Lush Oxford Street Store Grand Opening

In just a few weeks time Lush will be celebrating their 20th birthday and now with over 900 stores in 49 countries, I was honoured to be invited to see the brand new store here in London on the well known Oxford Street last week. This store is the new flagship store and it is spread over 3 floors which I am told equates to 9500 sq ft but essentially what it is behind all of that is an adults playground.

The moment I stepped inside my eyes didn't know where to look first, there was colour and products jumping out from me in every angle and the urge not to grab and basket and run the gauntlet was a tough one and I did manage to contain myself.  I was one of the lucky people who got to have a personal tour of the store with Mark Constantine, Co-founder and Managing Director at Lush and this is one seriously amazing man whose eyes sparkle every time he got to show us a particular product.  I loved how down to earth and approachable and you could just tell how much the Lush brand meant to him.

As I have said, the new Lush store is spread over three floors.  In the basement you will find Gorilla Perfume & the Gorilla Perfume Gallery alongside Skincare, Massage, the amazing Lush Spa and down here you will also find information about Music and I saw some Lush candles too!  The Spa experience in itself sounds heavenly and whilst I have done a tour of the one on The Kings Road, ive not experienced any of the treatments.  The one treatment I do love the sound of and it is one Mark loves is a new treatment called 'The Planets' - definitely one to look up!

The Ground floor where you enter from the high street has everything you can think of - Hair, Make-up, Skincare, Soaps, Shower products and Mouth care products all of which you can break down into smaller sections to include Bath Ballistics, Bubble Bars, Bath Oils, Shower Gels, Shampoo, Facemasks and so on... all of those products you love from Lush are right here.

The final floor is known as the first floor and it is where the gift sets can be found.  This is where my eyes were drawn to the brightest, boldest and shout out loud packaging I have ever seen.  I just wanted to run up to the shelves and open all the boxes, literally there is something for everyone, every occasion and in all shapes and sizes and if I had to pick one, I would struggle.

I spent a good two hours looking around the store going up and down the stairs and it is just amazing. When I said it was like a playground for adults I meant it.  One of the things that really stands out in this store is that you can try as many products out as you want to before buying them.  The staff are on hand to demonstrate anything you would like to see, but they are not pushy or persuasive in anyway which is really nice and I love the laid back feel as you wonder around in awe of everything whilst being able to touch, sniff and test to your hearts content.

One fact did I found out whilst on my visit was that there are over 200 new products, yes 200... to try and whilst most of them are exclusive to this store, there is plans afoot to roll them out to every other Lush store over the next 18 months and some are shown below.  

Throughout the whole of my time at the Lush store there was a few products that I just couldn't wait to get my hands on and those of you who follow me on Instagram will have no doubt seen my excitement about these two:

Yes the Comforter which you might recognise as a Bubble Bar and my favourite bath product from Lush is now in liquid form and I gasped when I saw it because it smells exactly like the Bubble Bar and it is just stunning and secondly The Flamingo, those of you familiar with the Star Wand from Christmas will understand how these work.  There is a further post coming later this week about my Lush haul, well it would have been rude not too.

If you do go to this store, the one thing you must do is use the lift, it is amazing and im saying no more on it!

Summer Handbags

I am sure I am not the only person who changes my handbags with the seasons right? I do, more so because for work, I like to be able to chop and change, I carry more in the winter than I do in the summer oddly.  

With that in mind, i've been looking at handbags for the Summer (hopefully the Mister isn't reading this) and there are a few that I have got my eye on and they range in style, range and colour:

Summer Handbags by beautyqueenuk 

Top Left is BeckSöndergaard pink handbag which retails at £57and is from Asos.com

Top Right is Red Dune Handbag which costs £55 and is from Asos.com

The Middle handbag is by Ted Baker and it retails at £149 from Selfridges

Bottom Left is a Salmon-pink Dune Handbag which retails at £75 from Asos.com

Bottom Right is the Cath Kidston blue handbag which you can find in John Lewis for around £30

The first thing I do before I purchase anything online is look around for money off coupons, discount codes, offers and whether or not I can purchase items through sites such as Quidco.   It really is worth looking around to see if you can find something, or even ask on Twitter because it is amazing how many ways there is to save money or even get cash back on some of your purchases.  Over the last year I have managed to save myself over £500 with shopping around and using sites like Quidco and discount vouchers.

