& Other Stories Floral Memento

There is one store in London that I can happily spend some time mooching about, the kind of store that makes you want to just touch everything because it is so well laid out. Inside you will find a treasure trove of items from clothes, jewellery, handbags and beauty, many of the items coming from Paris and Sweden. You might have guessed it already but it is the beauty part which I really love, there will find brands some really well known brands such as Eborian and theBalm but they also have their own range which is worth checking out, whether it is makeup tools such as eyelash curlers or spoolies, lipstick and blushers there is something there waiting for you.

I really love the & Other Stories body products, there is a huge plethora of scents to devour and Floral Memento, which I was kindly sent in both body scrub and souffle form, I have become obsessed with.

Floral Memento Body Scrub is a smoothing sugar scrub which polishes the skin to not only leave it feeling soft, smooth and incredibly moisturised it also leaves this amazing floral scent on the skin which is just divine. The sugar particles which form the exfoliating scrub are quite small but with a little bit of pressure perform the most amazing job to remove all of that dead and dry skin without scratching the skin. Then there is Meadowfoam Seed Oil which provides great hydration to the skin to leave it feeling velvety soft and smooth.

When it comes to using the scrub, you use it like an other scrub you own and massage it over damp skin and then simply wash it off. A 250ml jar costs just £7 and it lasts for a really long time.

The Floral Memento Body Souffle is absolutely divine and if ever there was a body cream that made me want to use it (I am a tad lazy in this department) then this is it. This whipped body cream is so soft and so smooth it is an absolute pleasure to apply. As soon as it comes into contact with the skin it absorbs itself immediately and leaves behind amazingly soft and smooth skin which smells just delightful. 

When it comes to the ingredients, again Meadowfoam Seed Oil is one of the ingredients as within the scrub but added to that is Vitamin E which acts as an anti-oxident and helps to keep the skin soft and smooth. Shea Butter which nourishes the skin and Babassu Oil which I am told is similar to coconut oil and is used because it offers protection and emollience.

I apply this cream every morning after showering and again it comes in a 250ml tub and it costs just £10.

I cannot rate both of these products highly enough, I am more than determined to make my way through the rest of the range which includes scents such as Fig Fiction, Steel Garden, Lemon Daydream, Arabesque Wood, Moroccan Tea, Frozen Verbena and Belleville Bakery to name but a few of those on offer. Within each range you will also find a Body Lotion, Body Wash, Hand Soap, Hand Lotion, Body Mist and a min hand cream and with prices ranging from £4-£10 they are absolute bargains.

Have you tried any of these ranges and scents from & Other Stories?

YNYS MON Pure Bath Salts

Baths Salts for me are one of those underrated beauty products we should all give more time and praise too.  They are something my Grandma used to rave about her bath salts and they are something ive totally ignored until recently.

Ynys Mon is a brand who caught my attention on Twitter.  They can be found on the Isle of Anglesey (which Ynys Mon means) and are a new and independent business who use their natural surroundings to create each product. Using ingredients which are paraben free, free from chemicals, fillers, compounds and perfume replacements, what you have is a selection of products which are designed to ensure that your home experience of using them is as good or better than those of your local spa.

I was kindly sent the Slumber Bath Salts which retail at £10 and are exceptionally good value for money. Described as being "A dreamy blend of oils renown for their relaxing and soothing qualities. Enjoy this blissful aromatherapy anytime you wish to unwind, settle and ease into a state of peaceful relaxation. Perfect for those who want to de-stress after a challenging day or need help to achieve a restful nights sleep". As soon as you twist off the lid, the first thing that hits you is the lovely scent of Lavender, which is one of those ingredients I absolutely adore for its relaxation properties and if you are good at detecting scents, Jasmine and Rose are also evident.

The bath salts also contain Dead Sea and Himalayan Salts which are packed full of beneficial nutrients and minerals which my skin and body absolutely loves. Himalayan salts are said to contain around 84 essential minerals that not only make skin baby-soft, but also efficiently detox the entire body. Add that to the Dead Sea Salts which contains Magnesium which is important for both combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium which is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium which energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides which act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles and finally Sodium, which is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So with all of that, you know you have an amazing product.

