Soakin Bath Salts

I know I have said it many times, but believe me, bath salts are so underrated and I am a huge fan, especially when I come across new brands, many of which I feature on my blog. I came across Soakin Bath Salts in my local Health Food shop when collecting a package that has been shipped by DHL, being on a buy one get one free offer, I was spoilt for choice as to which ones I wanted to try - Dead Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, Magnesium Flakes it Himalayan Salts. In the end, I opted for Dead Sea Salt and Himalayan Salt.

I absolutely love Dead Sea Salts and from Soakin, these are made of 100% Pure Natural premium quality Dead Sea salt which in themselves are pack full of minerals and as such you will find they contain:

• Magnesium - Which is great for detoxifying and cleansing the epidermis. It also helps heal damaged or inflamed skin.
• Calcium - Which promotes skin growth and regeneration as well as moisture retention through the production of sebum, and stimulates the production of antioxidants.
• Sodium - Which helps cleanse and exfoliate the skin, neutralise free radicals and relieve sore muscles.
• Zinc - Which helps heal and rejuvenate skin
• Potassium - Which is great for helping to keep the skin moist and plump as well as helping to reduce puffiness.
• Sulphur - Which helps decongest pores, but it also has powerful healing, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.

Together these minerals along with the salt, not only soothe, but they also soften, hydrate and exfoliate the skin and are an absolute dream if you have dry or itchy skin.  For me, usually, the winter is spent wearing thick tights or leggings, so as soon as Spring arrives, my legs resemble a snake shedding its skin and they need a lot of moisture and exfoliation before they see daylight, something which bath salts are perfect for.

Then we have the Himalayan Pink Salt bath salts and as well as looking pretty and pink, they to are enriched with minerals to help detox the skin. As with Dead Sea Salt, Himalayan pink salt also helps to exfoliate the skin and help it to retain moisture. 

Unlike Dead Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that heal and soothe skin by calming irritations and breakouts, so, therefore, using it within a bath, it could help those hard to reach areas, such as your back if you suffer from breakouts there. 

When using bath salts, for relaxation and well-being, you should add 100-250g to a warm bath, I always ensure there are a few inches of water in the bath before adding any salt too it as I have found it helps it to dissolve much better. Once in the bath, you should aim to soak for around 20 minutes to get the best benefits. You can also use these salts as a foot soak, ideal if you have hard or dry skin on your heels. As with the bath, add 100-250g to your bowl or footbath and soak your feel for 20 minutes and then rinse, at which point the salt should have helped to loosen some of that skin.

Soakin state that they specialise in sourcing only the highest quality, 100% pure natural salts to ensure the most soothing and relaxing bath-time experience. Soakin Salts retail for around £4.99 each and are designed to be reused and refilled, whether or not you use them for the same product.  I have found that they keep the salts really fresh, which is a must for bath salts.

If you are tempted by these Bath Salts, then there is a store locator on the main website to help you find your nearest stockist,

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Cult Beauty Self Care Goody Bag June 2020

I love a good Gift With Purchase offer and from Cult Beauty we have the Self Care Goody Bag June which is absolutely free when you spend £150 on the Cult Beauty website. It features 19 products which together are worth over £235 and it is described as giving you the perfect excuse for some much needed 'Me Time'.

Inside this bag, you will find products from brands such as NARS, Sunday Riley, Sol de Janeiro, Milk Makeup, Huda Beauty and Charlotte Tilbury - all brands you will have heard of, might have or want to try.

The Full Contents of this Goody bag are:

• Sol de Janeiro Travel Light Set (travel sized Bum Bum Cream & Coco Cabana Cream each 25ml)
• Malin + Goetz Deluxe Advanced Renewal Moisturiser 5ml
• Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel travel size 35ml
• GOOP 15% Glycolic Acid Overnight Glow Peel Pad – one pad
• REN Deluxe EverCalm Global Protection Day Cream 15ml
• Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise & Glow Serum 15ml
• Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream – 7ml
• Too Faced Deluxe Primed & Peachy Matte Perfecting Primer – 5ml
• Fresh Deluxe Soy Face Cleanser 20ml
• Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Strengthening Treatment Oil 2ml
• Algenist Advanced Elevate Retinol Serum 5ml
• Huda Beauty FULL SIZE Demi Matte Cream Lipstick – either in the shade Day Slayer OR Feminist
• Sunday Riley Deluxe ICE Cream 15g
• Cult Beauty Hairband (one size)
• Murad Deluxe Retinol Youth Renewal Serum 5ml
• Susanne Kaufman Deluxe Moisturising Mask 15ml
• NARS Deluxe Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in shade Do Me Baby 1.8g
• Verso Deluxe Hydration Serum 10ml
• Milk Makeup Deluxe Kush High Volume Mascara 3ml

What I love is that this list of products features some newly released products such as ICE Cream by Sunday Riley and a nice mixture of makeup, haircare and skincare too.

Cult Beauty Goody Bags always sell really quickly, so if you have a list of products you are really wanting to try - now is the time! Grab it here now.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Marks & Spencer Summer Beauty bag

Marks & Spencer has really upped their Beauty game over the last few years, with new products such as their Apothecary range and some big brands such as Pixi and Emma Hardie now shoppable, my nearest Beauty Hall is a dream to wander around and browse. Right now, M&S has launched their Summer Beauty Bag and with contents worth over £110 it is worth having a look at.

Priced at £15, you get 11 products but as always there is a slight catch - you do need to spend £25 across clothing, home and beauty to get it. Now that is really easy to do and a great treat when you stock up on some favourites.

Inside the bag you will find:

• Nuxe Sun Melting Cream SPF50 30ml - A high-protection fondant cream with anti-ageing cellular protection. It helps limit the appearance of dark spots, too – perfect for fair skin and sensitive areas.
• REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic 50ml - An effective skin-resurfacing toner to exfoliate and brighten your complexion, gentle enough for daily use. I have a full review of this product on my blog.
• Full Size Pure Super Hydrate Day Cream SPF15 - A lightweight day cream that moisturises for 12 hours thanks to its nourishing natural ingredients. Made in the UK, it’s non-greasy, hydrating and helps protect your skin from the sun’s rays
• Full Size Sun Smart After Sun Face Mask - Hydrate and nourish sun-exposed skin, leaving it feeling soft, supple and smooth. Formulated to deliver instant benefits, such as peeling prevention and a prolongued tan
• Color Wow Color Security Conditioner Mini 75ml - The ideal partner to Color Security Shampoo – smoothes, detangles and hydrates colour-treated hair
• Color Wow Color Security Conditioner Mini 75ml - The ideal partner to Color Security Shampoo – smoothes, detangles and hydrates colour-treated hair
• Full Size Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen - An incredibly long-wearing gel eye pencil that glides on and stays in place all day long. I have a full review of this product here on my blog.
• Full Size Autograph Colour Shine Lip Lacquer - An ultra-shine formula with cushioning technology to make lips appear fuller
• Seasalt & Freesia Perfume 10ml - Wonderfully refreshing, this sea salt & freesia eau de toilette has a lovely citrus and floral scent

Plus to keep everything in, you also get the Transparent pink cosmetic bag, which is described as being practical and pretty to carry your summer beauty essentials in style in this easy-to-clean pouch.

I would love to know what you think to this offer - it is 

available right now.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Too Faced Hangover Good To Go Skin Protecting Moisturizer SPF25

I am a big fan of Too Faced makeup*, especially the mascara's, of which I recently shared a review of Damn Girl.  More recently the brand has just released a series of skincare products which include a hydrating serum and the product I am sharing with you today - the Too Faced Hangover Good To Go Skin Protecting Moisturizer SPF25.

Even though we are on lockdown, I have still been taking advantage of going for a walk every single day and this moisturiser has been my go too.

Hydrate and protect your complexion with the Too Faced Hangover Good to Go Skin Loving SPF 25 Moisturizer. 

This formula is really quick yo absorb on the skin and thankfully it is also non-sticky and doesn't leave any white marks on the skin.  

It does have SPF25 which does provide some daily protection to help shield your skin against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. Lightweight feeling, it like the rest of the Hangover range is infused with Coconut Water which helps provide hydration. Other ingredients include Cinnamon Bark Extract, Vitamins C and E as well as Aloe extract.

As this comes in a pump-action bottle, I find that one pump, as shown above, is more than enough to cover my entire my face and as well as acting as your moisturiser and SPF this product can also be worn alone or used as a primer base for makeup.  

