Charitable Beauty Buys

It is always great to see big beauty brands supporting charitable projects around the world and this year is no exception. Clarins, Kiehl's and L'Occitane all have some fantastic initiatives launching this month to help raise funds for some amazing charities whilst offering us some lovely beauty buys and limited edition products.

The Clarins collaboration with the FEED projects has been so successful over the past two years, it is back again! The 'Gift With Purpose' programme offers each customer, who purchases two or more Clarins products, a FEED10 cosmetics bag. Inside the bag you will find five of Clarins' most iconic products in handy travel sizes; the moisturise-rich body lotion, the relax bath and shower concentrate, the gentle refiner, the hydraQuench creme mask and the amazing hand and nail treatment cream. Each cosmetic bag given away will provide 10 nutritious school meals through the UN World Food Programme to school children in developing countries.  It is an amazing programme to support and since the launch of 'Gift with Purpose' in 2014, Clarins have helped provide over 3 million meals for school children and it would be amazing to reach the target of 2 million for 2016! Available from 18th September - 1st October.

Did you know that less than a third of school children worldwide are girls? To help raise finds for the education of women around the world, L'Occitane have partnered up with Marie Claire and are launching a verbena scented candle, La Flame Marie Claire, in the first week of September. 100% of the profits from each sale will be donated to three chosen charities in order to help transform the lives of thousands of young girls in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Cambodia and Africa where the lack of education leave girls and young women dependant and vulnerable. The candle is just £8 and smells incredible!

Finally there is a charitable contribution from Kiehl's. MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Laura Mvula have been announced as Kiehl's official 2016 UK charity partner. The MTV Staying Alive Foundation is a global charity dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS and has, to date, awarded 588 grants in 68 countries around the world, accumulating to nearly $6 million.Amazing stuff! The limited edition label for one of Kiehl's most iconic products, the Ultra Facial Cream, has been designed by award winning British singer/songwriter Laura Mvula. With each cream sold, Kiehl's will donated £10 to the MTV Staying Alive Foundation to support 3 projects around the world to empower and educate young women about the prevention of AIDS and HIV. A brilliant initiative to help and support.

Let me know if you plan to pick up any of these charitable beauty buys this month?

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*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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Neal's Yard Remedies Deliciously Ella Skincare Collection

If the words 'deliciously' and 'ella' don't conjure up images of plant-based goodness, energy balls and homemade hummus then you have definitely been living under a rock for the past few years. Ella Mills writes the successful food blog, DeliciouslyElla, and has built up a vast readership who avidly follow her recipes and relationship with food and adopt her healthy life, happy self mantra.

It seemed a perfect match then when Neal's Yard Remedies announced that they were teaming up with the wellness warrior herself to launch a beautiful new skincare collection, showing that Ella is just as passionate about what she puts on her skin as she is about what she puts in her body. Neal's Yard Remedies have been a brand that has passionately supported their customers to live the healthiest, happiest lives possible through positive lifestyle choices (including the right skincare) which is why this collaboration sees two new natural skincare products launched, to help make you feel your very best.

The collection, available online, includes just two products: Rose, Lime & Cucumber Facial Wash (£16) and Rose, Lime & Cucumber Moisturiser (£25), full of lots of lovely, fresh, organic ingredients to get your skin glowing! Housed in Neal's Yard Remedies' iconic blue, glass bottles with pump dispenser, these two new skincare products are ideal to nourish all skin types and have been formulated with organic rose and lime essential oils, cucumber water and antioxidant-rich blueberries and acai. The facial wash is gentle yet efficient at removing dirt and impurities and leaves your skin feeling so refreshed and radiant. The Rose Oil helps balance and nurture the skin whilst the cucumber water refreshes and soothes. The facial moisturiser is the ideal partner to the facial wash and finishes your skincare routine off perfectly. It smells beautiful, if you like your rose-scented products, and is light and gentle on the skin. My skin felt soft, smooth and supple and I was left feeling positively virtuous, like I had just eaten a whole bowl of blueberries, after using these products!

If you want to feel like you've had one of your five a day before breakfast and fancy some beautifully nourished skin, then definitely take a look at this new skincare range. I sincerely hope we will be seeing some more launches from this healthy, happy collaboration.

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*this post contains samples gifted for review purposes

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My Aveda Favourites for Hands and Hair

Ah Aveda, how I love you and your fine-smelling products! I have been a huge fan of Aveda for years now, mainly because my hairdressers always uses their range and love creating that pampering sensation at home with all their lovely aromas and amazing products that leave my hair feeling so well nourished, soft and smooth. Two of the latest products I have been loving from the new Aveda ranges are the Stress-Fix Hand Creme* and the Smooth Infusion Nourishing Styling Creme* - they literally make me feel like I have a personal hand masseur and hairdresser in my very own home!

The Stress Fix Hand Creme is a gorgeous product to have close at hand, not only because it is incredibly moisturising and soothes any rough or chapped skin (lifesaver during the winter weather) but it also reduces feelings of stress with a proven aroma of organic lavender, lavandin and clary sage. If you love the scent of lavender then you will adore this product - it smells incredible and really does give you a feeling of calm as you massage it onto your hands. The formula isn't too thick or heavy so quickly sinks in which is ideal when you are busy typing on your laptop or using it as your final skincare step before heading to bed.

The Smooth Infusion Nourishing Styling Creme is another superb product from the Aveda Smooth Infusion collection. This whole range is ideal for hair like mine - unruly manes that are prone to frizz and dehydration. The Styling Creme is the perfect step to take your just-washed hair to soft, styled perfection with simply a few pumps of this nourishing creme. Yes it smells incredible of botanicals and bergamot, but it also does an amazing job of calming and smoothing frizz and dry ends to leave you with a sleek, soft style - whether blow-dried or left to dry naturally. It seals in moisture and definitely gives my hair an added bounce, natural movement and little oomph without feeling heavy or weighing it down. Such a treat for your tresses if you suffer from the dreaded frizz!

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Limited Edition Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Hand Cream

Nourish, protect and love your skin this winter with Limited Edition Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® Hand Cream (£3.90)

These dainty white tubes of hand cream crowned with the recognisable red or blue top have become quite an iconic feature amongst the beauty section of your favourite drugstore or supermarket aisle. The creation of the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula® hand cream was inspired by Norwegian fisherman, the glycerin-rich recipe designed to protect their hands from the harshest of weather conditions. For generations, these hardy fisherman have been trawling the Scandinavian seas pulling fish from the ocean's deep and battling against the fierce Winter elements - leaving their hands in need of some serious TLC. Glycerin is the key ingredient here that makes this hand cream so hard-working, drawing in moisture from the air and your own natural reserves deep in the skin to give you instant and long-lasting relief for even the driest of skin - an absolute essential for Winter 2015 and one that won't be leaving my handbag or bedside table!

This classic Neutrogena® Hand Cream has now been given a festive twist this season and is sporting a new, Nordic cool look thanks to the Oslo based design duo - Darling Clementine, famed for their fresh, cutesy and distinctive illustrations. You can see their story and learn much more about this creative pair here. They were inspired by the classic Christmas jumper motif reflecting Norway's love for cross stitch and handicraft. The adorable new packaging celebrates all there is to love about Norwegian heritage. It is incredibly Scandi-chic and so wonderfully Wintery. I am a sucker for seasonal packaging around this time of year and completely love these limited edition hand creams - giving a much-loved classic an icy cool twist complete with stags, robins, woodland scenes and magical snowflakes. What is there not to love?! The girls at Darling Clementine have even given my Pearls & Poodles logo a Nordic twist - so fun and festive!

But fear not, the original and adored formula remains unchanged so they will continue to nourish and protect your hands through the snowy season whilst making your work desk or beauty table look particularly festive!

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*this post is a paid-for advertorial from Neutrogena®, regardless of this any opinions included within are my own.

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Four Fab Skincare Saviours

My skincare collection seems to be expanding at an alarming rate at the moment and sometimes things can get all a little overwhelming! With a brimming bathroom cabinet and more moisturisers than I dare to count I thought I would try and condense things a little - for my own sanity and for the sake of the shelves heaving under the weight of my beauty arsenal! So here's a quick round up of four fabulous products that I seem to be reaching for time and time again!

