The La Roche-Posay Face Sprays

Isn't funny how quickly a fairly unknown French brand here in the UK can quickly become a household name and something that swiftly moves up to poll position on many beauty bloggers' wish list. La Roche-Posay has always been accessible from a few stores, namely Boots, and online but a certain few products, (cough...Serozinc...cough) have kept us UK beauty lovers' channel-hopping over to La Pharmacies of Paris to stock up on this cult skincare spray. Well we can now pack our passports away as January this year we were blessed with the news that a UK beauty site would be selling Serozinc so we could now shop and spray until our heart's content! So thank you and merci beaucoup Escentual.

So what is all the fuss about? Well I first purchased and tried Serozinc a year or so ago when I visited Paris and can completely see why it has become such a staple in many people's skincare routine. It is basically a Zinc Sulphate toning mist that can be applied directly from the can or onto a cotton pad to be swiped over the face following your morning or evening cleanse. It is designed to help soothe and repair slow-healing skin. You know those annoying red patches and spots left behind from a bout of acne or skin irritation? Well a few sprays of this will help settle the irritated areas and generally give your complexion a fresh, comfortable feel whilst reducing marks, redness and excess oiliness. The formula is perfect to use everyday as a toner in-between your cleanser and serum/moisturiser or can be spritz on any time of the day to give your skin a refreshing treat to tighten up the appearance of pores and prevent excess shine. It is ideal for all skin types and for only £7.20, it really is a step I wouldn't skip now from my skincare regime.

Having got the La Roche-Posay spray-in-a-can bug I was also excited to try one of their newer products to launch - the Thermal Spring Water Spray* (£7) also available from Escentual. This light mist is the perfect antidote to hot, stressed or sensitive skin particularly in the Summer time when you just need to refresh and hydrate. Suitable for all skin types, even if you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, burns, scars, acne or rosacea, the unique blend of mineral salts and trace elements including Selenium  makes this spray the ultimate soothing and softening fix. The micro-droplets penetrate the skin immediately for instant relief by decongesting, soothing and preventing skin ageing. It is an absolute must-have to pop in your bag if commuting, city-trotting, festival-going or air-travelling this Summer and with the dinky 50ml version available, it will still leave you with plenty of room for all your other essentials!

Are you a fan of the La Roche-Posay Facial Mists?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Jo Malone Rock The Ages Collection

Jo Malone has always been a wonderfully-distinguished British brand which is one of the reasons why I love their timeless branding and inventive scents. Every new collection they bring out seems to surpass its preceding launch and their classic fragrances will forever adorn my dressing table. Jo Malone's latest, limited edition collection is a proud celebration of everything British and everything it stands for - a nation rich in history and completely renowned for illustrious eras in time.

Jo Malone's Rock The Ages Collection* (available from Jo Malone online) is a range of five unique and limited edition dinky fragrances to encapsulate all the unique and iconic moments of British history - five beautifully-packaged scents to arouse the emotions and experiences of eras gone by from the fifteenth century to present day. Die hard patriots and lovers of the romantic eras can unite and find their perfect perfume here from the Rock The Ages collection - whether you enjoy something spicy, rich and decadent or clean, ethereal and individual.

Firstly we have Tudor Rose & Amber which is inspired by Tudor Britain and is a spicy mix of clove, opulent rose and amber. Next along the timeline is Lily of the Valley & Ivy which embodies Georgian Britain. Its initial note of captivating green ivy is complemented by a lavish heart of delicate lily of the valley. Fast forward a few years and we have Pomegranate Noir which captures Victorian Britain by layering the luscious pomegranate with heady Casablanca lily and guaiacwood for a dramatic and intense scent. Entering the 1900s and we are met with Geranium & Verbena which epitomises the Edwardian era. The aromatic verbena is blended with refined and crisp geranium for a clean, herbaceous finish. Finally the collection finishes with a salute to 2015, Britain today. Birch & Black Pepper is a scent of contrasts - the cool spiciness of black pepper and cardamon is layered with smoky birch and the smooth warmth of gurjum for a surprisingly sensual yet audacious scent.

