Sainsbury's Boutique Make Up Collection

I love discovering new make up brands and I love that you can walk in Boots, Superdrug and even your local supermarket and leave with a basketful of makeup products you might not have ever used before.

Sainsbury’s Boutique collection has everything you could ever want. Sainsbury's themselves state that "Boutique is set to transform the way women shop for their make-up bag essentials" and within the range you will find everything you need from nail polishes, lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeshadows to accessories, all of which Boutique has been created, trialled and had rigorously tested by a collective of professional make-up artists.

Each products comes packaged in sleek black matte packaging, finished with the Sainsbury’s Boutique wording which is also the logo. I have very kindly been sent a few products from the range to try out and I have been left feeling really impressed with what I have.

The way to my heart right now is lipsticks (and cake, do not forget the cake) I am obsessed with them and have an ever growing collection.  The Boutique range is a delight to use and In The Buff is a beautiful nude shade which gives amazing colour pay off and wouldn't usually be a shade I would go for, but I actually really like it and it works well alongside the lip pencil Chinese Whispers which is a creamy nude and perfect for outlining the lips. The second lipstick is called Lip In the Bud and it a pink which is really pretty and not too pink that I find it hard to wear.  Both lipsticks are priced at £7 and the lop pencil is £2

One item I tend to wear much less than anything else is lipgloss, I really don't anything that is sticky or tacky but I was surprised to find that the two offerings from Boutique are neither of those.  Lip Lip Hooray is a soft peach shade which give exceptional coverage, good enough to be worn alone or on top of Lip In The Bud. Dusk Till Dawn is my favourite of the two and the one I have worn a lot of recently. Again it is perfect to be worn on its own and is creamy and not at all drying and as a shade it is a deep plum rose and I adore it.  Both lipglosses are priced at £6.

The final item is a cream blush in shade C'est La Vie (£6) which is a beautiful shade of pink, possibly too pink for my complexion but it is stunning and very pigmented.  As it is a cream blush it blends really easily and is perfect to give a pop of colour on the apples of your cheeks.

I am really impressed with Boutique and it is definitely a brand to be on the look out for in your local store, the pricing is pretty impressive and the colour pay off on each item is superb.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

L’Occitane Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar for 2016

If you hadn't guessed by now, Beauty Advent Calendars excite me, I am obsessed with them so much I dedicated an entire post (here) to them ALL. So imagine my excitement when the L’Occitane Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar for 2016 arrived at the door! Now this calendar is usually an instant sell out, so if you want it get it, if you are debating buying it - Get It, if you haven't see it yet, well I am sharing it with you now.

Priced at £42 with contents worth over £80 it is amazing value for money and if like me, you are a huge L'Occitane fan, then it gives you a chance to further explore the brand, reacquaint yourself with some favourites and stock up on some essentials. Alternatively, if L'Occitane are a brand you have always wondered about, know little about, have been meaning to try, then this is a great introduction to the brand.

This is one huge Calendar with 24 doors to open it gives you everything you need as a fan or as someone looking to get to know L'Occitane. 

This 2016 advent calendar has been illustrated by Kanako, a renowned French illustrator from My Little Paris, who has managed to captured the festive atmosphere of a L’Occitane Gift Workshop. Untying the red bow which fastens the Calendar together, it opens up to reveal a further insight into L'Occitane from the gathering of flower petals, to the making and mixing of products before getting to the bottom tier which details a shop floor and then carrying on the Christmas theme of someone laden with gifts.  

I absolutely loved last years Calendar which you can see here, but this one looks to be even bigger and better.  Unlike other reviews, I have chosen not to open all the doors so you can see what is inside, instead opting for one which shows you a travel sized handcream which is perfect for your handbag.  

If you do want to see what is in this Calendar, then the contents are all revealed HERE at the L'Occitane website.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Michael Bublé - By Invitation

When it comes to perfumes I am obsessed with them, I have ones which mean a lot to me, I love discovering new ones and there is a firm list of ones I detest. It is a personal thing. I keep saying that I am not a fan of celebrity fragrances but every now and again, one comes into my life and I adore it - Meet By Invitation from Michael Bublé.

With most perfumes it is often the packaging that does a lot of the selling and I am guilty of wanting to try a scent because it looks pretty and then you get brands like Chanel who use classic packaging and they are just cult items. For me By Invitation has the wow factor and I would definitely pick it up in the store to try it out. The gold pull off cap and circular design of the bottle which is then suspended in a gold bracelet definitely catches the eye, it looks elegant and is stylish.

Does the scent live up to the design of the bottle? Admittedly this was not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting By Invitation to be overly sweet and overly smelling of Vanilla... thankfully it is not. Described as being a crisp floral oriental fragrance, it has top notes of bergamot and red fruits which give a hit of fruit as soon as the perfume is spritzed. The heart notes of lily of the valley, elegant rose, wild jasmine and spice peony are are just stunning and mix really well with the top notes to give that crisp scent. As it settles on the skin, the base notes of sandalwood-musks mixed with vanilla praline give it that hint of vanilla which whilst evident doesn't overpower the entire scent, it is there in the background as the florals take control to create an absolutely beautiful fragrance.

Once on the skin this perfume has amazing longevity, it is one that you can spritz in a morning and it lingers throughout the day and what I love is that a it begins to fade, the floral notes come through to just give you enough of a whiff to remind you it is still there.

By Invitation Michael Buble is available for £55 for 100ml, £39 for 50ml and £29 for 30ml.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers

Lip Lacquers are a thing right now, whether you like them or not.  I got to see the new MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers at a recent event and became quite obsessed with them. 

The formula glides onto your lips, is really quick to dry and it leaves behind a lovely matte finish. However, once it does dry, it does not budge. So having been told this is like telling a child not to touch wet paint... you have to try it out, so I did. 

One swatch of each colour up my arm and yes they do dry quickly, infact each swatch dried before I had started the next and once all 5 shades had been completely swatched, they didn't budge at all. I washed up, cleaned the bathroom, wiped my arm with a face wipe, used Micellar water and still no colour transfer. Eventually, I removed all trace of each shade with makeup removing gel from L'Occitane and a few cotton wool pads.

As you can see from the swatch above, the five shades are incredible shades from left to right you can see Firecracker, Hustle, Splash, Posie and Flair, so there is everything you you need from a bright vibrant red, two differing neutral shades, a berry shade and for the daring among you, the blue which is just a beautiful shade.

So yes they are really long lasting, smudge proof and the colour pigmentation pay off is just stunning. Did I mention they cost just £3 each .



*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Lush Snow Fairy Body Conditioner

As soon as Snow Fairy hits those Lush shelves, you know Christmas is coming and it is one Lush product I look forward to treating myself too. This year there has been a little addition to the Snow Fairy family with a Body Conditioner.

With a description as dreamy as this "Candy floss water sets the scene, evoking the excitement of enchanting fairgrounds and disappearing bites of sugary fluff. To enter this otherworldly carnival, you need only step into the shower," you would be hard pushed not to pick it up and try it, or if you are like me, you go over to the lovely Lush staff and ask for a demo with a full pot in your hand.

 

Like the shower gel, this body conditioner is thick, creamy and smells like heaven, if you are a Snow Fairy fan you will love it. Bright pink in colour, it is rich and buttery and is to be used as you shower like a shower gel.

Packed full of avocado butter, mango butter and a cherry infusion, this a slightly stronger scented Snow Fairy fragrance and one which lasts a lot longer too. Ingredients within Lush products are chosen for a reason. So with Avocado butter it is packed full of natural oils and is rich, nourishing, and softening and as it soothes and conditions the skin, it re-hydrates at the same time. Mango Butter softens the skin without leaving it feeling greasy and it has moisturising, lubricating and damage-repairing properties. Finally is the cherry infusion which not only adds a sweet layer to the scent but because of its stringent properties it makes a great natural skin toner and antioxidant.  So add all that together with some Cocoa butter and you won't be surprised to have super soft, smooth and moisturised skin.

