Urban Apothecary London Peony Rose Luxury Candle

Urban Apothecary London is a brand I have heard of, but not used a product from until now. British lifestyle brand Urban Apothecary is the brilliant brainchild of its founder Tajinder Banwait. Tajinder has over 10 years experience within the beauty industry and brings her extensive knowledge and creative flair to this innovative brand. A brand that is about enjoying luxury and indulgence everyday. Tajindr started Urban Apothecary from her kitchen table, something I am sure many of use dream of doing but never actually have given it a go. It is from this kitchen and table that she designed logos, sourced packaging and received hundreds of scent submissions. Everything received the same attention to detail until absolutely perfect. It was the search for just the right glass candle jar that marked the birth of the brand.

I was very kindly sent the Peony Rose Luxury Candle which is just stunning to look at, everything about it from the label, glass jar and lid screams luxury. This candle is from the miniature candle range of which there are eight different scents to choose from. They include Fig, Frangipan, Vanilla Flower, Plum Blossom, Mint Crème, Strawberries and cream, Violet Cassis and my very own Peony Rose.

Described as follows "Experience this full-bodied fragrance of 2 of nature’s most classic and beautiful flowers, synonymous with romance and happiness. Enjoy a sweet seduction of the senses with the heady scent of red roses and pink peonies lifted by an unexpected green apple note. With the addition of powdery white musks and soft, spicy amber, this alluring fragrance is elegant and feminine".

The first thing I noticed about this candle was that before the lid was even removed, the fresh scent of rose was really evident and then as the candle burns you can smell both the Peonies and the Roses, though for me the Roses are more dominant.  

This candle is 65g and has a burn time of around 17 hours, which is actually quite a long time.  Around 15 minutes after it has been lit, the scent lingers throughout the house, which compared to other candles is really quick.  After an hour, the scent is well and truly fragrant and you can extinguish the flame and still smell the fresh rose scent a few hours later.  For me the strength of the scent in this candle is similar to that of a wax tart.

I absolutely love the design of this candle, the glass jar is really solidly put together and it is quite weighty but delicate at the same time.  I have no doubts that when this candle come to the end of its life, I will use the jar for something else, quite what that something else will be I do not know, but it would be such a shame to not use it because it is so stunning.

A candle of this size costs just £13 and if you fancy something a little bigger then there are plenty to choose from right HERE.  As well as candles you can find Reed Diffusers and plenty of other gift offerings.

From Nail Care to Shopping Nirvana

When searching on the Internet for a product or a range of products that you want to check out, there is a way to do this that can save you a lot of money. Let’s say that you want to look at nail care and you want to buy something in this range. Instead of going to Google and typing in the keyword, go to VoucherBin.co.uk and type in “nail care” and you will get a selection of sites that you can visit and save money by using the coupon code provided.

VoucherBin is a site that offers discounts from virtually all of the major UK retail stores. You should really check this out before you buy anything online as you will be amazed at not only the selection that you have, but also the amount of savings that can be made. If you look at this site Feelunique you will end up spending ages just browsing through the selection that is presented to you. They have everything that you could ever wish for from a Beauty store, from fragrances, makeup, nails, skin care etc.

The nail care section is extremely comprehensive and you will be able to get everything that you were looking for from Feelunique and also saved yourself some money into the bargain. The amount of false nails available was mind blowing. The manufacturers included L’Oreal, ncLA, Elegant Touch and a host of others.

By looking at the main menu on these sites you will be pleasantly surprised to see the amount of stores and retailers that are offering discounts. High Street names like Debenhams, Bonmarche, BHS, La Redoute etc. were all there amongst a myriad of others. Your shopping experience will never be the same once you get used to using a voucher site to get all your needs.

The other advantage of this is that you will find a great many retailers that you have not heard of previously. You will have tremendous fun just browsing through the retailers that are new to you and discovering lots of items that will be useful in the future. When looking for gifts, you can return to this site to get lots of ideas.