Which British-inspired scent do you like the sound of? Which iconic era will you bring to life again at home?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Aveda Beautifying Creme Cleansing Oil

When it comes to Aveda hair products I always have a host of bottles on the go in my shower and bathroom and think their Damage Repair range may be one of my favourite shampoos and conditioners to use when I am after an indulgent treat. I love the smell and aromatic experience that Aveda products instantly bring and it really does feel like you are pampering yourself in your very own spa, at home! Recently Aveda have released a new body care range to give our bodies an uplifting experience at the end of a long day or in preparation for a new one. One of the new products to launch is their Beautifying Creme Cleansing Oil which is a gentle body cleanser enriched with a nourishing plant oil blend that soothingly washes away impurities. It is truly divine.

Aveda's new Beautifying Creme Cleansing Oil* (£22) available from Aveda is a rich cream which softly lathers up on the skin whilst filling your bathroom with the aromatic scent of rosemary, lavender and bergamot. The smell is so lovely and relaxing. The creme cleansing oil is so delicate and conditioning on the skin it feels like you are cleaning and moisturising your body all at the same time - in fact I sometimes step out the shower and feel that I don't need to apply my moisturiser at all as my skin feels so smooth and nourished. The blend of certified organic Safflower and Olive oils work at cleansing and maintaining the skin's moisture barrier whilst the plant oil replenishes the skin leaving it soft and beautiful. I adore using this creme cleansing oil and am excited to try some more bits from the Aveda body care range which will happily join my line up haircare products I'm sure.

Are you a fan of Aveda? Have you tried anything from their body care range before?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

The Benefit Brow

When it comes to achieving the perfect brows, Benefit Cosmetics know what they are doing! I am not sure quite when my brow routine became more involved and extensive that my average base and contouring regime put together but it is easy to whittle away a good ten minutes shaping, enhancing, highlighting, filing, combing, tinting and taming those brows to perfection. The journey to shapely brows starts for me at my local Benefit Brow Bar in Debenhams which I have been going to for the past few years. It is ever so convenient for me to pop in on my lunch break and get my brows tinted, waxed and finished in a swift fifteen minutes and they last a good three to four weeks until I need to attend to those stray hairs again. Following my monthly maintenance at the Brow Bar I like to keep my brows in check with a plethora of different products and when it comes to choice, Benefit has a whole host of pencils, brushes, waxes, powders, highlighting crayons and tinting brushes to shape and shade, fill and define your brows beautifully.

The first, and possibly one of their more iconic brow products, is Benefit's Brow Zings* (£24.50) available in a light, medium and deep version. I remember this was one of those products I saved and saved for when I first discovered the importance of a strong brow game when I was 15 or so. It is a great little brow kit containing all the tools you will need for perfecting great brows on the go. There is a pigmented wax for shaping, natural shaded powder for setting as well as some tweezers, an angled brush, a blending brush and mirror all enclosed in a pocket-sized palette with a full step-by-step guide. If more natural, softly-defined eyebrows are your thing then Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil* (£15.50) is lovely and subtle and available in three shades to complement your colouring perfectly. The texture is soft and long lasting and glides on easily leaving a powder-like finish. It is ideal for when you need to add shape, definition or fill in any gaps and the spoolie tip on the opposite end is perfect for taming any unruly hairs.

Then we have our dinky brow brushes to comb, tint and set your brows - Benefit's Speed Brow* (£13) and Gimme Brow* (£17.50). Speed Brow is a brush-on gel that dries quickly to help set and tame eyebrows with a subtle colour. This is best used alone for a quick tidy up of your brows or over the top of Instant Brow Pencil to set the colour and help give your brows an instant arched shape by combing the brush in light, upward strokes. As for Gimme Brow you can read all about Benefit's newest of brow products here and see the results. I love this!