The bags featured above are from ASOS, Selfridges, John Lewis and of course Cath Kidston and because in the summer I am not so brave when it comes to wearing brightly coloured clothes, I instead opt for brightly coloured accessories which may include handbags, purses, cardigans and necklaces and beads.

Do you choose handbags based on each season? Do you have a summer bag already picked out?

Lily & Lotty Jewellery

When a piece of jewellery captures your attention, you can guarantee it will also capture that of its recipient.  If you are looking for that one special item for a loved one, Lily & Lotty will have it covered.

Lily & Lotty is an award-winning family jewellery company which is based in South Devon. Carole and Gordon Stock have over 30 years of experience within the jewellery industry and their inspiration behind the brand stems from their three daughters.  Passionate about jewellery, you will find pieces that are inspired by family, nature and art and is crafted from 925 sterling silver, rhodium coated and hand set with a real diamond accent.  

The jewellery collection really does have something for every occasion, whether it is a romantic gesture, gift, wedding, birthday, for the bridesmaids, Holy Communion or just because, you will find the suitable item right in front of your eyes with a range of necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings.

I was kindly sent an item from the collection to review on Beautyqueenuk and I have to say, as beautiful as it looked on screen, when it arrived, it was and is even more beautiful to see. The packaging is simply divine, when you get an item that has such beautiful and striking outer packaging, something where upon which you can tell a lot of thought has gone into how something will look from the very first glance.  When it arrives, it comes beautifully presented in Lily and Lotty signature packaging which includes luxury pouch, gift box, jewellery cleaning cloth and gift bag.

So what did I choose?  The Adelaide silver and diamond heart necklace which is simply divine. Featuring a silver and diamond double heart with real diamond accents, it is laid upon a beautiful chain which measures 18/20 inches and doesn't detract from the beautiful hearts.  What I love about this necklace is that the two hearts are two different designs with one sitting slightly angled and this is what gathers the focus and attention.

As the pendant is silver, it can be accessorized so easily with so many outfits and for so many occasions.  I have worn mine on three separate occasions now, one was to the wedding of a close friend, then I had a blogger event and finally just for a catch up with friends on a night out and each time it was born I had questions as to where I got it from.

You can find Lily & Lotty Jewellery on Jewelstreet which is an amazing online marketplace with has over 300 boutiques exhibiting a myriad of styles, materials and designs from all over the world and you will find that perfect gift in no time.

As for this pendant, I think it would make a stunning gift for your mum, sister, niece, god-daughter or close friend and even if this is not the sort of jewellery you would buy or wear, there are so many other beautiful pieces to choose from, that I am sure like me, you will struggle to choose something.

L'Occitane Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Eau de Toilette

L'Occitane is a brand I am really enjoying the discovery of. It is a brand I have come across and only used (and loved) the hand-creams of, so to try other products has been an absolute dream.

So let me introduce you to Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Eau de toilette, a perfume which I have worn a lot since it came into my possession and one that I have had many compliments on and people wanting to know what it is that I am wearing that leaves a trail behind me.  Now I don't bathe in this perfume, I spritz my pressure points, as I would do any other perfume and I am done.  

It uses extracts of blue Iris from Grasse, which is a small town in the South of France, with it comes the blend of white iris from the Mediterranean which is said to bring about an unexpected but intense fragrance. 

Inside this stunning packaging, which comprises of a gold and purple box is an even more stunning bottle which is designed in the same way and being made of recyclable glass, it is everything you would want to see from L'Occitane.

The description of this perfume is:

"La Collection de Grasse celebrates the fragrant know-how of this French Provençal town by bringing together precious raw materials from close and distant lands".

For me, this scent is like nothing else I own, it is quite fruity and floral whilst at the same time managing to be quite what I can best describe as being smokey. It uses the fresh fruity top notes of citruses and blackcurrant alongside a powdery floral heart of iris and ylang-ylang. Then finally we have white musk and dry accents cedar which is where that smokiness comes from and for me, it is a scent that is just pretty.

Available now, Iris Blue & Iris Blanc retails at £52 for a 75ml bottle and again, if you are looking for something a little bit special for that female in your life, L'Occitane does not disappoint.

Shoes Glorious Shoes!

The Fit Flop is quite possibly the comfiest shoe I have ever owned.  I never imagined I would be saying that about what is essentially a flip flop and my hatred of feet, but I absolutely love the pair I have had for the last 6 years, now they have totally worn away and I am in need of something new or a simple replacement. For those of you who have never heard of them, I have done a post about mine HERE.  

So I did a Google search and was not surprised to find that many brands have released what is essentially their own version of the 'Fit Flop', can you tell the difference between them?

The Flip Flops shown above come from Fit Flop, F&F at Tesco and the other from Sketchers and looking at them, they all have similarities in common.

The top option is the Bijou Fit Flop from Fit Flop in Patent Leather and what I love about this shoe is the jewel in the middle which makes them totally different to any other show I own and perfect for every outfit. They retail at £60.

The Second option is from Sketchers and what I love about this shoe is the criss cross strap and cut-out wedge heel which gives it a little different look and they cost just £39 which makes them a real bargain.

So the final option are from Tesco, the F&F Active range. At a cost of £12 they are the cheapest of the bunch. They feature a memory foam insock for better fit, support and comfort.

So now I am left with a quandary, do I buy another pair of Fit Flops because I know what I am getting and love my old ones so much, or, do I try something new?

Titanbet - Could it be Your name Called?

One of my first ever jobs while still studying was calling Bingo every weekend at Gala. It was one of the best jobs ever, I even had my own music, to let regular players at the Bingo hall know that I was coming up to call the numbers. It was almost infectious watching the look of joy on the faces of people who had won, and sometimes won big. Bingo loving runs in my family, my Grandma played right up until the day she died, like me, loving the thrill of the game. She claimed it kept her mentally alert and was always obsessed with numbers and before the invention of electronic bingo, would be able to do 12 tickets at any one time using just a biro.

Years and years passed and then recently my friend and I started to play regularly, however due to her own childcare commitments we can’t go and play as often as we would like to, so when I get bored, every now and again I’ll have a bit of a play online, nothing quite like a Bingo Party. Now there are lots of sites around where you can play bingo online but personally I have registered with Titanbet Bingo, mainly because of the excellent new player offer of depositing £10 and receiving a £40 bonus (£20 bonus to play on bingo and £20 on the huge range of other games they have available) to boost my account balance.

With a great welcome bonus for new players I was really excited about trying out the site - it’s additional appeal was how clean and clear the website is. Looking at competitors it can be confusing what to click, where to play and what is on offer. With the Titanbet website everything is explained in plain English, the terms and conditions of offers could not be clearer and finding a bingo room to play in just could not be easier.  My Favourite room to play in is the Rainbow Riches room, anyone who has a flutter on fruit machines will have no doubt heard the cheery tones of the Leprechaun can hear him calling the numbers and announcing the winners which also makes me chuckle, one day he will hopefully be calling my name!

While I have had lots of luck playing bingo in person at a bingo hall, my experience of playing online is pretty much the same. I still get the shaky hand when getting close to winning, my heart beats that little bit faster and there is certainly a surge in adrenaline. Thankfully playing at home, it means you don’t have to shout ‘House’ and a room full of people turn to look at you, it is much more dignified, though I do still shout.

Would I recommend Titanbet? Of course, if bingo is your thing then you should take a peek at the Titanbet website. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Gambling can be addictive, and if you think your own gambling is getting out of control or it just isn’t fun for you any longer and you can’t stop then you should visit Gamble Aware, where you can be pointed in the right direction for help.

*sp

She Who Dares Perfume

I am a huge fan of perfume and whenever I am asked if I would like to try something new, I always jump at the chance. She Who Dares, very kindly sent me two of their fragrances Eminence and Dalliance.

Who are She Who Dares? She Who Dares has a vision is to see women of every age being recognised, acknowledged and celebrated for doing great things. The She Who Dares range offers the perfect gift for mums, sisters, grandmothers, friends, aunties, nieces, girlfriends, daughters and wives. Inspirational women deserve to be honoured, and at She Who Dares they aspire to do just that. Their goal is to become a brand where recognition blossoms, and one that is timeless throughout the ages. In 2009 Rachel Lowe (developer and creator) was awarded an MBE from the Queen for her services to business. This achievement ultimately inspired her luxury brand that would celebrate remarkable women: She Who Dares. The brand ethos – ‘Never give up, nothing is impossible’, is a symbolic statement for everything she has accomplished.

The first thing I love about these perfumes is the bottle, both similar in style, an almost teardrop shade with a lid that most definitely captures your attention, the one on Dalliance being white and Eminence being Red.

Eminence is described as being a scent that "will capture your confidence and your femininity, a beautiful fresh floral scent with a seductive base that is soft and sensuous, perfect for every-day wear". As a scent it is most definitely a fresh floral note that captures your attention and is one favoured by those who asked to choose between the two.  Using top notes of bergamot and pink peppercorn, at the heart sits a glamorous bouquet with rose, peony, forget me not and lily of the valley and a base of sandalwood, soft musk and sensuous patchouli, it makes for a really lovely scent.

Dalliance on the other hand was my personal favourite of the two.  Described as being a scent which is "Timeless, elegant and bold, dalliance is a sexy and dynamic evening scent, helping celebrate the most special moments in life". From the two scents, for me, this one if more feminine and possibly because it uses a mix of both fruit and floral to capture your attention. Using the tropical white flower notes of jasmine, tuberose and magnolia which are then entwined with luscious ripe pears before resting on a sensual musky base.

So whilst I prefer Dalliance, it is Eminence that lasted longer as the scent on my skin for 7 hours, pretty much the whole day at work.  Eminence was a good 5-6 hours but most definitely needed to be re-applied before leaving to go home.

Overall both are really lovely scents and costing around £32 for 50ml they are more than reasonably priced and definitely something to look out for.

Michael Kors Aviator Sunglasses

Some love it, some hate it, I am in the 'love it' declaration when it comes to TK Maxx. For me it is is one of those places where you can walk in and immediately want everything you see or want nothing at all, there is never an inbetween. My local TK Maxx isn't one of the biggest London stores, but it does have a decent sized handbag, beauty and candle section - what more could I want as a blogger!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine had asked me to go and look in my local store for a toy she had seen for her son, it was out of stock locally for her and she wanted to see if I could find it. After a few minutes in the store, sidetracked by the new handbag selection, I was walking past the sunglasses section and happened to stumble upon these Michael Kors aviator sunglasses. I tried them on, wasn't too sure, but they did come with a free case and cloth, so I walked around the store, found the toy that was needed along with a few other pieces and tried on the sunglasses one last time. What I hadn't noticed at the time was the price tag, it hadn't even occurred to me to actually look but I am glad I did because instead of costing £120, they had actually been reduced to £19.99, total and utter bargain, whats more is that when I took them to the till to be scanned, they were priced at just £9.99, error or not, that is what I paid!

I am not the best wearer of sunglasses, I always lose them, sit on them, drop them or leave them to rattle around my handbag, so I have owned quite a few pairs. This pair are absolutely stunning, they have a really beautiful rose gold finish and with the lens colour being a slightly brown/amber shade they are perfect for not only shielding the sun from your eyes, but are also offer 100% UV protection.  The nose pads are adjustable and the Michael Kors lettering is very discreet in the corner of one lens. 