The advent of voucher codes is not new, and many people search out these codes prior to making a purchase. However, having a site where there are so many stores offering bargains is not only a good way to save money, it will save a tremendous amount of time in looking for individual vouchers and bargains.

In future, make voucher sites your one stop shop when searching online. You will not only have more choice that you could ever need, but you can get some great bargains that would not have been available had you gone directly to the retailers site via Google. When it is time for Christmas to come round again, you will be spoiled for choice. You cannot top this for convenience and enabling you to save money as well.

**Guestpost

Capital Hair and Beauty

 I am all for championing UK grown businesses on my blog and indeed I have featured one or two in my time. Today's honour is bestowed upon Capital Hair and Beauty who began their journey some 60 years ago as a scissor sharpening company based in Brighton, East Sussex.  Today they have gone on to became the UK's largest independent supplier to Hairdressers, Beauty Therapists and Nail Technicians with over 34 cash & carry stores throughout the UK and Ireland.

The company for me has a really fascinating history, back in 1954, the scissor sharpening service used push bikes to deliver their service, not using a courier service as you might use today or indeed a Boris bike for those of you who live in London.  Throughout the 60s and 70s the business grew and self-service trade counters began to appear, then fast forward to the 1980s and there is the very first cash and carry wholesale outlet in Hayes, Middlesex.  Today with stores and distribution warehouses expanding rapidly, we hit the year 2004 to see Capital’s first eCommerce website which was later launched and in 2005.  It was at this point they started providing training courses to encourage customers to pick up new skills and broaden expertise, plus give them a chance to meet new people in the business and share tips!  Now the website has a mobile version of the website and most interestingly of all, a blog and a step into the ever growing and rapidly changing universe of social media.

I know a few of my readers are beauticians in many different forms and this website has everything I can think of for running your own business.  Whether you need a barbers chair, styling units or even a nail station, which look super handy for make-up storage, this site covers it all and at amazing prices, I somehow expected to see chairs costing a lot more than they do, my own office chair is three times the price of one of these and it isn't that comfortable - I wonder if I can trade!

Furniture aside and there is a huge lost of products for sale with every brand you can think of from Tigi, American Crew, Babyliss, Fudge, L'Oreal and Schwarzkopf to name just a few of them.  As this is a wholesale site you can only imagine some of the bargains to be had and if you do run your own company, are just starting out or have been thinking about starting out, then Capital Hair and Beauty is more than worth checking out.


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Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm

MeruMaya is a brand I have read a lot about and not tried until I selected it as one of my choices in my January You Beauty Discovery Box.  Since then, I have pretty much used it every day, if not every other day, that is how much I love it.  Cleansing Balms are something new to me, I know a lot of people rave about Emma Hardie and it is on my wishlist, but it has to be seriously amazing to replace this product.

The tube I have is 30ml, so it has lasted over a month which is quite impressive and I still have just under half a tube left to use before it runs out.  The claims are at "The Melting Cleansing Balm claims to efficaciously removes all traces of make up and grime and leaves the skin feeling velvety soft".  I am delighted this balm comes in a tube too, makes it much easier to use.

Merumaya recommends that you massage the balm on to dry skin and you really only need a small blob because as sayings go, a little goes a long way. In the tube, the balm looks every bit like you would expect a balm to look, it is thicker than your average Micellar water and thinner in texture than a face mask.  Once you begin to massage the balm onto your face, it immediately begins to melt and as you massage it in, you can see your mascara, foundation and other products on your face simply melt along with dirt and grime from your day.  After massaging, you add water and for a another minute or two, further massage your face and you will notice that the balm now becomes like a cleansing milk, it is at this point that I grab a clean Muslin cloth to wipe my face clean.  Afterwards my skin feels absolutely amazing, soft and smooth to the touch, clean and incredibly moisturised, all in what is effectively less than 5 minutes of my time. 