Priced at £29 for this 40ml tube, you can find it via Too Faced*, Cult Beauty*, ASOS*, Boots* and Lookfantastic to name a few places.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Top 5 viral TikTok Beauty Hacks

There is no escaping TikTok, it is absolutely everywhere and most people I know are just loving it whether they have joined or just watched, whatever the reason there is no escaping that it is the place to be and some of the biggest Beauty Bloggers are using it to its full advantage whilst it is popular and killing it.  On TikTok, you will find everything from lip-synching and dancing to something that catches my attention - Beauty Hacks and ones which include getting that list drop of product from your makeup bottles, I’m there!  I even have a dedicated Pinterest board to Beauty Hacks.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

I am one of those people who isn't obsessed with YouTube, but there are a few people who have a channel that I can and do watch, one of them being Laura Lee, who with her 4.45million subscribers was the one who drew my attention to the TikTok Beauty Hacks! So these are the 5 that have intrigued me the most and I would love to know if you have tried them!

Foundation Coverage - Making your sheer/medium coverage foundation into full coverage adding a loose powder to it!   In some videos, it appears to work really well and you can see a slight change in the coverage whereas, in others, it just makes that sheer coverage foundation have a thicker texture but does nothing to change the actual coverage. In fact, it looks really odd. It could all depend on the initial product, type of loose powder and whether or not, as in some videos, a primer is used.  That said, I think the concept is quite an interesting one. 

Faux Freckles - This is by SophdoesNails but Laura Lee did her version of it too.  You need a bronzer and some setting spray to create the look.  In a tub or dish, whatever you have spare, mix bronzer with some setting spray to get an almost runny paste and then taking an angled makeup brush, dip it into the mixture and flick it onto your skin, creating the Faux Freckle look and I quite liked the finish better than having to dab them on using eyeliner pencils, which I have seen others do!

DIY Glow - This is one I have tried having seen many beauty bloggers do it and that is to create your very own setting spray which gives that glow and it is something you can almost definitely make right now.  All you need is your favourite facial mist, or better still if you have a mist you are not that much of a fan of, but need to use it up, grab that and a product which has a loose pigment in champagne gold, maybe a silver, rose gold or something that sparkles - I have found loose pigment highlighters, such as Illamasqua's Beguile* work really well for this. Then add some of that sparkle to the facial mist, shake it up and test it out.  The joy with doing this is that you can add as much or as little 'glow' as you are happy with.

Foundation Lashes - There are a lot of products on the market which claim to make your lashes look thicker and more fluttery thanks to the addition of fibres within a mascara. From TikTok we have adding foundation to your lashes before adding mascara.  For this, you need to paint your lashes with foundation and whether you use a brush or a spoolie seems to be up for contention and then apply your mascara on top.  Again, it does seem to work in some videos and not so in others and each person who has done it has used a different foundation and mascara, so that combination would need to be the one which works for you. A lash serum is of course a much better alternative to giving your lashes that much thicker and fuller look and you can also get your eyelash extension supplieso to make the task much easier.

Eyelash Curler Eyeliner - This is one I have actually tried with a varying degree of success. Eyeliner and I will never be the best of friends and it will never be a product I will actively seek out and need in my life.  Anyway, the trick is to get your eyelash curlers and almost colour in the top part of the curler which curls your lashes and as you curl them, the eyeliner should transfer to your eyelid.  On the whole, I have found it does work and it definitely makes tidying up the line an easier process than it would usually be.

Now we all want to find time saving hacks to make life that much easier and I would love to know if you have tried any of these or even have a little trick of your own that should be shared?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Beauty Easter Eggs To Treat Yourself Too

Easter doesn't have to be about Chocolate, not that I intend to give it up for anyone I might add, but I do love that brands come up with a Beauty Egg to make you feel less guilty! I featured one of the L'Occitane Easter Eggs last year on my blog and this year they are even better. 

With a choice of four different eggs from L'Occitane, each mini egg contains two 10ml Shea Butter hand creams in various scents as well as a shower gel and some soap. I absolutely love L'Occitane Almond range and I frequent the Regent Store a few times a year for a refill of their shower gel, so it is always handy to have one or two mini options around to take away on holiday or trips to see the family.

