Dr Lipp Nipple Balm for your lips!

Part of my night time skincare routine does involve my lips. Lips for me are an important feature and I like to do as much as I can to ensure they look and feel soft, smooth and supple rather than dry and cracked with bits of skin hanging off all over the place.

Dr Lipp Nipple Balm was a product I had only heard of but had never used, then I got a sample in my Glossybox and I put it to one side for quite a while until I read a few blog posts about how good it was with some people referring to it as their Holy Grail Lip Balm, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to try it for myself.

According to the website: Dr.Lipp was originally developed as a nipple balm for breastfeeding women because of its ultra hydrating & hypoallergenic multipurpose properties. Dr.Lipp has many benefits both medical and for beauty and is ideal for dry cuticles, dry skin patches, burns and abrasions, severely chapped lips, sore nipples, split ends, eczema, babies’ bottoms, and much much more.

The tube that I have is quite a small one and it contains just a 3ml tube and the product inside is like a thick gel, similar in consistency to Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream (which I dislike a lot) only it is totally without any scent or odour.  I always apply this to my lips every night before I go to bed and you only need a really small amount.  when I used this for the very first time, I was expecting to get that horrible greasy feel that Vaseline leaves on my lips, but instead it felt nothing like that and more natural, as though I had applied a normal lip balm and on my lips was a lovely sheen.

If like me you suffer with dry lips, this product is wonderful, for me it is a miracle worker and I am glad I had the chance to try a smaller version as a full 15ml tube costs £11.95 which although pricey, for me is worth every single penny.  

Naturally this product does have more than one use and for us Beauty Bloggers it is a multi-purpose products and these are just some of its uses:

• Use as a long lasting lip-gloss
• Prep dry skin before applying foundation for a more even look.
• Cheek shine
• Eye gloss for a dewy look
• Shaping eyebrows
• Lip primer to help prevent blotching
• As a mixer for pigments
• Perfect for ‘glitter lips’, ‘eye glitter’ & diamantes
• Last minute shoe polish!

Alongside used for us Beauty Bloggers there are some other uses and these are:

• Helps soothe and soften chapped lips
• Help prevent dry cuticles
• Helps soothe dry skin patches
• Helps reduce fine lines under the eyes
• Helps moisturise & nourish split ends
• Helps nourish eye lashes
• As a healer for nipple tape rash
• Helps with small cuts, burns and abrasions
• Helps sore noses from blowing
• Helps soothe Nappy rash
• Helps with itchy skin and eczema
• Helps soothe sore nipples from breastfeeding

As a product, Dr.Lipp is 100% pure and natural, hyper allergenic, tasteless and odourless and it contains no parabens or fragrance and is approved by Ecocert France. Dr Lipp is made from 100% ultra pure medical grade Lanolin which is harvested during the summer from natural Sheep’s wool and cleansed of all impurities to make our ultra pure ‘Queen’ of Lanolin.

Finally, Dr Lipp is:

• Proven to help reduce skin roughness by 40% in one hour.
• Considered by dermatologists and scientists to be one of the safest ways to care for your skin as the Lanolin lipids (oils) are so similar to your skin’s natural oils that they easily penetrate & absorb deeply into your skin.

For me this is a brilliant product and I absolutely love it, it does everything that it states it will do for the ways in which I use it.

Have you tried Dr Lipp? Do you like it?

Rituals Jasmine Dream Candle

I love candles, they create such a relaxing atmosphere for me that I tend to have a few dotted about the house (though I never leave them to burn unattended).  

At the minute I am burning Jasmine Dream, a candle from Rituals which was a gift from someone that I work with.  I love the packaging on this candle, once you remove the lid, the part which encases the candle opens out to reveal more information about the scent.

It retails for £19.50 which you can see HERE and for your money you get 50 hours of burn time and the most amazing scent comes to life just a few minutes after the wick has been lit.  The glass jar that the candle is housed in also lights up once the candle is alright adding to the look.

Rituals describe this candle as follows:

Jasmine Dream combines the relaxing and harmonising power of Jasmine blossoms with the calming properties of Ylang Ylang, the ‘flower of flowers’.

This candle smells totally divine and whilst I normally associate being able to relax with a Lavender scent, this candle does just a good a job at creating a relaxing environment with the most amazing scent to go with it.

I would definitely buy more candles from the Rituals range and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this candle again.

Have you ever used a candle from Rituals?  

What candle do you burn to help relax?

Project Shoebox - needs YOUR help!

So I have Grace from AllThatSlap to thank for alerting me to this amazing cause that I too had to share with you.

Project Shoebox was an idea brought to life by a lady called Kate just 6 weeks ago and she, like many of us Beauty Bloggers has a bit of an addiction to buying beauty products and then a few weeks later realising we have so many that there are not enough hours in the day to not only use them or review them but we forget about them too. Kate took it upon herself to ring her local shelter for woman to see if they could make some use of the product she did really need. Many of these women are victims of domestic violence, who have been traumatized and often have to leave their homes with absolutely nothing, just the clothes they are wearing.

The appeal itself is asking for any unwanted beauty products to give to these women at a shelter who have been through a lot during this year, and Christmas may not be something they are looking forward to or have any presents to either give or receive.

I am the first to admit that I could probably fill more than one shoebox and I am guilty of having products sat around that I bought and didn't like so just leave them there until I eventually throw them out.  But rather than throwing them out, this year I am giving them to this fantastic cause and I hope some of you will be doing the same too.   This is just some of the stuff that has been sent to support this project to date:

All of these photos have been kindly given to me by Katie herself and feature her baby son. As you can see, there has been a lot of generosity so far, but still more is needed. Below you will find a list of what are deemed accepted products, naturally they are preferable unused:

*The Basics List*

Toothbrush and paste
Shower gel
Shampoo
Some sort of moisturiser
Tampons/towels

*Luxury List*

Hair conditioner
Hair products - spray, mousse, gel, etc
Body lotion, cream
Hand/Foot cream
Facial wash/cleanser, toner, moisturiser
Body scrub/loofah
Make up remover
Make up - unused mascara, lippy, etc
Cosmetics
Razors
Hairbrush/comb

If you think it a worthy cause, please give what you can. Simply go to the Facebook page which you can find by clicking here, send them a note with your postcode and a paid label to simply print off, as well as a list of local shops for you to drop your goodies off to will be given to you as quick as that.  It really couldn't be easier.

So get rooting through those drawes, cupboards,boxes, bags, sacks and anywhere else you hide your stash and give it to someone who needs it much more than you do! 

The Beauty Blogger's Perfect Christmas Tree!

As a beauty blogger there are many things that excite me and nothing could currently be more exciting than a Beauty Themed Christmas Tree.  I am amazed at some of the things you can buy as a Christmas Decoration and if I was to build my perfect Beauty Blogger Tree, some of these items would be making an appearance.

Starting with the top of the tree

The Liz Earle Christmas Star - £5.50-£14.00
How much of a bargain is that?! Inside your star, you will get a 30ml of the iconic Hot Cloth Cleanser and Muslin cloth to go with it which costs £5.50. Or there is a choice of two different shades of signature lipsticks which cost £14.00 or a choice of two shades of nail strengthening polish which cost £7.50 each.

Available from the Liz Earl website. 

Then we put on some crackers

I am quite excited about all of these crackers if I am honest and some of them are such good value for money.  These are just some of my favourites:

Nails Inc Christmas Crackers – £29.50

Take your dinner party to the next level and adorn your table with these stylish crackers. Each cracker is complete with a full size polish and fashion quote. 

• Mayfair Mews – navy Fibre Optic polish
• Baker Street – cobalt blue
• Marylebone Lane – red full coverage glitter polish
• King’s Road – rose gold Foil effect polish
• Kensington High Street - deep wine polish
• Trafalgar Crescent – silver Galaxy polish

 They are available from Nails Inc

Balm Balm Frankincense Organic Skincare Collection Cracker - £22.50In this cracker you will get:

• Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol 100% Organic 30ml
• Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm 100% Organic 30ml
• Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil 100% Organic 10ml

Available from Feel Unique

Cowshed - Cracking Cow Christmas Cracker £10.00 each

A ‘cracking’ stocking filler or Christmas table decoration to add a touch of fun during the festivities and in this racker you will get:

• Wild Cow Invigorating Bath & Shower Gel (30ml) and a 
• Knackered Cow Relaxing Body Lotion (30ml). 

Available from Selfridges

Clarins - Box of 6 Crackers £39.00
In these crackers you will find quite a few lovely beauty treats which include:

• Beauty Flash Balm, 
• Mascara, 
• Lipstick, 
• Hand and Nail lotion, 
• Eau de Jardins 
• Gentle exfoliator. 

