Collective Haul: The Body Shop

Hi everyone,

I've been doing quite a bit of shopping recently in The Body Shop, and this is what I've been buying over the past couple of months. They are a few freebies included in this haul, but they wasn't sent to me. I'll explain why they were free further down in the post.

Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash
I chose to buy the Cool & Creamy wash, as I needed to something that was able to give my face a though clean, but without leaving it stripped. It's also great if you have an oily T-zone like I sometimes get, as its really good at removing all of the excess oil without leaving your skin feeling dry.

Aloe Gentle Toner
I brought the Aloe Gentle Toner, as I fancied trying something a little different from my Simple Soothing toner, and this seemed to tick all of the right boxes. I haven't finished using up my Simple toner, but this is ready and waiting for when I do.

Aloe Eye Defence
I got this as I needed a eye cream due to under my eyes feeling a little bit dry, and this is lovely as its light in texture, and a little bit goes a long way.

Shea Body Butter
I got the Shea body butter due to it coming into the colder weather, and my skin needs something more hydrating. Its got a thick, rich and creamy texture, but it sinks in straight away. I first heard about it I think it was last year when essiebutton mentioned it in one of her Body Shop hauls, so I thought it was time to give it whirl; and it really does seem to be helping my skin stay hydrated after I've applied it.

Strawberry Body Butter
I've been thinking about trying this one for a while, but I wasn't sure what to make of the scent; but I have now finally caved. I actually got this to use during the Spring/ Summer months, and it actually smells like a strawberry smoothie. I remember a few years ago that Miss Glamorazzi raving about this; and saying how much she adored the scent, as it made her smell like a strawberry shortcake.

Peppermint Foot Care Gift Set
I was in need of some foot care products due my feet feeling a little dry and flaky. I stubbled across this gift set while I was out shopping, and within this gift set you get the peppermint foot spray, peppermint foot lotion, peppermint intensive foot treatment and peppermint foot scrub. I have used the peppermint foot spray for years, and its amazing.

I managed to get my hands on some of the new Christmas collection early due to being a member of The Body Shop's 'Love your Body' customer loyalty scheme.

Glazed Apple Shower Gel

The new Glazed Apple range for Christmas smells amazing like freshly picked apples with a hint of honey. The shower gel smells luscious and reminds me of my childhood when I used to pick apples from the tree in our back garden. This is one I'm defiantly stocking up on.

Glazed Apple Hand Cream

The hand cream smells exactly like the shower gel, and this one is definatly going in my handbag once my other one has ran out.

All the products in the above photo are the products that I received for free, but these were not sent to me.

Aloe Gentle Exfoliator & Tea Tree Oil
The Aloe Gentle Exfoliator and Tea Tree oil where given to me at the till after I spent over a certain amount in store, and I wasn't aware of this until I actually reached the till. Both of these will come in very useful for two different reasons. The Aloe Gentle Exfoliator will be handy to have for my when starts to go on the sensitive side, but this doesn't happen often. The Tea Tree oil will also come in handy for when I have a minor acne breakout, as it will help to try dry them out.

Absinyth Purifying Hand Wash
I received this as part of the £5 reward from the 'Love your Body' loyalty scheme. I chose the Absinyth hand wash due to it being a clarifying hand wash, which is what I actually prefer for a hand wash, and it as the scent of Aloe Vera; which is just a very fresh fragrance.

My Lip Balm Collection

Hi everyone,

Over the past couple of years I've seemed to have collected quite a few lip balms. So I thought I would share with them with you. I'm going to do to do this from my favourite to least favourite lip balm.

Jack Black Mint & Shea Butter Lip Balm
I've only had this lip balm a few months, and I love to use this at night before I go to bed; as its really moisturising. The mint scent isn't overpowering, and it has a lovely tingling sensation when its being applied. It also has the added bonus of SPF25, so its also great to use when your out and about.

Lanolips Original Ointment
The Lanolips original ointment is actually a multi-purpose balm and it works in a similar way to the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. But, I mainly use this as a lip balm, and I keep it in my main handbag. Also, because its a balm you do have to warm it between your fingers before applying it to your lips; but once it has been applied its very hydrating.

The Body Shop Raspberry Get Lippy Lip Balm
Here's a lip balm that brings back some childhood memories, because every girl in my year at primary school would have at least one of these lip balms, and they do smell as good now as they were back in the 90s. Its also the main reason why I brought it in the raspberry scent, as it has a bit of nostalgia to it; as well as being one of my favourite scents from the Get Lippy range.

The Body Shop Strawberry Lip Butter
I originally got this because I needed something quite hydrating to use at night, and I got this even before I purchased my Jack Black lip balm. It smells like a strawberry milkshake, and its also very light in texture even though its a lip butter. It moisturises the lips quite well, as well as leaving them soft and nourished.

The Body Shop Shea Lip Butter
I'm sorry to say but I can't really say much about this lip butter, as I haven't got around to using it yet. But I'm hoping that its even more nourishing and hydrating as the strawberry lip balm.

Nivea Milk & Honey Lip Balm
This is a lovely moisturising basic lip balm, which is ideal to use everyday. This is one that I keep in my other handbag. As well as being moisturising, its also very nourishing and leaves the lips feeling very soft.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Balm
This is one of the lip balms that I'm not so keen on, as to me it doesn't seem to do anything, but it does have SPF15; so its handy to keep in your handbag for that reason. It also doesn't seem as nourishing and hydrating as the other lip balms I've tried.

Carmex Cherry SPF25 Lip Balm
I got this mainly because I love anything cherry scented. This to me is just a bit too thick, and just sits on the lips. So, this is another one that I'm not a fan of.

Nuxe Riev de Miel Lip Balm
I used this for months as my night time lip balm, and at first I really loved it; but now I just can't stand the texture of it, as its way too thick for my liking. The fragrance of this is lovely as its a minty lemony scent, but sadly this isn't the right lip balm for me.

What are your favourite and least lip balms? 

It would be great to get some feedback on this, as I would like few ideas of what lip balms I could try next.

Review: L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share my thoughts on the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution.

To me this is the high street version of Bioderma, but not as good, and the only reason why I say this is because when I have used this after coming home from work the cotton wool pad isn't as covered in dirt; where as when I had used the Bioderma the cotton wool pad was filthy.

I use this as my first step of my skin care routine, mainly just to get rid of any build up from the environment and to give my skin a bit of a refresh before I go ahead with the rest of my routine.

The L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution claims to: -
- Dissolve make up
- Unclogs pores and remove impurities
- Tones and soothes skin
- Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin

I've never used this to take away my make up, but I have used it to take off the last little bit after I have used a cleansing oil; just to make sure that my skin is completely free of make up. As for unclogging pores and removing impurities I personally don't think it does that good of a job, but it does do a basic job of toning and soothing the skin, and it also doesn't leave the skin feeling tight after using it. It also doesn't contain alcohol, which means it won't strip the skin.

This is a little bit hit and miss for myself personally, as it doesn't seem to get rid of all build up from my face at the end of the day.

If you have ever wanted to try a Micellar water, but you don't want to pay the price for a bottle of Bioderma, then this maybe for you. It's also purse friendly as you can pick up for around £5.

Sephora Haul - September 2014

Hi everyone,

I've placed another order with Sephora USA, and I thought I would share with you what I've got.

Glamglow Youthmud Tinglefoliate Treatment
I have really been enjoying using this face mask since I received my very first Sephora order. I'm nearly half way through my first tub, so I thought it would be great be a great time to order a couple of back ups since I am enjoying this so much. A little bit of this goes a long way, especially since I only use it on my T-zone.

Boscia Make Up Break Up Cool Cleansing Oil
I've heard some really great reviews about this product, so I thought I would give it ago. The scent of this is amazing; as it has a mild minty fragrance.

Bosica Purifying Cleansing Gel
I decided to get this cleansing gel as I fancied giving my face a deep cleanse on a weekly basis, and I thought this may be the cleansing gel to do the trick. The scent of this is also lovely, but I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of; but its a sweet floral fragrance.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
This is another repurchase from Sephora, and I decided to get a back up of this as its suitable for most things. To me this is a nicer version of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, but without the steep price tag or the strong scent. The Ultra Repair Cream is a little tube of goodness and hydration. Its also suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Bite Beauty Luminous Lip Creme in Vouvray
This is my second lipstick from Bite Beauty, and I think I've finally found my perfect nude shade. The shade Vouvray is a pinky nude, and on the Sephora website its described as 'Ballet pink'.

Too Faced Five Star Favourites
In this little set you get three deluxe samples of eye products, and in the set you get a "Better than Sex" mascara, "Shadow Insurance" eye primer, and a "Perfect Eyes" waterproof eyeliner in Perfect Black. I decided to get this as I've never tried anything from Too Faced before.