Saturday Night Pampering: LUSH, Liz Earle, Garnier

Saturday night called for a little chill out session, I really fancied getting in a hot bath and just forgetting about Uni work and impending exams and watch a bit of the Sopranos, (just started the boxset- hooked already). I had a bath bomb from LUSH to use and it sounded like it would really help me relax and unwind.

So, I ran a bath and popped in my Avobath* bath bomb, and let the lemongrass scent fill the bathroom, it's a really fresh scent, and mixed the rosewood and bergamot, it's supposed to help 'banish negative thoughts' and help raise your spirits.  LUSH say to 'use this when your skin is thirsty and your mind is blocked'. Exactly what I needed. I  really loved the way the bath bomb changes the water a lovely shade of green, and when the lights are on you can see the water almost looks shimmery, so pretty! I am a massive avocado fan, and I know how good it is for your skin, so seeing avocado and olive oil both are contained in this bath bomb, I knew it would amazing to add some moisture back into the skin.

 My skin needed a bit of scrub, and I found Happy to Scrub sitting in the bathroom which I had bought in the summer, an absolute bargain at £1.50 from Asda, it's a pretty gentle scrub but was enough for what I needed, but I wouldn't recommend if you needed something a bit more hardcore/ to remove fake tan. It's vanilla and patchouli scented, and reminds me a lot of the original Soap and Glory scent.

 During my bath I treated myself to a few Guylian chocolate shells which came with my Easter while I tried to enjoy my bath... but I've got to be honest, my idea of a nice hot relaxing bath didn't exactly go as planned. I stepped into bath and turned on the hot tap to find luke warm water, so I had to do my scrubbing and 'relaxing' covered in goosebumps. Major fail.

While I was waiting for my bath to run, I used a body brush from the Boots Botanics to get my circulation going (ideally you're supposed to this first thing in the morning), I try to do this as often as I remember, always do it on dry skin, Liz Earle explain the benefits much better than I can on their website! After my bath, I then used the Liz Earle Energising Hip & Thigh Gel, which I would love to rave about and tell you it does miracles for toning, but in all honesty I don't use it regularly enough to comment. But I do think if you can get into a routine where you body brush, and then use vigorous massaging it may help with fluid retention and dimples. I've never particularly suffered with cellulite but I like to do what I can (when I remember) to prevent it happening.  I can definitely comment that the gel does feel tingly and refreshing, and there is a sort of tightening feeling- I really like it and it makes me feel it's doing something, whether that's physiological or not!

Once the gel had dried I applied Garnier Replenshing Mango Lotion, (the mango is aimed at dry skin, which I don't have, I just really just love mango!) It's really lightweight and sinks in really quickly, which I love. It does make claims about keeping your moisturised for 7 days, which are some pretty bold claims but I can't comment as my skin often goes weeks without moisturiser- no matter which one I use- with no problems! Combined with the moisturising effects of the Avobath, my skin really felt lovely!

Hope you all had a more exciting weekend than I did, although it seems to far away now. Bit of a delay getting this post up. Today I had fun, went and met Yu at Westfield and did a bit of shopping so there will be haul post tomorrow, as well as some bits I picked up from Feel Unique!

Do you have any products you rely on for helping you relax or unwind?

 

Nic xxx

(*) given to me for consideration purposes, but that in no way influences my opinion. as usual this review is 100% honest.

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What I've been loving lately #2

Hello all! (See there's a few new followers, so a special welcome to you, and don't be shy feel free to say hi!)

I know I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front, been back at home and we're packing up the house, looking for furniture, trying to earning some money and I'm attempting to do uni work inbetween that all, so blogging's taking a back seat. Really wanted to get a post out tonight, no matter how late it is! So without further ado, here are some products I've been loving lately.

Nars Orgasm Blush

Really been enjoying this when I want a bit of sheen in the cheeks during the day, for nights out I just build it up a bit more. Great shade with a big following and it really hasn't disappointed! You can see me wearing it on an older post here.

Chanel Pourdre Universelle Libre (Loose Powder) 30 Naturel

I've had this for a while now, and don't know why I haven't mentioned yet, I guess because wear mostly matte foundations I don't wear this all the time. Things have changed since picking up Healthy Mix I needed something to set it and remove the slightly dewy finish. This product is amazing, helps me stay matte, doesn't feel heavy or go cakey, has light reflecting properties that help to blur pores and give a smooth appearance. I also use it with my Illamasqua Rich Liquid for nights out, and I find it photographs quite well.