The skin smoother...
Claudia Louch Mint Exfoliating Facial Polish (£59) This is one of the newest products to join the cracking Claudia Louch skincare range and is a gentle face exfoliator that polishes and smooths skin for a mild to deep cleanse. Suitable for all skin types, this facial polish is a luxurious mix of plant extracts such as apricot oils, lemon, apple, aloe vera, green tea, seaweed and sugar cane. The formula is quite fluid with very finely-milled particles suspended inside to slough away any dry skin for instantly smoother and more radiant skin. It is best applied alone to dry, cleansed skin or mixed with a cleanser lotion for a gentler, two-in-one exfoliation and cleanse. It is mighty pricey but does do the job very well!

The glow-giver...
Oskia Get Up & Glow Radiance Booster (£64.50) Described as a "radiance, energy and protection booster", this lightweight, fluid serum promises to recharge your beauty batteries with a loving dose of active ingredients and nutrients. It is one of those awesome skincare products that can be used in a few ways - either at night after cleansing and right before you moisturise, in the morning as a glow-giving primer or throughout the day over makeup to brighten and perk up dry skin and patchy areas. It gives skin a revitalised, healthy, smooth appearance as well as protecting it from everyday stressors and free radicals. This is a beautiful product that literally glows through the glass bottle it sits in with a glorious illuminated quality that is definitely reflected in your complexion after a few good uses.

The saviour whilst you sleep...
REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial (£32) Fancy waking up with transformed skin that is visibly brighter, more luminous and defined with an even tone? I certainly do! This new overnight treatment facial cream from REN does exactly what it says on the tin tube and works its magic as you sleep to leave you waking up, feeling wonderful. Whilst you are busy snoozing, the night-time facial is busy fulfilling its three phase process - first the exfoliating effect with the acid/enzyme complex to exfoliate and bright. Next the Glycogen and Magnesium kick in revitalise and boost skin cell vitality. Finally Sodium Lactate gradually raises the skin's PH leaving it feeling rejuvenated, plump and moisturised. It is truly amazing!

The moisturising mask...
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask (£30) This is the ultimate skin-pick-me-up that can be used a few times a week to give your complexion a boost. This is best for you if your skin is suffering from the dreaded three Ds - dullness, dryness or dehydration. The creamy formula is packed full of Omegas as well as Rosehip to restore skin and Strawberry Leaf extract that has an energising effect that illuminates and refines the skin's texture. Simply slather it on, leave for 8-10 minutes then gently remove with the warm, damp muslin cloth enclosed. My skin feels incredibly soft and dewy after using this and the calming botanicals help soothe any redness or irritation. Just lovely!

I would love to hear what skincare essentials you are loving at the minute...not that I need to add any more to my overflowing collection!

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My Mum-to-be Skincare Saviours

Pregnancy is definitely a minefield with a whole host of 'dos' and 'don'ts' - you can spend as long thinking about what you are putting in your body as what you are putting on your body and can leave you in quite a tizz! Not long after I found out I was pregnant, my thoughts turned to finding some new skincare products that were specifically designed for mums-to-be. You skin undergoes such a huge change during pregnancy I wanted to ensure I was using all the right stuff to keep my body and soul as maintained and soothed as possible, as well as being content in the knowledge that the products I was using were safe for me and baby.

I am nearly 28 weeks pregnant now and am fortunate enough to report that I haven't suffered from one stretch mark...yet. Of course, there is still time but even though I think part of it is genetics (my mum never experienced any either), I do like to think that the other half is down to the products I have been religiously slathering on bump and boobs since week 6 or 7 of pregnancy. So here is a little round up of some of the lovely mum-to-be products I have been using over the past few months, perfect for bump, body, baths and beyond.

First up is a trio of gorgeous Neal's Yard Remedies products from their Mothers range. Each are designed to keep stretching skin soft and supple as well as containing relaxing oils to de-stress tired mums and weary mums-to-be! Neal's Yard Remedies Mothers Massage Oil (£19.50) is a fine mix of neroli and mandarin oils as well as soya and almond oils for an intensively nourishing and uplifting treat. You can apply to damp or dry skin on any areas that you feel need a bit of elasticity-boosting or soothing. The beautifully fragrant scent creates a relaxing, aromatherapy-like aroma as you start to massage it in - you just need to find a willing partner to help ease those sore shoulders and back! Neal's Yard Remedies Mothers Bath Oil (£15) is a bath time treat and will scent your bathroom with a beautiful aroma of bergamot, ylang ylang, lavender and cardamom. It contains moisturising oils such as olive, almond and apricot so really work well as relaxing and nourishing your skin as you kick back, soak up the bubbles and enjoy some Netflix in the bath! Neal's Yard Remedies Mothers Balm (£20) is a solid balm that gloriously melts into a rich oil as you work it between your palms and onto your skin. It is intended to help prevent and minimise stretch marks by helping keep skin as elastic and supple as possible as well as soothing irritated skin as your bump continues to grow. It is fragrance-free and contains lots of lovely essential fatty acids such as almond and coconut oils and beeswax. This is definitely best applied at night time or as you step out the bath as it can feel a little greasy on your belly for a while before it all sinks in.

Next up is a range that I hadn't heard of before - Mama Mio which was born in 2005 as a side-line to the popular Mio body care brand. Their mission is to make us pregnant ladies feel as confident and happy as possible in their ever-changing skin and rumour has it that it has even become a Kardashian favourite as well. Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow balancing facial wash (£23) is a light, foaming facial wash that is gentle enough on pregnancy skin that may be sensitive or reactive. Free of any nasties and laden with lovely stuff such as tea tree extracts, lactic acid, organic evening primrose, sweet almond and avocado oils it is a great facial cleanser to moisture, nurture, balance and protect unpredictable skin throughout your pregnancy. This has handled my minor breakouts really well! Mama Mio Megamama super-rich Omega body lotion (£24.50) is a sumptuous all-over body lotion that smells divine and is a wonderful blend of organic Omega oils and powerful antioxidants to strengthen, nourish and pamper dry skin and is completely safe to use throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Omegas and superfoods are vital to keep you strong from the inside out so this rich lotion is packed full of the good stuff to keep you healthy on the outside as well. Superfood Chia and Pumpkin Seeds nourish and help ease muscles whilst the Omegas plump the skin and help fake that natural pregnancy-glow! Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks visible stretch mark minimiser (£45) certainly doesn't promise that you will be saying goodbye to stretch marks for good but it does offer us a powerful blend of peptides, fruit and algae extracts that helps improve the visible appearance of new and old stretch marks - hooray! With the additional of the swanky-sounding Seppicalm TM plant extract, this cream promises to improve the appearance and texture of stretch marks by lightening the pigmentation of stretch marks at their deepest level. To finish there is sweet almond oil which gives us anti-itch benefits so is perfect if you are starting to feel those dreaded stretch marks forming!

Pai Pomegranate & Pumpkin Seed Stretch Mark System (£45) is a two-step skincare regime offering you a hydrating cream (ideally for the morning) and a replenishing oil (for the evening). Between them they provide a full range of essential fatty acids to keep the skin soft and supple and aid skin cell regeneration to help fade stretch marks. This system is great if you are trying to avoid getting stretch marks during your pregnancy or actively trying to improve the appearance of current marks on your skin. It is wonderfully gentle and pure and free from any nasties that could irritate sensitive or sore skin. Vitamins E and C and plenty of Omegas are all here to help promote elasticity, minimise tearing and provide lasting skin nourishment. Apparently Natalie Portman is a huge fan and credits her lack of stretch marks to her long-term vegetarian diet and a daily slathering of the Pai Stretch Mark System. Well if it's good enough for Ms Portman...

Mum & Me Bump Relax & Unwind Bath Soak (£3.65) is the perfect excuse to make the most of some down time, pamper time in your bath tub before the baby arrives! It is a lovely milky solution that creates gentle, foaming bubbles with a delicate camomile and jasmine scent to help you relax and unwind. The added moisturisers and milk proteins nourish your skin beautifully and I genuinely step out the bath feeling all brand new and revived with silky soft skin!

If you are a mum or a mum-to-be and know of any must-have beauty products I need to try then please do let me know! :)

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Sanctuary Spa Wonder Body

Prepare to bare! Sanctuary Spa Wonder Body (£8) | available from Boots

Just when you thought Winter meant cosy tights, polo neck tops and minimum skin exposure, you suddenly remember all those Christmas parties and nights out that call for something a little sassier and a great reason to get your legs (or arms or décolletage) out. Sometimes the last thing I want to do is slather on the fake tan in the middle of Winter but I still want to give my skin a hint of tint to take away from the stark pastiness. This is where the new Wonder Body from Sanctuary Spa is a winner for the Winter if you are after a subtle, radiant glow and beautifully smooth skin with an illuminated complexion and nourished feeling.

The Wonder Body, a new tinted moisture treat, is the quick fix party trick with seven proven benefits - hydrate, illuminate, transform, refine, even, correct and perfect. It contains blurring skin perfecting particles and sheer pigments and transforms the look and feel of your skin by giving it a healthy glow and beautiful illumination. Over time as well it nourishing and softens skin just like a good body moisturiser so is a great multi-tasking product. The formula is weightless and non-greasy and has a lotion to balm texture. It quickly sinks in without feeling tacky or sticky on the skin and really illuminates, highlights and enhances your complexion in all the right areas whilst giving you a warm glow that will warm up the coldest of nights! This is definitely my secret skin weapon this Winter for a quick, easy way to transform my skin from pale to perfected in a instant!

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Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion

Moisturising my body is one of those beauty routines that I just cannot skip! Hair can stay unwashed until tomorrow and I definitely don't always use toner and under-eye cream as much as I should- but when it come to moisturising my skin, I find myself doing this every evening without fail. Since becoming pregnant as well, this need to moisturise has only heightened as I find myself smothering myself in the good stuff in an attempt to avoid the slightest suggestion of a stretch mark. I am quite fussy though when it comes to my chosen cream or lotion but most recently I have been using, and loving, the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion which comes with a handy pump-style dispenser and presented in simple, clean packaging.

The Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion (£5.10 for 200ml) contains colloidal oatmeal which seems to be quite the super ingredient in skincare at the moment. It soothes, hydrates, cleanses, protects and buffs the skin for an indulgent experience that won't leave you smelling of porridge...honest! The oats helps restore and protect the skin's natural barrier whilst soothing sensitive skin and restoring your natural pH levels. I love the fact it is fragrance-free too (my sense of smell has become very sensitive recently and I have definitely been put off some stronger scents) and is fast-absorbing and non-greasy so leaves your skin feeling nourished and not sticky! It is a great option to go for if you are after a natural lotion that will quickly sink in and soothe away any dry or rough skin whilst being wonderfully purse-friendly as well.

As well as giving their moisturising lotion a whirl, the team at Aveeno have invited me to take part in their #AveenoSkincareSecrets blogger challenge by sharing with you my top skincare secret and then tagging another beauty blogger who might like to get involved. I tag Laura. You can also all get involved on your blogs or twitter by sharing your skincare secrets with the community - just remember to use the hashtag #AveenoSkincareSecrets. For my skincare secret I want to take it back to basics - you can slap on all the products in the world but I believe good skin begins from within. Make sure you are drinking plenty (and plenty) of water, get some leafy greens into your diet every day and head to bed half an hour early to really make the most of your beauty sleep!

More information, skincare secrets and beauty tips can be found on the Aveeno website and Facebook page. Can't wait to read (and make a mental note) of all your skincare secrets so start sharing!

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Sanctuary Cooling Sorbet Bodycare Collection

Refresh and re-energise with the Sanctuary Cooling Sorbet Bodycare Range* | (£7-£8) available from Boots

A decadent dessert for your body. This new collection from the Sanctuary Spa range will invigorate your shower regime with the light cooling textures inspired by zesty sorbets and crushed ice. As the weather hots up there is nothing more refreshing that diving into a cool shower and chilling your skin with a fresh body wash or scrub which is why this new Cooling Sorbet range is a must this Summer!

First up is the Cooling Body Sorbet which offers a refreshing blend of waterlily, cucumber water and aloe vera which moisturises and cools the skin instantly. The cooling sorbet texture is beautifully light and leaves limbs smelling citrus fresh with a hint of soft musk. The Cooling Shower Drench is a real treat in the shower. It is infused with cucumber extract, watermelon and Menthol technology which cleanses and invigorates the skin leaving your body and senses awakened and zingy! Finally there is the Cooling Glacial Scrub which is a blend of sea salt, aloe vera and cucumber water. This icy infusion has been crushed together to polish away dull dead skin and leaves your body feeling revived and brand new. Simply massage a handful of this snowy scrub over damp skin until a foamy lather forms then rinse off and pat dry. The Menthol technology continues to cool the skin after your shower like a fresh breeze and is gentle enough to use a few times a week to keep skin super smooth and Summer-ready!