I absolutely love the scent of this balm which adds to the number of reasons why I love it already. It has three main active ingredients which are:

• RevitElix™ is Echium oil providing Omega 3, 6 & 9 to reduce lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity and participate in barrier repair. It helps rebuild the hydro lipid film as the skins surface and is also anti-irritant.
• Sucragel™ which contains Sweet Almond Oil and acts as a ‘wash on’ moisturiser and leaves a velvety finish while thoroughly cleansing
• Mangosteen Fruit Extract which is rich in vitamins and polyphenols providing anti-oxidant protection

All of those ingredients, plus a few others come together to leave your skin feeling soft, clean, hydrated and as though it can breathe. As you can see, not only is this a great budget friendly cleansing balm that doesn't strip the skin, it feels luxurious and works so effectively at what it is meant to do, what more could you want? I would happily try everything else in the range.

If you are looking for a new Cleansing Balm and haven't yet tried this one, I cannot recommend Merumaya enough, it is a complete bargain at £15.50 for 100ml. 

Look Fantastic Beauty Box - February Edition

I have been getting the Look Fantastic box for the last few months and it has all been detailed on my blog if you would like to see previous boxes. For just £15 a month you get such great quality products that for me, this is one of the best subscription boxes that there is out there. The January Box last month was amazing, there was nothing I disliked or wouldn't use, so for me February had a lot to live up to! 

This is what I found in my box:

The first product nestled inside the February is a 25ml bottle of the Moroccanoil Treatment which is worth £13.45.  I am a huge fan of these products because it is great at eliminating any frizz and detangling any knots especially when you are on holiday.  Whenever I go away, I always ensure I have a bottle of this in my bag because it is just amazing and you only need to use such a small amount. This oil also helps to provide long-term conditioning and added shine.

Next up is this cute little 10ml sample tube of the Dr. PawPaw Multipurpose Soothing Balm worth around £2.50. The balm is a multipurpose balm which means it can be used on your lips, hair and skin and it is made in the UK from a variety of natural ingredients including Pawpaw, Olive Oil and Aloe Vera Oil which, blended together, create a multi-purpose formula for you to carry around at all times thanks to the handy little tube.

The next product is a 50ml bottle of Korres Citrus Little Body Milk which has a value of around £2.50. I am a huge fan of Korres products but have never tried a moisturising body milk, so I am really delighted to see this in my box.  This Body Milk is enriched with vitamins, trace elements and essential skin energy boosting agents along with a combination of almond oil, active aloe, b5 and shea butter for long-lasting hydration. This citrus scent smells quite fresh and because the milk is such a lightweight consistency it absorbs really quickly leaving behind soft moistursed skin.

The next product is this tiny 17g Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar which has a value of around £5.50. It is described as being 'Iconic' it is a cleansing bar that removes impurities and exfoliates the skin for soft, smooth skin. The soap is 97% natural and contains therapeutic dead sea mud to dramatically improve the overall quality of your skin.  It has three different roles - exfoliates to remove dead skin cells for more radiant skin, it stimulates to improve circulation and motivate natural skin regeneration and finally it cleanses to makeup and grime without stripping the skin of natural oils. I love the sound of this soap and wish the sample was much bigger so I could give it a really good try.  That said, I am going away for a long weekend in a few weeks and will take it with me to try.

My next item is a 20ml bottle of MONU Illuminating Primer which is worth £11. This Primer has an SPF of 15 and has a paraben free formula that acts as a base for makeup. It is said to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes to create a lasting radiant glow.  I have used tis product before and was sat on the fence as to whether or not I liked it, the consistency is really nice though to me it is more of a moisturiser than a primer because it is so hydrating, so I am more than willing to try it again to see if my opinion changes.

The last product in the box is a full sized Bellapiere Cosmetics Lip Liner in shade Cinnamon worth £16. Sadly this isn't a shade I would use as it is too dark and too brown for me which is a shame because when I swatched it on my hand, it simply glided onto my skin with no effort and is so smooth.  Bellapierre lip liner pencils provide a finished look for a beautiful pout. Available in 4 shades (Natural, Nude, Cinnamon and Truly Red) they are made from 100% pure mineral pigments, all natural botanical waxes such as jojoba, safflower, and vitamin E creating waterproof wear so you never have to worry about re-applying after eating or drinking.

So that was the February Box.  I don't think it is as good as the January Bo which I absolutely loved, but I do think this box was full of great products that I am going to really enjoy using. I love that these boxes include a nice range of products from well known and high end brands and that the sizes are really generous on the whole, especially when it only costs £15!  If you like the look of this box you can purchase your own here.

Purrfect Box - January

For those of you who are regular readers of my blog, will know that I (and the mister) have three cats, my fur kids and they have become big fans of the Purrfectbox, it is as though they know that the bright pink box is for them as soon as it arrives.

The Purrfect box costs £19 inc. delivery and is a monthly subscription box.  Each month there is a different theme and in each box you get a selection of top quality toys, treats, grooming tools, food and training products for your cat.  Furthermore, your box is custom made just for your pet(s) because you complete a short proforma detailing your pet's age, breed and fur type. 

So in my posession is the January box and the cats have already been in it and helped themselves, but the contents are amazing and they include:

• 1x Clean wipes from sanicat - Sanicat Cat Cleaning Wipes are a convenient way of cleaning your cat without having to get them in the bath. This also comes in handy for those kittens who haven’t quite got the hang of cleaning themselves yet, however cannot stand the bath. The wipes include a moisturising and antiseptic extract of aloe vera & they also contain lanolin for rapid absorption and conditioning effect. Cat wipes are hypoallergenic & pH neutral (5.5) making them ideal for the most sensitive parts of the skin. So never fear again for a mucky kitty.

• 1x Fish &1x horse toy - My cats always go totally crazy for products like this within the box.  This feathery fishy with its elastic band will have your pet cat chasing for hours on end. Accompanied with the horse toy, which, best of all for your pussycat, makes a rustling sound, which kitties seem to go mad for! 

• 1x 100% Natural foods from scheshir (tin and pouch) - The 100% natural foods from Schesir does exactly what it says on the tin (literally) – featuring in our January monthly subscription box in Tuna flavour, this seems to go down a treat with the kitties of the UK. Schesir Natural Cat Dinners are a nutritious complete food for cats, containing all the vitamins and minerals required for a long and healthy life, as it is filled with carefully selected ingredients making it a refined and delicate speciality food for cats. They are extremely palatable and contain only the highest quality ingredients – of course, as your pussycat only deserves the best! 

• 1x Scratching post from wasabycat - The cat needs to scratch and it’s better to do it on a scratching post than on a tablecloth! If there is a must-have item when you have a cat at home, it is the scratching post! To prevent your kitty from damaging the cloth during a picnic in the countryside, we suggest the scratching post manufactured by Wasabycat in France. It is made entirely from natural materials and wood support is PEFC certified. Sheet set with sisal scratch on wood planks are extremely strong to withstand the claws of your cat! 

• 1x Kitty treats from zolux - These treats are great for reducing your cats hair balls, including the necessary amounts of fibre to stimulate intestinal transit and reduces the amount of fur ball shedding 

The box also contained a mini magazine called Purr notes and inside you can read about the box itself to a cute DIY tutorial for giving treats to your cat which I actually want to try and Purrfectbox contributes financial aid towards the protection of these animals by supporting associations who provide these dogs with better living conditions, you can see more about that right here:

My cats have absolutely loved this box especially all of those toys and treats and they also love playing with the box once it had been emptied the contents, so it is like double the fun for them, though only one of then can fit in it at any one time.

What do you think of the Purrfectbox?

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

A little disclaimer before this review gets underway - I am not the biggest fan of The Body Shop, many of you will have seen me make that point on many occasions. The reason being is that I once had a very rude assistant in a store who belittled me so much for raising asking a question about a product that I decided that was the end for me and The Body Shop and never again have I set foot in a store or bought a single product - in TEN years! Oh yes, I can hold a grudge and nothing has tempted me back, especially when an apology was never given or offered when I complained about how I was treated.