I absolutely love these sunglasses, they are comfortable to wear, they look stylish and were the best bargain I have probably ever found in TK Maxx! 

Have you bought anything from TK Maxx lately?

The Library of Fragrance - Unique Fragrances

The Library of Fragrance collection has over 300 unique fragrances, of which 101 of these are available in the UK via their own website plus a selection of favourites available exclusively at Boots. A few months ago I reviewed the Jasmine Scent which I just loved, so the opportunity to try two further scents was something I jumped at.

The two scents are Baby Powder (Female) and Thunderstorm (Male) and they arrived in these amazing tubed bottles. 

As soon as a I spritzed Baby Powder the first thought to hit my mind was Johnson and Johnsons Baby Powder, which I absolutely love the scent of and honestly, it is an exact replica of that scent. The science behind the scent states that some people find the aroma to be calming and I absolutely do agree with it, whether it is due to the emotions it is evokes or memories it brings to life, as a scent it is just lovely and it lasts for a good 5-6 hours on the skin once applied. 

Thunderstorm which is for the men is quite an earthy scent which is said to capture the electricity and raindrops of a summer storm. On the very first spritz, the first thing that sprung to mind was wet grass during the rain and then as it began to settle, it reminded me of the smell you get just before a storm begins, as the rain starts to fall and that first clap of thunder rumbles in the sky. Then once the scent has settled, the smell in the air that is left after the storm is what I can then sense from this scent, it is truly amazing.  Whilst possibly not a scent I can see my other half wanting to wear, what I do love to do is use it for is to clear the air in a room after it has been quite stifling hot, the scent for me brings about a coolness in the air.

The Library of Fragrance is for me just fascinating, if ever you are in your local Boots store and havent tried one of these scents, then do, seriously, they are just so clever and they smell so good.  They have really opened my eyes to trying some a little bit new, a little bit quirky and I am so intrigued by how some of those scents smell, I feel the need to spritz them all, just to check!

The perfumes have no artificial colours, binders, emulsifiers and are phthalates and paraben free. The alcohol used in the scents is naturally fermented from corn.

Have you tried any colognes from The Library of Fragrance? What's your favourites?

You Beauty Discovery Box - April

This months You Beauty Discovery Box is titled 'Organic and Natural' and champions the best that nature has to offer. This month the list to choose from was again amazing and again I was chuffed to find two products listed that I have heard of, never tried and have wanted to try for some time and this is my box:

As always with the You Beauty Box, there are two treats. The first being a sachet of Yours Truly Organics Fix Me! Repairing Serum. Designed to smooth, repair and tighten your skin, the range is formulated with innovative active ingredientssourced from around the world to specifically reduce inflammation and combat oily t-zones. Sourcing only the best natural and organic solutions proven to reduce oiliness and inflammation, the products deliver soft and beautiful skin.

The second treat Linwoods – Milled Flaxseed Cocoa & Berries which says I could add it to a yoghrt, smoothie, cereal or when I am baking muffins or pancakes to enjoy the luxurious taste of Cocoa knowing you are fortifying your diet with extra Vitamins, Minerals and Nutrients! This delicious blend of milled flaxseed, cocoa and berries is a good source of Iron, Zinc, Dietary Fibre and Antioxidants.

Then onto my choices. I was absolutely delighted to see Heaven Skincare offering three different options. Anyone who reads my blog will know that I cannot highly recommend the Bee Venom Mask enough, it is truly amazing and the fabulous Deborah Mitchell is such a wonderful person, supported by the wonderful Donna (who is also a blogger) I have been really lucky and honoured to try a few products from the range. That said, I was chuffed to be able to choose the Chamomile desensitising hydrogel which is designed to calm and soothe.This treatment toner contains chamomile and azulene for their antiallergenic, desensitising and anti-inflammatory properties. 

