Lumie Bodyclock Active 250

Like most people, I love it as the nights draw in. Getting home, closing the curtains and the world outside, candles lit and time to relax sets in. The problem for me comes with dark mornings. Ever since I was a child, I was brought up to believe that if it is dark outside it is bedtime, I’ve always hated cracks in the curtains where the light can shine through, but I can not adjust to getting up whilst it is dark outside.

Then Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 came into my life, a device I have read so much about but had never tried. A product which claims to wake you with a natural, gradually brightening light, helping you feel refreshed, alert and energised all day. The one problem I have is a dark morning doesn’t make me feel awake or alert and definitely not ready to tackle the day ahead.  So I opened the box, set it up and hoped for the best.

The Lumie has now been part of my life for just over 5 weeks and during that time I have used it for a few days, then haven’t used it, I have used it one day and then not the following, all in an experiment to see if it works for me and whether it makes those mornings any easier.

Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 Wake Up to Daylight Light is described as being a wake-up light which incorporates an FM radio and audio options. Once you have set it up, the alarm clock wakes you with a gradually brightening sunrise, so instead of being jolted from sleep by an alarm, the Bodyclock wakes you gradually and more effectively with brightening light. By the time you open your eyes, you're properly awake, alert and feeling ready for the day ahead. Experts claim that waking like this not only re-sets the internal clock that controls daily wake/sleep rhythm but it has been shown to boost mood, productivity and energy levels.  Then when you are ready for sleep, the right light can also help prepare your body for sleep and with the Lumie, the use of the fading sun and if you do need a little but extra help, this Lumie has additional sleep sounds; restful waves and white noise to mask background noise.

The Main features of the Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 include:

• 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute sunrise to wake naturally
• 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute sunset to wind down for bed
• FM radio with digital tuning
• Dawn chorus or rooster call sounds to enhance your sunrise
• White noise setting to mask sounds that might keep you awake
• Wave sounds to lull you to sleep
• Sunray effect
• Dimmable lighting for use as a bedside light
• Nightlight feature
• Snooze feature
• Security option to turn on the light randomly while you're away
• Back-ups: optional alarm beep, power failure back-up

What I love about the Lumie is that it has a range of wake-up options which allow you to choose how long you want your sunrise and whether or not you would like to use one of the audio features and there is quite the choice, one of which is a rooster, a sound that you are guaranteed not to miss but you can also set the FM radio to come on, which is my method of choice. The usefulness of the Lumie doesn’t stop there either, it also comes in handy if you have trouble drifting off to sleep. This model also features a slowly fading sunset option and the option to use two sleep sounds both of which should help you naturally relax and unwind ready for bed.

So has it worked for me? Admittedly I was sceptical. I have spent years having the most annoying ringtone I can find on my phone as my alarm in an effort to shock me awake and to start my day. Now, I love the gradualness of waking up at a more relaxing pace, instead of feeling out of sorts and miserable at the thought of getting out of bed. I also now instead have time, feel more alert and whilst laying in bed will always be something I enjoy doing, on a work day when I have to get up, doing so in a much less rushed and dreaded manner is the option for me.  

You can find this Lumie priced at around £95 in places like John Lewis, Amazon and even Boots.

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

The best catalogues for beauty products

Beauty products can be purchased through online catalogues. From your favourite mascara to a new lipliner, or other essentials you use daily, the right products will truly help you feel confident in your appearance, but can also help improve the appearance and health of your skin. For women who are shopping for beauty products, and want to buy the most reputable name brands, for less, these are a few catalogues to check out. 

Simplybe – Nail care, skin care, hydrating masks, and other cosmetics and skin care products you want to buy, can all be ordered through this online catalogue site. In addition to products such as makeup, you can also find skin care and beauty products, which are intended to help hydrate, replenish, rejuvenate, and help give your skin that natural glow. And, there are a number of anti-ageing product lines you can order through the catalogue as well, so your skin won’t only feel softer, it will look younger as well. 

Cult beauty – At this online catalogue site, women can find the “must have” cosmetic lines. You can find the best skin care products, anti-ageing solutions, masks, facial creams, body wash, hydrating formulas, and more. No matter what skin type you have (from dry to oily), or what problem you want to treat (dry skin, acne, etc.), there is a product available for you on this site. With great prices, top names, and a great reputation, you can’t go wrong when ordering skin care and beauty care products through this catalogue.

Clarins.co.uk – A third option for women (and men) to visit is Clarins. Here you will not only find beauty products like makeup, mascara, lip balm, lipstick, and eye-liner, you will also find natural, chemical free products as well. You can order hydrating body wash, ointments to treat skin conditions, you can find hydrating UV protected creams, and other products which will help revive the brilliance and glow of your skin naturally. And, as they are all natural, you do not have to worry about harsh dyes, chemicals, or additives, to the products you apply to your face and body on a daily basis. 

Kiehls – Kiehls.co.uk is a natural skin-care line, which has been producing and manufacturing their own line of skincare, beauty products, and anti-ageing solutions for nearly two centuries now. The company carries an extensive line of products, produces their own product line, and guarantees natural, quality skin care lines, for an affordable price. 

Treating dry and oily skin, finding a new mascara or skin balm, or finding the perfect anti-ageing solution doesn’t have to be difficult. Even for those who want all natural, chemical-free products, you can find them with the right online catalogue. There are loads of online catalogues which offer beauty products. If you would like to view some more catalogues then justcatalogues.co.uk is a great place to start. For those who want to order skin care and beauty products online, these are a few leading sites to find just what you are looking for. And, best of all, you can find the most affordable pricing for your favourite brands and products, when you choose to order through these catalogues as well. 

*this post contains a paid for link/PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Soap & Glory Fizz-A-Ball

What could be better than a bath full of fizz and bubbles and the joy of Soap and Glory?

Both of them coming together to create an incredible bath bomb perhaps? Correct, that is exactly what has happened and if you stalk your local Boots or look on like there are three to choose from - I grabbed them all.

We’re bubbling over with excitement about our trio of effervescent bath bombs. FIZZ-A-BALL™ is a super-relaxing unbelievably fun treat that bubbles away on contact with water.

Now I love my bath time, my hour and a half escape from the world to immerse myself into a tub of hot water and forget about life. When I am stressed, feeling a bit blue or under the weather, I am at my happiest being in the water and as my Starsign (Cancerian) is associated with water, this is not too much of a surprise.

As I have said there are three Bath Bombs within the collection

• ORIGINAL PINK™ - This is the signature scent of rose and bergamot and it is said to be used for pure pampering and it is pink and white in colour.  If you are a fan of Hand Food, Righteous Butter and products within that range, then you will love this.

• SUGAR CRUSH™ - sweet lime zest and it is described as being 'a revitalising fling with the ultimate zing' and it is green and pink in colour.  If you like the Sugar Crush range from Soap and Glory then this is the one for you, I happen to think this is the best of all three Fizz-a-Ball bath bombs.

• SMOOTHIE STAR™ - Described as being a 'good-enough-to-eat treat in sweet vanilla musk for relaxation' it is yellow and pink in colour and the sweetest scent of the three. Again if you are familiar with the Smoothie Star range which contains products such as Whipped Cream Shower Butter, Breakfast Body Scrub or even Rich and Foamous, then this will be the one for you.

As with all bath bombs, they work best if there are a few inches of warm to hot water in the bath before you chuck them in and you can savour each one by cutting them in half so you get more for your money.  Personally, I just chuck them into the water whole and as soon as they come into contact with one another the fizzing starts but for me, that was where the excitement ended. 

The bath bomb I couldn't wait to try was Sugar Crush, it is my absolute favourite Soap & Glory scent and  I was expecting to have a bathroom that was scented with those same scents I have come to know and love, but I didn't. I didn't get a hint of anything at all and nor was there a bubble in sight, just glittery coloured orange water. 

Size wise they are similar to Butterball from Lush, so they fit into the palm of your hand. Once into the water there is a slight foam which appears but it soon disappears and behind I was left with lovely orange water which as you can see is full of glitter.  Thankfully the glitter doesn't transfer onto the skin, it also doesn't cling to the bath, it just floats about in the water.  I am just sad I didn't get the scent I was hoping for.  I still have the other two within the range to try but each Fizz-A-Ball bath bomb is priced at £4 each they are currently on a 3 for 2 offer right HERE.

Have you tried these bath bombs from Soap & Glory?

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

Alpha-H Three Piece Liquid Gold Complexion Renewal Trilogy - TSV ALERT WITH MASSIVE SAVINGS

I absolutely love Alpha-H as a brand, something you might have noticed if you read my blog and whenever there is a new product on the horizon, it is always something to be excited about. 

Exclusively on QVC today, infact right now, you can see this amazing TSV (here) which features three incredibly sized products for less than £40 - RUN!

This targeted collection combines nature and science with state of the art peptides and next generation fruit acids to resurface, refine and renew the appearance of your skin.

So what does it feature? As I have said, there are three products which come together to create quite the skin care package and starting with:

Balancing Cleanser 200ml – This is a creamy cleansing lotion which is free from dying detergents and SLS's, what I really, really like about this cleanser is how good it is at removing absolutely every single trace of makeup that is on your face, even those pesky waterproof mascaras are not escaping this cleanser. 

Enriched with aloe vera to condition and soothe alongside vitamin E to hydrate and neutralise free radicals, after using my skin feels cleansed and smooth but there is no sign of the dry taut feeling that leaves you wanting to dose your skin in as much moisturiser as possible. Priced at £25.

Liquid Gold 200ml Supersize – Now as you might have noticed, Liquid Gold has had itself a bit of a make over and has a new look.  

Quite possibly the most known product in the Alpha-H line up, Liquid Gold. Described as being a powerful firming serum, this works like an 'overnight facial' to tighten and revitalise tired, ageing skin and radically improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, open pores and acne prone skin conditions. Liquorice helps combat acne and hyper-pigmentation, whilst Glycolic Acid (derived from sugar cane), jump-starts the skin's metabolism - refining its texture by dissolving the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, so they're sloughed away with your morning cleanse to reveal a more luminous, glowing complexion. Priced at £46.95.

Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream 15ml – Described as being an advanced cosmeceutical eye treatment with quadruple peptide technology, a complex of seven skin brighteners, illuminating Diamond Powder and Lime Pearl, a new naturally-sourced AHA extracted from Caviar Lime found in the rainforests on the Australian East Coast. 

It uses a cool -touch metallic applicator to ensure you achieve spot on application and this also works to instantly refresh, smooth, cool and alleviate fatigue. I have only had this eye cream for a few days, so there will be a further post coming on it shortly, but once it launches it will retail for £52.

If you are an Alpha-H fan then you will have course heard of Tom. Well he has some top tips when it comes to using Alpha-H and I am sharing them with you today. 

If your skin is sensitive or if you have never used Glycolic products before then I recommend you add Liquid Gold gradually to your homecare routine, using the product 1-2 nights a week. You can even begin by applying Liquid Gold using a cotton pad, which has been dampened with a little warm water. Do this for the first couple of weeks and then graduate to applying the product using a dry cotton pad. 

• Use Liquid Gold on three alternate nights each week and use your favourite serums, facial oils or moisturisers the following evening.

 • Add Liquid Gold to any existing skincare routine to supercharge your results. Reducing the build-up of dead cells means that your other serums, masks and creams will penetrate more effectively. 

• I recommend you use a daily moisturiser with an SPF of at least factor 15 when using Glycolic products.

 • Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream makes a fantastic daily primer for eye shadow and under-eye concealer. 

• Keep your Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream in the fridge so it’s extra cooling and feels more tightening on the skin! 

• And here’s one for the guys! If you have coarse hair, stubble or other facial furniture you can forgo the cotton pad and dispense five drops of Liquid Gold into the palms of your hands, then simply pat the solution into the face and neck.

To get these three products with a combined value of just under £125 for less than £40 is an absolutely massive saving!

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