 When I was offered the chance to try the Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleep Mask**, I did explain my feelings towards the brand, but was assured I was still wanted to try it and who knows, maybe this could be the product to restore my faith in them - a huge task if ever there was one and the mask soon arrived and nervousness set in.

Like most people, I love a good face mask, I use one at least once a week and like to have several in my bathroom so that I can swap and change as I feel the need and on some occasions, I use more than one mask for different issues. This mask however is not one of those, this is designed to be used as you sleep, products like this I absolutely love, especially from Origins and Superdrug. For the time being, they have been put to one side so that I could use this one and this I have been doing for the last 3 weeks.

So okay I confess, I absolutely love this mask, there I said it, I love it (that's twice now). From the little accompanying spatula to the mask itself, it is love. Knowing I had this mask to try, I have read one or two reviews about it to see what other people thought and there are some mixed reviews out there, some people love it and others really don't like it. I love it.

The first thing about this mask is its texture, it is weird. You open the tub and inside is what I can only compare to a Panna Cotta, it wibbles and it wobbles and if you poke it and press on it, it bounced back into shape.

To use, you need the enclosed spatula to scoop a spatula-end sized amount out and then putting it onto the palms of your hands, let it melt before massaging it into your face, just as you would do any other cream that you apply before going to sleep, the difference with this cream is that it is cooling on the skin and feels absolutely delightful. Once on the skin it doesn't absorb straightaway, something that really confused me to begin with because that is what I had half expected it to do, what it does do is leave a thin film on your face which to start with feels quite tacky to the touch. It does eventually absorb itself into the skin and my advice would be to apply it around half an hour before going to bed to sleep and by that time, it should have almost disappeared. The tacky feeling that I mentioned isn't unpleasant in the slightest and you do get used to it after using the product a few times.

The following morning you wash your face as you would usually do and I was really surprised to see how soft and smooth my skin was, even though I use and have used a lot of other products before, never has my skin felt like this, it looks so healthy, there are no dry patched and most of all my skin just feels so hydrated.

The secret behind this mask is Edelweiss plant stem cells. Edelweiss is said to thrive in the harshest of conditions high in the Alps. The Edelweiss stem cells are then carefully extracted to deliver potent skin cell renewing properties, which will help your skin feel plumper and smoother in the morning. 

I honestly cannot rave about this mask enough, it is just so good and if you like the sound of it then Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask is sold in a 90g tub and costs £22 and is available from The Body Shop and is worth every single penny.

50 Shades of Grey Valentines with Superdrug

Superdrug have gone all out for Valentines Day with their 50 Shades of Grey gift section. There is something for everyone, so whether you are wild and extroverted between the sheets or a little more reserved this range urges you not to be shy! Taking inspiration from the book, the 50 Shades collection is everything you imagined it to be and more from Grey feather ticklers, blindfolds and even a few more naughty items, it is worth having a look.

Amongst all of the items available, there were three that really caught my eye, well actually a lot more than three, but as this is a family friendly blog, I am sticking to these three products to share with you.

The first is Fifty Shades of Grey Sensual Touch Massage Oil.  Described as being a rich and indulgent.  A sweet sensation is a sensual bath oil infused with bergamot, sandalwood and musk which if you are a fan of the novels like me, you will know is Christian's signature scent.  It combines a skin-softening formula complemented by sunflower and jojoba oil to offer a luxurious and skin-nourishing bath time treat.





Fifty Shades Of Grey Massage Me Candle - "Light your Fifty Shades of Grey candle to fill the air with Christian Grey's intoxicating scent and set the scene for a night of sensual caresses" is the description and it is enriched with coconut oil and jojoba which to me sounds just amazing.  It can be used as  Massage Me can be used as both an aromatic candle or a massage oil.   It is said to be rich, indulgent and moisturising, leaving your skin feeling nourished and smelling quite delicious. I like the idea of using it as a massage oil and to use that you simply spoon the warm melted wax onto the skin and massage using your hands.

You can't really have a collection like this without something so well-known from the books can you? So here is the Fifty Shades Of Grey Christians Tie.  Again the description is "let the fantasy become a reality with Christian Grey's Tie" and if you have read the books, you will know why of its importance.  This tie is made from luxurious silver and grey quilting, it's a soft and versatile accessory that can be enjoyed both in and out of the bedroom!

So there you have it, if you are not going out to see the film, you can create your own Fifty Shades moments in your own bedroom!

John Frieda The Big Reveal! #Hairrevolution

You may have seen in THIS post that I gave you a little John Frieda Hair Care teaser! Well today is the day of the big reveal and you can see what product is being released exclusively here!  See the video below!

 

Do you think this is a product you are likely to want to buy and try? If so, you can find it right here!

GOSH SS15 Collection

Last week, I was invited along to the GOSH Cosmetics SS15 Collection preview which is released today, Wednesday 11th February. I am a huge fan of GOSH, some of their products are just amazing, Prime 'n' Set for example is just a brilliant setting powder which was released almost a year ago.  So, this is what GOSH have to offer you with their new releases.

Primer Plus+ Hydration - This is a brand new hydrating primer with uses Snow Algae to safeguard and protect the skin cells and it also acts as an anti-ageing ingredient which is traditionally found in snowy alpine regions and it is an ingredient I am beginning to hear more and more about, so I am guessing it is going to be pretty important. This primer also gives skin cells a new lease of life and blurs out imperfections and preps the skin for smooth make up application and that flawless porcelain-perfect skin. RRP. £13.99

GOSH Nail Lacquers - Available in seven new shades, all on-trend with a nice mix of nudes, pastels and a couple of bolder tones.  The shades shown below from left to right are Sea Foam, Snow White, Apple Bloom and French Dream. They have a brand new wide brush which makes for an easier application and the formula is fast drying to ensure you get that flawless, high shine manicure. RRP. £3.99.



No Limit Mascara - I absolutely love mascara and am always excited to try something new.  This mascara from GOSH is designed to add extra dimension and drama to your lashes.  It has what is referred to as a soft vortex brush with reservoir bristles which ensures you not only get a lot of volume but it also adds length. Similarly to other products on the market, on one side you will see that there are some slightly shorter bristles and these are good for capturing the smaller inner and bottom lashes. This mascara is both Perfume and paraben-free formula plus smudge-proof. RRP £7.49.

Forever Lipshine - Now these are amazing products, whenever there is a new GOSH launch, there is always one product which stands out and for me it is these.  I love lip pencils and crayons and have amassed quite a collection, but I am chuffed to be adding these.  Available in 10 shades, there is something for everyone.  Designed as a twist up lipstick, the colour is applied to your lips in just one stroke and they are are really nice rich pigment not to mention incredible smooth when applied.   I was lucky enough to be given five of these amazing products, shown below with swatches. RRP £6.99.

Swatched Left to right show Fluffy Feeling, My Valentine, Magic Monday, Spring Fling, Sweet moments

Eyelight Trio - There are 4 different eyelight trio shadows in this launch and they all containing one highlighter shade to light up the eye, one glitter shade to give a great colour intensity and one satin shade to add depth and contour. These 3 different textures allow for creating that perfect smokey eye. The trio palettes shown below are Vanilla Sky and Fairytale. RRP £6.99.

Xtreme Liquid Gel eyeliner - These are really quite exciting products from GOSH and even though I haven't yet quite got the hang of liquid liner, I couldn't wait to swatch them. The waterproof gel formula is perfume and paraben free, dries instantly and is both smudge resistant and waterproof! They are also available in an array of amazign shades, 9 in total and here they are with swatches.  RRP. £5.99.

From left to right - Silver, Royal Blue, Turquoise, Lavender, Bronze and Gun Metal

From Left to right - Black Night, Bronze and Black

This is such a brilliant launch from GOSH, there is more than something for everyone and everything is so pocket friendly priced that it is worth buying some of the products to try them out.  

Are you a GOSH Fan? Do any of these products take your fancy?