Have you added any of these cooling new additions to your shower regime?

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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?

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Organic Surge Hydrating Eye Cream

I've got to be honest and confess that eye cream is not something I incorporate everyday in my routine skincare regime. Providing I am using a good moisturiser I sometimes don't miss the addition of an eye cream but will ensure I treat my peepers to a surge of hydration and care at least a few times a week and at the moment I have been really enjoying this new product from Organic Surge's luxury new Extra Care range - their Hydrating Eye Cream.

Suitable for all skin types but specifically formulated for sensitive skin, this eye cream is packed full of lovely stuff to really condition, soothe and calm the skin around your delicate eye area. The natural, mineral-rich cream is lightweight and cooling and quickly sinks into the skin without leaving any greasy residue or stickiness. It is cool upon application and really feels like it is rejuvenating the skin and giving your eyes a pleasant wake up call. The blend of Jojoba Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Alfalfa Extract set to work on calming tired eyes, reducing fine lines, moisturising and protecting sensitive and delicate skin as well as improving skin tone to even out any dullness or redness. It is a lovely little product to use to pep up your eye area, soothe any irritation or tiredness and smooth out any fine lines before your primer and morning makeup application begins.

The Organic Surge Extra Care Hydrating Eye Cream* (£18.50) is available online from Organic Surge and also from leading retailers such as John Lewis, Ocado and Waitrose. I would love to know what eye creams or gels you are currently using in your skincare regime?

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Origins Make a Difference Overnight Hydrating Repair Cream

I think everyone has that one particular, failsafe beauty brand that will always feature in their collection come what may. When it comes to skincare I think one of the brands that will always be nestled amongst my lotions and potions is Origins. Ever since I branched away from the Boots aisles to the counter in Selfridges in search for a new brand of skincare I have always had something from Origins on the go and feel reassured that it will always give me great results, especially when I am having a bad skin moment.

Recently I have been enjoying a new addition to my night time skin routine in the form of Origins' Make a Difference Overnight Hydrating Repair Cream* (£34.50) which is the latest launch from this marvellous skincare brand and promises to replenish moisture levels whilst you sleep. This ultra-rich cream is fortified with Rose of Jericho plus lychee and watermelon hydra-sustain complex which quenches the skin's thirst overnight, deeper than ever before. At night skin is prone to losing more moisture than during the day and its barrier is more vulnerable which is why Origins have created this luxurious lotion to relocate moisture from the deep reservoir layers of the skin to the surface layers, helping to restore lost moisture while you sleep. Perfect to pop on as the final step in your evening skincare routine, this repair cream will ensure you awake with radiant, refreshed, supple and rejuvenated skin.

I have really loved using this over the past few months as an intergral part of my night time routine. Once I have washed, cleansed and toned my face I apply a rather generous layer of the Repair Cream to my bare skin just before climbing into bed and always feel like my skin has been given a real treat overnight, with my skin looking and feeling plumper and more fresh than it usually would. I had been suffering from a few nasty dry patches around my jaw line just before Christmas and this cream, along with a few other key products, seem to have done the trick and cleared them up perfectly. If you are after a new night cream and feel your skin is a little lacklustre then this could be a great new product for you. The only downside is possibly the scent - slightly unusual, a little bit 'plastic'y' smelling but something I can definitely live with if I know my skin will be enjoying a little pamper whilst I get my Zzzz.

Have you got any Origins' products that are popular in your beauty regime?

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REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot

Keep young and beautiful with REN's Instant Firming Beauty Shot. I am sure many people will be making a strong pledge to their skin as a New Year's resolution and the upcoming release of REN's latest skincare innovation could be the welcome addition to your skincare routine you have been waiting for. REN's Instant Firming Beauty Shot* (£36) is due to be on counters nationwide from February 2015 but is currently available online from REN Skincare.

This new, gel-like serum promises to instantly firm, lift and plump the skin, leaving it looking dramatically smoother, tighter and more youthful. A liquid matrix of Hyaluronans supercharges the skin with firming moisture and encouraging elastin synthesis to remodel the skin over time. The Hyaluronans work together to produce both short and long term improvements to the skin, tightening, lifting and hydrating within minutes and improving long term skin firmness. This serum is best used on clean skin, just two or three drops followed by your normal moisturiser. It can also be reapplied over your moisturiser or your makeup throughout the day if necessary, gently patted onto the skin until absorbed.

I have always really loved REN skin products, the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask being one of my favourite face masks ever, and I knew I would love this new firming shot the moment I tried it. Having discovered the importance of Hyaluronic Acid and introducing Indeed Labs Hydraluron Facial Serum into my skincare routine, I was keen to find something else similar and this Firming Beauty Shot from REN ticks all the right boxes. It has a very similar consistency and feeling on the skin and instantly feels like you have had a mini facial with the skin appearing firmer, tighter and more radiant. My skin has definitely felt more plump and clear since using this and I love to incorporate it in the mornings or evenings, straight after my cleansing routine, before slathering on my normal moisturiser. For a shot at beautiful, youthful-looking skin for 2015 then this would be a great place to start!

What do you think of this new firming serum from REN Skincare?

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Soap and Glory The Next Big Thing Christmas Gift Set

The godmother of all Christmas gift sets has landed and, as you would expect, it is a real cracker from Soap and Glory! This year the sugary-pink, sweet-smelling brand that brings us all our bathroom shelf essentials has released a box full of treats worth over £76 for a mere £29, available from Boots stores if you're quick! Soap and Glory's The Next Big Thing Gift Set* presents us with two limited edition gift boxes created by London's queen of doodle, Hattie Stewart, whose quirky comic-book-esque style has made her famous and fits perfectly with the tongue-in-cheek image of Soap and Glory.

Inside the box we have, Hand Dream super cream, Orangeasm body wash, Butter Yourself moisture lotion, Heel Genius foot cream, Sugar Crush body scrub, Whipped Clean shower butter, The Righteous Butter body butter, Off Your Face purifying cloths, Sexy Mother Pucker lip lacquer and Thick & Fast super volume mascara...(and breathe!) This is the perfect seasonal gift for any Soap and Glory lover like me but you better move quickly. It has already sold out online but hopefully you will be able to track a box or two down in your local Boots store. Good luck!

Will you be picking up The Next Big Thing this year?

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Claudia Louch Botanical Cleansing Lotion & Night Cream

Ever since I tried a selection of the Claudia Louch natural skincare range a few months ago I have been hooked! Aesthetically I love the simplicity of their modern design and packaging and within those black and white bottles and tubes are some great skincare products designed by Claudia Louch herself, a Harley Street skin specialist.

Recently I have been trying out two products from her botanical skincare range - the Botanical Cleansing Lotion (£37.40) and the Botanical Night Cream with Deep Line Complex (£61.50) The Cleansing Lotion* is suitable for all skin types and is a gentle, mild foaming cleanser derived from coconut and sugar beets. It also contains chamomile, aloe, cucumber and Japanese green tea to tighten, soothe and deliver antioxidants to the skin. Simply wet your face and dispense a small amount of the cleansing lotion into the palm of your hands before gently massaging it over your entire face. The lotion has a beautifully creamy, almost gel-like formula and despite being incredibly mild and gentle on your eyes or any dry skin, it is so effective at removing all your makeup even stubborn waterproof mascara. After using my Emma Hardie Amazing Face balm faithfully for the last month or so I was worried that these much looser, cleansing lotion wouldn't be as effective but I was pleasantly surprised and love how it really soothes the skin and leaves it feeling extremely clean and free of every last scrap of makeup. The 240ml sized tube is huge and I think it is going to last me months and months, making this actually very good value for money.

The other product I have been using recently is the Botanical Night Cream with Deep Line Complex* which is ideal for normal to dry/sensitive skin. This emollient cream is incredibly velvety and contains a mixture of premium natural ingredients for intensive daily care with a non-greasy residue. The concentrated formula contains aloe vera, jojoba, avocado oil, green tea, shea butter and vitamin E  so is perfect for sensitive skin and has fantastic properties to help soothe, tighten, hydrate and tone overnight. I love the light feel of this night cream and have enjoyed applying it as my last step during my evening routine after cleansing and toning. This is definitely quite a luxury addition to your skincare and I wouldn't say it is a must-have but it is very lovely and has kept my skin feeling hydrated and soothed during the colder, winter weeks recently.

Have you tried anything from the Claudia Louch skincare range?

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