Dressing up with JD Williams

I am a bit predictable when it comes to clothing. I like black it is my comfort colour and every day for work, I will usually wear black trousers or a skirt with a black top and coloured cardigan or a colourful top and a black cardigan and my shoes are always black - see the theme?  Out of work, pretty similar when it comes to clothing, though at home I am always in lounge pants or leggings. I am a creature of habit.

So, when I was given the opportunity to choose a dress and some shoes/boots from JD Williams, I had decided that black could be a feature but not the entirety of my choices. So I started looking through the site making a shortlist of the dresses I really liked and I managed to get down to a list of three:

My final choice being the dress in the middle from Scarlett & Jo, it is called leaf floral tea dress which has a really beautiful all-over leaf print which I feel I can wear to the office or dress up for a night out. It falls just below the knee on me and with the short sleeves and rounded neck, it is perfect to be worn with or without a cardigan. The elasticated waist is really flattering and it is perfect to be styled with tights and boots or heels for a chic look. With that in mind, I also chose the following:

I have flat feet so high heels are a huge no-no for me, but these shoes are the perfect height and because I need wide fitting these heavenly soles shoes comes in an extra wide eee fit. They have been made using a combination of materials for the front and back parts of the shoe and they have what is referred to as the 'Ultimate Comfort 3 layer padding' to provide comfort all day thanks to the memory foam insert and latex foam under the foot. Priced at £30 they are an absolute bargain.

The sole diva buckle high leg boots also come in different sizes, particularly with the calves in mind, for the comfort fit. The boots have a side zip and feature a double buckle strap which adds a bit of character to these boots. The heel is almost flat and with a gold trim running around the sole of the boot, they are so comfortable and can be styled with so many outfits I might possibly live in them for the next few months.

And here they are:

What do you think to my choices?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Patience Bath Oil from Beatitude

One thing I look forward too after a long day in the office or a long working week is a nice hot, relaxing bath. A whole hour, maybe longer if the water stays warm, to me with a book, a brew and no interruptions.

Beatitude is a luxury aromatherapy brand that has been created by beauty therapist and aromatherapist Rebecca O’Connor. Launched in Scotland in 2011 is 100% natural with no parabens, no petrochemicals, no sulphates and no artificial colours or fragrances. Beatitude is the ultimate feel-good brand and represents a luxurious high-quality product that has consideration for the environment.

I was kindly sent Patience Bath Oil and in a word, it is incredible. The description reads:

"The hectic pace of modern life can place gruelling demands on your time, leaving you exhausted. When that happens, you need to renew your patience and your energy. Let our Patience Bath Oil release those knots, untangle the tensions of everyday aches, and detox your body with the therapeutic essential oils of Rosemary, Lavender, Ginger and Juniperberry".

So this pretty much describes how I envisage my bathtime to be and as soon as the oil comes into contact with the water and steam, the essential oils really come to life and stress just melts away. This is oil is made up 100% natural ingredients which include so many amazing essential oils such as:

• Rosemary is wonderful for clearing the mind and helping with mental fatigue as well as exhaustion.
• Lavender which has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves, helps to relieve tension and nervous exhaustion.
• Ginger oil is great for aches and pains
• Juniper can help calm the nerves, relieves anxiety, nervous tension and mental exhaustion.

If that isn't enough to tempt you in, there is also the use of the nourishing oils of Oat, Camellia and Peach Kernel. All together you have one amazing scented product.

To use, all you need is 1tsp of the oil which you disperse into running bath water and then sit back, relax, take in the aromas and you will feel just amazing when you get out of the bath. On the skin there is no greasiness, no signs of the oil having been on the skin, instead, all you have is soft, smooth and moistuised skin.

This bath oil costs £25 for 50ml which you can find right here, along with more information about the brand and other products from within the range.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

You Beauty - Beauty Sweethearts Edit

January seemed to drag on and on, so I was so glad when I got the email from You Beauty to alert me to the February box because it meant moving forward and getting closer to Spring. The February box is called the Beauty Sweetheart shortlist and it is an assortment of the latest hair, skin and make-up finds - all of which deliver speedy and noticeable results!

Inside this box are two treats and the first is a perfume sample from Jimmy Choo called L'Eau which is said to capture the scent of a delicious thirst-quenching hibiscus flower blended with barks, fruits and vibrant woods, to create a radiant feminine sensuality.

As a scent, it will please those who love fruity florals but with the added musky accent it is just absolutely stunning and I wasn't expecting to like it at all.

Sukin Detoxifying Clay Masque - Sukin is a brand that I am just getting to know and to see this masque in the box was really exciting. This is a clay based masque infused with Kale, Spirulina and Parsley to promote a clean, healthy and glowing complexion. Kale, Spirulina, Parsley and Chlorella offer a super green blend of detoxifying antioxidants and vitamins to promote healthy, youthful skin. Avocado and Baobab lock in moisture while Goji berry encourages a dewy complexion. 

Finally, there is a burst of Cranberry which provides an invigorating scent for refreshing the senses. Worth £11.95 you can find it here from Boots.

So impressed with those two treats, I then needed to select three more products and this is what I went for.

Transformulas Lip Volume - This is a product which has me totally intrigued and the description is as follows - A pain-free alternative to cosmetic surgery and collagen. Lip Volume is a clear gel serum that will plump, define and contour your lips, enhancing the moisture and their natural, rosy look with proven, long-lasting results. You can use it up to 3 times a day on its own or under your lipstick and the effects are noticeable immediately with full results after 30 days of treatment. 

What's more, as your lips increase in size, the stimulation of your own collagen synthesis will ensure they look absolutely natural!  So, I am intrigued enough to try it out and see what happens and if you feel the same, it is available here from FeelUnique for £29.95.

Sanctuary Foaming Micellar Cleaning Water - I have tried this before as I got in my advent calendar and I really liked it and so much so, I am glad to have it back again. 

Described as being as quick as a cleansing wipe but 50% more effective at removing foundation & 46% more effective at removing everyday grime, it uses soothing rose water & nourishing argan oil which when combined with micelles act like magnets to gently lift away make-up & impurities from the skin. Super gentle but incredibly effective at removing make-up & daily grime, skin is left feeling instantly clean, fresh and soothed. A 200ml bottle will cost just £8 and you can find it right here.

Oskia Skincare Renaissance Mask - This mask is again one I have tried but one I absolutely love and am happy to be able to use it again. Described as being a 'Nutri-active Brightening & Resurfacing Mask' it is packed with OSKIA trademark blend of beauty-boosting clinical nutrients and bio-actives such as MSM (Organic Sulphur), Vitamins and Minerals to increase cellular efficiency for a more youthful appearance. Natural Fruit Acids (AHAÉs) including Passion Fruit, Lemon, Grape and Pineapple exfoliates the skin by gently unbinding cells in the top layer of the epidermis to activate renewal. 

Papaya Enzymes cleanse the skin thoroughly and remove excess and tired skin cells to clear congested pores. Finally, it is also infused with Lactic Acid which reduces the appearance of fine lines and softens the skin whilst Swiss Garden Cress Liposomes leave the complexion perfectly balanced, even and bright by reducing melanin production. 

Now this mask is a real treat and one that you only need to use as and when you feel your skin needs it and the advice is no more than twice a week. I have found it to be non-irritating on my skin and after use, I just love how my skin feels. A full-size pot of this balm is priced at £49.50 and you can find it here from Cult Beauty.

So there you have the February You Beauty Box and I think there is an interesting mixture of products and I am happy with my choices at £8.95. What do you think?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Glossybox - February Edition

So January has been and gone and February, the month of love has arrived and the first beauty box through the door is the rather splendidly designed Glossybox, which leaves you in no doubt as to its theme.

The box has been created around the theme of love rather than specifically Valentines and it is about celebrating the ones you love, be that your squad, tribe, crew or whatever you choose to refer to them as. They are the ones who have your back, keep your secrets and of course come to your rescue when you need them.

Inside the box, there are five products and the one which jumps right out is a perfume called L'Eau de Rose.  Jeanne Arthes has spent 35 years working closely with master perfumers from Grasse, the centre of the perfume world and it is there that Jeanne has created many perfumes. L'Eau de Rose is described as being a wonderful modern reinvention, combining the classic scent with dreamy elegant and crisp notes.  

This perfume is undeniably rose scented there is sadly no further information on any of the other notes so I am unable to say anything else about how it should settle.  However, if you are a fan of floral scents and like the scent of Roses, then this is a nice scent and whilst it isn't the longest lasting perfume I own, it does smell of actual roses and isn't a synthetic scent.

Next, in the box, we have Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures Strength Restorer Balm! This hair mask is said to harness the hydrating properties of the beehive with Honey, Royal Jelly and Propolis to leave the hair feeling nourished and glossy. 

To be used after washing your hair, you squeeze out the excess water and smooth generous amounts over mid-lengths and ends. Leave on for between 1-5 minutes depending on your needs and then rinse. 

The Ciate Paint Pot in shade Iced Frappe follows and this is described as being the perfect nude, or nude coffee delight at the very least and the kind of shade that everyone should have in their stash.

The hue is said to flatter any skin tone and the coffee undertones beautifully warm and uplift your skin.  It has been a while now since I have used a non-gel nail polish so this one will get an outing during the summer months, right now I am still into my dark berry shades.

MeMeMe Beat the Blues liquid highlighter in shade Oyster Gold. This beauty is said to boost the radiance of a wintery complexion and is ideal for creating a youthful dewy finish thanks to its light reflecting pigments.  

You can use it on the brow and cheekbones to highlight or mix with your foundation for an all-over radiant look. 

The final item from the box is the Noir Eternee Youth Potion Face Scrub and using mineral-rich volcanic paste, this mask cleanses and purifies. Said to be enriched with anti-ageing ingredients, it plumps and smooths the skin.  On application, the once pink paste turns a deep shade of grey and gets to work removing impurities and dead skin cells.  It contains no nasties, is 90% natural and Vegan.  

I have used this already from the box because I was curious about the colour change and what I do like is how it is not at all abrasive, but you can feel the past working to remove all the dead and dry skin. 

So that was the February Glossybox and I don't think as a box it was too bad, all of the products included at ones that I have either used or will use and I absolutely love the face scrub.  If you are not a subscriber and are wanting to sign up (here), you can use the code GLOSSYLOVE and you will receive a free Emite Make Up Lip & Cheek Tint!  Next month subscribers will get to choose from one of four Sleek eye and cheek palettes, but you will have to be quick because you will only have 48 hours to make your choice!

The February ‘LOVE’ GLOSSYBOX is presented in a collector’s edition design and available for £10 (+P&P) throughout February 2017 from www.glossybox.co.uk while stock lasts. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise