Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipsticks

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Makeup Revolution 2nd Birthday Party at Cafe De Paris, here in London and what an amazing night it was. What I love about Makeup Revolution is that there is seemingly no end to the creative talents from the team, from which, they are able to offer amazing products at highstreet prices.  These products rival some of the biggest brands out there and have shown that you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to fill your makeup bag.

I have the full collection of Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipsticks to showcase today and they cost just £3 each! Seriously, £3 for a lipstick which not only looks stunning, it has a great pigment to it too and from this range, I am sure everyone will find at least one shade they love. Again, with Rose Gold still being the 'in thing' currently, it might just be that must have item you need in your bag!

There are five shades within this collection and I really like the formula. Not only are they so creamy that they glide onto the lips, they are also incredibly pigmented and they don't stick to dry bits on your lips! Each lipstick has a brilliant name, to work with its colour and they are:

Red Carpet: Now red lipsticks scare me, I have very pale skin and I am convinced it is not a shade that I can pull off.  This is a stunning shade of red and I am yet to give it a try, but from the swatch, shown below both with and without a flash, you can see how amazing it is. 

Diamond Life: This is an amazing shade and one I have worn on many occasions.  It looks as though it is going to be a really deep purple shade, but in comparison to Private Members Club, it is much lighter. 

Chauffeur: This is a very wearable browny nude shade which is perfect for those days when you want a bit of colour but nothing to bright.  It is quite a cool toned shade, so it works well with my lips, it doesn't give me that foundation lip look that other nudes have given. 

Girls Best Friend: This shade is the perfect pink for those who like their bright pink lipsticks.  Though it does absolutely nothing for me and isn't a shade I can pull off, it is just beautiful and I am sad I have to love it from afar.

The final shade is Private Members Club and this is another stunning shade and for me is a favourite alongside Diamond Life.  When I took it out of the bullet, I actually thought it was going to be black until I swatched it, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a very dark purple shade. 

So there you have five stunning, Rose Gold designed lipsticks in five very different shades.  Do you have a favourite?

My Current Make Up Bag + win with Farfetch

Every now and again I like to do a bit of a shake up as to what is in my make-up bag, particularly the one I either carry in my hand bag or the one I keep at work. As it has been a long time since I have shared my current make up bag on my blog and I have a few new bits I am a tad obsessed with, I have done a mixture of the two make up bags I have to show you the most used items along with some items I would really like to add to it.

So my two make up bags are quite old and I do need ones.  But the Gorjuss bag I just adore and it is a lot roomier than it looks.  It is this make up bag that is always in my handbag.  The second one features a cats face and this is one I have in my drawer at work and it is by Jellycat.

I am quite surprised at how much 'stuff' I have between these two bags currently, though there does seem to be a product for everything and a variety of brands including Benefit, Essence, Models Own, GOSH, Barry M, Real Techniques, By Terry, Balmi, Kiko, Sleek, Dior, Tom Ford, TweezerIt, Travelo and Primark PS range.

I am obsessed with the By Terry Light Expert Click brush which I have featured here because it is just so easy to use and is essentially two products in one.  I like the finish and it works well with my Benefit powder foundation, which I have in shade Champagne.  Primers are another obsession and I flit between Porefessional and Make Up Revolution Face Base, both of which do an amazing job.  License to Blot, again by Benefit is an absolute life saver for those shiny moments and I adore this mini.  I also have my colour correcting crayons from Primark which do a better job than the Max Factor versions.  When it comes to lipstick, I usually have more than two in my bag at all times and currently Kiko, Dior and Tom Ford are all getting an outing but I keep my lips moisturished and nourished with this Balmi lip balm.  Models Own Nude Palette is the perfect size for carrying around and I love all the shades, easy to use and wear.  Essence is a brand I am on a path of discovery with and currently this powder palette I use as a bronzer and it works really well with Sugar Bomb or my almost depleted Sleek Rose Gold Blush.

If every given the chance to add to my make up collection, there is a whole host of products that I have on a wishlist for Space.NK and when Farfetch got in touch to tell me that not only are they proud to announce the launch of its new Beauty section, with newly signed boutique Space NK Apothecary, they are also hosting a competition giving you the chance to win a £250 Farfetch voucher and to enter all you need to is go to Farfetch.com, choose the best items from the skincare, haircare, make up and male grooming products and post your choices on your blog along with a picture of your makeup bag before March 13 and this is my wishlist.

Now this is an amazing range of products and every single one just sounds amazing. Hourglass is a brand I have read so much about, some mixed reviews but mainly rave reviews and the palette contains five richly pigmented shades in a range of finishes from matte to shimmer. Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder is a product I also bought a few weeks ago and it is just an amazing Shimmer powder in Candlelight. Apply to the forehead, cheeks, temples, chin or decollete. There are two products from Becca on this list and it is one of those brands I really just want to try everything of. The nude palette contains 5 neutral shadow shades that work to brighten the eyes and again, in sleek packaging, it just screams buy me, you need me. The second Becca product is the Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Moonstone and the only thing I ca say is that it is just stunning, I saw it at the QVC Bash I went to a few weeks ago and just love it. The EveLom Sheer Radiance Translucent Powder is one I have swatched in Space NK and I really liked how it felt on the skin, plus it is like a dual use product with a brush. By Terry is another brand I am a huge fan of and this Hyaluronic Hydra Primer comes with big claims that make me want to try it to see if it is as amazing as it sounds. Described as being a smoothing, plumping primer that improves skin tone and texture with its matte finish. This line-erasing, wrinkle-filling primer firms and plumps the skin whilst delivering translucent coverage for a silken finish. When a mascara is priced at £60 it must do something a little more than coat them with colour right? Well this one by Chantecaille is called Faux Cils Mascara Longest Lash and it claims that after 2 weeks of use, Sympeptide17 helps stimulate lash growth by 25 percent for naturally longer lashes, so this, I need to see. The final two products within my wishlist are lip products. I am currently obsessed with the GOSH lip oils and have been using the one I have ever since I got it, but this Hourglass version not only looks stunning and has a funky applicator it has a formula which blends 14 essential oils, 10 plant oils and 4 vitamins with three powerful active ingredients to nurture, hydrate and regenerate the delicate lip area. Then we have lipstick, an obsession that I fear will never end. Lipstick Queen is a brand I am familiar with and have two lipsticks from. This lipstick, called Rose Sinner, is a stunning rose shade and has been on my list for a while.

What would be on your wishlist right now?

Laser Hair Removal - Is it for you?

So Spring has (apparently) arrived and the weather will soon start to turn warm, so bye bye thick black chunky tights, denim skirt and chunky knit sweaters that I have lived in for the last 5 months or so will find themselves at the back of the wardrobe once again, That said, out will come the pretty skirts and dresses that I prefer to wear and with that is the constant checking that my legs are no comparison to that of a gorilla.

One of my closest friends had laser hair removal a few years ago and she said it the best money she has ever spent, having carefully worked out how much it costs for razors, shaving gel and anything else she used and compared it to the cost of laser treatment. So it is something I have looked into and there are so many options to choose from and so many places to choose to go to for the treatment and then the decision as to whether or not it is really for you. One thing I was concerned about was whether it would be as painful as waxing, which lets face it, is not pleasant and in actual fact, my friend Sarah compared it to being like a flick of an elastic band at its most painful.

When debating whether or not Laser Hair Removal is for you, the infographic shown below is actually really helpful and it also gives some food for thought as to whether or not it would actually work for you.

At this stage I am still undecided as to whether or not laser hair removal is for me and I still have quite a few documents to read and look through, but it has helped having a friend who has had it done.

Is Laser Hair Removal something you have had done or have considered having done?

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Dolce Dreams Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub

Most people will have heard of Fake Bake and associate it with fake tan, but there is more to the brand than just that. Dolce Dreams is part of the Fake Bake Beauty at Home range where you will find Skincare, Make Up, Bath and Body, Gifts and Home. Dolce Dreams is described as being the home of decadent treats and with products called Bon Bon Body Fizz, Lemon Meringue Body Whip and Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub.  As a company synonymous with fake tanning, ensuring that your bosy is scrubbed, buffed and polished is obviously important, so what better way than to invent their own products to do just that.

I have just finished by tub of Dolce Dreams Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub and it is just divine, more so if you happen to love both coconut and macaroons. Scented with coconut and blended with natural sugar, this scrub smells deliciously sweet and with the use of natural sugar, it has quite a rough texture to it which makes it really effective at exfoliating and buffing the skin to remove, dead, dry and rough skin and with a a bit of pressure when using, it really does help remove the toughest of dry skin, such as that on your heels, elbows and for me, my shins.

Once you have showered or bathed, whichever is your preference, you should find that your skin is looking and feeling amazing.  Soft and smooth to the touch, moisturised and looking much brighter than it was.  Of course, if you are a fake tan fan, you should then have no trouble applying it, because there is no dry skin for it to stick too.  Even if you dont fake tan, the scent of the scrub on your skin afterwards is simply divine especially if like me, you love all things coconut, though there is a slight hint of Macaroons too.

You can buy the scrub along with a whole range of Fake Bake Beauty at Home products here for £14.00

You Beauty Box - Best of British

In the wake of London’s epic Fashion Week and coinciding beautifully with what is hoped will be the imminent arrival of spring this Month's You Beauty Box is aptly named 'Our Best of British' with a selection of the team at You Beauty's favourite home-grown brands, flying the flag for the British beauty and skincare industry. 

The treats this month come from Charles Worthington and Oooharr.  Charles Worthington, as a brand, I feel I should know more about, so I am pleased to have a product in m box. Moisture Seal Hair Healer is a lightweight, but deeply nourishing, leave-in gel-creme. The ingredients include Argan Oil which my hair loves, so I am looking forward to giving this a try.

The second product is two facemasks from ohharr, whom I have never come across before.  Rosie Glow is a rejuvenating deep cleansing face mask which is just packed full of amazing ingredients such as Natural and Bentonite Clay to draw out impurities, helping unclog pores and absorb excess oil, clearing congested skin and can help to tighten fine lines and wrinkles. Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Dead Sea Salts, Marula Oil and Sunflower oil plus many more. The second mask is the Dead Sea Cooler mask and this one uses a delicious cocktail of Peppermint, Teatree and Witch Hazel for a bright, clear complexion, combined with Dead Sea Salts to open pores, detoxify skin and draw out impurities. I love the retro packaging on these facemasks and cannot wait to give them a try.  Both masks retail for around £1.20 online.

This month there was an amazing array of products to chose from and from brands that I adore - Amie, Bee Good and Nude to name a few. However, rather than opt for products I have used before, I decided to try something new and this is what I chose.

Nanshy 4-in-1 makeup sponge - I am yet to try anything from the Nanshy range and ive heard so many good things about this blending sponge that I thought I would give it a try. It can be used with Liquid make-ups, cream make-ups, mineral-based and wet-dry powders and even cream blushes! It is also said to brighten your complexion and create buildable airbrush-like coverage, hide imperfections and achieve the smoothest finish imaginable. What I love that also within the box is a little card which details how you use the sponge, such a great idea for a novice like me.  This sponge retails for around £5.95 online.

My second choice of item is from The Bodyshop and it is their British Rose Instant Glow Body Butter.  I adore anything scented of roses and havent come across this as yet, so I thought it would be nice to try it. The description for this body butter is as follows "Indulge in dewy hydration with glow-enhancing Body Butter. Beautifully pearlescent, this velvety-soft moisturiser is light to the touch but rich on moisture giving you an instant all-over healthy glow and petal-soft skin that’s hydrated for 24 hours. The roses are 100% organically grown in an environmental farm in Herefordshire".  As soon as you remove the lid, the scent of fresh roses is undeniably present, similar to getting a bunch of the freshest roses, the scent is just stunning.  On the skin, it is lightweight, it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling intensely moisturised, nourishing and soft to the touch.

From this, I also learnt that The Body Shop hand-pick, air-dry and then infuse the roses in the freshest mountain water to give an exceptional quality rose essence subtly-scenting your skin all day and this year The Body Shop celebrates its 40th anniversary!  

For a box which celebrates the best of British, I think the products are amazing. I am really happy with my selection and for the bargain price of just £6.95 it is more than worth the money I paid for it.

Kiss The Moon Calm After Dark Balm

Kiss The Moon is a brand I became aware of via a beauty box about a year ago and since that introduction, I have become an avid fan. Based in North Yorkshire, they are a tea who are obsessed with and have a passion for helping people have a good nights sleep. All of the products aim to get you into the right frame of mind for sleep and, at the same time, provide your skin with the nutrients it needs as it repairs itself overnight. To do that, pure essential oils have been grown and harvested for their therapeutic benefits and keeping everything 100% natural, so there are no parabens, no harsh chemicals and no artificial perfumes.  

I was kindly sent the Calm After Dark Balm, which arrived so beautifully gift wrapped that I didn't want to open it. Inside, the balm, was again beautifully wrapped and I was intrigued to find out more about it.  