From Lookfantastic is The Beauty Egg Collection 2020 which I have featured on my blog. It has a value just shy of £300 in content but costs just £65 and inside you will see products such as Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment and the Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask which on its own is worth more than you pay for this entire Egg!

Glossybox outdid themselves again with their 2020 Easter Egg and it sold out really quickly.  Inside the egg, which comes in a variety of colours including pastel blue, pink or yellow egg, you will find ten products from beauty brands such as bareMinerals, St Tropez, Illamasqua and more.  Priced at a bargain price of £8.50

From Lush, we have the Golden Egg and this one really caught my attention as a gift for a friend of mine who just loves Lush. Priced at £33, inside you will find five products, which includes the likes of The Golden Egg and the Lucky Carrot Bubble Bar.

I love that again there is some variety for 2020 and even for high street brands such as Revolution and L'Oreal, there are Easter Eggs with a beauty theme, it just depends what you are looking for and for whom!

Have you bought any Easter Eggs for 2020?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eau Collection

If you have never visited the L'Occitane store on Regent Street, here in London, then if you get the chance, go along, it is incredible and somewhere I mentioned recently on my Instagram grid.  One of my favourite ranges is the L'Occitane Almond collection and it is one I purchase time and time again, in fact, we both absolutely love it.  New to L'Occitane is Herbae par L'Occitane L'eau, one that I was introduced to in the Regent Street store and now it frequents my bathroom.

Sitting firmly within the Fresh Citrus Floral fragrance, Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eau and as collection, it is described as follows:

Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eaua sparkling bouquet of flowers interlaced with wild grasses. The crystal-clear facets of white clover mingle with the green, petal-soft freshness of natural extracts of marsh mallow and angelica.

The collection is comprised of a fragrance, hand cream, Gentle Shower Gel, Beauty Milk and a hand soap and with its beautiful pink packaging and product colour, it one that instantly brings Spring to life.

As well as a few fragrance samples from the collection, I was kindly gifted two products to try and they definitely are spring scents in a bottle.  

The first product is the Gentle Shower Gel (£16.50 for 250ml) white has a lovely purple hue to it within the bottle, not so purple once it is on your skin, but the scent is just divine.

As with most L'Occitane shower gels, you only need a really small amount to create copious amounts of lather, less so if you are using a shower puff or sponge. Once on the skin that fresh floral sweet scent really comes to life and it lingers both on the skin and in the air, it is absolutely lovely. 

Once out of the shower and in an effort to ensure that the fragrance of Herbae L'eau remains, the second product I was kindly gifted is the Beauty Milk.

Enriched with shea butter, this moisturising body lotion is described as being 'bursting with the sweet floral freshness of white clover' and again for me, it is the floral earthy scent that really makes this fragrance stand out, it definitely lingers on the skin and most importantly, I love how hydrating and moisturising it is.  I always apply the beauty milk after showering, the coolness of the milky texture on warm skin is soothing and it is such a lovely accompaniment to the shower gel.

You can find more information about the Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eau Collection online along with every other product within the collection.  

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the morning with Aromatherapy Associates and Dr Tara Swart talking about how to use aromatherapy and the sense of smell to revive and reset your brain, a title in itself which absolutely fascinated me.

I have long been fascinated with aromatherapy oils and how they can change your mood, your outlook and your wellbeing with just a few drops. Brand Ambassador for Aromatherapy Associates, Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart, whose book I am currently reading, explains that the sense of smell is linked to the deepest parts of the brain, known as the limbic system, unlocks our basic instincts, feelings and memories.  

Starting the day with and following little daily rituals using specific essential oils can rewire our brains, according to Dr. Swart. 

‘Rituals are really important and recent discoveries about neuroplasticity [the adaptability of the brain] show that we can change our neural pathways through, for instance, using a mindful sensory ritual that includes aromatherapy to start your day,’ 

Rituals such as this can help you feel brighter in the mornings, or to help you be much more focused and efficient throughout the day and for some, a more relaxed evening.  For me, starting the day feeling awake and alert is a must, especially as I am prone to bouts of insomnia.  From Aromatherapy Associates we have the Revive blend and it can be used to alert all of those senses.

The five senses - touch, smell, sight, taste and sound are all incredibly important to our being, whether they work alone or with one another.  Revive as a blend uses Juniper Berry which is not only uplifting but it helps relieve anxiety and tension. Then we have Neroli which as a fragrance I absolutely love, within this oil, it is used because its properties include bringing about a notion of relaxation and calm. Finally, we have Grapefruit essential oil which not only has an uplifting effect on the mood and helps with stress and depression. It is also used to help combat muscle fatigue and stiffness whilst at the same time stimulating the lymphatic system and thereby clearing the body of toxins. Together these essential oils create a reviving aroma which works to shrug off lethargy and help you jump into tackling the day ahead.

So with Revive and those five senses, Aromatherapy has put together a little routine to help you get the best out of using their products and I was kindly gifted the Bath and body oil, a body brush and a rollerball.

We start with Touch - Start your day with a feel good ritual that also promotes healthy skin circulation. The Aromatherapy Dry Body Brush uses natural Agave Cactus bristles to ensure your skin is left feeling incredibly smooth to the touch. To get the best use out of dry brushing, it is advised that you start at your feet using short, lifting strokes in the direction of your heart to stimulate circulation and eventually work the brush all over your entire body for maximum effect. The bristles on the brush are quite abrasive but I am informed that this is how your bristles should feel for dry brushing and redding of the skin is quite normal after use.  Then using a capful of Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil massage it onto your torso before stepping into the bath or shower and really take in those aromas.

Next, we have Smell - Each morning, or evening, depending on your preference, take just 5 minutes to focus on you.  Again, using Revive Body Oil, poor a few drops into the palms of your hands, cup to your face and inhale deeply three times to help restore inner emotional balance. Once you have completed this ritual, you can then apply that oil to your body for soft, moisturised and nourished skin.

Your Sight is incredibly important and Aromatherapy Associates advise paying attention to your local surrounds, nature, the trees, your local park, flowers and wildlife, all of which are proven to lower stress and your wellbeing.

When it comes to Sound, take a moment to be still. Find a quiet place and use the Revive Rollerball. Apply it to your wrists and close your eyes, in doing so, bring your wrists to your nose, take some deep breaths and pay attention to the sounds around you, allowing your mind to wander. It is said that by stopping what you are doing and allowing your body to reboot will naturally help you to recharge.  This is something which is perfect for that mid-afternoon slump when a disco nap in your office chair calls!

Finally, we have Taste - Food is our natural source of energy and as well as choosing it wisely, enjoying it is equally important.  Instead of sitting at your desk on your mobile phone, move to a new place, a different room and leave your phone on your desk. This allows you to think about something other than your emails, social media and the news and instead concentrate on the task at hand - your food.

Aromatherapy call these actions - Easy Actions to Revive Every Sense and they are all really straightforward, something we can all learn to do and they serve as a timely reminder that we all need to take time to reflect, pay attention to what is around us and to our bodies and in doing so, these moments of reset can really make a difference.

I would love to know if you have any daily rituals which you complete to get you through the day?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

With Mother's Day on the horizon in just a weeks time, shops have been filled with cards and chocolates as well as balloons and candles in an attempt to get you to send your Mum/Mam/Mummy/Mother/Ma-Ma or however you might address her, a little something to celebrate the day.  If you haven't thought that far ahead because the news is full of other stories and you've been slightly distracted, I have a little gift guide that might just save the day!

I know not every Mam is the same, some are much older, some are younger, some are fitter and some not so, but I am hoping to have covered absolutely every angle with this gift guide.

If you saw my Glossybox Mothers Day post earlier this week and was lucky enough to get your hands on the box, then you have quite an amazing gift to give. 

Packed with 13 products from different brands it features everything from candles and facemasks to makeup and perfume and all for just £30.

If you mum likes to look after and style her hair, then Boots have an amazing range of products from InStyler.  Over the last few weeks, I have been using the GLOSSIE Ceramic Styling Brush which is described as instantly delivering shiny, straight and smooth styles that last. 

It features 65 powerful ceramic heated plates that simultaneously section and style as you effortlessly brush through your hair and with 4 different heat settings, whether your hair is thick, thin or somewhere in the middle, there is a setting that will work with your hair.  I have been so impressed with the Instyler Glossie Ceramic Styling Brush that there is a dedicated post coming next week to show off just how good it is and why I have liked using it so much.  It is currently on offer for less than £55 in Boots* and if you have a Mum who isn't quite ready to use hair straighteners to style her hair, then this might just tick the boxes.

For those who want to have a good nights sleep is the Sleep Master Eye Mask. It came into being after extensive research, the inventor of Sleep Master, who is also an insomnia sufferer, couldn't find a sleep mask that combined the conditions necessary for deep sleep: light elimination and sound reduction. Traditional sleep masks didn't fit or last. They all had thin elastic straps that shift uncomfortably during sleep, fray apart quickly or simply snap off after only a few uses, never mind the disastrous results from washing them!

It is a well known fact that my sleep pattern is quite erratic, so trying this mask has been quite the find. The Sleep Master utilises an incredibly soft to the touch, cool satin fabric which is not only lightweight but it is comfortable, flexible, it is a wide fit and it uses a velcro fastener. What makes it different to any other sleep mask I have used is the ear area, on the Sleep Master it is padded and this helps to muffle sounds, for anyone who is a light sleeper and finds the slightest sound disturbs them, this might just be what you are looking for. The Sleep Master is simply an all-in-one, one-size-fits-all product, which eliminates light and reduces sound, giving you a deep, refreshing sleep by shutting out the world in an immediate, intimate way. Priced at £19.95 via Amazon*.

One of my favourite skincare brands Emma Hardie has collaborated with the charity Look Good Feel Better and has launched a limited edition Pink Moringa Cleansing Balm.

At 50ml and priced at £25 from Marks & Spencer*, from every sale of the limited edition Moringa Cleansing Balm, Emma Hardie Skincare will be donating a percentage of proceeds from the sales to Look Good Feel Better, their goal is to raise £100k for the charity during the year of 2020.

For someone who is always on the go we have the Ember Travel Mug², an absolute revelation in re-usable cups which keep those hot drinks hot!  Everyone is trying to do their bit for the environment, using less take-away cups and more re-usable has been a huge change for me, but I find that those claims of keeping drinks hot for around 6 hours are not always that true.  Then I tried this!

Designed to be used on-the-go, the new Ember Travel Mug² does more than simply keep your coffee hot, this smart mug not only allows you to set an exact drinking temperature but it also keeps it there for up to 3 hours, so your coffee is never too hot, or too cold. I have been so impressed with this mug that I have written a separate blog post all about it, but if you like your technological gadgets and gifts, then this is the one!

There is no doubting every Mum needs at least an hour to herself and from Marks & Spencer, who right now have some amazing bathing products in store. My latest find has been these Rose Bath Salts.

These rose-scented bath salts are described as being perfection for the ultimate relaxation experience and they are infused with notes of pink peony and lily and when they come into contact with warm water, that floral fragrances comes to life and smells as wonderful as a freshly opened bunch of flowers and they cost me just £4.99.

I really like Shea Moisture as a brand and I have the Fruit Fusion Energizing Bath, Body & Massage Oil and there is something about the sharp fragrance of this oil that I absolutely love. Shea Moisture describe this oil as being one which helps to restore hydration as well as to revitalize dry, dull skin.

As well as the use of Shea Butter and Coconut Oil which replenishes moisture deep below the skin surface, there is the use of Imbe Oil which helps to protect against the damaging and ageing effects of external aggressors to leave skin feeling nourished. Then the fruity fragrance of both Green Apple and Lychee Berry are said to help stimulate the senses and for me, this is my favourite of the two products.

A brand I see a lot on my social media is Embryolisse and for Mother's Day I am including the Limited Edition London Lait-Crème Concentré.  In its Limited Edition packaging, this iconic French skincare brand is quite the cult product.  

As a multi-tasking cream, it works not only as a three-in-one moisturising lotion, but can also be used as a primer and as a make-up remover.  It has a lightweight but rich texture, this cream contains essential fatty acids and vitamins which help to reduce irritation especially after shaving and they also plump the skin for firmer results.  The inclusion of nutrients and water to balance the skin and promote cell renewal also lead to much more supple-looking skin too. You can find Embryolisse in Boots stores, and online via Cult Beauty, Feelunique and Lookfantastic where it is priced at £17.99. 