The unusual properties mean that this toner is not only safe for sensitive skins but actually helps to normalise them. This is something I am really looking forward to trying and if you have never tried a product from the Heaven skincare range, you should, they are amazing!

The second choice for me was the Scentered Sleep Balm because I was curious. Sleep Well Therapy Balm offers powerful, pocket-friendly support to catch up on sleep, something that is quite tricky to do in our busy lives.

It’s fair to say that most of us don’t get enough sleep and rest. It’s time to allow the essential oils packed in this pocket-sized therapy balm soothe your mind and body to get a good night’s sleep.Relax and prepare for a great night's sleep with a sophisticated floral lavender blend that harnesses the therapeutic benefits of fourteen different essential oils, including Lavender, Chamomile, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang and Ho Wood.

A rich, nourishing balm, which feels a bit like a Chapstick, has a unique blend of moringa and shea butters that won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, whilst ensuring long lasting therapeutic fragrance delivery.  As a 100% natural product which is perfect for carrying around in your luggage if you are away from home. It is also perfect for those suffering disrupted sleep due to an over-active mind, the Sleep Well range clears the head, quietens the mind and relaxes the body, making it an ideal part of any bedtime ritual, as well as a great travel companion when sleeping away from home.

 So this months April Box for me is absolutely amazing value for money yet again, a further two products that I intend to use.

What do you think to this box?  Do you subscribe to You Beauty?

Teaface | Your Tea

Those who read this blog regularly will know that I am a huge fan of odd sounding products, essential oils and put the two together and I am almost hyperventilating with excitement. So when Teaface landed in my lap, I wasn't too sure what to make of it. 

Ive read many articles which claim tea is great for the skin and I have been known to use tea bags in my bath, okay so I don't just chuck in some Tetley and hope for the best, these have been specially designed for bathing purposes and my skin has always reacted really well to it.

Described as being indulgence in a jar, Teaface is a mix of Tiny Tea granules which are then combined with healing high grade essential oils. Rosehip Oil which is full of essential fatty acids and Omega 3, 6 and 9 and is renowned for its moisturising abilities especially on skin which is need of some deep hydration. Jojoba Oil which is said to dissolve sebum that clogs up pores. Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, which as a beauty blogger, you will know it is amazing for the skin. Ylang Ylang Oil which is often used to moderate oily skin calm blemishes, tackle premature ageing and stimulate new skin cell growth.  Then of course TinyTea granules. These granules are said to alleviate hot/irritated skin, as well as to act as a soft yet effective exfoliate for the skin. Putting all of that together and you have a product which is designed for

• gently exfoliating & revitalising skin
• deeply nourishing skin
• healing scars
• addressing uneven skin tone
• glowing complexion

When it comes to using this product, you firstly need to cleanse your skin to remove any dirt, grime and makeup.  Then you need a teaspoon full of the mixture which you then slather onto your face, massaging it in circular motions. As you do this, you can feel the tiny particles working on the skin, not in a harsh or abrasive manner, but just enough to know that it is working. 

After you have finished exfoliating, you can leave TeaFace on your skin to sink in for up to an hour before washing it off. I have used this a few times now and I am yet to find an easy to way to use it because it is quite runny due to the oils and you do need to ensure either shake it or stir it before using. The easiest way ive found to use it is by using an old make-up brush when applying to my face, it seems to make the least mess and it ensures I get a pretty even coverage.  As you can see it isn't the prettiest of products and it does look and feel like soaking wet tea granules, but in its defense, it not only smells incredible it left my skin feeling so incredibly soft and smooth and really hydrated.

Teaface is not tested on animals and because of its ingredients, once you opened, you should store it in the fridge where it will stay fresh for up to 1 year. It gets a huge thumbs up from me, it does what it says it will do and whilst being slightly messy, I am more than happy to continue to use it on my face, especially when my skin feels really dry and indeed of hydration.

Have you tried Teaface?