Finally it is time to give those brows a lift with Benefit's highlighting and enhancing pencils - High Brow* (£15.50) and High Brow Glow* (£15.50) which both give brows that wow factor with a soft, creamy consistency and illuminating finish. High Brow is pearly, pinky-toned highlighter that instantly adds a lifted look to the whole eye area. Best applied just under your arch or in the inner corner of your eye. the pencil glides over the skin and then can be lightly patted in with your fingertips. It has a fairly matte finish and is slightly shimmery but not at all glittery or sparkly so keeps your brows looking naturally fabulous! The High Brow Glow does exactly the same job but gives you a warmer, champagne-toned sheen which might suit darker skin tones more than High Brow or perfect for when you have that just-back-from-holiday glow. I love both but prefer the satin-pink lustre of High Brow for an every day, natural finish.

So there we have it, Benefit brows sorted with a host of their popular products. Whether you are after brows that are defined, dramatic and perfectly arched or something a little softer, subtle and more natural in shape and finish, there is powder, pencil or mini comb for everyone. My personal picks for natural, delicately highlighted and softly defined brows are Brow Zings (just the wax part), a quick slick of Gimme Brow and then High Brow to finish the look off with a pretty, pearly sheen. What about you?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Dkny Delicious Delights Fragrances

The DKNY limited edition Delicious Delights collection is a trio of fragrances inspired by sweet sorbet treats. Picture whipped frozen treats, sweet sprinkled toppings, refreshing flavours bursting with juicy, fruity scents with cute ice-cream-inspired names to match. I think it is so fun how DKNY have continued to change and reinvent the classic and the original Be Delicious Green Apple fragrance and this newest transformation they have served up is truly delightful.

Housed in frosted glass bottles in a rainbow of sherbet-sweet shades, these Delicious Delights perfumes are light, fresh and fruity and look picture-perfect placed on your dressing table. They are a joyful addition to your perfume collection to help you skip into Spring with a cocktail of notes including pistachio, vanilla, raspberry and mandarin. The green bottle (Cool Swirl) is a tropical blend of blackcurrant, violet leaves and coconut water which will delight your senses. The blooming magnolia and jasmine notes enwrap themselves with an exquisite mixture of pistachio sorbet for a heavenly escape which takes you to a beachfront resort with a cocktail in hand.

The orange bottle (Dreamsicle) gives you a sweet, scintillating splash of femininity with a mixture of juicy mandarin and lush raspberries blended harmoniously with accents of peach nectar and apricot sorbet. It is finished with a rich swirl of creamy sandalwood and vanilla scents which create an undeniably blissful aroma just like you have just stepped into a ice cream parlour.

Finally the purple bottle (Fruity Rooty) is a tempting, creamy fragrance with decadent notes of vanilla and musk infused with the freshness of blackberry, blackcurrant and juicy mandarin. It charms with indulgent candied apple sorbet dipped in an aura of rose petals and violet flower. It is seriously gorgeous and leaves you wanting just one more spritz every time!

This sweet new collection from DKNY will be available nationwide from March 2015 for £37 each. Will you be going for one, two or all three scoops of these sorbet-inspired scents?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne

Perfectly described as a shimmering scent from Jo Malone, Orange Blossom Cologne has to be one of my all time favourite perfumes and holds a very dear memory for me. The sparkling Clementine flower laced with orange blossom, white lilac and water lily with a warming undertone of orriswood and balsamic vetiver will forever transport me back to the morning of my wedding day.

I chose to wear this special scent layered with the prettiness of Jo Malone's Peony and Blush Suede as my wedding perfume as I wanted something that would reflect our day - something classic, elegant, soft and filled with the scent of Summer blossoms. It's honestly one of the most exquisite scents I have ever had the pleasure to spritz and sniff and I love that the gorgeous aroma of Orange Blossom now conjures up so many happy memories from that sunny Saturday in July when we said our "I dos" and danced and laughed and sipped Pimms with our best friends and wonderful family - plus it will be the perfect present for countless wedding anniversaries to come I'm sure!

