Holland And Barrett 'Seven Day Sleep Challenge'

I used to think I had a regular sleeping pattern, turns out I actually don't and having done a sleep study through the local hospital, instead of getting what I assumed was 7-8 hours sleep a night, I actually get 4-5 hours of what is called 'good sleep'. Having turned down copious amounts of medication to help me sleep, I prefer to use natural remedies, many of which include lavender, as I find it helps.

This week is the start of National Sleep Awareness Week and the lovely people over at Holland and Barrett sent me a selection of their newest sleep products and some expert tips to see if it would help me get a better nights sleep. Always up for a challenge, my package arrived and I dived right in. 

Miaroma Pure Essentials Lavender Bath Oil is just a delight to use. You only need a few drops into your bath water for the aroma to come to life. Lavender is commonly used to calm an active mind and it can also be good for nervous feelings. I always find that something with Lavender in does help with calming and it does stop my mind racing and adding it to my bath water, left me feeling calm and ready for bed. Miaroma Relaxing Lavender Temple Balm, which combines a soothing blend of Lavender, Sandalwood, Chamomile and Patchouli, not only smells incredible, but is perfect for promoting restfulness. With these two products, I found both of them really helpful in promoting relaxation.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Body Oil is fragranced with calming Lavender, comforting Sandalwood and relaxing Jasmine. In a skin-pampering base of Jojoba and Moringa, this luxurious body oil is rich in nourishing vitamins, antioxidants and Omega 6 & 9 fatty acids. Sleep guru, Dr Ramlakhan suggests creating a special pre-bed routine that helps you feel relaxed. So again, Lavender comes into play with this body oil which is a delight to use and once I have completed my double face cleanse and added my night creams, I now use this body oil, which is soothing and moisturising.

Moving to supplements which are not something I have ever considered using, even though I have always shunned medication.  In my package there was a choice of four different ones to try - 5-HTP, Lemon Balm, Passionflower Stress Relief and B6.  Each one of these supplements have different ways of working, depending on your sleeping issue.

Valerian Plus is a traditional herbal remedy that calms the brain and body to soothe stress and anxiety so that sleep can occur naturally.  I know that if I have got a lot on with work (I have a full time job as well as blogging) with a to-do list that is never-ending, my mind works overtime with the things I have still got to do. Over the past week, I have tried these tablets twice and with success, I didn't fall asleep immediately, but I did feel relaxed enough to fall asleep.

5 HTP (the HTP standing for Hydroxytryptophan) is designed to ensure that the quality of your sleep is improved and it does so by increasing the amount of time people spend in both deep and rapid-eye-movement sleep. I am yet to give these a try but having read a lot of reviews, they come highly rated and will be perfect for when the Insomnia kicks in.

Lemon Balm is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms of mild anxiety, to aid sleep and for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and flatulence.  Stress and anxiety keep 47% of us awake at night and again the advice from Dr Ramlakhan is to write a worry list, that list should include everything that is bothering you enough to keep you awake with a hope that once it is written down, it is then out of your head.

If Lemon Balm doesn't sound quite right for you, then Stress Relief Passionflower tablets are again a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress, such as mild anxiety all of which should help make it easier for you to sleep.

B6 is said to help replenish your B6 levels because a deficiency in it can lead to sleep problems. So for me, when I next get my bout of insomnia, I intent to try the Bedtime B6 capsules to see if it helps make a difference.

Caffeine is also said to be an ingredient that has long since been associated with irregular sleep patterns or the preventing sleep in some cases.  I cut caffeine out of my life almost 2 years ago now, more because I became a little too reliant on it.  So now, if I want a treat, I might go to Starbucks, otherwise it is decaf or fruit teas.

In my little package I have three different drinks that I have tried. The first is Creamy Chamomile with Cocoa.  As a child if I couldn't sleep, I would be given Horlicks or warm milk, both of which I still drink occasionally. This drink uses Chamomile which is traditionally valued for its soothing abilities and when drunk it promotes relaxation and reduces stress.  Adding the Cocoa and Lemon Balm, makes for a really tasty drink and one that is perfect for bedtime.

