Best of 2015

Hi everyone,

Here it is, my final post for 2015; and its what I think has been the products that I have come across in 2015.

Origins Checks & Balances Frothy Face Wash
This is a lovely cleanser to use because its very refreshing, due to the mild peppermint fragrance. The cleanser itself has a thick consistency, and once water has been added too it, it foams up nicely. I don't usually go for frothy cleansers, as they usually dry out my skin, but this one leaves it feeling slightly moisturised once it has been rinsed off.

Murad Hydra-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture
This has got to be one of the best night time moisturisers I've ever used, and a little bit goes a long way. It's great for the colder months of the year, because it is extremely hydrating. I would also recommend this moisturiser for anyone with dry skin, because it does hydrate the skin very well.

Bath & Body Works Deep Cleansing Hand Soaps

I love using the deep cleansing hand soaps all year round, as they help to prevent my hands from getting chapped due to the exfoliating particles. They also come in a range of fragrances, and they are brilliant to use especially in the colder months.

Aveeno Hand Cream

I adore this hand cream because it gets hydration into the hands like no other I have tried, and this is due to the Colloidial Oatmeal which is the active ingredient of the hand cream. Its really gentle, and suitable for all skin types. They also do a version of this that is suitable for really dry skin, and the packaging is in a dark, navy blue.

Lush Ocean Salt

This is an 'Oldie, but a goodie', as I used to use this face scrub during my teens, and I went through at least three pots of this before I stopped using it. I loved this, as its a harsher face scrub, and it has a lovely fresh lime scent. 

Aesop Camomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque

This is a lovely mask to use, which isn't harsh on the skin. I usually use this mask about once a week to help to give my skin a really good clear out. I actually prefer this mask to the original Glamglow mask, as its so much more gentle on the skin.

La Roche Posey Serozinc

This is a spray on toner that is ideal to use during mild acne breakouts, and I use this for a week every month just to calm down the breakouts. I'm not sure how the zinc helps to get rid of the acne, but it does work.

REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner
This is the toner I like to use when I do my deep cleansing facial routine on a Sunday. I like this toner because it is an astrigent, but isn't harsh on the skin. The scent of this is also lovely, because it has a really fresh herbal smell.

Soap & Glory 'Scrub Your Nose In It'
I like to use as a 20 minute nose mask, as it helps the pores on my nose from clogging up. I only use this once a fortnight, but it has made a difference.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Serum
This is a lovely lightweight serum bursting with hyluronic acid. If your skin is need of some hydration then it might be worth giving this a whirl, as it sinks into the skin straight away. Also, due to being a lightweight formula it isn't sticky once it has been applied.

Armani Diamonds Rose EDT
The Armani Diamonds Rose fragrance is a lovely light, fresh rose scent that is perfect for the warmer months of the year, or to wear on an everyday basis.

Fresh Sugar Lychee EDP Rollerball
The Fresh Sugar Lychee perfume is a gorgeous fruity fragrance, but its only very light. But, due to being a light fragrance I like to wear this during the Spring/ Summer months, as its a fresh fruity fragrance, which is gorgeous to wear during the day.

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo
I never used to be a fan of dry shampoo, but now I use it whenever I need to give my hair a bit of refreshment. I really enjoy the tropical scent from Batiste, as it has a really lovely coconut fragrance.

Burt's Bees Pear & Coconut Hydrating Lip Balm
Not only does the fragrance of this lip balm smell delicious, but its exceptionally good at getting hydration back into the lips. Because it is so good I have three of these on the go, which isn't I usually do. It's also a natural, and lightweight lip balm that is lovely to use on an everyday basis.

Project Use It Up: 2016

Hi everyone,

I'm going to attempt to do 'Project Use It Up' during 2016. This will mainly be skincare based, as I have a lot of skincare to get through.

I'm still sorting everything out for this at the moment, but I will be posting again at the end of January with the products I have chosen to do, explain why I have chosen them and then also explain how I'm going to actually do this. I've got a few ideas floating about, but nothing is set in concrete just yet.

Alongside 'Project Use It Up', I will also be posting a 'Beauty Wishlist' in due course.

If I'm successfully complete 'Project Use It Up' then I will be able to try other new skincare items in 2017, and maybe during 2016 depending on how things go. I just need a bit of skincare clear out, but without throwing anything away.

But, don't panic as I will still review products for you, and they will still be hauls. Just maybe not as often. Also, I do have ideas for posts in the pipeline.

Nothing is 100% ready to go at the moment, but once January 2016 comes round I'll have everything in place.

Best Wishes

Lauren xx

S.O.S Products

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share some of my ideas for products that you may need at any given time within your beauty cupboard for things that you might not usually expect to need/ use all the time.

A Cleanser & Toner suitable for Sensitive Skin
You may not have sensitive skin, but these two things are worth having in just in case you have some sort of reaction to a new product and you may need something less harsh to help to calm things down. I've found that this does help in aiding the skin back to normal, but it does take time to heal. Just make sure that the cleanser and toner that you choose are both gentle and natural, as you don't want to aggravate your skin any more; especially while its going through the healing process.

Facial Spritz
These are great for giving your skin some rehydration while your out and about, as well as using it as a toner in your everyday skincare routine, or last but least as a 'pick me up' to help you feel more relaxed and refreshed.

Aveeno Hand Cream
This is a fabulous hand cream, especially if you have dry/ chapped/ sore hands, as this is extremely good at helping getiing the moisture back into them. This is due to the active ingredient Colloidal Oatmeal, and this hand cream also claims to last though hand washing.

Peppermint Foot Spray
Peppermint foot spray is a God send for people who are on their feet all day, as it cools them down and makes them feel 'light as air'.

Witch Hazel Toner
This is great for people who have acne breakouts, but who might not sure what type of toner to get to help treat the acne. Mother Nature has this covered by using Witch Hazel as part of your skin care routine to help aid the treatment of clearing up the acne. This is an astringent toner, so it could be a little strong for some people; especially those with sensitive skin. But this does work, as I sometimes use this when I have mild breakouts and within one-two weeks my skin has cleared up.

Spot Treatment
Having a spot treatment handy is a must since we're all prone to mild breakouts from time to time. Just pop a little of the spot treatment on before you go to bed, and it should work its magic by drying the spot up by either the following morning or it could take a few nights depending on which spot treatment you choose to buy.

Hydrating Lip Balm
Having a hydrating lip balm handy is great, especially if your lips are prone to getting dry and chapped. Also, its worth carrying one around during the colder months of the year, as you never know when your going to get chapped lips.

Antibacterial Gel
These are great to carry around as you never know when you may clean your hands while on the go. I have one in each of my handbags, as well as one on my bedside table.

Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a fabulous product, as this will to refresh your hair, as well as giving it a bit of texture. I personally use dry shampoo on second day hair, but only if it needs it.

Hair Detangler
This is very useful to have in, especially after you have washed your hair and you find it difficult to get a brush though it. By having an hair detangler it will make life easier, as you should be able to get a brush through it more or less straight away.

Body Shop Favourites

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share with you my favourite products from 'The Body Shop'. I have been buying goodies from 'The Body Shop' for a good few years, and it has fast become of my favourite places to shop.

Satsuma Shower Gel
This is one of my favourite shower gels to use during the summer months, because it is really refreshing and energising. It feels as if your bathing in oranges. I have purchased a good few bottles of this over the years, and I will continue to buy it because its so good.

Satsuma Body Mist
This is lovely to use when you need a little pick me up during the day, as its light and refreshing. The only way to describe it is 'Summer in a bottle'.

Vitamin E Face Mist
If you like things scented of rose, then give this whirl. Its only a light rose scent, but it is also refreshing and cooling at the same time. If you need to use to cool down even more, then just pop it in the fridge for a few hours or the night before to make it extra refreshing. Definatly one for the summer, but it can also be used all year round.

Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray
This has got to be one of my all time favourite products which 'The Body Shop' has to offer, as once this has been applied to feet it feels as if you're walking on a cloud. This is brilliant for people who have been on their feet all day, and for anyone who just wants to give their feet a little TLC.

Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil
This is what I like to use to take off the bulk of my make up, as its quick and easy aswell as also being gentle. I sometimes do this twice before I actually cleanse my face properly just to make sure that everything is off.

Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash
If you have blemish/ acne prone skin it might be giving this try, as it gets rid off excess oil like you wouldn't believe. It also has the added benefit of Salicylic Acid, which is an ingredient used to treat blemishes. If you don't like tea tree, then this may not be for you as its very strongly fragranced with tea tree oil. But this hasn't let me down yet, and its lovely when taken off using off using a hot cloth.

Coconut Body Scrub
This is another one of my favourite products that 'The Body Shop' has to offer. The coconut body scrub is really good at the getting the job done, but without being harsh on the skin; and it smells like natural coconut. 

Strawberry Body Butter
The strawberry body butter smells delicious, as well as being very hydrating at the same time. Once this has been been applied to the skin you will smell like a strawberry milkshake all day because the fragrance of this lingers on the skin. 

Here's just a few of my favourite products from 'The Body Shop', and it would be great hear what your favourite products are from 'The Body Shop'.

Fragrance Review: Marc Jacobs Daisy EDP

Hi everyone,

This is one of favourite fragrances to wear during the Spring/ Summer months, as its a delicate floral fragrance.

Even though this is a light fragrance the scent lasts on my skin throughout the day. 

Fragrance Notes
Top Notes: Strawberry, Violet, Graprefruit
Heart Notes: Gardenia, Violet, Jasmine
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Woods

I would say that this is more of a fresh floral rather than your everyday floral scent. The 'Daisy' fragrance is a breath of fresh air compared to your usual floral fragrances, and its certainly lighter.

Routine for Dry & Chapped Hands

Hi everyone,

This is the routine that I have started to use when my hands start to get either dry or chapped, and it seems to work and gets them back normal.
  I mainly get dry/ chapped hands because of the environment I work in, so its important for me to look after them. Also, it can be worse than usual; especially during the Autumn and Winter months of the year.

You will need :-
- Your usual hand wash
- A hand cream
- First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Cream
- Bath & Body Works Deep Cleansing hand soap

Throughout the day until around midday just wash your hands as usual with your usual everyday hand wash, but when midday comes round then start to wash your hands with the Bath & Body Works deep cleansing hand soap; as this will provide your hands with a gentle exfoliation. Once you have washed your hands with the deep cleansing hand soap, then apply your usual hand cream, and also apply this throughout the day; as it will keep your hands moisturised.

Before you go to bed wash your hands again using the Bath and Body Works deep cleansing hand soap, and then apply the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream as a hand cream. The Ultra Repair Cream will act as an intensive moisturiser for your hands, and it will help your hands to get back to normal.