenating the skin underneath to reveal fresher skin. 

this is hypo-allergenic 

Garnier BB blur cream: review

I’m not a foundation wearer but I swear by BB cream. My favourites so far being Clarins and Garnier’s BB cream (in medium). But then Garnier came up trumps with this…

BB and blur!!!!!! 

BB cream PLUS blur!

My face is so excited!

One swipe of this soft cream and my skin in the morning has gone from being blotchy and uneven to glowing and smooth!

my fave new beauty buy

This is a BB cream and a primer, which just gives that edge for smoothing the skin’s texture, blurring pores and fine lines and offering an overall even finish. It is also a moisturiser with SPF 30 (more than the normal BB cream which has SPF 15). This is a moisturiser, primer and foundation all in one! A great time saver in the morning before work!

Nude nails from "Jessica": review

As we transit from bright summery days, to well, I am not quite sure what the weather is doing right now, I have opted for a nude nail during the week, that way ensuring it always compliments my outfit... whatever the weather is doing and what I am wearing! 

my perfect nude nail 

I love fancy nail art (check out these funky bad boys from House of Holland that won loads of compliments on holiday) and bright colours but every now and again there is something refreshing about a nude nail. 

goes with any outfit 

It is a sophisticated, grown up, and simple look. 

Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (illuminating shimmer): review

Who doesn't like a soft, shimmery glow on the skin??? 

Personally I LOVE a little shimmer! 

Back in September last year, I blogged about my latest beauty addiction, which was Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer,  in the illuminating variety for a touch of shimmer (although they do one without if you are not a fan). A year on I still love this product, so am re-posting. With all the products I have used over the past 12 months, the fact that I am still loving this must be a good sign! 

still loving this product 

Not only is it a gorgeous shimmer, it is also hydrating as it's also a moisturiser and therefore won't dry your skin out and neither will it grease your skin as some shimmer oils do. Plus it contains an antioxidant vitamin complex to protect the skin! 

They do a range of shades too. 

love the gorgeous shimmer 

Environ hydrating oil capsules: review

A few months ago, I had a skin analysis with Environ at Harvey Nicks, and left there not only with a clearer understanding of my skin but also a few samples to try at home. One of the products that I had were these hydrating oil capsules. 

Environ 

A concentrated facial oil containing antioxidants and Vitamin A all in a tiny skittle-shaped capsule. 

Your skin is actually your largest organ and as such needs nutrients just as much as your insides do. The key ingredient here is vitamin A, perfect for hydrating your skin. 

these are bursting full of nutrients

Sleek trio of blushers in 'pink lemonade': review

Back in December, I blogged about my love for Sleek's blush by 3, a trio of blushers in Pink Sprint, a collection of bright and colourful blushers in a small, compact case. Since then I have discovered a lighter and fresher trio of blushers in the palette Pink Lemonade.

blush by 3 in pink lemonade 

pretty in pastels 

The three shades are irresistibly cute and sweet coloured. My favourite is icing sugar on the left. It adds a soft sheen with a slight shimmer (but nothing OTT so good for the day time too). 

perfect for a subtle sheen 

The middle blusher is a gorgeous cream blusher - I am not normally a fan of the cream blushers, but this is so easy to apply and sets as a powder almost. It also adds as a great base for laying under another blusher for a longer staying power.

love the texture of this cream blusher 

Each blusher palette is £9.99, a pretty good price I think for what you get. The quality is good too, and lasts a while. I also love Sleek's eye make up palette's - check review here

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Bed Head from Tigi ego boost split end mender: review

I admit it, I haven't had my haircut for nearly three months! Gasp. Sorry to any beauty bloggers reading this. But actually, considering I haven't had my ends trimmed, they aren't looking too bad!!! That's thanks to this great new beauty product I have been using - ego boost split end mender from TIGI.

new addition to my beauty products 

leave in conditioner - don't wash it out 

After every hair wash, I add a bit - just a couple of pumps - of the serum to the ends before blow drying. Sure, I still have a few dry, split ends but no where near as many as when I haven't used this product in the past!

not too split ended! 

worth the money 

I also add a couple of squirts of serum to dried hair in between washes to tame flyaways. It was quite pricey, about £13, but I have had it ages, as you only need a small amount each time. I have hardly used the bottle! Well worth the investment I say. It does nothing for your hair but I also love the fun bottle and smell!

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ps, if you are wondering about the weird pink brush in the background, read my blog review here