I think by now you have been made aware that I am a huge fan of these bath salts.  Not only do they smell incredible but they are absolutely blissful to use. If you are stressed out and tired, but can't sleep or just need to relax, a handful of these in your bath will do your mind and body wonders, I find them incredibly relaxing as does the mister.

If Bath Salts aren't quite your thing but you like the sound of the range then fear not because the range is so extensive it includes Bath Bombs, Hand and Body Cream, Bath and Body Oils, Body Scrubs, Foot Scrubs, Seaweed Home Spa (this has my attention), Day Cream, Night Cream, Bath Soak and the option to create gift boxes.

You can find out more about Ynys Mon on Facebook or on Twitter too.

LightStim for Wrinkles + Giveaway

You are never too young to be thinking about wrinkles, it is something I have been fretting about since my teens and I use one or two lotions and potions which promise to help slow down the ageing process. Back in October last year, I blogged about a device called LightStim which is the first LED device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration which is intended for the treatment of wrinkles on the entire face. The device in question is hand held and looks like a shower head, only it isn't. It uses 72 therapeutic LED lights which you hold against your skin on those areas you wish to target. LightStim emits a soothing warmth, it is totally painless and can be used to treat your forehead, crows feet, cheeks, smile lines, jawline, neck, decollete and hands.

I have continued to use this device and it is totally painfree, the one thing I do love is that there is a little bit of warmth which is created. After being plugged in you simply hold the device against your skin for around three minutes in each place you wish to treat, the red LED lights are said to work by stimulating your natural collagen and elastin production which in turns helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, the volume of collagen and elastin in the skin decreases and this allows lines and wrinkles to form. 

The claims are that this device will:

• Reduce and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles
• Restore your skin's youthful appearance
• Stimulate the production of collagen and elastin

Now to date I have had no issues with using LightStim and I actually find it quite therapeutic to use whilst I am reading in bed.  I have seen no wrinkles creeping their way onto and into my skin and having arrived in my mid thirties, I have to say it is pretty impressive.

I am a huge fan of this device and love using it but as you can image, it does come with a price tag of around £250.  However, do not despair because I have one device to give away to you lovely lot so that you can try it for yourself and see how good it is.  As always there is a Rafflecopter widget below to be completed and obviously there are some mandatory entries which must be completed, otherwise your entry will be null and void.

It is a UK only giveaway this time and I will need your email address, so please make sure you are over 16 or have your parents permission to give me your personal data before entering.  The winner will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours of the competition ending.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Makeup Revolution Ultra Base Corrector

I am a big fan of Makeup Revolution, they have literally set the world of Makeup on fire and whenever there is a new product on the horizon, the hype and excitement is just amazing and I am yet to hear or read about a disappointing product.

On Friday morning, this surprise delivery of the Makeup Revolution Ultra Base Corrector Palette landed on my doorstep and having seen a few sneak previews of it during the week, knew it was something I wanted to try. Every shade on this palette has a job to do, whether that is to balance out discolouration, neutralise redness or just brighten, it is one of those products everyone will want and need to try.

The palette itself is actually really well made. Inside an accompanying cardboard box, which duly tells you what is inside and gives a sneak preview of the contents, the palette is black, sleek and super shiny with the brand name and product name clearly visible. Each of the 8 pans are really large, so there is enough room to swish that brush around or even your fingers, depending on your preference and perhaps most helpful of all is the mirror which fills the entire top section of the palette.

Described as being a corrector palette containing 8 creamy, blendable colour correction creams, they are designed for use under foundation. Now the eight shades, as I have said, all have a job to do and this is what they are:

Pink - Brightens
Lavender - neutralises yellow tones
Green - neutralises redness
Orange - neutralises blue tones
Peach - helps to balance out slight discolouration
White - adds natural highlight and brightens
Cream - neutralises purple and covers dark areas
Brown - balances ashiness in medium to dark tones

When it comes to their texture, they are smooth and they are creamy and my one piece of advice is to not get too brush happy because you only need a small amount which you can build on should the coverage not be quite what you had hoped for, it is always better to remember that sometime less is more in that it is easier to add more, but harder to remove that which you do not want.

So my skin has a slight redness to it, so I am always going to opt for the green to start with as it should neutralise it and unsurprisingly it does do just that. The other shades I have used are the pink, white and cream for under my eyes and in the tear duct and also on my cheek bones too. The brown which is for medium to dark tones I didn't expect to have much use for, but it works really well as a light bronzer for me and ive been using it very slightly as I like a light cover.

As you can see from the photo above, to the left is without any product on my face at all, so there is some slight redness on my cheek. The photo to the right shows my Makeup Revolution Face Base Primer which I reviewed HERE and then using just the green shade and my Eco tools foundation brush, I have applied just one covering and the redness is almost entirely disappeared. So you can just imagine how impressed I am right now with this palette! To purchase, it costs just £6 and it is available right now!

What do you think?

Must-have summer beauty products

Summer is well and truly here and it's time to make the most of it! One way you can celebrate summer is to try some of the brilliant beauty products that are suited to this season. Here are some must-have products to have in your handbag.

   by  Idhren 

A bright lipstick

Whilst autumn and winter catwalks are always full of deep plum shades, summer is the time to break free from dark make up and try a pop of colour. A bright lipstick is a great way to dress up a summer outfit or just celebrate the fact that it's bright and sunny outside.

Perfect for: a summer barbecue or celebration. For extra impact, play down the rest of your make up to make the lips pop.

   by  danielmviero.com 

Skin illuminator

To give yourself that dewy, healthy glow this summer, try one of the many skin illuminating products on the market. St Tropez have one for £12.26 that comes in gold, rose or violet to match different skin tones.

Perfect for: summer sports events, whether you're watching the football with your other half or betting on the cricket with your friends. When your skin is going to be in the sunshine you want to make sure it has a healthy sheen to it.

   by  Paeonia* 

Tinted moisturiser

On long, summer days the last thing you want to be worrying about is whether you are sweating off your make up. Tinted moisturiser is the solution! It's lightweight and doesn't seep into creases, leaving you with a lovely light coverage that doesn't look cakey or overdone. Laura Mercier does a great tinted moisturiser for £33 which is worth investing in.

Perfect for: family days out with the kids, when you definitely don't have time to re-touch your make up or worry about your foundation.

   by  danielmviero.com 

Sun protection factor

No summer beauty queen is going to be without sun protection this summer, whether you're jetting off to a package holiday or chilling at the British seaside. Your skin needs protection from harmful summer rays. Choose something specifically designed for the face and avoid heavy, pore-clogging body lotions. Boots has a product called Soltan Once 8 Hour Sun Care Cream for the face which is ideal, and comes in SPF30. It costs £9.99.

Perfect for: the beach, of course! Make sure you bring a wide brimmed hat and shades to protect yourself from the heat of the midday sun.

Nailbox Tropical Treats - July

Earlier this month I introduced to you a new subscription box for those of you who love your nail polishes, nail products and nail tools which you can see right HERE. I was really impressed with the box which retails for just £15 but not only gave some well known branded products inside along with a handy cuticle tool, if bought separately the items had a value of just under £40.

I now have the July Nailbox and if I was chuffed with the May one, this one has literally blown me away it is so good. This month we have the theme Tropical Treats, perfect for the Summer (even if it is a British Summer). Inside the Nailbox for July you will find three nail polishes: two premium and one high street brands, a fun nail art tool and a nail cuticle product.

The nail polish colours are definitely in keeping with the summer theme and work well with the stamping tool, so I feel as though a lot of thought has been put into this box to ensure that not only is each polish suitable for everyone, but they are all brands we know and love. The three polishes are:

• China Glaze White on White Nail Lacquer - This is a glossy, bright white crème polish that is opaque in just two coats. White is one of those all the rage nail polish shades to have and wear right now and although it isn't my choice, it does make an excellent background for nail stamping. This polish has an rrp £6.49
• Barry M Speed Dry Nail Paint called Need for Speed - This is too dark to be lilac but not dark enough to be purple, it is one of those in the middle shades which I really like and again works well with the stamper on the China Glaze.  This polish has an rrp £3.99.
• OPI Kiss Me I'm Brazilian Nail Lacquer - This is a stunninga pretty sugar pink which has a glossy finish and looks great with all skin tones.  It has a ProWide brush which makes application an absolute breeze and it has an rrp £11.95.

