Burt's Bees Lip Conditioning Treatments

I absolutely love Burt's Bees, there is an incredible story behind the brand which you can find here and there is an abundance of goodness when it comes to products.  New releases from Burt's Bees are always amazing and this time it is the turn of lip conditioning treatments.

 The one product I never expected from Burt's Bees are masks of any sort and yet there are sheet masks for the face and a Moisturising Lip Mas (£3.95).  Packaged inside a bright yellow sachet, this single use lip mask is designed to hydrate and nourish your lips. 

Using a blend of natural ingredients including Meadowfoam Seed and Almond Oils which both hydrate, nourish and moisturise. When I used my mask as part of a pamper day (which was divine) I loved how soothing the lip mask was when applied and how easy it was to use.  Once you have extracted it from the sachet, you simply place it over your lips, keeping your mouth closed and relax for around 5 minutes.  Once the 5 minutes is up, you remove it and I massaged in a little of the excess oils.  The mask isn't greasy or tacky when being used and it doesn't leave your lips feeling greasy either, instead, my lips felt so moisturised and it is definitely a mask I would purchase to use again. A perfect treat for those upcoming cold Winter days.

As part of the pampering routine, the first stage before using the mask was to use the conditioning lip scrub (£6.99).  I am a huge advocate of lip scrubs and think it is just as important to remove the dead and dry skin from your lips as it is the rest of your face and body. 

This scrub which using a blend of oils and exfoliating honey crystals to gently exfoliate the lips is so gentle yet so effective and removing dead and dry skin cells.  To use, you apply a generous amount to your lips and then in circular motions, you work the scrub around your lips, as you do so, whilst it isn't overly abrasive, you can feel it working against the skin to remove anything that is loose.  Perfect for using 2-3 times a week.

The final product within this little lip conditioning trip is the Overnight Lip Conditioning Treatment (£6.99) which is just divine.  I am an avid user of overnight balms and creams for my face and I do, every night, apply a lip balm or serum as part of my routine.

Using Ceramides which help to support your skin’s barrier and retain moisture for soft, smooth and healthy looking lips, this overnight treatment works to soothe and condition while you sleep and it is the perfect partner to the lip scrub. There is also the use of Jojoba and Sunflower Oils and it is lightly scented using Peppermint Oil. To use, you simply apply liberally before going to bed and leave it to work its magic overnight.  The formula is non-greasy and it does absorb itself slowly into the skin.  What I have found since using it, is that my lips have become less dry and whilst I will always use a lip balm, I love that I have a product that can give that extra bit of TLC when I need it and one that is 100% natural.

If your lips are in need of some TLC, then this trio of goodies from Burt's Bees are the perfect products for a lip pampering session.

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

Revlon PhotoReady Prep Set Refresh Mist Makeup Setting Spray

As far as I am concerned you can never have too many setting sprays in your stash and if it doesn't more than just set your makeup, then you are on to a winner. The high street is packed full of brands who have released their own setting sprays and whilst my favourite firmly sit with both touch in SOL and of course the cult classic Urban Decay, I am still open to trying others. Until a few weeks ago, I had no idea Revlon had their own version and admittedly, Revlon isn't a brand who features much on this blog, so when it arrived through my letterbox from Superdrug, I was keen to give it a try.

The Revlon PhotoReady Prep Set Refresh Mist comes in a 56ml bottle and is priced at £7.99 from Superdrug and whilst initially it sounds quite expensive for such a small bottle, I was prepared to give it a try and I also need a travel size option for going away for a few days and this one fits perfectly into my bag. 

Revlon state that this PhotoReady Mist is a multi-tasking product, something I am always championing and wanting to try, described as being a Triple Duty product in one spritz it works to :

• Prime: Hydrating formula infused with botanical fruit complex, leaves skin softer and smoother. Spray before applying makeup to create a smooth, even canvas.
• Set: Fine micro mist creates an invisible weightless veil on the skin to lock in makeup all day. Spray after application to set your freshly applied makeup look all day without fading or smudging.
• Refresh: Refreshing cucumber scent reawakens tired skin and senses. Reapply spray throughout the day to refresh your skin and maintain a perfected finish.”

