Champneys Pamper Night In

Champney's recently challenged me to a pamper night in and whilst regular readers will know that I'm more of a 'get the job done' rather than luxurious pamper session kind of girl the timing fitted perfectly for my birthday last weekend and I need to take some time out.

First things first it's time to light some candles around my home and run a bath. Whilst I'm loving the lighter evenings I am pleased during Summer than there are no windows in my bathroom and I can create some relaxing mood lighting.

Now we're starting to see some sunshine, even if it's still a little chillier than I'd like I've been enjoying using Champneys Citrus Blush Enlivening Shower Mousse* and Daily Scrub*. Champneys have arranged all their products but groups and whilst Enlivening might not be everyones first choice if a scent pleases me, such as this citrus scent then it relaxes me. I also do love a mousse sometimes as there's something a little more 'special' about it rather than your regular every day shower gels.

I remember many years ago having an exfoliation treatment at a spa and loved it, thankfully Champneys allow you to achieve similar results at home. A combination of sugar and salt, easily accessible from a tube rather than a tub helps wake up the skin and leave it look fresh for an occasion when I might be showing a little more skin than usual.

Moving out of the bath, slipping on my fantastic Champneys slippers which mum, you are not having, and taking up camp on the sofa it's time to switch on Netflix and catch up on Once Upon A Time and Pretty Little Liars, perhaps not the most age appropriate but they're shows I love nonetheless. I've also been watching Suits but I'm currently taking a break as I near the end of the last series available on Netflix and I have to wait for the next ones to appear there or on Sky.

I did fully intend to have a full on manicure session prior to my birthday and reach for my Sensationail Gel Nail Kit but I was too relaxed from my bath and ended up in what I call sloth mode. Having treated my hands to Champneys Harmonious Hands Restoring Hand Scrub* I slathered hands in Champneys Harmonious Hands Restoring Hand and Nail Cream*, a mix of chamomile, orange, mandarin and vitamins a, c, e and b5 and threw it into my handbag the next day so I was able to apply as I saw fit over the weekend.

I'm getting slightly better with applying body lotions these days, even managing some morning application which should set me in good stead for the Summer when it's time to ditch the thick black tights. For evenings I've been enjoying Champneys Cloud Nine Indulgent Dry Body Oil*.  I hadn't expected to enjoy this as much as I have, worrying I'd feel greasy, wasting my bath time efforts. Of course I was wrong and Champneys know what they're doing. This is a dry oil that soothes, softens and nourishes Spring skin with an amazing scent of plum, orange, vanilla and aromatic wood that made relaxing on the sofa a pleasure.

If oils aren't your thing mornings have been joined by Champneys Summer Dream Rewarding Souffle*. The fruity scent is a perfect accompaniment to your morning fruit salad and doesn't take too long to absorb into skin so I find I can pile it on and put clothes on soon after without worrying about transfer.

All that pampering and Netflix viewing can be tiring work and there's nothing like your beauty sleep to ensure you're ready for partying. Just in case I need a little more help before bed I of course spritz Champneys Heavenly Days Sleep Pillow Mist*. You'll know that I'm a big fan of pillow mists and use one most nights, my top tip for this mix of lavender, geranium and chamomile is to spray on corner/top of your duvet so that as you wrap it around you you'll be comforted by the scent as you drift off to sleep.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my pre-birthday evening pamper with Champneys and if you have more recommendations for me, Netflix or otherwise pop them in the comments.

*this post contains press samples

New and Old Favourites in my Bathroom

Its not all luxury skincare and red lipsticks that put a smile on my face, there are many daily essentials I wouldn't without. Today I'm sharing a few of mine, both new and old favourites that are currently sharing space in my bathroom.

First is the old favourite and another product I've mentioned many times, Sure Maximum Protection Deodorant*. Repeatedly appearing my monthly empties posts I think there is no doubt readers are aware that this product isn't going anywhere soon. Sometimes curiosity leads me to try other brands, question whether Sure Maximum Protection really is good as I think it is. The answer is, it is and will always be a product I rely on and return to. If you're trying to step away from aerosol deodorant than this could very well be what you're looking for. A cream product which doesn't dry or irritate after shaving and it even has an innovative formula to provide a protective layer across your sweat glands. You'll be protected no matter how much sweating you're doing on the underground (in my case more likely than sweating it out in the gym!).

Moving on to shower gel, of which I need no more than an eskimo needs ice, but one whiff of the new Banana scent from Imperial Leather and it was thrown into my supermarket trolley. I've tried a few from this scented range including Fruit Salad and Lemon Sherbet. Interestingly I don't eat bananas but it seems I do like their scent. If you see it on the shelf on your next shop I recommend you having a sniff.

Another old, but new favourite is Batiste Marrakech Dry Shampoo* (currently on 3 for 2 at Boots if you're interested) replacing Batiste Sweetie, that as I expected my niece duly saw and asked if she could have. It's worked out far better because I definitely prefer the more maturely scent of Batiste Marrakech, inspired by the aromatic sights and sounds of Morocco's bazaar's I've actually found myself spraying more for the scent than anything else. Does it leave a white/grey powder when I spray it on my brown locks, yes but it brushes out easily and doesn't leave any unsightly residue.

Finally I think I have found a hair duo that is here to stay, the newly released L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo and Conditioner. It was released around about the time I was in need of a purchasing replacements and when I discovered it was for oily roots and dry ends it sounded like it was made just for me. Apparently the effects will last for 72 hours and I certainly haven't found that but my hair is looking cleaner and more healthy and I haven't had one of those days where despite washing my hair still looks greasy of lank. Whilst I dispute the 72 hour claims I have found that my hair doesn't look as greasy the next morning as I would usually expect. I wasn't too tempted with the clay masque pre-shampoo treatment but I am now.

I know one shouldn't worry too much about these things but the scent of the shampoo and conditioner is lovely and the only complaint is a regular one with L'Oreal bottles and the conditioner will sit upside down in the bathroom but I can forgive them.

So there's a peek into what products I'm enjoying that are the less than exciting ones that often forgotten.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

March 2016 Beauty Favourites

My blogging mojo has certainly returned the past couple of months and I feel like I've found 'my groove'. As such I've been testing, rediscovering and enjoying many products which I will have already shared, or plan to in their own posts. This month's 'dedicated' favourites post features those which I haven't yet shared with you.

First up is a product I am seriously regretting buying in the smaller size, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish in the the Limited Edition Sweet Orange and Mint scent. I've discussed Cleanse and Polish numerous times and it remains one of my favourite cleansers to rely on. I wasn't actually in the market for a cleanser when I stumbled across the new limited editions last year, one sniff and I couldn't resist with some attempt at 'being sensible' with this small size. As I'm starting to recognise the extra effort required from a pump I can sense I may be nearing the end. I prefer to use this in the mornings although it works perfectly fine as an evening cleanse depending on the amount of make up you may be wearing. For that reason Cleanse & Polish is often the one I'll take on holiday with me for ease. On the bright side I did give the newest scent from Liz Earle, Rose and Cedant a sniff the other day and once again Liz Earle have managed to create a rose scent I like.

Next up is Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, two cult products that once again I've had for some time but never really paid attention to. I had some sporadic use of Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo and must admit it didn't have much of an impact on me but since I've got into a regular routine of using once a week I've certainly goldieforway a difference in my hair. A weekly detox to remove all product residue, hard water minerals, pollutants and the like. I'm not one for using numerous products on my my hair but it does get particularly greasy and along with another shampoo and conditioner duo I'm using that hasn't been too much of a problem. It's on the pricey side but despite weekly use I'm not finding I'm going through it at too rapid a rate to make it seem too expensive to repurchase.

Clarin's Beauty Flash Balm was a gift with purchase I can't even remember and it's sat in the draw for far too long. As I was having my 'must use what I have moment' and enjoying testing out various primers, of which this is recommended for use I moved it onto my dressing table.

It does seem to be something of a marmite product in the beauty world, you either love it or hate it. Some say it adds a glow to your skin and they claim to 'erase traces of dull, lifeless skin' and others just complain it does nothing for them or makes them look oily. I can understand that and don't think it's a product I'll be using as the weather warms up but during Spring it's coming up a treat. I reach for it when I've had a sleepless night or maybe a night on the town and want to perk up my skin and really feel like it does. Combing with Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid really does amp up the glow and it stops Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Foundation appear too flat.

I do apologise for repeating myself but as I work my way through the Spring Cleaning of my make up stash I've been moving products onto my dressing table to decide if they should stay or go. Two that have been under scrutiny and passed the test are Benefit's Hervana Blush and L'Oreal Amber Rush Infallible Eyeshadow.

I literally cannot give you an explanation for why I original purchased Hervana, was it blogger influenced I don't know as when I look at it, or certainly until recently it wasn't a blush that made me particularly excited. Suddenly I can't be parted from it and it's not be moved on so I can test other products I'm enjoying having it regularly to hand. A mix of shades that I just swirl my brush in it gives a subtle stain finish which brightens up my day time look. Perfect paired with a brighter lip or smokey eye I'm glad to have rediscovered it.

L'Oreal Amber Rush I do remember purchasing. This is one of those 'only available in the US' products and was on every 'things to buy when visiting the US' post. Duly I did as instructed and then admittedly, as we many eyeshadows I cast aside. Why I ask myself. Only the other day I was in the bathroom washing my hands as a friend tried to talk to me and I had to apologise as I was not listening and admiring my sparkly eyes. I don't have the best eyelids, or shall I say smoothest and perhaps it's time to leave the sparkle to others but I'm not ready yet. It's a perfect one shadow colour paired with some mascara and perhaps liner.

Finally it's too lip products that in colour are not too dissimilar but certainly are in finish.  Benecos Lipstick in Marry Me* I've only just recently shared with you and that's how it's found it's way into my favourites pile. Initially tested and then added to the every growing pile of lipsticks I can't bear to part with I started wearing again to remind myself what I thought for the blog post. Suddenly it's in the everyday pile and I'm reaching for it often. As I explained in my Benecos review its a reddish pink perfect for the current season.

Likewise NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo is a the opposite of Marry Me in formula but the shade a raspberry pink works well, again for those days when I'm not feeling a bold lip but want more colour than a nude.

Stay tuned for another selection of favourites from my bathroom and don't forget to share with me what you've been loving this month.

Products I'm trying to use up

As we entered 2016 I decided it was time to try and use up products they have. In fact I've got a post on the cards about how long make up and other products really last as some, despite regular use appear to go on for days but that's a topic for another time.

Today's post is a jumble of products that are nearing the end of their life so it's time to try and ensure I help them along their journey. First up is Maybelline Rewind Concealer of which I've become a big fan of. Despite my initial reluctance to use it when I first purchased it's now the one I reach for regularly. It overs my dark circles, blends nicely and doesn't crease. It's one I'll be repurchasing and even the sponge applicator that people shy away from doesn't offend me.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid is a product I really don't want to say goodbye to as I love it but it's getting to the stage where I have to put a bit more effort into squeezing the product out when I use it. Purchased after using a sample this gives a light coverage for those good skin days and a luminosity to the skin perfect for those Summer evenings. Whilst Chanel Les Beiges Foundation is on my birthday list have no doubt I will be repurchasing the lighter base when the time comes for me to say goodbye to this tube. 

The next product on my list is the Lorac eye primer which I'm using on a daily basis (unless short on time) and I would be worried that I'm unable to replace in the UK were it not for a second tube in my stash and the original favourite Urban Decays Primer Potion alongside it. I thought out picking up a back up in Florida earlier in the year but decided to stick with the buy and replace attitude I'm trying to adopt.

What a name the Kiehls Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream has and some pretty big claims. As I've said many times I'm never sure where I stand with eye creams, do I have some lines around my eyes, certainly but are they 'bad', I don't think so so these products must be doing something or can I claim good genes? Nonetheless I've enjoyed using this eye cream and it will be seen in next months empties and would repurchase if, again there were not numerous other offerings in my healthy stashes. I preferred to use of an evening but it's a light almost gel like texture that wouldn't interfere with make up too much and certainly kept the area hydrated. 

The product in this list I think I'll struggle to use up quickly is Eloquence Protect and Repair Cream*. I had decided to use this product up having used a healthy amount during Christmas and New Year (the serum and eye creams have already found their way into the empties pile) but in the spirit of 'first world problems' I'm lucky to receive a lot of skincare to test and as such this has been somewhat cast aside. Perhaps I'll pop it back in my dressing tables skincare draw to reach for sporadically during those testing products.

Finally is Lush Lord of Misrule, the Halloween favourite of many. I brought this last Halloween and never used it up at the time. With a bathroom filled with numerous shower gels I chop and change at whim but decided it was time to use this small bottle up in it's entirety. Well don't let this small bottle fool you, it last forevers and it seemed like it would just not go down and to be honest I was bored with it and in a tantrum of sorts I passed it on to my brother as I just couldn't bear to look at it! Another word of warning, it'll make your bathroom look like Slimer from Ghostbusters has been for a visit. 

So there's a look at products I'm trying to use up so keep a look out for them appearing in an empties post in the near future. What are you trying to use up at the moment? 

*this post contains press samples

Superdrug Beauty Haul and First Impressions

Last week I had an impromptu sleepover at a friends which would be all well and good but I was without my make up bag. My drawer at work was stashed with many things, including the change of clothing required, toothbrush and deodorant but alas I'd recently taken home my make up bag so that I could update it a little. Bad timing.

Whilst I'll happily pop to Tesco at the weekend make up free there was no way I'd be doing so in the office so off to Superdrug I took myself to take advantage and stock up on a full face and try some products, new and that were on my radar but I'd been unable to justify purchasing until now.

I must start by saying this was not a cheap endeavour at £60 despite taking advantage of the 3 for 2 offers but I did include some make up brushes due to my product choices; of course I could've kept things really pair down and picked things I could apply with my fingers but that wasn't what this shopping trip was about. I'm also writing this post the evening I purchased the items so as the title reveals it's a first impression rather than after subsequent use and further testing.

My first stop was the Bourjois counter as I knew I wanted to try the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation in the shade Vanilla and matching Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer in shade Medium. Without having applied any moisturiser and forgoing  primer on this occasion I thought the claims of hydrating formula would assist as well as needing the fresh and luminous complexion it promised.

At first I went in using the Eco Tools Foundation Brush (more on my brush choice in a moment) which I didn't like at all although it was a push as I haven't used this style in years. Instead I found that working in with my fingers worked best. I never know what I'm doing when choosing shades of foundation and at first I feared it was a little light and difficult to work in but actually the reality was that I was able to blend in quickly and easily. It felt comfortable but I  feel I can't really gauge a foundation on it's own as I look so strange without the 'added extras'.

My office toilets (and lifts) are often the place I look to see how my make up appears because if I'm pleased with what I see in those harsh lights then I must be doing something right and indeed even by end of the day I took a once over and there was little wear and things did have a glow about them which was great as already mentioned there was no skincare regime that morning to give a helping hand.

Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer I liked immediately. I'm not especially into the stark light under eyes look hence my choice of medium, it also meant I could build up areas I felt needed it from the light to medium coverage foundation without things looking out of place. It hasn't held up too well as the day has gone on and there is some creasing and I'm more aware of the lines under my eyes today but again this could be in part to lack of eye creams in the past 24 hours. Despite this it doesn't feel dry and I'm not against trying this out a little more to see how it fairs.