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Pixie Lott Magnitone Lucid Facial Cleansing Brush

Remember the time when the Clarisonic was the 'it' exfoliating beauty product to have and the only one of its kind on the market, setting you back a cool few hundred pounds? I have a Clarisonic, as well as a few other oscillating cleansing tools, and despite my avid eagerness at the start I always find them quite a hard step to fit into my already full and thorough cleansing regime. Exfoliation brushes such as the Clarisonic, Philips VisaPure and the recently released Clinique Sonic System all promise to cleanse, brighten and soften the skin in a targeted, deep way that no other form of cleansing could do. You will either love or hate the idea of using such a device but I think used to a moderate level (i.e: not every day!) in the right way, they can have a whole lot of benefits for your skin. I know some people have found the Clarisonics too harsh, abrasive and messy on the skin which is why I was really keen to trial the new Magnitone Lucid Daily Cleansing & Exfoliation Brush which is decidedly lighter, more gentle and softer on the skin giving your complexion a healthy bright glow whilst the soft bristles gently buff away any grime and impurities.

The limited edition Pixie Lott Magnitone Lucid, available from Look Fantastic, (£69.99) is suitable for all skin types and has two cleansing modes - deep clean and sensitive, which is perfect for those people who may have found the original Clarisonic a little too harsh for their skin. The soft bristles pulse at 10,000 oscillations per minute and has a 20 second zonal timer that beeps when it is time to move the brush on from your forehead to your cheeks and then to your nose and chin area. The superior deep clean of this brush promises to purifies the pores, lifts any residue away and reduces the occurrence of blackheads and breakouts. Your skin following the one minute cleanse is then supposed to be clearer and more 'open' to absorb the nutrients and other good things from your moisturiser - thus giving you a softer, clearer complexion over time. The device is ridiculously easy to operate with just the one on/off button and two settings to choose from plus it is completely waterproof so you can take it in your shower or dunk it in your bath without any fears! I love how gentle this brush felt and was happy to use it every day for the allocate one minute without any worries of it being too harsh or rough for me. My skin has felt lovely, fresh and clear recently with a slightly smoother feel and brighter glow. Providing you dedicate a bit of time to using these cleansing brushes within your normal skin routine and keep the use to one minute, two or three times a week, I think they can make a real difference and are a useful standby tool to have if you are having a bad skin day, week or even month. And if pink isn't really your colour then there are a whole host of other sorbet shades available from Boots with currently £20 off - the pistachio green is rather fetching!

What are your thoughts on these type of gadgets?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Fleur de Force The Glam Guide

2015 will be known as the year that some of the biggest YouTube sensations switched off their cameras (momentarily) and put pen to paper. The end of last year and the start of this year saw the success of Zoe's 'Girl Online' novel continue to surge followed by the release of Tanya Burr's 'Love, Tanya' book. I think it is such an exciting venture for these ladies and a real showcase of how far YouTube, blogging and social media in general has come with Zoe's book being the fastest selling book of 2014 - crazy!

When I first began my blog over five years ago one of the very first online beauty gurus I discovered was Fleur de Force. This lady needs no introduction from myself as I am sure you all know her so when I heard she was bringing out the ultimate beauty manual I was absolutely thrilled for Fleur. The Glam Guide is a complete guide to all things makeup, fashion, hair, health and more. Not only is it a complete coffee table pleaser with the pretty pastel cover and incredible illustrations by Sally Cotterill but it is a wonderful read and I love how it covers so many topics so would really appeal to a range of Fleur's fans from teenagers to those thirty-somethings. Just by flicking through The Glam Guide you get a real personal feel and I adore Fleur's real life snippets and genuine passion and understanding as she touches on her relationship with Mike, achieving life goals, growing her YouTube, keeping fit and most important, finding that perfect pair of jeans! Tips, tricks, beauty secrets and lifestyle discoveries are all here as well as a great food section (I've bookmarked those smoothie recipes) and a few little appearances from our fluffy friend, Piglet the miniature Dachshund.

I felt incredibly proud and happy for Fleur as I began reading her book and I have no doubt it will be another huge success and accolade for her. It is the perfect light read to indulge in on a rainy afternoon snuggled down with plenty of tea and some guilt-free chocolate banana bread (see page 166, it sounds truly amazing!) I'd love to hear from you if you have picked up a copy of Fleur's The Glam Guide. Which section is your favourite?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

My New Mulberry

When it comes to big purchases I am not usually one to act on impulse. I like to think I am very considered and sensible and will contemplate a big splurge for weeks, months on end - seeking some sort of inner justification before handing over my credit card. However last Sunday, whilst idling shopping with Rob for some basics, I was drawn towards the Mulberry store (as we all are!) and left with this beautiful new bag - the small bayswater double zip tote. To my defence (and hear me out here...), I desperately needed a bag I could sling over my shoulder and just go rather than cradling it in the crook of my arm which is never that practical. I also had come to the realisation that I didn't actually own a simple, black bag - something classic, smart and timeless that I could use for work, travelling and evening events.

When I saw the small bayswater sitting neatly in the store there was no question that it ticked all the boxes and I loved its elegant structure and the rose gold hardware. It is so practical and just the right size to house all the essentials, my phone, purse, filofax, a dozen or so lipsticks, but doesn't feel too bulky or cumbersome. The zipped compartments are great for keeping everything safe and secure and I love the fact you have to option of using the shoulder strap when mooching around town all day or tucking it away and simply keeping it smart and simple as a tote for the night time. I always worry that an impulse purchase will lead to a wave of doubt and reconsideration the next day but I can safely say that there are no regrets here and it has settled in well next to my Willow Tote!

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Benefit Watt's Up! Soft Focus Face Highlighter

Today I am touching on a bit of an oldie but a goldie from Benefit Cosmetics - their Watt's Up! soft focus highlighter for the face which is a product I used time and time again a few years ago and have recently re-added it to my highlighting collection. As always the packaging is spot on with a twist-up cream stick on one end and a soft, sponge blender on the other to give your high points a soft, luminous sheen.

The Watt's Up! Highlighter from Benefit Cosmetics (£24.50) is the perfect glow-giver if you are a fan of cream highlighting products as opposed to liquids or powders. I have never been a massive fan of liquid highlighters that much and much prefer a cream or powder (or even better a cream to powder) formula which is exactly what Watt's Up! is all about. The delicate golden-champagne hue is pearly and luminous but doesn't have any chunky glitter in it so you only get the most prettiest of gleams to your cheeks, brow bone or down the bridge of your nose. The texture is really smooth and easy to blend and simply smoothes onto your skin straight from the stick. You then have the option to blend the colour out with your fingertips or use the soft sponge blender - I personally prefer using my fingers but both work well. The colour and finish reminds me quite a lot of Illamasqua's Gleam in Aurora (featured here) so you can see what it looks like on my cheeks, applied over foundation and just before a dusting of blush. The consistency is creamy so doesn't pull at your skin as you apply and beautifully melts into your skin as you softly blend it in. The only one downside is that it doesn't last that well throughout the day and sometimes needs a little retouching if I'm heading out straight after work. Therefore I like to keep this highlighter purely for evenings out when I know it will last well for a few hours as I just love the instant radiance and warmth it gives to my complexion.

Are you a fan of a cream stick highlighters? Have you tried Watt's Up?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

My relationship with Benefit mascaras has always been a bit hit and miss. Whilst everyone was piling on the volume with their original Bad Gal Lash I was finding it a bit too clumsy and chunky for my liking. But then they quickly redeemed themselves with the successful launch of They're Real! Mascara which really ticked all the boxes when it came to volume, length and fluttery lashes in an instant. With a rocky Benefit mascara experience so far I was more than keen to test out their very latest release - the Roller Lash Mascara to see where how it would fare and if it really could top the splendidness of They're Real! and give us a reason to splurge our pennies on another must-have mascara?

Labelled as a super-curling and lift mascara, Roller Lash mascara* (£19.50) from Benefit Cosmetics is a roller for your lashes! It has a patent "hook 'n' roll" brush which is slightly curved and grabs, separates, lifts and curls the lashes giving you a wide-eyed, eye-opening result. The formula contains Provitamin B5 and Serin which conditions the lashes as well as promising to hold your curl for up to 12 hours. So is it really time to say bye bye to those lash curlers? Well those magic little hooks on that innovative new brush really do work wonders at grabbing each lash and pulling them upwards as you apply the mascara and the fine, comb-like wand makes sure that lashes are also separated and fanned out. This mascara has been specifically created for those girls who may have quite short or straight lashes or smaller eyes, those girls that struggle with big, chunky brushes that don't really capture the individual lashes and leave you with a smudgy mess. And it really does the job. I always prefer the plastic-y wands and I love that this one is delicate and fine enough to also do your bottom lashes without it too awkward or clumpy. It is also perfect shaped to nestle into the roots of your lashes ready for you to wiggle and jiggle the mascara up and through your lashes as you apply. All in all, the Roller Lash gets a thumbs up from me - it gives you all the length and same volume you would expect from They're Real! with the added bonus of such a pretty curl to finish with.

I'm hooked!

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks

Top photo: Coral & Pastel Pink. Botton photo: Cranberry & Pastel Peach 

If you want a great colour payoff with an ample amount of shimmer and sheen then the classic, and ever popular, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks are going to be your best friend. However if you are keener on a more subtle finish with a mere flush of colour and pretty luminosity then these new Brightening Bricks are just up your (makeup) street and are begging for a swatch next time you are walking past a counter!

This new range of Bobbi Brown Brightening Bricks (£34) are a multitasking must-have to give you the benefit of three products in one with just a couple of sweeps - the warmth of a bronzer, the pure colour of a blush and the luminosity of a highlighter. These mosaic-inspired palettes are formulated using a unique method of pouring the creamy, pearlescent paste into the pan, pressed while wet and then allowed to air-dry to create a softer, moisture-rich powder with a long lasting colour. You can really feel how oddly creamy these powders are and this means they glide onto your cheeks effortlessly without drying the skin or settling into fine lines. The main beauty of these bricks is the brightening effect it gives you thanks to their blend of mulberry and grape extracts which instantly illuminates the complexion with a sheer dose of pearl-infused radiance. There are six different colour combinations in the collection with a varying amount of shimmer, warmth and colour to enhance and lift everyone's individual complexion and skin tone meaning skin is left looking fresh, natural and glowing after a gentle dusting.

So are you a slave to your Shimmer Brick or do you fancy something more subtle with these new Brightening Bricks?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Have a Lush Valentine's Day

If you are looking for something special to treat yourself to or lavish your lover with this Valentine's Day, then LUSH is your one-stop shop for fun, bath time bits. I adore a quick lunchtime visit to my local LUSH store and always look forward to the launch of their limited edition, seasonal collections every year with the V-Day releases being the highlight for me.

This year the LUSH Valentine's Day Collection* will have you lovestruck with their selection of sweet treats including The Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar, The Kiss Lip Scrub, Prince Charming Shower Gel and Cupid's Love Soap for an indulgent night in (bath tub partner optional!) The Unicorn Horn  Bubble Bar (£3.25) transforms you bath water to a magical experience of rainbow bubbles and lustre with the relaxing scent of lavender filling the air. For Hollywood kisses, The Kiss Lip Scrub (£5.50) is certainly very pretty (but maybe less practical) and is a perfectly pink lip scrub made up of caster sugar and essential oils topped with edible red hearts and yes, hundreds and thousands! It is a fun treat to kiss goodbye to chapped, dry lips. The search for your Prince Charming is over with LUSH's beautifully fruity shower gel that will sweep you off your feet with a waft of grapefruit, sandalwood and geranium oils. The skin-loving formula of organic pomegranate juice and almond oil gives the skin a refreshing, brightening effect whilst hydrating and soothing any dry areas. Finally Cupid's Love Soap (£8.50) will make your heart skip a beat with its unique, uplifting blend of bergamot and rosewood. It is also richly scented with fresh figs, passion fruit juice and soya yoghurt which set to work to nourish and soften the skin. Absolutely heavenly!

Whether you are celebrating this Valentine's Day with bubbles with your boyfriend or bubbles in your bath tub, I would definitely recommend swinging by your local LUSH to indulge in some V Day treats. They also have some lovely gift sets too, all boxed up and completed with a velvet ribbon, so make sure you give your partner a little nudge if you do pop in!

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post