This product has a really super fine mist that manages to evenly coat your face without leaving you feeling drenched or as though you have splashed your face with one.  The Cucumber scent is definitely noticeable, but in a nice refreshing way.

Having tried this Mist to my prime my skin, I didn't find it was as good as using an actual primer. I have combination/oily skin, so I need to use a primer which can cope with that. As a setting spray, I didn't find that this fared too badly, admittedly I have used it during some of the hottest weather we have had for some time, but it did set my makeup and it did last pretty well into the afternoon.  Then when it comes to refreshing, I think this is where the strengths lie with this product, especially in the Summer heat, that kick of cucumber is just divine, especially if you pop the mist into the fridge before using it, to add a little extra coolness.

Do you have a favourite setting spray?

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

Face Masking with Generation Clay

I have had a love/hate relationship with clay masks for years, there are some brands whose products literally just irritate my skin and make it sore to the touch and then there are other brands whose products I just absolutely love and so does my skin.

I love a good masking session and over the past few months, I have been getting to know a brand called Generation Clay. Hailing all the way from the other side of the world in Australia, Generation Clay described themselves as follows:

Australia: home to a mecca of untapped natural resources that help ingredients-conscious beauty consumers achieve a lit-from-within glow – sans makeup or Snapchat filters. Harnessing all-natural wonders of the skincare world – the outback's millennial pink kaolin clay, healing purple bentonite clay and impurity-purging white activated charcoal – along with supercharged straight-from-the-earth superheroes (including old man weed, desert lime and Kakadu plum) our trio of Generation ClayTM masks make the case for going Aussie, and au naturel, stronger than ever before.

With three clay masks in within their arsenal, it is hard to pick a favourite because each one does something different but here they are.

Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask 

Packed with locally sourced superfruit Davidson Plum, the Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask works to rejuvenate dull and tired skin while lightening dark circles and pigmentation.

Ingredients within this mask include Desert Lime, a thorny Australian citrus fruit that boosts hydration, assists with the absorption of antioxidants and increases collagen production. Then there are also two key ingredients:

• Bentonite Clay deep cleans 
• Aloe Vera soothes and reduces redness

What I love about each one of these masks, is as well as having very study packaging, which essentially means I've dropped the tubs many times over and have still managed to dent them, break them, crack or smash them, they also come with an accompanying brush which I personally find quite handy, though I do have a reusable spatula which I use to apply my masks anyway. With regular use, skin is left radiant, restored, and refined after using this mask.

Generation Clay Urban Defense Purifying Pink Australian Clay Mask

This mask is described as being 'An essential for city-dwelling skincare enthusiasts' which is most definitely me! Living in London, I am all too aware at just how polluted the air is and just how vile my skin looks after a day of being out and about.  

This Urban Defense Purifying Pink Australian Clay Mask works to protect the skin against free radical damage while at the same time drawing out impurities, toxins, and pollutants. It has ingredients which include Kakadu Plum which is an Australian superfruit packed with vitamin C and so it helps stimulate collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect against environmental aggressors and again the two key ingredients:

• Bentonite Clay deep cleans 
• Aloe Vera soothes and reduces redness

This mask is an absolute delight to use and for me, it is the one I use when I want something a little more soothing on my skin, which this one most definitely is and it smells divine too. 

Generation Clay Detoxifying Charcoal Clay Mask

This mask for me is the best of the three. It is formulated Detoxifying Charcoal Clay and within this Mask it works like a magnet to draw out dirt, toxins, and impurities. Perfect for those times when you just feel a double cleanse is not enough to give your skin that clean feeling.  

As well as Charcoal, this mask includes Witch Hazel helps reduce acne and minimize the appearance of pores, while Old Man Weed fights acne-causing bacteria to prevent breakouts and blackheads.   If you have ever tried a facemask which uses Charcoal, then you will know that they are incredible for literally removing all the 'guff' that really gets under the skin.  The first time I used this mask, I was expecting to have mass breakouts and spots everywhere and the end result was one spot on my chin which had been bubbling under the surface for a few days and it arrived and went within a few days.