With a 3 for 2 offer on Boots I decided to pick up the old favourite of many a blogger, Bourjois Delice De Poudre. Another product I'd always wanted to try but could find no justification due to a healthy stash of bronzers and highlighters. In this instance there was no other justification than it was two products in one. I would prefer to use use with a stiffer, smaller brush than the EcoTools Powder Brush as I found the pigmentation quite light, that said using all over the face rather than 'contouring' has given some added colour needed from my perhaps too light foundation choice.

I did want a specific blusher from L'Oreal which I'd seen at the weekend but this was not available so instead I went for the new L'Oreal Infallible Blush Trio in Soft Rosy. Using the aforementioned powder brush I swirled in all three colours and swept on cheeks. This was another hit and I loved the sheen it gave, maybe I didn't need that highlighter after all. In fact I can see me getting a lot of wear out of this. It's not as heavily pigmented as say my favoured Peaches and Cream blush from Mac but it'll be nice for lighter make up days or those where I'm wearing a red lip.

L'Oreal also had 3 for 2 as part of their offers and another product I was keen to try was the L'Oreal Eyebrow Artiste Plumper in Medium/Dark. Regular readers will know I love Maybelline BrowDrama and it's a frequent repurchase and lazy day eyebrow choice for me but there is always the desire to try something different. On first use I was happy with the results. There is a slightly smaller brush than Rimmel's version and less product is dispensed, an issue I had with that one. The wand is certainly a more normal shape than Maybelline's quirky offering which whilst I have no particularly issues with L'Oreal's is probably more natural to use. I'm in the middle, well in desperate need of having my eyebrows threaded so I'm not working with good brows at the moment so it's difficult to speak too highly of L'Oreal Artiste Plumper but it did the job and I would be inclined to cast aside my Browdrama for this in future. Stay tuned.

To make up my offer I picked up an eyeshadow quad from L'Oreal in Smoky. It's fairly typical of it's type and pleasing to use with the appropriate EcoTools brushes but I wasn't wowed. I perhaps should have brought a single shade and been done with it.

Next I moved to the Revlon counter which was buy one, second half price to purchase one of their new mascaras. Revlon recently revamped their range, colour coding them by type. I choose Revlon Ultimate All in One Mascara in Black. After battling with the packaging (we all know how cumbersome Superdrug security stickers are) a rather unusual small wand. This is another product that will require more usage to form an opinion especially as I was so bemused by the teeny tiny wand. That said it lengthened and curled my lashes although there was some clumping that took some work to separate. The smaller wand did make it, not so much easier but more precise in coating the lashes.

My favourite purchase was the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipstick in what I believe is Passion (I can't find a name on the tube). Again this was picked up to make up the offer and as a new product I was happy to try. I went for a pink lip to balance out what could've been bad base and eye products without going gung-ho and a red lip. It smells amazing, glides on like a cream and dries down to a matte which has not left my lips a mess. And even better, it lasts. Numerous cigarettes, cups of tea and even lunch I popped to the toilet and saw it still in place. Admittedly it was now more of a stain than earlier but there was still something there, and not just around the edges like badly applied lip liner. I'll definitely be trying out some more colours from the range.

Finally I needed brushes. As I mentioned I could've left it as products that were all easily applied with fingers but I'd rather pick products I wanted and add a set of brushes in than otherwise. I went for the Lovely Looks set by EcoTools, similar to this one. Having a glance over the offering it was cheaper at £11.99 to buy this than individual brushes or being more specific, it had everything I needed and the packaging is nice that it'll store nicely in my desk drawer. It even has instructions. They're not the best brushes I've ever used, nor will they replace favourites but when I'm in a pinch they're perfect and I can't complain about how my make up looked.

Its quite possible as you read this post I have been continuing to use these products and form stronger opinions on them so stayed tuned on that. I hope you enjoyed this unexpected haul, more make up was the last thing I needed to buy!