Dr Stuart's Virtuous Valerian is a product that you will either love or hate, it takes a bit of getting used to because I found it to be quite bitter tasting but again with the added Valerian, it does help you wind down and relax and is perfect for drinking as your last drink before bed.

The final item is Higher Living Chamomile and Vanilla, as a brand I am a fan of Higher Living teas, especially the green tea coconut.  Chamomile and Vanilla is quite fragrant but perfect for drinking at any time of the day, the vanilla just adds a bit of sweetness to the Chamomile, which can again be quite bitter.

Knowing that I am not alone in not getting enough sleep, infact 70% of Britons are said to be in the same statistic, is quite reassuring and knowing that I can pull my head out of the stand and try products that are of a herbal nature to help reduce stress, anxiety and worry to help me sleep better is comforting. Holland and Barrett have given me food for thought when it comes to my own sleeping pattern and with a number of products still to make my way through, I know that Lavender is something I associate with calming and restfulness, so it is something I need to ensure I have when sleep doesn't come.

Over the past 7 days, I have slept better than I have done in a long long time. The regular use of Lavender, the Creamy Chamomile with Cocoa and the Valerian Plus, have all ensured that I feel rested and raring to go when my alarm rudely awakens me the following morning.  If you are trying to decide what works best, it is simply a case of trying what you think might help, working out what it is that is making you restless and taking it from there.

All of the products mentioned within this post can be found in Holland & Barrett stores and online.

Look Fantastic's March Beauty Box #LFEXPLORER Edition

Look Fantastic's March Beauty Box has arrived on my doorstep and not only do I absolutely love the design of the box, but I am absolutely thrilled with the contents. This month sees an amazing feature of beauty brands from all over the world and all of which are available from Look Fantastic, There is also a copy of the newest Elle Magazine which I am told is to be a regular feature with getting your box, so for just £15 this is an absolute bargain. Also inside the box is the beauty box magazine which details a little more information about the products included which I always like to read.

The products this month have been chosen to give to you the chance to go global with your beauty routine for March.

Codage Moisturising Mask | £42.00 for 50ml

I was glad to see Codage make another appearance withing this box, because just a short while ago I received the "Scrubbing Cream" which I absolutely loved and it is one of those brands I would love to try more from. The brand is most certainly on the pricier end of the spectrum though, so boxes like Look Fantastic are a brilliant way to not only introduce you to these brands but to also give you the chance to try before you buy. This mask is described as being deeply hydrating and designed to leave your skin not only feeling nourished, but also looking its healthiest which is in part owing to the unique moisturising properties. The texture is a really rich, but luxurious emulsion helps to banish signs of dryness and damage and it is free from parabens, essential oils and phthalates making it suitable for the most sensitive of skin.

Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse Anti Fatigue Moisturising Cream | £21.00 for 40ml

You can never go wrong with a product from Nuxe and this is a lightweight moisturiser has been formulated with Blue Ageratum and Blue Everlasting Flower which help to reduce inflammation and redness. Ideal for those with Normal/Combination skin, this cream will also keep your skin nourished and protected. It has a really smooth texture which absorbs quickly into the skin, so if like me, some morning are a bit of a rush to get to work, then this is a great quick application cream. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream | £9.00 for 56.7g

First Aid Beauty is a skincare range that I have had my eye on for some time now, manily because of all the glowing reviews I have read about many products from the brand. The Ultra Repair Cream again is designed to help banish dry skin and is described as being the ultimate head-to-toe moisturiser. More so, it is claimed that after 2 weeks of continuous use, it has been clinically proven to deliver 169% improvement in skin hydration. The cream is a super-emollient which heals, nourishes, protects and hydrates dry and itchy skin. The texture isn't quite how I expected it to be, I thought it would be fairly thick, something like Sudocrem for example, but it isn't at all and soon as it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to absorb and leaves no oily trace behind.

Lottie London Shade and Shadow Brush | £5.00

Lottie London is a brand that again, I have heard a lot about but haven't come across until now. Within in this months Look Fantastic box there are four different brushes making their introductions. I have the Shade and Shadow brush which is a pastel pink shade and is described as being a professional-grade, angled shadow brush with ultra-soft bristles. Perfect for shaping, smudging and lining, the brush delivers the perfect amount of colour, adding definition and shape to the eye with precision. Can be used in the crease, corners or across the entire lid to create smooth or blurred out lines.

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Demure | £7.99

The second makeup item in this months box comes from Revlon and it is a new Colourburst lip lacquer in shade 105 which is called Demure. I am a big fan of these kind of lip products and this is said to be infused with a triple butter complex of Shea, Mango and Coconut which not only helps the crayon to glide over your lips to give a pop of colour, but it also helps to keep your lips moisturised and hydrated too. It has a twist up bottom, so there is no need for sharpening and as well as being used on your lips, you can use it on your cheeks too.

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water | £9.00 for 100ml

The final item in the box is from Caudalie, another brand I am a big fan of, though I am yet to really be blown away by a Micellar Water I have to be honest and I have tried more than a few. Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water is said to gently cleanse and remove make up from the eyes and face in one simple step. With a formula made up of micelles which trap impurities (think excess sebum, pollution, make up, dirt and grime) in the skin so they can easily be wiped away. The one thing I am liking about this Micellar water so far is its simple fragrance which is made up of orange and lemon blossom plus watermelon and mint and it does leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and incredibly moisturised and I think for me, this could become THE Micellar Cleansing Water because I have used it every day since getting the box!

Lastly in the box are two Emergen-C sachets in Super Orange flavour. It is described as a super-charged Emergen-C Immune+® dietary supplement which supports your immune system with the key nutrients your body needs, plus a propriety complex with beta-glucans and arabinogalactans. A bit of an odd inclusion, but I thought I would give one a go because I have had the worst ever cold and if you have ever taken things like Berocca, then try these, they taste less like chalk and more like the juice of an orange.

I think this is one of the best Look Fantastic Beauty Boxes for a while now and there isn't a single product within this box that I havent already used. I love that there is something for everyone to try, some amazing brands and it might just have managed to convince me that I need a Micellar Cleansing Water in my life, because the Caudalie inclusion within this box is just brilliant. If you have never tried a beauty box before, then this one is one of the best I have ever had!

ReCover Correct and Conceal Red

ReCover is a new make up brand by Annabel Jardella, a professional makeup artist who has over 25 years experience. Using a scar from an old injury, her passion for make up and her expertise she became passionate about erasing colours on the skin such as: under eye circles, redness and even tattoos. With the creation of ReCover, which is described as being the next generation concealer, I was delighted to give it a try.

I have redness on both cheeks, (it isn't Rosacea) but it tends to flare up when I am not feeling run down or am stressed and I can usually cover it fairly easily using a few correct and conceal products but there is always a need to re-apply later in the day. ReCover, which has 6 different shades to try, is what I can best describe as being a really super fine concealer which contains rich pigments to cover any red in the skin and what I mean by that is that when you apply it to the skin, it doesn't cling to any dry patches, it isn't cakey or gloopy it is totally lightweight and gives an almost flawless coverage. It comes in a handy little pump like pen dispenser with a soothing gold-plated applicator tip, which makes the application easy and perfect for using it on-the-go to ‘re-cover’ any red patches that you may need to.  My one issue with concealers is that no matter which one I have used, they cake under my eyes, which is often where I need coverage, so ive given up looking for one which works - until now.

ReCover Red works amazingly well to conceal my redness, I am just so impressed with it. I’ve found it to blend really well over the top of any liquid foundations which at the minute I am using either ByTerry or Too Faced and it also works well underneath just a powder foundation, so depending on your preference, I have found it works really well for me. When using this, I always apply after my skincare routine and after adding my primer. As mentioned, the texture is really lightweight and easy to blend, my preferred method in this case is to use the applicator and then dab using my ring finger for under eye coverage and on my cheeks, where the redness is, again use the gold applicator and then smooth using my blending sponge to ensure I get equal coverage or if I am in a hurry, I just use my fingers.

As this has a pump dispenser it is really easy to ensure you get just the right amount, for me, on slight pump dispenses enough to cover the redness on both cheeks, but if you don't like the dispenser and I know some of my friends don't, then you can pump it onto a make up brush and apply it that way, it works just as well, but for me, I prefer the coolness of the applicator under my eyes.

Ive been using this since December, which is quite a long time for me to use a product like a concealer as I usually get annoyed with them and end up chucking them in the bin.  Having used it at least 3-4 days a week, it is still going which for a 5ml product is quite impressive, so yes a little does go a long way and at £28 it would need to.  As a product though, it is more than worth the price and it is something I intend to repurchase because it does what I want to do with regards to my redness, it lasts all day and I don't need to apply, it doesn't cake, it isn't gloopy, it doesn't cling to dry skin patches and it works well with foundation be it liquid or powder form, both of which I use.  

So if you suffer from redness, blemishes or imperfections like I do, then I would definitely give ReCover a try, it is worth its weight in gold.

Have you found a concealer that is worth its weight in gold?

Mothers Day with Lush

Flowers and chocolates might be the norm for Mothers Day, but Lush have a great collection for Mothers Day that is not to be missed. 

Flowering Tea Reusable Bubble Bar - If fragrant, petal-filled baths are your cup of tea, look no further! Hold this reusable bubble bar under running water to release the beneficial blend. Clamber in to stew in a hot, floral brew with uplifting neroli and rosewood oils and allow your mind to drift. Turn your bath into a giant tea cup as you float amongst the exotic blue cornflowers, sunny orange flower absolute and rich rosewood, helping you tap into that inner calm.

Wonder Woohoo - A special golden treat for the super mums out there. Using mimosa absolute, soothing sandalwood oil and Brazilian orange oil it looks amazing and smells amazing.

Rose Bombshell Bath Bomb - Love is blind, which is a shame because this bombshell with a floral triplet of yellow rose petals, rose absolute and rose oil is an enthralling spectacle. As it fizzes, the outer shell breaks away and magnificent petals burst out in a sweet haze of Sicilian lemon and floral geranium oils.

Yummy Mummy Shower cream packed full of Fair Trade organic cocoa butter and tonka absolute alongside gloriously sweet blend of Brazilian orange and geranium oils. Designed to hydrate the skin and leave you feeling uplifted and smelling divine.

Ladybird Bubble bar - This friendly little ladybird wants to take you under its wing and run you a hot floral bath, filled with sweet geranium oil to aid relaxation. A little peppermint oil gives a menthol hint to this flowery mix, helping to revive and uplift mind and body as you soak. Go all out for mountains of cheery bubbles or save a little for next time.

If you are looking for more of a hamper, then there are some amazing gifts sets too:

The Pamper Hamper - This set contains 8 amazing products and it pretty much covers everything you need for a tip to toe and it contains three products with Sunrise Soap, Beautiful Shower Gel and African Paradise Body Conditioner and it costs £15.50

Just For Mum - This is perfect for the mum's who like to get away from it all and everyone to enjoy a soak in the bath, as it contains 5 amazing bath bombs - Yoga Bath Bomb, Guardian of the Forest, Twilight, Rose Bombshell and Intergalactic. So here you have a whole 5 days of Lush pleasure for just £23.50

Mum - is all floral and lovely looking with a box containing six delight products and again it is like a pamper hamper. With Sakura Bath Bomb, Ladybird and Sunflower Bubble Bar's, Yummy Mummy shower cream, Love and Light Handcream and Respect your Elders Soap. This will cost just £27.95

Ladybird - This is quite possibly my favourite gift set from the collection with three cute products - Lady Bird and Sunflower Bubble Bar's and Honey Bee Bath Bomb. A lovely little nature theme and all for just £15.50.

The final gift set is called Love You Mum and it is designed to be a relaxing pamper hamper with two products which promote relaxtion. The first is French Kiss, one of my favourite Bubble Bars which is just all kinds of heavenly lavender with loads of bubbles and then there is Rose Bombshell, which I am yet to try. This little package is a lovely gift costing just £10.95

I think Lush have more than got it covered with this selection of gifts and even if a gift set is not for you, there is a plethora of little items you can buy to make your own package or treat yourself or if you really want to treat someone, then a trip to the Lush Spa would be amazing - I will make it there one day myself!