Bourjois Healthy Mix 53

A great, light weight foundation for days I'm not doing too much. It doesn't last as well as the claims, but it's nice enough and smells amazing. Find it leans a little pink for me, but I dust some Bare Minerals over it just to warm it up a bit.

LUSH Ocean Salt Facial Scrub

This stuff is amazing! It looks really scary in the pot, but once you add a bit of water the salt crystals dissolve as you exfoliate leaving you with quite a creamy scrub, and oooh my days, the way your skin feels afterwards is insane. I've never felt my face feel so soft before. I use it a couple times a week, it's really great. Definitely pick up a sample if you can.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Like so many others, I have totally fallen for this brush. Really makes applying foundation a breeze, and I find it works really well for a variety of foundations, I do find if I want a bit heavier coverage I still opt for my F80.

Laura Mercier Under Eye Perfector Orange/Yellow

See my full review here. Really loving this, and it really does work great when I mix it in with my foundation. 

MAC Pinch O Peach Blush (Sheertone)

Picked this up from Seanna's blog sale towards the end of Feb (she's still got a few bits left so check it out! Quite a few MAC eyeshadows. link), and have really been loving it! The name is really misleading, as I don't detect any peach at all, not even a pinch, but it's a great pink shade that adds dimension and colour to my face. It's really buildable, and despite being a sheertone it's got great pigmentation.

Rimmel Nude Delight Lipstick

A personal fav of Yu, and with simliar skin tones, I thought this would suit me. It comes with me everywhere! Perfect nude lip, can slap it on without too much thought.

MAC Fanfare (Creamsheen)

This has been my go to colour when I want something a little brighter on my lips during the day. You can see the swatch here.

LUSH Big Shampoo (not pictured)

I totally forgot to include a photo, but I've actually only got a sample pot so it's a small black one, not much to see. This honestly is the first shampoo that I've used that makes a noticeable difference to the  volume of my hair. I thought I was seeing things, so switched back to another shampoo and low and behold my hair was sitting flat on my scalp. Definitely going to buy a full size! My sample was quite sizeable so it's lasted me a good few weeks!

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Daily Treatment Conditioner (not pictured)
I looooove this conditioner. It really works for me, and the reasoning it's a current favourite is because I actually left my one at home, so when I was at uni I was finishing up some others, so when I was reunited with it for the last 2 weeks of March I remember how I loved it. The ends of my hair look fresher for longer and smells amazing. I only apply it right to the ends- it's really great and I will definitely be purchasing my 4 bottle soon!

I love seeing favourite posts, and I've really enjoyed writing this! I don't do monthly ones because often it's the same things, so it would be incredibly boring to read. So hopefully you'll enjoy this, although they're a bit more scarce. Happy Belated Easter to all :)

Nic xxx

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LUSH Skincare Round-Up: Enzymion Moisturiser

Moisturiser is really a step any skin type shouldn't skip; it's important to remember there is a difference between dry and dehydrated skin, (oily skin can still be dehydrated). I would have described my skin as combination/oily over the last few years, but since stopping my pill, my skin seems to be more normal, but I suffer from dry patches, (mostly from blemishes drying out). My skin is, or rather, it can be very dehydrated, but I never want to risk overloading it with something too rich. I previously used Liz Earle Light Skin Repair moisturiser, which was lovely, but after two bottles,  I wanted to try something new, so Claire at LUSH recommended Enzymion.

I bought it because it's specially aimed at oily skins, and I loved the fact it contained fruit enzymes, (which supposedly work wonders for your skin). The papaya helps to remove dead skin cells, lemon contains natural skin bleaching capabilities, helping to fade marks,  as well as giving a matt finish, while the cocoa butter and avocado oil help to moisturise.

I really love Enzymion. It's light weight, smells great- really fresh- and sinks in quickly and really does provide a great base for make up. I find it can double as a night cream if you use two thin layers, instead of one, and in the morning I wake up with my skin feeling soft and plump like it should be, (if your skin generally doesn't feel like this you may be suffering from dehydration. ) I honestly couldn't comment on the the ability to fade marks, as my skin is till breaking out, I had fresh marks, but what I do notice is the overall appearance of my skin definitely doesn't seem as dull since I've been using this. One thing to watch out for is how much you use, I always overestimate and end up using too much; so start off with the smallest amount and gauge that way. As mentioned in my toner post, it works great when I apply it while the toner is still damp on my skin.

My only gripe is that it comes in a tub, and I really would have loved it in a bottle with a pump instead! I don't mind using tubs for eye creams, but I think for moisturiser it is more hygienic to have it in pump form, as obviously you're spreading the cream all over your face! What I do, is slightly tap some on the back of my hand and it apply it from there, rather than sticking my fingers into the tub itself. I also find it tends to get  a bit messy round the edges, especially when travelling (I purposely didn't clean the sides in the photos so you can see what I mean!). If you can overlook this issue, then this might just be the moisturiser for you!

Suitable for? I'd say combination to oily skin types, or for those just looking for something nice and light that sits well under make up. (Probably not for dry skins though.)

Price: £13.50/ 45 g (definitely on the pricer side for LUSH skin care products, but I honestly think it will last ages. I've been using mine for about 6 weeks (I forget exactly when I bought it) and I've still got half left.)

So, that rounds up my current three step LUSH program, they pretty much dominate my skincare routine; I also use Ocean Salt scrub (review coming soon) and Enchanted eye cream (review here). There's a few other non-LUSH cleansers that I use depending how I'm feeling, and a really basic Superdrug one I use in the morning, but to be honest, it's nothing special. I've really enjoyed this routine, and although I haven't notice a massive difference in my skin, there's been a slight improvement, but with things like skin care you need to be patient! So I'll be finishing everything off before I make a final judgment. 

Do you have any recommendations for me? Any skincare products you swear by?

Nic xxx

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NOTD: Mavala Fresh Melon

(top photo taken with flash, which is how it looks in direct sunlight.)

A super gorgeous, creamy apricot shade, from the Mavala Delicious collection. They new collection comes with some great polish colours, and I am regretting not picking up the yellow one as well. I picked this up at Professional Beauty, as it reminded me a lot of Chanel's June, but at the bargain price of £2.50.  It's got a lovely shimmer/sheen (no glitter!) to it, which make your nails seem really glossy. (I tried to capture it, but it's so subtle it's hard to pick up- especially as I missed the sun for the day). I had quite a few compliments on it, it really is the perfect spring/summer colour. This is my first ever Mavala polish, and to be honest I don't know why I haven't picked any up before. It applies beautifully, and dries sooo quickly, which is something I love in a polish. I did use three coats, but as mentioned before I always apply my polish in thin layers, but I reckon with a normal applicable you would be able to achieve full opacity with two coats. I highly recommend, and defintely think you should check out the rest of the collection for some perfect pastels.  

Mavala polishes are available from the usual department stores, (Debenhams, John Lewis etc) for around the £4.10 mark.

You can pick them up from lookfantasic online for £3.45 but they don't have the ful range of colours. feelunique stock the full Delicious collection for £18.50 - that's for 6 polishes so a pretty good deal if you ask me!

Let me know if you pick up any of the Delicious collection for yourself. Or if you have any Mavala recommendations please post them in the comments below, I'd love to add to my collection.

Have and amazing weekend everyone.

Nic xxx

ps. The third installment of my LUSH skincare round up is coming up tomorrow- need to take some photos in the sun. You can check out the cleanser review here and the toner reviewer here. :)

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LUSH Skincare Round-up: Breath of Fresh Air Toner

Continuing my skincare routine, next up is my current toner,  Breath of Fresh Air*. (I recently finished up the Tea Tree toner from LUSH, which I review & compare in my empties post coming soon). I like to use a toner to thoroughly remove any last traces of make up before bed, and to refresh in the morning.  I chose this toner in particular, as it contains seawater which is supposed to help soften and hydrate, while the seaweed and aloe works on the surface of your skin to hydrate and lock in moisture. Dehydration is definitely a bit issue for me at the moment, and anything that claims to help it, I find hard to resist. 

 The thing I love about LUSH's range of, what they describe as, 'toner waters' is that they are all pure spring water with zero alcohol, and can also be used during the day to spritz all over the face to refresh, this one included.  I use it after powdering my make up, and various times during the day without it ruining my make up at all, great for a little wake up spray. I found it to be a godsend while I've been ill, no overwhelming scent and cooling to the skin.

I really like this as a no-fuss toner, it doesn't promise miracles, but I do find my skin overall is becoming less dehydrated (using the combination of Ultrabland and this). I use 3-4 sprays on a cottonwoold pad and gentle wipe over my face. I find it removes those last few traces of makeup which I usually miss along the hair line, without drying me out at all. My skin doesn't feel tight or uncomfortable at all. I like to apply my moisturiser while my skin is still damp, which means I end up using a little less of it and my skin feels lovely afterwards. 

Suitable for? I would say all skin types, but those with oily skin might enjoy the Tea Tree toner more, (look for review soon!)

Price: from £3.75/ 100ml

Available from LUSH stores and online.

Nic xxx

(*) given to me for consideration purposes, but that in no way influences my opinion. as usual this review is 100% honest.

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