Available from Selfridges

Weleda Crackers for Men and Woman - ££14.95-£5.95
A choice of a moisturising cream for the man in your life or for yourself a wild rose smoothing day cream plus a Skin Food Cracker too.  

All Crackers are 30ml and available from Feel Unique 

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker - £30
Spoil every dinner guest with our Christmas Cracker, full of scented surprises. Tart-juicy Blackberry & Bay Cologne. Reviving Lime Basil & Mandarin Body & Hand Wash. Enlivening Grapefruit Body Crème. Tied with ribbon to set the table with style. 

Available from Jo Malone.

More crackers:

Marks and Spencer Crackers:

• Autograph Crackers - A collection of 6 novelty beauty crackers, each containing a specially selected mini make up product and beauty tip. Unwrap each to discover your Autograph lip gloss, liquid glow illuminator, mascara and kohl pencil eyeliner.  Cost £18 for 6
• Royal Jelly - A limited edition collection of luxurious hand creams from the Royal Jelly range and cost £6 each
• Nature's Extracts Lemon Verbena - Experience daily luxury with our Nature's Extracts collection in a festive cracker gift set. These limited edition body care essentials have been enriched with natural extract of lemon verbena - either a shower gel or hand and body lotion. Currently on offer at £2 each
• Happy Holiday Pick N Pix Cracker - Adding some festive fun to your bath with this cracker, costs £5

Now onto your trinkets and baubles.  Again there is so much choice out there that making a decision as to what I was to include was quite difficult, but here are some of my favourites:

Ciate Tree Trinkets - 6 Baubles for £30.00Each bauble is wrapped in a signature Ciaté bow, with a mini Paint Pot in a glamorous glitter shade peeking through, ready to be worn. 

Available from Selfridges

Lancôme In Love Christmas Cubes 4 for - £39.00
These festive cubes contain, a full size Nail Polish in Love, Mini Lip Gloss in Love, Mini Lipstick in Love and Mini Hypnôse Classic Mascara. 

Available from Selfridges

Rodial Glam Balm Christmas Tree Decoration -  £12.00
Give the gift of glam this year with Rodial glam balm LIP SPF 15 Xmas tree decoration. STEMCELL super-food SPF15 glam balm lip is a rose flavoured lip balm, with stem cells and the added benefit of SPF15.

Available from Debenhams 

The Rodial Glam Balm is also available as a little pot for £2 more which you can find HERE

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES Little Bell gift set  - £10

Awaken your senses with Aromatherapy Associates' delectably uplifting and invigorating wonders of grapefruit, rosemary and juniper for a truly reviving start to the day. Includes Revive Morning bath and shower oil.  

Available from FeelUnique

Mistletoe Kisses - Coca Cola Lip Smacker - £3
Time to get festive with the heart shaped lip balm that you can use to decorate your tree or just simply save for that special kiss under the mistletoe this year. £3.00 available in Sainsburys

This Works Perfect Beauty Baubles – £12.00

Silent Night Bauble is a sleep balm to help calm the senses and Shimmer Balm a pocket sized pot of glittery balm. In two words: this works. – 

Available from ASOS

Jo Malone Christmas Ornament - £20

Trim the tree with this season's most desired decoration...a smart little box that opens to reveal a Pomegranate Noir Cologne and a delicious English Pear & Freesia Body Crème. Wrapped and ready to hang for a best-dressed Christmas. 

Available from Jo Malone.

More trinkets for your tree:

• The Body Shop Mini Shower Gels which cost £8 
• Mavala Nail Baubles which cost £5
• Cath Kidson egg shaped soap which costs between £4-£8 online and there are three different ones available
• M&S Limited Collection beauty bauble which contains a mini nail polish and two mini lip glosses and costs £5

And if all of that isn’t enough for you Beauty Bloggers then how about a Liz Earle Limited Edition Stocking? Designed by Jan Constantine and costing £50 

this stunning limited-edition Christmas stocking is brimming with treats, including:

• Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 100ml pump
• Instant Boost Skin Tonic 50ml bottle
• Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/combination 15ml tube
• Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash 100ml bottle
• Nourishing Botanical Body cream 50ml tube
• Two pure Muslin Cloths

So there you have it, my idea of the perfect Beauty Blogger Christmas Tree with decorations, baubles and even a star or five.

What would be on your Beauty Christmas Tree?

Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy by Bodhi

A few months ago I was lucky enough to win Sandra from Beauty Balm's Summer Giveaway, see the post here and since that win I think I have completely fallen in love with the Bodhi Product especially the Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy.

I am new to Bodhi products, I had at the time only read about them across the Bloggersphere and never tried anything from the range, so trying something for the first time is always quite exciting.  Given the following description from Bodhi:

"Rejuvenate the body and mind with our revitalising fusion of Peppermint, Marjoram and Frankincense. This is not for the faint hearted – get your skin and senses ready for an instant burst of life! Skin is highly refreshed and rejuvenated, cleansed but never taut or dry. All skin types, especially dull or oily. Great for after sports"

All I can say to you is that it is simply amazing. If you want something to wake you up in a morning when you have a shower, well it certainly does that with both the Peppermint and Spearmint working together to wake you up and alert your senses, not only that but they also work to boost your circulation and if you have dry skin, they help to nourish. There are a whole host of other essential oils within this product too, such as:

• Frankincense - is a calming ingredient which can help soothe and relieve muscle aches and pains.  It also rejuvenates the skin
• Marjoram helps to relieve stress and like Frankincense helps to calm and soothe as it has good muscle relaxant properties
• Lavender & Rosemary whilst both have antiseptic properties but also have other uses such as -  Lavender tones and revitalises the skin, so if like me you can be prone to oily skin it can be useful.  Rosemary on the skin helps to ease congestion, puffiness and swelling as well as improving your circulation.
• Lactic Acid helps to rejuvenate as well as help with anti-ageing.

Naturally there are many more essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, May Chang, Thyme and finally Clove, all of which you can read by visiting the website.

As well using this in the shower, you can use it in the bath which I have done on quite a few occasions and put simply it is so relaxing I almost fall asleep everytime I use it.  

For more information on this product or anything else in the Bodhi range you can find them HERE and this particulatly product retails at £23 for 250ml and it is worth every single penny!  They also only test their products on humans and not on animals!

Have you tried any products from Bodhi and have a favourite?

#SkinClinic with Balance Me

Did you know that  know that Balance Me are running a #skinclinic all this week between 2pm via Facebook and twitter? Have you taken part? If not, you still can today.

If you are a Balance Me fan, all you need to do is send your individual skin concern as a tweet or Facebook Comment so that the Balance Me experts can help guide them you to your perfect skincare regime.

Do you want to target particular concerns such as fine lines, lacklustre skin and dry complexions, or learn about our naturally-active ingredients and how they can work for you?  We will give you expert advice tailored to your query whether you want to prevent and protect in your thirties or rehydrate and repair in your sixties. 

Skin Clinic OPEN Tuesday 15th - Friday 18th October, 

12pm - 2pm.

Simply post on the Balance Me facebook wall or send a tweet your skin concerns during the #skinclinic opening hours and the experts will come back to you straight away.

Let me know how you get on!

Elle Macpherson Rotating Dry Body Brush

A few weeks ago,The Elle Macpherson Rotating Dry Body Brush arrived in a lovely package for me to try and review. It is described as a product which promotes healthy glowing skin and aids lymphatic drainage. Hmm okay, if it makes me look like Elle 'The Body' Macpherson then I am definitely up for giving it a try and I am so rubbish at forgetting to use my other brush that I am hoping this will remind me to do the job.

Dry skin brushing is one of the most simple ways to improve your overall energy and well-being in addition to improving the health and appearance of your skin. It can also help improve drainage of the lymphatic system, essential for removing toxins from the body, improves circulation,stimulates the nervous system and can even improve digestion. Apparently, regular brushing can also help prevent cellulite and exfoliate dead-skin cells leaves the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

To use this brush, following the accompanying instructions, it is recommend that for the best results you should carry out dry skin-brushing all over the body every day before you bathe or shower and if using it to rid yourself of cellulite then use it twice a day on those affected areas.  It comes with a detachable head.

Anyway this brush is one that needs to be charged and it comes with everything you need, so all you need to do is plug it in, wait for it to charge and you are away and best of all once it is charged it lasts for at least 45 minutes which means you can pretty much use it on most parts of your body before it runs out of charge.

So I have now used this brush quite a few times and I have to say I absolutely love it. It is not only easy to use but it makes the job of brushing your skin so effortless all it takes is a few seconds to do each limb and you are done, that simple.  After using this my skin is positively glowing and now the colder weather has set in I intend to keep using it so that I don't end up rocking the Freddie Kruger look with dry horrible skin.

This product is available in many department stores such as Argos, and Amazon to name but a few and it costs just £39.99

Do you think you would use one?