The next item in the box is a Moyou London Nail Stamping Kit in Tropical. The set consists of a metal stamping plate embossed with palm leaves, tropical plants and flowers, a polish scraper and of course a stamping tool which together costs £11. When it comes to using the kit, there is a really helpful guide book which explains exactly how to use it. 

To use, you simply brush the polish onto the plate/design of your choice and then scrape off the excess polish using the supplied scraper tool. Then you need your stamping gadget to suck up that polish to allow you to apply it to your nails to give them a tropical summer stamp.

The final item within my box is the Elegant Touch Nail Apothecary No.2 which is the cuticle eliminator. This is a moisturising cuticle remover which helps to soften dry, ragged cuticles which then enables healthy nail growth. 

The hydrating formula also helps you to easily push back overgrown cuticles for efficient, pain-free removal and it is so easy to do with the help of the tool from last months box - the professional cuticle pusher and nail cleaner tool.  This product has an rrp £7.95.

So there you have the July box and how brilliant is it? Whether or not you are a huge nail polish fan, I am sure you will agree that this is not only amazing value for money at £15 when you get a box of products worth at least £40. For me, I love the fact that there is a choice of nail polish and brand especially as I am so indecisive when it comes to choosing a new polish that I tend to always opt for something similar to what I already have. Plus, I love the nail tools that are within each box and how easy they are to use.

If you think this is a subscription box for you, then you can find and subscribe to Nailbox right here.

What do you think to this box? Is it one for you?

Life's an Adventure - Burt's Bees

I am a huge Burt's Bees fan and have featured many of the products here on my blog. One thing I do love that Burt's Bees do really well is the hand travel sized products which not only mean you get to try something before you splash out on a full sized product but you can also take your favourites with you on your travels.

The Mister and I are looking to go away for a few days to the seaside, somewhere we both get quite a lot of comfort and lord knows right now we both need it. So with that in mind I have travel sized beauty items on the brain and then this lovely little Life's an Adventure kit has landed in my lap and it is packed full of amazing products. Inside this handy cosmetics bag there is:

• Coconut & Pear Lip Balm 4.25g - If ever there was a lip balm I was going to fall in love with it, it is this one.  Not only does it smell just incredible and would make a fantastic scented candle (HINT).  Enriched with Coconut Oil, Pear Extract, and Shea Butter, once applied it instantly nourishes and moisturises the lips whilst leaving behind a slight hint of pear and coconut, neither scent being overpowering. 

• Milk & Honey Body Lotion mini 70g - For normal to dry skin, this non-greasy, lightweight natural moisturiser goes to work the minute you apply it, and it’s scientifically proven to moisturise for up to 24 hours. Milk nourishes while honey helps to soften skin; plus, coconut and grape seed oils and vitamin E deliver beneficial nutrients to the skin.   It does, as you expect, smell absolutely divine and is the perfect size for a few days away.

• Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream 17g - One of my favourite products from Burt's Bees, this little tin of goodness nourishes and moisturises your nails and cuticles with this intensive, natural treatment. 

• Shea butter hand repair purse sized 50g - This is a super rich natural hand cream which uses Sunflower oil and glycerin alongside shea butter and essential botanical oils like macadamia nut, rosehip, lavender, neroli and borage, that impart antioxidants and fatty acids to nourish your skin, nails and cuticles.

• Facial Towelettes with White Tea (10 count) - These 99% natural face wipes are perfect for sensitive skin and for naturally removing dirt, oil and make-up without rinsing. They are infused with anti-oxidant rich White Tea Extract and other botanical extracts like Cucumber Extracts and Aloe Leaf Juice to cleanse and calm your face naturally.

For a few days away, this makes for a perfect little travel kit, it has everything I need in there to keep my skin in tip top condition and it costs just £16.99 which is an absolute bargain and you can find yours HERE.