You Beauty Box - Best of British

In the wake of London’s epic Fashion Week and coinciding beautifully with what is hoped will be the imminent arrival of spring this Month's You Beauty Box is aptly named 'Our Best of British' with a selection of the team at You Beauty's favourite home-grown brands, flying the flag for the British beauty and skincare industry. 

The treats this month come from Charles Worthington and Oooharr.  Charles Worthington, as a brand, I feel I should know more about, so I am pleased to have a product in m box. Moisture Seal Hair Healer is a lightweight, but deeply nourishing, leave-in gel-creme. The ingredients include Argan Oil which my hair loves, so I am looking forward to giving this a try.

The second product is two facemasks from ohharr, whom I have never come across before.  Rosie Glow is a rejuvenating deep cleansing face mask which is just packed full of amazing ingredients such as Natural and Bentonite Clay to draw out impurities, helping unclog pores and absorb excess oil, clearing congested skin and can help to tighten fine lines and wrinkles. Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Dead Sea Salts, Marula Oil and Sunflower oil plus many more. The second mask is the Dead Sea Cooler mask and this one uses a delicious cocktail of Peppermint, Teatree and Witch Hazel for a bright, clear complexion, combined with Dead Sea Salts to open pores, detoxify skin and draw out impurities. I love the retro packaging on these facemasks and cannot wait to give them a try.  Both masks retail for around £1.20 online.

This month there was an amazing array of products to chose from and from brands that I adore - Amie, Bee Good and Nude to name a few. However, rather than opt for products I have used before, I decided to try something new and this is what I chose.

Nanshy 4-in-1 makeup sponge - I am yet to try anything from the Nanshy range and ive heard so many good things about this blending sponge that I thought I would give it a try. It can be used with Liquid make-ups, cream make-ups, mineral-based and wet-dry powders and even cream blushes! It is also said to brighten your complexion and create buildable airbrush-like coverage, hide imperfections and achieve the smoothest finish imaginable. What I love that also within the box is a little card which details how you use the sponge, such a great idea for a novice like me.  This sponge retails for around £5.95 online.

My second choice of item is from The Bodyshop and it is their British Rose Instant Glow Body Butter.  I adore anything scented of roses and havent come across this as yet, so I thought it would be nice to try it. The description for this body butter is as follows "Indulge in dewy hydration with glow-enhancing Body Butter. Beautifully pearlescent, this velvety-soft moisturiser is light to the touch but rich on moisture giving you an instant all-over healthy glow and petal-soft skin that’s hydrated for 24 hours. The roses are 100% organically grown in an environmental farm in Herefordshire".  As soon as you remove the lid, the scent of fresh roses is undeniably present, similar to getting a bunch of the freshest roses, the scent is just stunning.  On the skin, it is lightweight, it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling intensely moisturised, nourishing and soft to the touch.

From this, I also learnt that The Body Shop hand-pick, air-dry and then infuse the roses in the freshest mountain water to give an exceptional quality rose essence subtly-scenting your skin all day and this year The Body Shop celebrates its 40th anniversary!  

For a box which celebrates the best of British, I think the products are amazing. I am really happy with my selection and for the bargain price of just £6.95 it is more than worth the money I paid for it.

Kiss The Moon Calm After Dark Balm

Kiss The Moon is a brand I became aware of via a beauty box about a year ago and since that introduction, I have become an avid fan. Based in North Yorkshire, they are a tea who are obsessed with and have a passion for helping people have a good nights sleep. All of the products aim to get you into the right frame of mind for sleep and, at the same time, provide your skin with the nutrients it needs as it repairs itself overnight. To do that, pure essential oils have been grown and harvested for their therapeutic benefits and keeping everything 100% natural, so there are no parabens, no harsh chemicals and no artificial perfumes.  

I was kindly sent the Calm After Dark Balm, which arrived so beautifully gift wrapped that I didn't want to open it. Inside, the balm, was again beautifully wrapped and I was intrigued to find out more about it.  

The description of this balm reads:

Wide awake and need to sleep? Try applying your favorite Kiss the Moon After Dark Balm to your wrists and temples. The relaxing essential oils have been hand-chosen to sooth the soul and ease the mind so you can drift peacefully off to sleep.

Well you might notice a theme on the blog this week with a few posts dedicated to getting a good nights sleep and this Balm fits right in with those posts. Using the essential oils of 

• Jasmine - A precious oil absolute from flowers picked at night when their warm, relaxing aromas are at their most potent.  As an essential oil, Jasmine has properties to promote relaxation as well as reducing tension, stress and nervousness.
• Roman Chamomile - One of the gentlest oils of all. Known for its ability to calm the senses and soothe dry or irritated skin. It also helps with insomnia.
• Ylang Ylang - An exotic flower from the South Sea islands with the power to relax and rebalance.  It also helps with nervous tension and stress while having a calming effect.
• Sandalwood - Prized for its beautiful scent and its ability to balance skin’s natural oil production. As an essential oil and in a product such as this, it is known as being a relaxing oil which has a harmonising and calming effect, helps to reduce tension, stress, nervous exhaustion and anxiety.

There is also the inclusion of Shea Butter and White Tea Seed Oil to give you a little touch of relaxation whenever you need it most.

To use, all you need to do is rub your finger along the top of the balm, using your body's natural temperature, it melts the balm slightly and then all you need to do is simply massage it into your pulse points. By doing this, the essential oils work to quieten your mind and help you drift off to sleep. I do find this balm incredibly relaxing and it does smell just simply divine, once applied to my pulse points, around 30 minutes before I go to bed, I am beginning to yawn within 10 minutes or so and once in bed, I drift off pretty quickly without tossing and turning.

Kiss the Moon is such a beautiful brand and one which is worth looking into, if sleep is not your friend.  There are also other products to devour in three other blends - Love, Glow and Dream.

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!