With all of these masks, you are advised to apply an even layer to clean dry skin and then wait for the mask to tighten, it takes roughly 10-12 minutes for this happen and then using warm water, massage the mask in circular motions to remove before patting the skin dry.

These masks cost £36 each and you can find them on the Revolve website.

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

My [Secret] YouTube Life by Charlotte Seager

What if your favourite YouTuber's life was a lie?

What if you were the one to expose it?

Are the two lines of text which intrigued me about the novel My [Secret] YouTube Life, a book written by Charlotte Seager, a journalist who has worked on The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times. Her interest in YouTube began at the age of 14 whilst looking for a way to create the perfect eyeliner flick and more recently, the chance meeting with some YouTube stars gave her the idea for this book.

YouTuber LilyLoves has the most an amazing life: there is a rockstar boyfriend, an Insta-worthy London flat and a collection of beauty products that, thanks to a PO Box and some willing PR Companies is growing by the hour. Then we meet Melissa (known as Issa), her life is not as amazing as LilyLoves and dreaming of being her is the one thing that keeps Melissa going. As LilyLoves biggest fan, Melissa she spends hours each night watching her videos and liking her posts. Melissa wants that life for herself, only her follower numbers don't grow as quick as LilyLoves.

Throughout the book, we see issues such as confidence, idolisation, trolling, the news, the media, workload and also anxiety, stress, obsession, stalking, toxic relationships, mental health, friendships and so much more. With YouTube being a big part of a lot of lives, much more so now than it was when I was growing up, it is quite an insight into how life can be taken over and in doing so, each and every one of these issues playing its part.  It brings home just what an impact a YouTuber can have on someone's life with their perfect lives on screen, yet that perfect life can be so far moved from reality, as we see with Lily who struggles with life off screen, something which again, Charlotte covers exceptionally well and as a blogger, I often feel overwhelmed and for me it is a hobby, for others it is their life, their career, something we all probably forget occasionally.

As the book progresses, Melissa falls in with the popular, gets herself a boyfriend and with her, her social media followers increase with every new photo.  Then, Melissa discovers a crushing secret about Lily – the ultimate YouTube lie. Does she share Lily’s secret and crush her fame? Or will they both continue to live a lie – both online and offline?  You won't find the answer to that question here, but the book is available on Amazon for £7.49 here.

Below is a piece written by Charlotte on trolling and social media and the impact on self-esteem for the blogger tour which really makes you think!

“This is the reason men don’t find women like you attractive,” someone once tweeted me in response to saying I was a feminist online. It took me by surprise, but for most people getting comments like this on Twitter isn’t unusual. And certainly not at the worse end of the scale. I have heard of some people - particularly influencers or bloggers - receiving death threats and personal insults on social media on a regular basis.

As a young person growing up online, it’s easy to allow these type of comments to damage your confidence, but you mustn’t. The internet allows a lot of people to share their opinion, but with little accountability. Often people will fire off comments without thinking, in a burst of rage or with a half-formed opinion that they wouldn’t dare say in real life - so remember that the messages you see from ‘trolls’ don’t reflect what most people think. 

In my book, My [Secret] YouTube Life, there is a point in the story where both YouTuber LilyLoves and her biggest fan Melissa end up being trolled. At the time both characters feel like their world is crashing down - and it’s easy to feel like this when so much of our identity nowadays is tied up with social media.

My advice, if you ever find yourself being trolled, is not to lose perspective. And to not engage: step away from the screen. When I received a barrage of messages from people angry at me for tweeting about feminism, the first thing I wanted to do was type out an angry response. But instead I bit my tongue, logged out of Twitter and went out for a pre-booked lunch with my friends.

When I came back to the messages, I realised these people all wanted a response from me, and they wanted to upset me. The truth is that ‘troll’ messages are often from someone who hasn’t met you, and probably never will, so you have to try and rise above the criticism.

As I got on with my life, my anger quickly melted away, and after a couple of days I even felt sorry for the people who had gotten so angry over something so small I’d posted on Twitter. 

Online trolls want to get a rise from people: it’s no fun if they are ignored, and they’ll quickly move on to something else. So you mustn’t let their messages get to you. Remember the people who matter are those who love and support you in real life, not those who lurk behind usernames on the world wide web!

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