This is the first time I have used a Lush body conditioner so I am always thankful for the instructions on the side of the pot. Basically, just before you get out of the shower or bath (shower for me) you smother on as much or as little as you feel you need and cover the areas/body parts that you feel are in need of a little more moisturising and softening, naturally you need to stand out of the way of the water as you do this otherwise it will just run off your skin. Then once you have finished, allow your water to rinse of the conditioner from the skin, pat yourself dry and then within the next half an hour your skin will just feel incredible. If you enjoy a weekly pampering session, this is a great product to use as your bath runs, again cover yourself in it where you need too and then lie back and let the cream do the work for you.

Unsurprisingly to those who know me, I absolutely adore this product. Not only does it smell amazing, but because it is a stronger scent than Snow Fairy, it lasts just so much longer and you can literally smell it all day long on your skin.  It also leaves your skin feeling so soft, smooth and incredible to the touch. It isn't greasy or cloying on the skin, it does what it says it will do and basically grab it now before it disappears from the shelves.

Priced at £13.95 for a 200ml tub, you can find Lush Snow Fairy Body Conditioner right HERE

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Customise your own Palette with Makeup Obsession!

Makeup Obsession is, I am hoping, a brand you have by now heard of and if not, you soon will. Last week I went to the launch party and learn all about the concept with Tam Beauty, the people who you might recognise with brands such as Makeup Revolution and Freedom Makeup, two brands who have shaken up the beauty industry by bringing affordability to the highstreet with amazing quality makeup and maybe an excellent dupe along the way.

Makeup Obsession is all about creating your own look and to do that, you create your own palette using shades from a plethora of those currently available to do just that. In doing so you not only have the option to choose which shade you want to create a look, but you have he ability to create a palette which is unique to you, your personality and your style. But it isn't just about eyeshadows, there are also highlighters, blushers, contouring and strobing options thrown into the mix alongside the mattes, shimmers, pearlesque and bold colours.

If this isn't enough, they are so affordable, it is a challenge to not own every single option that there is available right now! The eyeshadows cost just £2 each, while the blushers, highlighters and contour shades cost £3. Then there is the cost of the palettes and again there is an amazing choice there as well. So for just £4 you can have a palettes which has six slots or you can pay £8 for a 12-slot palette and again there is a choice of black, white, silver, gold and rose gold! Personally I want one of each and will be very shortly making my own highlighter palette!

I was lucky enough to choose which palette I would like and which shades I would love to make up my own palette and as you might expect the possibilities are endless and each and every shade is just stunning, even if it is one you might never wear.  However, I am so predictable with my eyeshadow shades I went for the neutral shades and then added a few more into the mix, picked up a blusher, a base colour, some contour shades and a highlighter.  My palette which you can see above, I think, looks very me.

What has really impressed me is the how each shade is so incredibly pigmented, for me Makeup Revolution has set such a high standard when it comes to products so I was really expecting something a little bit special from Makeup Obsession and that is exactly what I got, it is just amazing. Not only is each shade, whether it is eyeshadow, blush, contour or highlighter pigmented, they are just incredible shades which absolutely do match the names they have given.

From Right to Left is Eyeshadow in shade London, Blush in Golden Girl, Eyeshadow in Espresso and Highlight in Peach

From Right to Left we have Eyeshadow in Lucky Charm, Eyeshadow in Precious Metal, Eyeshadow in White out and Contour Powder in Fair.

From right to left is Eyeshadow in Ibiza, Eyeshadow Luxe, Eyeshadow Mink and Contour Powder in Light

If you hadn't guessed already, then I absolutely love everything about this concept. Not only is it lots of fun with lots of choice, making your own palette gives you the chance to leanr a bit about yourself and gives you the opportunity to experiment outside the norm and your comfort zone, the tempting bright shades daring you to try them and all without having spending lots of money for something you don't like. It is fun, it is easy and it is exciting all rolled into one. I really loved the experience which is why I was excited to hear that if you’re near to a Boots Emporium, you can get your palette engraved. Which could make great stocking fillers and gifts this year.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Yardley English Dahlia Collection

The English Dahlia collection from Yardley is the latest range to launch and it is just so pretty. I was lucky enough to attend an event which gave an introduction to the brand and the new fragrance.  Most people will have heard of Yardley and have in their mind soaps and talcum powder, which is how I recognised the brand originally, now with a makeover, stunning looking packaging it is much more than that.