If you Mam is quite partial to a brew, which mine most certainly is, the gift of tea is definitely a worthy gift.  The Tea Makers of London work closely with the most celebrated tea gardens in the world as well as independent artisan tea farmers who continue to use traditional methods, which have been lovingly preserved and passed down to them by their ancestors over many centuries.

So the inclusion of a gift of tea is one which would always be welcome, whether that is a selection of fine loose leaf tea or a tea set, it is definitely something a little bit different and much about.

As a brand, Rubis isn't one I have come across until recently, but their Nail Scissors are definitely something my mum would have in her knitting box.  With their slightly curved, hand-sharpened blades which are crafted out of hardened martensitic steel, these scissors are designed to cut your nails to perfection. 

I am sure we have all had a pair of nail scissors which are as blunt as blunt can be and instead of trimming your nails, they hack at them.  Rubis scissors have ergonomically shaped handle grips which are said to offer supreme comfort and stability. The biggest claim however is that after many years, Rubis state that their scissors lose none of their original functionality thanks to their high-quality materials, design and workmanship.  You can find these scissors priced at £23.50 via Cult Beauty.

When it comes to haircare, I am always aware that as you get older, your hair changes. I am lucky enough to have a lot of hair and it has yet to show signs of thinning, but friends of mine are not so lucky, so this is where Nanogen Haircare comes in. 

The 7-in-1 Shampoo is described as taking a multi-targeted approach to hair thickening for women in one simple step. You don't need 7 different products, just this one. Best described as being a multitasking haircare treatment that cleanses, thickens, moisturises, strengthens, protects, balances and optimises for hair that’s thick, healthy and in prime condition. It uses hardworking surfectants which deliver the primary purpose of removing impurities, oil and dirt to clean the scalp and hair. It is also enriched with Glycerin and Panthenol, the formula drenches hair in vital hydration without weighting tresses down, whilst the brand’s patented Hair Growth Factor complex works to rejuvenate hair follicles to promote healthy growth and maintain hair anchoring. Priced at £10 from Boots*.

The Ramer Cleansing Shammy for Sensitive Skin is a little gem of a product and are a great alternative to using wet wipes, which we all know we shouldn't be using anyway.

We all know the importance of skincare and removing makeup, so these handy little shammy sponges work to remove all traces of make-up. The shammy can also be used with skincare such as cleansers and too and I love how soft they feel on the skin.  All Ramer sponges are made from a magic material, all Ramer Sponges harden as they dry, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria, and will instantly soften when soaked in warm water, ready to re-use again. Super-soft, non-scratchy, hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin, Ramer Sponges are machine washable at 40o C, durable and long-lasting. Prices start around £4 per sponge from Amazon*.

Recently launched to the UK is a brand called African Extracts Rooibos and it is one of South Africa’s leading skincare ranges and is infused with the potent antioxidant powers of Rooibos, a plant found and grown only in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa. 

Rich in heritage, African Extracts Rooibos skincare strongly believe in the power of nature, and therefore Bio-Active Rooibos is supported by a host of proven natural active ingredients, carefully selected for their skincare benefits.  So included within this gift guide is the 3-step Everyday Starter kit which is the brand’s best-selling range and is suitable for women of all ages and most skin types. It contains a Cleansing Lotion (60ml), Toner (60ml) and Day Cream SPF15 (20ml) all in perfect handbag travel sizes.

Then for the more mature skin I have the exfoliating face scrub which uses Rooibos leaves and apricot kernels to gently remove dead skin cells and surface impurities to leave skin feeling clean, smooth and soft, followed by the Tissue Oil which comes in a spray bottle and is really light as well as being non-greasy. This oil is a bit of a multi-tasker because it can be used on your face, body and hair. It is formulated using antioxidant-rich Bio-Active Rooibos extract, Vitamin E, Soy Bean and Geranium botanical extracts in a blend of Grapeseed and Sweet Almond oils.  Prices for African Extracts Rooibos start as low as £7.99.

As well as this Mother's Day gift guide, I also featured the lovely brand Evolve Organic Beauty with their Facial in a box which also makes an amazing gift, as would the Gus and Bella 'Best Mum' Cat Box for those who have and adore cats, both would be a great alternative to flowers and chocolate!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.