The description of this balm reads:

Wide awake and need to sleep? Try applying your favorite Kiss the Moon After Dark Balm to your wrists and temples. The relaxing essential oils have been hand-chosen to sooth the soul and ease the mind so you can drift peacefully off to sleep.

Well you might notice a theme on the blog this week with a few posts dedicated to getting a good nights sleep and this Balm fits right in with those posts. Using the essential oils of 

• Jasmine - A precious oil absolute from flowers picked at night when their warm, relaxing aromas are at their most potent.  As an essential oil, Jasmine has properties to promote relaxation as well as reducing tension, stress and nervousness.
• Roman Chamomile - One of the gentlest oils of all. Known for its ability to calm the senses and soothe dry or irritated skin. It also helps with insomnia.
• Ylang Ylang - An exotic flower from the South Sea islands with the power to relax and rebalance.  It also helps with nervous tension and stress while having a calming effect.
• Sandalwood - Prized for its beautiful scent and its ability to balance skin’s natural oil production. As an essential oil and in a product such as this, it is known as being a relaxing oil which has a harmonising and calming effect, helps to reduce tension, stress, nervous exhaustion and anxiety.

There is also the inclusion of Shea Butter and White Tea Seed Oil to give you a little touch of relaxation whenever you need it most.

To use, all you need to do is rub your finger along the top of the balm, using your body's natural temperature, it melts the balm slightly and then all you need to do is simply massage it into your pulse points. By doing this, the essential oils work to quieten your mind and help you drift off to sleep. I do find this balm incredibly relaxing and it does smell just simply divine, once applied to my pulse points, around 30 minutes before I go to bed, I am beginning to yawn within 10 minutes or so and once in bed, I drift off pretty quickly without tossing and turning.

Kiss the Moon is such a beautiful brand and one which is worth looking into, if sleep is not your friend.  There are also other products to devour in three other blends - Love, Glow and Dream.

Holland And Barrett 'Seven Day Sleep Challenge'

I used to think I had a regular sleeping pattern, turns out I actually don't and having done a sleep study through the local hospital, instead of getting what I assumed was 7-8 hours sleep a night, I actually get 4-5 hours of what is called 'good sleep'. Having turned down copious amounts of medication to help me sleep, I prefer to use natural remedies, many of which include lavender, as I find it helps.

This week is the start of National Sleep Awareness Week and the lovely people over at Holland and Barrett sent me a selection of their newest sleep products and some expert tips to see if it would help me get a better nights sleep. Always up for a challenge, my package arrived and I dived right in. 

Miaroma Pure Essentials Lavender Bath Oil is just a delight to use. You only need a few drops into your bath water for the aroma to come to life. Lavender is commonly used to calm an active mind and it can also be good for nervous feelings. I always find that something with Lavender in does help with calming and it does stop my mind racing and adding it to my bath water, left me feeling calm and ready for bed. Miaroma Relaxing Lavender Temple Balm, which combines a soothing blend of Lavender, Sandalwood, Chamomile and Patchouli, not only smells incredible, but is perfect for promoting restfulness. With these two products, I found both of them really helpful in promoting relaxation.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Body Oil is fragranced with calming Lavender, comforting Sandalwood and relaxing Jasmine. In a skin-pampering base of Jojoba and Moringa, this luxurious body oil is rich in nourishing vitamins, antioxidants and Omega 6 & 9 fatty acids. Sleep guru, Dr Ramlakhan suggests creating a special pre-bed routine that helps you feel relaxed. So again, Lavender comes into play with this body oil which is a delight to use and once I have completed my double face cleanse and added my night creams, I now use this body oil, which is soothing and moisturising.

Moving to supplements which are not something I have ever considered using, even though I have always shunned medication.  In my package there was a choice of four different ones to try - 5-HTP, Lemon Balm, Passionflower Stress Relief and B6.  Each one of these supplements have different ways of working, depending on your sleeping issue.

Valerian Plus is a traditional herbal remedy that calms the brain and body to soothe stress and anxiety so that sleep can occur naturally.  I know that if I have got a lot on with work (I have a full time job as well as blogging) with a to-do list that is never-ending, my mind works overtime with the things I have still got to do. Over the past week, I have tried these tablets twice and with success, I didn't fall asleep immediately, but I did feel relaxed enough to fall asleep.

5 HTP (the HTP standing for Hydroxytryptophan) is designed to ensure that the quality of your sleep is improved and it does so by increasing the amount of time people spend in both deep and rapid-eye-movement sleep. I am yet to give these a try but having read a lot of reviews, they come highly rated and will be perfect for when the Insomnia kicks in.

Lemon Balm is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms of mild anxiety, to aid sleep and for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and flatulence.  Stress and anxiety keep 47% of us awake at night and again the advice from Dr Ramlakhan is to write a worry list, that list should include everything that is bothering you enough to keep you awake with a hope that once it is written down, it is then out of your head.

If Lemon Balm doesn't sound quite right for you, then Stress Relief Passionflower tablets are again a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress, such as mild anxiety all of which should help make it easier for you to sleep.

B6 is said to help replenish your B6 levels because a deficiency in it can lead to sleep problems. So for me, when I next get my bout of insomnia, I intent to try the Bedtime B6 capsules to see if it helps make a difference.

Caffeine is also said to be an ingredient that has long since been associated with irregular sleep patterns or the preventing sleep in some cases.  I cut caffeine out of my life almost 2 years ago now, more because I became a little too reliant on it.  So now, if I want a treat, I might go to Starbucks, otherwise it is decaf or fruit teas.

In my little package I have three different drinks that I have tried. The first is Creamy Chamomile with Cocoa.  As a child if I couldn't sleep, I would be given Horlicks or warm milk, both of which I still drink occasionally. This drink uses Chamomile which is traditionally valued for its soothing abilities and when drunk it promotes relaxation and reduces stress.  Adding the Cocoa and Lemon Balm, makes for a really tasty drink and one that is perfect for bedtime.

Dr Stuart's Virtuous Valerian is a product that you will either love or hate, it takes a bit of getting used to because I found it to be quite bitter tasting but again with the added Valerian, it does help you wind down and relax and is perfect for drinking as your last drink before bed.

The final item is Higher Living Chamomile and Vanilla, as a brand I am a fan of Higher Living teas, especially the green tea coconut.  Chamomile and Vanilla is quite fragrant but perfect for drinking at any time of the day, the vanilla just adds a bit of sweetness to the Chamomile, which can again be quite bitter.

Knowing that I am not alone in not getting enough sleep, infact 70% of Britons are said to be in the same statistic, is quite reassuring and knowing that I can pull my head out of the stand and try products that are of a herbal nature to help reduce stress, anxiety and worry to help me sleep better is comforting. Holland and Barrett have given me food for thought when it comes to my own sleeping pattern and with a number of products still to make my way through, I know that Lavender is something I associate with calming and restfulness, so it is something I need to ensure I have when sleep doesn't come.

Over the past 7 days, I have slept better than I have done in a long long time. The regular use of Lavender, the Creamy Chamomile with Cocoa and the Valerian Plus, have all ensured that I feel rested and raring to go when my alarm rudely awakens me the following morning.  If you are trying to decide what works best, it is simply a case of trying what you think might help, working out what it is that is making you restless and taking it from there.

All of the products mentioned within this post can be found in Holland & Barrett stores and online.

Look Fantastic's March Beauty Box #LFEXPLORER Edition

Look Fantastic's March Beauty Box has arrived on my doorstep and not only do I absolutely love the design of the box, but I am absolutely thrilled with the contents. This month sees an amazing feature of beauty brands from all over the world and all of which are available from Look Fantastic, There is also a copy of the newest Elle Magazine which I am told is to be a regular feature with getting your box, so for just £15 this is an absolute bargain. Also inside the box is the beauty box magazine which details a little more information about the products included which I always like to read.

The products this month have been chosen to give to you the chance to go global with your beauty routine for March.

Codage Moisturising Mask | £42.00 for 50ml

I was glad to see Codage make another appearance withing this box, because just a short while ago I received the "Scrubbing Cream" which I absolutely loved and it is one of those brands I would love to try more from. The brand is most certainly on the pricier end of the spectrum though, so boxes like Look Fantastic are a brilliant way to not only introduce you to these brands but to also give you the chance to try before you buy. This mask is described as being deeply hydrating and designed to leave your skin not only feeling nourished, but also looking its healthiest which is in part owing to the unique moisturising properties. The texture is a really rich, but luxurious emulsion helps to banish signs of dryness and damage and it is free from parabens, essential oils and phthalates making it suitable for the most sensitive of skin.

Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse Anti Fatigue Moisturising Cream | £21.00 for 40ml

You can never go wrong with a product from Nuxe and this is a lightweight moisturiser has been formulated with Blue Ageratum and Blue Everlasting Flower which help to reduce inflammation and redness. Ideal for those with Normal/Combination skin, this cream will also keep your skin nourished and protected. It has a really smooth texture which absorbs quickly into the skin, so if like me, some morning are a bit of a rush to get to work, then this is a great quick application cream. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream | £9.00 for 56.7g

First Aid Beauty is a skincare range that I have had my eye on for some time now, manily because of all the glowing reviews I have read about many products from the brand. The Ultra Repair Cream again is designed to help banish dry skin and is described as being the ultimate head-to-toe moisturiser. More so, it is claimed that after 2 weeks of continuous use, it has been clinically proven to deliver 169% improvement in skin hydration. The cream is a super-emollient which heals, nourishes, protects and hydrates dry and itchy skin. The texture isn't quite how I expected it to be, I thought it would be fairly thick, something like Sudocrem for example, but it isn't at all and soon as it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to absorb and leaves no oily trace behind.

Lottie London Shade and Shadow Brush | £5.00

Lottie London is a brand that again, I have heard a lot about but haven't come across until now. Within in this months Look Fantastic box there are four different brushes making their introductions. I have the Shade and Shadow brush which is a pastel pink shade and is described as being a professional-grade, angled shadow brush with ultra-soft bristles. Perfect for shaping, smudging and lining, the brush delivers the perfect amount of colour, adding definition and shape to the eye with precision. Can be used in the crease, corners or across the entire lid to create smooth or blurred out lines.

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Demure | £7.99

The second makeup item in this months box comes from Revlon and it is a new Colourburst lip lacquer in shade 105 which is called Demure. I am a big fan of these kind of lip products and this is said to be infused with a triple butter complex of Shea, Mango and Coconut which not only helps the crayon to glide over your lips to give a pop of colour, but it also helps to keep your lips moisturised and hydrated too. It has a twist up bottom, so there is no need for sharpening and as well as being used on your lips, you can use it on your cheeks too.

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water | £9.00 for 100ml

The final item in the box is from Caudalie, another brand I am a big fan of, though I am yet to really be blown away by a Micellar Water I have to be honest and I have tried more than a few. Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water is said to gently cleanse and remove make up from the eyes and face in one simple step. With a formula made up of micelles which trap impurities (think excess sebum, pollution, make up, dirt and grime) in the skin so they can easily be wiped away. The one thing I am liking about this Micellar water so far is its simple fragrance which is made up of orange and lemon blossom plus watermelon and mint and it does leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and incredibly moisturised and I think for me, this could become THE Micellar Cleansing Water because I have used it every day since getting the box!

Lastly in the box are two Emergen-C sachets in Super Orange flavour. It is described as a super-charged Emergen-C Immune+® dietary supplement which supports your immune system with the key nutrients your body needs, plus a propriety complex with beta-glucans and arabinogalactans. A bit of an odd inclusion, but I thought I would give one a go because I have had the worst ever cold and if you have ever taken things like Berocca, then try these, they taste less like chalk and more like the juice of an orange.

I think this is one of the best Look Fantastic Beauty Boxes for a while now and there isn't a single product within this box that I havent already used. I love that there is something for everyone to try, some amazing brands and it might just have managed to convince me that I need a Micellar Cleansing Water in my life, because the Caudalie inclusion within this box is just brilliant. If you have never tried a beauty box before, then this one is one of the best I have ever had!

ReCover Correct and Conceal Red

ReCover is a new make up brand by Annabel Jardella, a professional makeup artist who has over 25 years experience. Using a scar from an old injury, her passion for make up and her expertise she became passionate about erasing colours on the skin such as: under eye circles, redness and even tattoos. With the creation of ReCover, which is described as being the next generation concealer, I was delighted to give it a try.

I have redness on both cheeks, (it isn't Rosacea) but it tends to flare up when I am not feeling run down or am stressed and I can usually cover it fairly easily using a few correct and conceal products but there is always a need to re-apply later in the day. ReCover, which has 6 different shades to try, is what I can best describe as being a really super fine concealer which contains rich pigments to cover any red in the skin and what I mean by that is that when you apply it to the skin, it doesn't cling to any dry patches, it isn't cakey or gloopy it is totally lightweight and gives an almost flawless coverage. It comes in a handy little pump like pen dispenser with a soothing gold-plated applicator tip, which makes the application easy and perfect for using it on-the-go to ‘re-cover’ any red patches that you may need to.  My one issue with concealers is that no matter which one I have used, they cake under my eyes, which is often where I need coverage, so ive given up looking for one which works - until now.

ReCover Red works amazingly well to conceal my redness, I am just so impressed with it. I’ve found it to blend really well over the top of any liquid foundations which at the minute I am using either ByTerry or Too Faced and it also works well underneath just a powder foundation, so depending on your preference, I have found it works really well for me. When using this, I always apply after my skincare routine and after adding my primer. As mentioned, the texture is really lightweight and easy to blend, my preferred method in this case is to use the applicator and then dab using my ring finger for under eye coverage and on my cheeks, where the redness is, again use the gold applicator and then smooth using my blending sponge to ensure I get equal coverage or if I am in a hurry, I just use my fingers.

As this has a pump dispenser it is really easy to ensure you get just the right amount, for me, on slight pump dispenses enough to cover the redness on both cheeks, but if you don't like the dispenser and I know some of my friends don't, then you can pump it onto a make up brush and apply it that way, it works just as well, but for me, I prefer the coolness of the applicator under my eyes.

Ive been using this since December, which is quite a long time for me to use a product like a concealer as I usually get annoyed with them and end up chucking them in the bin.  Having used it at least 3-4 days a week, it is still going which for a 5ml product is quite impressive, so yes a little does go a long way and at £28 it would need to.  As a product though, it is more than worth the price and it is something I intend to repurchase because it does what I want to do with regards to my redness, it lasts all day and I don't need to apply, it doesn't cake, it isn't gloopy, it doesn't cling to dry skin patches and it works well with foundation be it liquid or powder form, both of which I use.  

So if you suffer from redness, blemishes or imperfections like I do, then I would definitely give ReCover a try, it is worth its weight in gold.

Have you found a concealer that is worth its weight in gold?

Mothers Day with Lush

Flowers and chocolates might be the norm for Mothers Day, but Lush have a great collection for Mothers Day that is not to be missed. 

Flowering Tea Reusable Bubble Bar - If fragrant, petal-filled baths are your cup of tea, look no further! Hold this reusable bubble bar under running water to release the beneficial blend. Clamber in to stew in a hot, floral brew with uplifting neroli and rosewood oils and allow your mind to drift. Turn your bath into a giant tea cup as you float amongst the exotic blue cornflowers, sunny orange flower absolute and rich rosewood, helping you tap into that inner calm.

Wonder Woohoo - A special golden treat for the super mums out there. Using mimosa absolute, soothing sandalwood oil and Brazilian orange oil it looks amazing and smells amazing.

Rose Bombshell Bath Bomb - Love is blind, which is a shame because this bombshell with a floral triplet of yellow rose petals, rose absolute and rose oil is an enthralling spectacle. As it fizzes, the outer shell breaks away and magnificent petals burst out in a sweet haze of Sicilian lemon and floral geranium oils.

Yummy Mummy Shower cream packed full of Fair Trade organic cocoa butter and tonka absolute alongside gloriously sweet blend of Brazilian orange and geranium oils. Designed to hydrate the skin and leave you feeling uplifted and smelling divine.

Ladybird Bubble bar - This friendly little ladybird wants to take you under its wing and run you a hot floral bath, filled with sweet geranium oil to aid relaxation. A little peppermint oil gives a menthol hint to this flowery mix, helping to revive and uplift mind and body as you soak. Go all out for mountains of cheery bubbles or save a little for next time.

If you are looking for more of a hamper, then there are some amazing gifts sets too:

The Pamper Hamper - This set contains 8 amazing products and it pretty much covers everything you need for a tip to toe and it contains three products with Sunrise Soap, Beautiful Shower Gel and African Paradise Body Conditioner and it costs £15.50

Just For Mum - This is perfect for the mum's who like to get away from it all and everyone to enjoy a soak in the bath, as it contains 5 amazing bath bombs - Yoga Bath Bomb, Guardian of the Forest, Twilight, Rose Bombshell and Intergalactic. So here you have a whole 5 days of Lush pleasure for just £23.50

Mum - is all floral and lovely looking with a box containing six delight products and again it is like a pamper hamper. With Sakura Bath Bomb, Ladybird and Sunflower Bubble Bar's, Yummy Mummy shower cream, Love and Light Handcream and Respect your Elders Soap. This will cost just £27.95

Ladybird - This is quite possibly my favourite gift set from the collection with three cute products - Lady Bird and Sunflower Bubble Bar's and Honey Bee Bath Bomb. A lovely little nature theme and all for just £15.50.

The final gift set is called Love You Mum and it is designed to be a relaxing pamper hamper with two products which promote relaxtion. The first is French Kiss, one of my favourite Bubble Bars which is just all kinds of heavenly lavender with loads of bubbles and then there is Rose Bombshell, which I am yet to try. This little package is a lovely gift costing just £10.95

I think Lush have more than got it covered with this selection of gifts and even if a gift set is not for you, there is a plethora of little items you can buy to make your own package or treat yourself or if you really want to treat someone, then a trip to the Lush Spa would be amazing - I will make it there one day myself!

Mothers Day with L'Occitane

Are you still deciding to what to purchase for Mothers Day or looking for something to treat yourself with? Well L'Occitane helps you to celebrate Mother’s Day with a stunning selection of gifts sets from right across their product range. So whether it is a new fragrance, body care, hand cream or some soap gift sets, you will find the perfect present.  I have chosen some of my favourite products to share with you in this post.

For those who love their skincare and like to look after it, the Ultimate Divine Collection is just perfect. Containing three products that I adore - Immortelle Oil Make-up Remover which is really gentle on the skin but absolutely amazing at removing even the most stubborn of makeup, Divine Lotion which helps to maintain the skin's balance and accelerate cellular renewal, for a beautiful, younger-looking complexion and finally Divine Cream which brings supreme nutrition to the skin and fights all the signs of ageing and it smells just amazing. This gift set retails at £78 but if the products were bought separately then you would be paying £107, so this is an absolute bargain.

The Delicious Almond Collection is one I personally want for myself.  As someone who hates marzipan but adores the scent, it probably sounds a bit crazy. This set contains four products and again they are ones I absolutely love. A 250ml bottle of Almond Shower Oil which when used turns from an oil to a foam and creates this stunning almond scent which lingers on the skin for hours and hours. Almond Delicious Soap is not just any bar of soap, it is more a pampering session for the hands and can be used on knees, elbows, feet and body if you so wish. Using ground almond shells to gently scrub away dead skin cells, it leaves your hands clean and rough areas smooth. Delicious Hands Hand cream really leaves your hands feeling soft, smooth and nourished and finally Almond Milk Concentrate which not only leaves your skin feeling nourishing, soft and smooth it also leaves the skin looking firmer and re-densified thanks to the action of almond proteins and a silicium derivative.  Priced at £42.

If hand cream is something your Mum would like, then the Must-Have Hand Trio is the gift you need to purchase.  Beautifully presented in a L'Occitane Signature Box, inside are three amazing handcreams - Shea Butter Hand Cream, Cherry Blossom Hand Cream and Almond Delicious Hands.  All three of these hand creams have a rich texture which is rapidly absorbed to leave the hands soft and smooth with no oily traces. Make this gift even more perfect by adding the One Minute Hand Scrub, which I adore and you have a beautiful hand pamper hamper. This gift set is priced at £22.

I know my mum likes fragrances and I too am a huge perfume fan, so the 

Néroli & Orchidée Gift Set is perfect.  This collection contains a 75ml Néroli & Orchidée Eau de Toilette, a 250ml Néroli & Orchidée Shower Gel and a 50ml Néroli & Orchidée Body Milk.  The scent combines the zesty notes of orange and mandarin, Néroli with Orchidée make this perfect for those who like a mixture of their florals and zesty fragrances.  On a first spritz it is incredibly zesty with the Mandarin, Orange and Neroli before settling on the skin to allow the floral notes of white orchids to come through.  A beautiful light scent for the Spring and Summer and a gift set retailing at just £42.

The final set is one of my favourites again and it is the Relaxing Lavender Collection. With five products included, this is one beautiful set. Starting with a 500ml bottle of Lavender Foaming Bath, this bottle is perfect for adding to the bath to forget about the stresses and strain of the week and it creates lots of bubbles. If you don't have the time for a bath, then the inclusion of a 250ml bottle of Lavender Shower Gel and Lavender Bonne Mere Soap are great for cleasning the skin and relaxing with the scent as it hits the steam of your shower. Then once out of the bath or shower there is a 75ml bottle of Lavender Body Lotion and Hand Cream to leave the skin feeling soft, nourished, moistured and incredibly hydrated. This set costs just £42.

As well as these gift sets, there are a huge array of other products to choose from such as Lip Balms, Travel Sized gift sets, Reed Diffusers and many other scents too.

What have you bought for Mothers Day?