The English Dahlia is now in season and so is very fitting for Autumn. The British brand also wanted to highlight this absolutely beautiful British flower, one that we don't hear and see enough of. 

The scent opens up with top notes of neroli and apple flower which are fruity and light. The heart notes of Dahlia, Rose and Peony add a hint of a floral tone which when combined with the neroli make a stunning scent and finally after a good ten minutes of settling down the base note of base notes of patchouli, cedar and musk which give the fragrance an earthy tone.  Overall you get a nice mixture of floral and musk which isn't sweet and nor is it earthy, it sits somewhere in the middle and lasts for hours on the skin.

The range consists of an Eau de Toilette, Body Spray and a handcrea, and is purse friendly with the hand cream costing just £2.66, the Body spray is £2.49 and with the fragrance being on offer in Boots, so you can get 125ml for just £9.99 or 50ml for £6.66 this would make a really nice gift set.

Yardley is available at Boots and Superdrug. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay XX Vice LTD Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette includes twenty eye shadows that celebrate the brand’s 20-year history.  From vintage shades that go WAY back (like Gash, Acid Rain and UV-B) to must-haves from the current collection, it’s all here.

Now as you would expect with Urban Decay, this palette is stunning.  With a jewelled 3D UD logo clearly visible it stands out against the black lid.  Opening is easy peasy with a click button and inside, the entire top half is a mirror, which is handy to have plus the inclusion of a double ended brush, which is actually a really good eyeshadow brush.

Urban Decay state that each Eyeshadow in this limited-edition palette features their Pigment Infusion System™, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives every shade its velvety texture, rich colour, serious staying power and blendability. SO what you see, is what you get. Now all of the shades are just beautiful and some I have used more than others, but this is how they are described:

• Suspend is described as a “greige-brown matte.” It is definitely a muted, medium-dark taupe brown with a matte finish. Easy to blend and 
• Oil Slick is described as a “black matte with silver micro-glitter.” This is a stunning shade and it will be perfect for anyone loving Halloween. It is quite a medium black that has a silver sparkle.
• Roadstripe is described as a “iridescent white with blue-violet shift.” It’s a bright, iridescent white with a bluish-violet sheen. I find it works quite well as a base shade as well as being wearable on its own.
• Gash is described one of those shades which makes you go wow! Described as being a “metallic brick red” it is has orange undertones and is incredibly pigmented. Again a shade which is perfect for Autumn and one I am trying to learn to work with.
• Midnight Cowboy is one of my favourite shades on the palette and it is described as a “pink champagne with shimmer with silver glitter.” A light beige shade which has a slight addition of silver glitter but not too much that it takes away from the shade, it instead gives a bit of a shimmer. 
• 501 is described as a “deep metallic blue with copper micro-glitter” and it is just that. The blue is a deep blue with a slight smattering of glitter which as with Midnight Cowboy, doesn't detract from the beauty of the shade, but instead adds a little something.
• Shallow is described as a “pale taupe-silver satin.” and it definitely does have a silver tone to it when it is caught in the light. As well as a eyeshadow it also works well as a highlighter. 
• Laced is described as a “pinky-taupe matte” and it is a muted light pink shade which gives really good colour payoff and as its description states is a matte shade. This is one of the shades I have not yet worn. 
• Hot Pants is described as a “pearly medium pink.” In the pan it looks as though it will be an incredibly hot pink shade, and it is bright but with warm undertones there is a slight shimmer to it and again, not one I have yet worn.
• Mildew is described as a “deep metallic green shimmer.” and for me it is more of an olive green shade which a shimmer.  A beautiful Autumn shade or one for Halloween, im just not convinced it is for me as I have blue eyes.
• Smog is another one of my favourites and one I have worn a lot of. It is described as a “deep coppery bronze shimmer.” and it is incredibly rich with a coppery bronzed effect giving great colour payoff. 
• Misdemeanor is described as a “deep olive green matte with green micro-shimmer.” which is exactly what it is though it does have coll undertones, the matte finish is really pretty but as with Mildrew, I am not sure it is a shade I can pull off. 
• Freakshow is described as a “bright purple satin.” though I would have used the word violet ove purple. It is stunning shade which has amazing pigmentation, it blends like a dream and is perfect for autumn. 
• Asphyxia is described as a “hyacinth shimmer with blue shift.” It definitely has a touch of Lavender about the shade with the colour and for me, this is the one shade I found disappointing.
• Acid Rain is described as a “pale yellow-green shimmer with green shift.” It definitely has a slight green undertone and it is one of those shades which could look yellow or green in certain lights.  This is one I haven't got a clue how to use but it is pretty.
• Moonflower is described as a “metallic rose-gold with gold micro-shimmer.” For those of you loving your rose golds, then this is an amazing eyeshadow to have. It has warm undertones but amazing pigmentation and I absolutely love it.
• UV-B is described as a “bright blue with violet shift.” and it is a shade which at first glance reminds me of the shade my mum used to wear as I was growing up.  On a swatch it is more of a violet blue that has a slight sheen to it.
• Goldmine is described as a “bright metallic gold.” and it is an incredible shade, though much like Acid Rain, I have no idea what to do with it.  It is bright an it is yellow with a metallic sheen to it.
• Twice Baked is another one of my favourite shades and it is described as a “rich brown satin with gold micro-glitter." It is a medium brown with a slight red undertone and a really fine shimmer which you notice when it is picked up in direct light. 
• Anonymous is the final shade in the palette and it is described as a “pale peachy cream matte.” It does have a matte finish and is light and creamy with a slight peach hint of colur too it.  This shade, like Roadstripe does make a great base shade.  

Rather than swatch all 20 shades I have done a mixture of my favourites and then some of the more out there shades which I love but am yet to be comfortable wearing:

From left to right here there is Midnight Cowboy, Twice Baked, MoonFlower and Smog. These are the shades that I wear a lot of from the palette and yes they do fall into the neutral/nude category.

From Left to Right here we have 501, Mildew, Gash and Oil Slick which are all pigmented and stunning shades.

This palette costs £43 and is available via Urban Decay and Debenhams. It is one of those palettes everyone who loves eye shadow should have, on colour payoff alone it is exceptional and if you dare to try some of the more brighter shades, then this is the palette to do it with.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

John Frieda Salon - Mayfair

A year on from my last visit, I found myself back in the chair at no.4 Aldford Street in Mayfair in the amazing John Frieda Salon. A salon that I absolutely loved the first time I visited and even more so now after my second visit.

Why do I love it so much? To be honest it is the atmosphere inside the Salon. Set back from the busy shopping streets of the West End, what looks like a snug little salon is so far removed from that, it is actually quite big.  But big doesn't mean too in your face, it isn't crowded and they have certainly made use of the space, it is comfortable and you are made to feel like one of the family. Everyone in there knows their stylist, the girl washing their hair, the lady who so kindly takes your coat to the receptionist who takes your name, you are more than just a customer, you are a friend.

Sitting down with Andreas, who was to sort my hair out, he didn't look too perplexed when I said 'I don't know what to do with this, what do you suggest' meaning my hair. Seconds later, I am in a rather comfy chair having my hair washed chatting about current affairs and London Fashion Week.  I love having someone wash my hair, if I won the lottery this is the kind of treat I would gladly pay for.  At John Frieda my hair was washed, conditioned, my head was massaged and I managed not to fall asleep...just!

Back in the chair and Andreas and I continue chatting about life, politics and weddings as he gets to grips with my unruly hair.  I have fine hair but a lot of it, a phrase I hear a lot and one I repeat a lot. It means I have lots of hair on my hair which is fine and it is naturally wavy and I never really know what to do with it.  You should never be afraid to ask your stylist for hints and tips on what to do with your hair and how to do certain things, even washing your hair is a handy tip to have.

So the decision on how to have my hair cut and styled was left to Andreas, not as scary as it sounds, after all he is the professional and knows what he is doing. I just mentioned that I hate having hair on my face, so a fringe will always be a no no, but other than that, off you go. So having bushy hair that hadnt been cut for over 6 months (oops) turned into this:

My hair is now shoulder length, it is manageable, it is a delight to style and I just love that the very few layers that have been added give my hair some movement and that swishy feel when I am ready to go out. My highlights grew out some time ago, so some roots have begun to appear but for now, I am totally chuffed with my hair.

John Frieda for me is more than just an experience, it is everything a salon should be and I can see why everytime I am fortunate enough to go that the regulars in there keep coming back, it is just so friendly, warm and welcoming and nothing is ever too much trouble.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Samaya Ayurvedic skincare

I absolutely love skincare and throughout my blogging journey have been blessed to work with some amazing brands and it has enabled me to get to know my skin a whole lot more. I now have more of an understand of what does and doesn't work for my skin and how to deal with break outs, dryness, oily tzone and how important a double cleanse is.

So let me introduce you to Samaya, a brand I have been getting to know and it is a new Ayurvedic skincare range. At the core of Ayurveda lies the concept of achieving harmony between the mind, body and soul. When these three elements are in balance with each other, you will be able to feel the positive effect on your health and wellbeing, and in the radiance of your skin. Founded on the ancient Ayurvedic principles of working with each bodies’ individual dosha be it Vata, Pitta or Kapha. A few short questions and you can then select the individual SAMAYA range that will work best for you – this is skincare that is specially formulated to work with your specific constitution type to help bring you into perfect balance. Within the range is a cleanser, facial oil and face cream for each of the Vata, Kapha and Pitta types.

My dosha s Pitta which tells me I am "Well-proportioned and compact build, with a focused mind and a love of order. Confident and passionate, enjoying challenges. Prone to anger and impatience when out of balance. Benefits from gentle skincare as skin can be sensitive and irritable, susceptible to wrinkles, sunburn and inflammation". For this there are three products Pitta Hydrating Cleanser, Pitta Anti-Ageing Cream and Pitta Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil. From those three, I have been using the cleanser and have absolutely loved it.

The Pitta hydrating cleanser is a unique formulation providing hydration while cleansing and purifying skin. Developed with powerful Ayurvedic botanicals such as Jasmine, Neem, Lotus, Turmeric, Saffron, Shatavari and Gotu Kola, this cleanser melts into the skin, helping to remove make-up and lift impurities, leaving skin feeling balanced, purified, softer and more radiant.  As you can imagine it smells just absolutely incredible and I find ingredients fascinating and always strive to find out why certain ones are used and in this instance there is a reason for everything.

• Jasmine Flower Extract - Beautiful aroma with proven mood-boosting effect; improves energy; reduces anxiety and stress; helps to balance moisture levels and increase skin’s elasticity while soothing mind and body; antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help protect skin.
• Neem Oil - Promotes skin healing; helps reduce itching and roughness; purifies skin; neutralises damaging free radicals to help skin achieve a radiant glow.
• Saffron Extract - Valued for its skin toning abilities; can impart a natural radiance as it helps to reduce pigmentation; has mood-enhancing properties; is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is often used as a tonic to improve general health.
• Lotus Seed Extract - Sacred anti-inflammatory ingredient; contains zinc and anti-ageing enzymes which can repair damaged or sensitive skin while soothing and calming the mind; beneficial for blemish-prone skin.
• Manuka Honey Extract - Natural antioxidant and anti-bacterial; helps keep skin supple and toned; contains Lignin which is a natural organic substance that binds cells together.
• Saccharide Isomerate - A 100% natural, plant-derived, effective and long-lasting active moisturising ingredient; provides sustained hydration; protects against future damage; restores and replenishes skin.
• Gotu Kola Oil - Anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing herb; helps fight chronic skin conditions by repairing damage done to the skin; stimulates collagen production in the skin.
• Shatavari Extract - Considered in Ayurvedic tradition to be the female equivalent to Ashwagandha, Shatavari’s name in Sanskrit translates as ‘she who possesses one hundred husbands.’ It has long been used as a tonic for female health concerns and as a means of reducing stress and tension. Shatavari also has nutritive and rejuvenative properties for skin, contributing towards a renewed, youthful appearance.
• Aloe Leaf Extract - Antibacterial, anti-ageing ingredient; soothes and promotes healing; hydrates skin; contributes to the natural production of collagen and elastin in skin.

So you will find no parabens, no synthetics, just trusted ingredients that have properites to work on and with your skin.

This is a premium skincare range and the cleanser is on the pricey side at £69 for 100ml but it does melt into the skin like an absolute dream and it literally melts all the dirt, grime and makeup off your face in such an effortless way, it is a treat to use it. A little does go a very long way and there is absolutely nothing I don't like about it, I am simply fascinated by the whole concept of Ayurvedic practices and how it can use its ancient principles to create such a fantastic and beautiful skincare range.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Elizabeth Arden Always Red Femme Perfume

Elizabeth Arden Always Red Femme is described as being a "an intoxicating interpretation of the Always Red fragrance" which is a scent I went to track down and quite liked, but prefer Always Red Femme from the two.

The packaging is stark and noticeable with a black box covered in red florals and the words Always Red capturing your attention, whilst the work Femme, is written in a more feminine font. Inside the perfume bottle mimmicks the outer packaging before the back of the bottle hosts what is the famous Elizabeth Arden door.

Always Red Femme is a mixture of fresh fruits, delicate florals and warm woody tones and is a scent which you notice from the very first spritz, it isn't shy or light, but instead arrives with a punch to let you know it is there. With zesty top notes of the blackcurrant bud, lemon and green pear it lands quite heavy and takes a few minutes to settle before you are greeted with the heart notes of peach blossom, ily of the valley, davana and jasmine which take in most of my favourite scents together to create what is a beautifully refreshing scent which are beautifully crisp and light and dry down as Patchouli, moss, cedar and vanilla from the base notes finish off to leave a beautifully fresh floral and fruit scent.

Admittedly, I was expecting to find that this would be a scent perfect for my mum, but no absolutely not, it is mine and I am not willing to share it.  Priced at just £54 for 100ml it is a fantastic bargain and one which will look pretty on any make desk!

Save 15% when you spend £75! - 15OFF75 - here 

*this post contains PR samples/affiliate links unless indicated otherwise

Merumaya Gift With Purchase Alert!

To celebrate their fourth birthday, Merumaya have an amazing Gift With Purchase. This year, the gift with purchase is bigger and better as it contains £26 worth of products AND there is also a preview of their brand new Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF20 before it is even for sale. 

Those products include:

• Melting Cleansing Balm™, 25ml literally melts make-up away, leaves skin hydrated and soft and smells like your happiest memory. (RRP £7.50)
• Gentle Exfoliating Toner™, 5ml brightens all skins, removes dead skin cells, reduces the signs of skin ageing and helps prevent spots.
• Everything Everywhere Beauty Oil™, 3ml for face, body, hair, scalp, cuticles, lashes, brows, bath. The most versatile beauty oil on the market, with Cacay Oil.
• Mud Marvels Mask™, 3ml detoxifies, deeply cleanses, refines pores and all without stripping your skin. Easy it is to remove too.
• Iconic Youth Serum™, 1ml this rich serum multi-tasks like no other. Brightens, hydrates and softens. Improves elasticity, lines, dark spots, texture.

To get it, all you need to do is spend £25 to get this FREE with any purchase over £25 and the offer is available between 14-20 October 2016.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise