SPAtopia London Argan Body Oil

SPAtopia London Argan Body Oil - £6.99 from Sainsbury's

I want to have a rant about the weather, now I know being typically British I always love a moan and moan about the weather does give me some slight enjoyment. But seriously, how cold is it in the UK at the moment? Last week I just couldn't get cold... I swear it is coming up to March, I mean spring, have you got lost? 

So because of all this cold weather has played havoc with my skin, it has become so dry and flakey. I think it doesn't help that I'm going from the heating to freezing cold. My usual body butter isn't cutting it at the moment and I need something which will really sink into the skin. This is great for locking in the moisture and keeping my skin soft and subtle. 

This Argan Oil is great for your skin it is full of antioxidants, vitamin E which helps repair your skin while reducing stretch marks and moisturising the skin. The thing which makes this body oil different from the rest and why I think it is one of the best out there is because it contains a combination of Argan and Tamanu Oil along with a fragrant blended of Lemon, Patchouli and Petitgrain which leaves a sweet smell on your skin whilst the Tamanu oil helps improve the appearance of the uneven skin tone. 

I think this product is such a bargain and I would love to get my hands on the entire collection because this has really helped rescue my skin at the moment. A little goes a long way with this product and it such a bargain. 

Have you tried any of these products? 

Mass Empties #2

Will Repurchase 
Dove Nourishing Oil Care Conditioner (See Full Review Here)
For how cheap that this product is, I am in love. I am dreading the day when they rebrand the product because I know they will change the formula. Companies always do this and it is really annoying. This conditioner is probably the first one that I have used in a long time where I can say it makes it silky smooth. 

Lush BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask 
If my skin is going through "time of the month" hell then this is the mask which usually sorts out my skin. I find it really clarifying and calming. I tend to have to use it after my spots have kind of come out because I find if I use it before they have erupted then my skins tends to burst out into a spotty nightmare. However, it makes them fade really quickly and relieves any redness too. It is a spot hero. 

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub
Coconut is my favourite scent especially for my body, that aside from citrus ones. This scrub from The Body Shop because is not too abrasive to use everyday but it scrubs enough to really work into the skin. That and the smells lasts ages (though I do pair it with the coconut body butter) which probably helps but it is definitely delicious. 

Lancome Tonique Douceur Hydrating Toner
I can't wait to get paid because my skin has been missing this already. I love this toner and it is one of my favourite thing for my skin. It smells of Parma Violets and just sinks into my skin beautifully. I don't really know what to say other than it is amazing!

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation (See Full Review Here)
For a high street brand, this foundation is flawless and just blends into my skin beautifully. It has great coverage but isn't cakey. I can't wait to repurchase this but I am currently trying to use up some older ones first however it is definitely on the cards especially when summer time comes around. 

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment 
I am still not 100% sure whether this actually makes your hair grow but I do think it helps. If that makes any sense. But aside the fact that it might not make your hair grow it is great at conditioning it and putting back into good condition. I use it for my "Sunday Head" where I cling film wrap my hair for about 2-3 hours. I may not look sexy but my hair does especially after I wash it out!

Might Repurchase
Radox Moisture Soak Bath Therapy
I am a little bit of a bath snob as I love my Lush products, I know that they aren't the most cost effective but they make my bath times that little bit special. I don't dislike Radox it just makes the bath time less special, but I find it handy to always have a bottle in my cupboard just incase my Lush stock has run out. It smells nice and bubbles up -  what more do you need from a bath. 

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Daily Miracle Treatment
Again this is another product which I liked but not loved. It did a good job and what is was supposed to but didn't make my hair feel out of this world. Good but definitely no miracle. 

Ralph by Ralph Lauren
I love this summery scent - I have used it on and off for years. I love how fresh it is and it is light too. The only thing that annoys me slightly is that it the scent doesn't last for as long as I would like but after using it for a while it doesn't become a stronger scent. 

John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo 
This was a thick shampoo which felt like it was making a difference too. I always find that I focus on getting a great conditioner and tend to forget the shampoo, when actually the shampoo is probably the most important. I love how thick this is and the smell of it too. 

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor
Now I know so many people who love this product, I would probably go as far as saying that I like this product but I don't find it amazing. I find that it is quite heavy in my hair and I have to spend ages washing it out. However, once I have taking the time to rinse it, it is okay. I might look into trying this again - any tips would also be helpful :) 

Won't Repurchase
Oral-B Complete Extra White Toothpaste
I don't know why but this toothpaste gives me such bad breath well at first it is really minty but then leaves a horrible taste in my mouth. Would not recommend or buy again.  

John Frieda Full Repair Conditioner
I wasn't impressed by this as much as I was with the Shampoo because I didn't think that it was nourishing enough for my hair. It didn't treat it as well as I would have expected this conditioner to do. 

The Body Shop Peppermint Pumice Foot Scrub (See Full Review Here)
This is going to be too much information and probably be a little grim but I have quite bad skin on my feet and I need a scrub which is really thick and feels like it is shredding the hard skin off. The scrub is quite squidgy and doesn't have thick corse grains. 

Lee Stafford My Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo (See Full Review Here)
This was one of these products which I was just rushing to get rid off and I wanted to finish it. I just wasn't impressed with it at all. I can't say what I didn't like because I don't know it just made my hair feel crappy to be honest. 

Lancome Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream
This was a nice little sample and I quite liked it. I found it too thick to use as a day time cream but not thick enough for a nighttime cream even though I used it as that. It made my skin feel hydrated and calmed the redness but when I looked in to buying it but it was way too expensive considering I wasn't wowed by the product. 

L'oreal Super Liner Luminizer in Green
This was easy to apply and gave a really nice consistent line and at first I liked the sparkly green shimmer in it. There is nothing wrong with this product at all but I just generally prefer black eyeliner one which is higher in pigmentation. 

I think that this is my last big empties as I have used up most of my half filled items. Are you a sucker for half using products?

Mass Empties #1

Repurchase 
Chance by Chanel Eau Fraiche - see full review here
I already was lucky enough to recieved this in the Eau Parfum from my Brother this Christmas. To be honest, I can see myself buying this scent forever. I'll be a little old lady and still pulling my Chanel perfume out of my (hopefully) Chanel handbag. This scent is girly but seductive - it has strong lasting power too.
 
Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo
I haven't used Pantene for ages, I tried this small bottle and actually really liked it. I quite like the smell as it is fresh. It cleans deep into my head as well and even though it is a gentle shampoo, it feels as though it is clean my scalp too! 

Corsodyl Daily Defence Mouthwash
I have really sensitive gums; I need something which cleanses and cleans my teeth and gums. It isn't overpowering or super strong - I hate when mouth washes are really strong. But after using this for a fortnight, I can tell the difference in my teeth and dental care. Would recommended it to everyone, as it is a quick and easy way to help your towards healthy gums and teeth. 

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner 
I have a supply of this in the larger size already. I really like it but not as an everyday shampoo but as one of thoses that I used after using a clarifying shampoo such as BIG. It makes my hair feel super soft and shiny without weighing it down. It is also sulfate & paraben free which makes me like them more as I believe it is kinder on my hair. 

Lancome Star Bronzer in 02 - see full review here
Even though this is in my repurchase section and I would 100% buy it again, the only thing that does put me off is the price. It is £32.50 which for a bronzer which doesn't actually last that long is pretty annoying. However, the glow it gives is beautiful. It is buildable and has a slight shimmer in it so it contours your face more when the light hits your face. 

The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Room & Linen Spray
I have this already and I am a quarter through my current bottle. I have notice they have gone into the sale so I need to get into my nearest Body Shop to stock up as this scent only comes out at Christmas and it is my favourite. I love the berry scent and I use it mainly on my bedding inbetween washes, just to freshen it up. I haven't found anything that comes close to this. 
     
Might Repurchase  
Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner
I really did like this and the reason that I only might repurchase it was because I prefer the 'Nourishing Oil Care' one. I did like this and thought that it really conditioned my hair but I just prefered the silkiness of the oil care and the that it is a little lighter than the Intensive Repair. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in no.52 - see full review here
When I bought this at first I really didn't like it. I thought that it wasn't anything special, but as the cooler months started to draw in - I realised what was great about it. It is super light and it is blendable whilst nourishing the skin. It gave a dewy glow which I need when the weather starts to get cooler. The only thing is, is that I find it similar to Rimmel Wake Me Up - just not as heavy - but I think I prefer the Rimmel. 

Soap & Glory Hair Supply - see full review here
I am not keen on the smell, which is my first observation about this product. I don't like that traditional Soap & Glory smell in a hair product. I also find that this mask is quite thick and heavy. That aside, it does really nourish my hair when it is feeling super dry which not many hair masks touch my hair when it is rough. I prefer this mini tube too as I only use it on the odd occasion.

The Body Shop Peppermint Foot Soak - see full review here 
I haven't used any other foot soaking products, I liked this one as it felt as though it was softening the hard skin on my feet. Also the peppermint smell lasts as well which I find cheaper products don't usually do. I just think this does the job and does it well. 

Lush Oatifix Fresh Face Mask
I am working my way around all of the Lush Fresh Face Masks. I love most of them, like the rest and the only one I dislike is the Cupcake (as it made me break out). This Oatifix is really great when your skin is feeling sore, like if you have been over indulging in products, or the cold weather has got to your skin and even if you have sun burn. It contains a blend of bananas, vanilla and oats. It didn't do wonders for my skin as I need masks for blemishes but I would recommend it for anyone who needs to brighten up their skin or has super sensitive skin. 
    
Won't Repurchase   
Umberto Giannini Intense Beauty Conditioner
Again as you know I am a smell person and if I don't like the smell of something, I normally don't like the product unless it is amazing. To be honest when I put this conditioner on it hardly made any difference on my hair whether I put this on or not.  
 

nSpa Jojoba & White Jasmine Body Polish
I love the smell of this unlike the Umberto Conditioner. The thing that lets this product down is that it doesn't feel like a polish. It feels like a shower gel which has these little annoying bits in it which doesn't actually do anything. It was okay but not something I would use again.


VO5 Perfect Lengths Serum Mist
It has taken me AGES to use this up but I was determind to do it. I HATE the smell and it made my hair feel greasy if I put too much on and it was hard to control how much you apply. I am just happy to have used 80% of this so I can now throw it away. 

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion 
Not my favourite smell but nice enough! For me unless I adore a body lotion I rarely repurchase it, they normally have to blow me off my feet for me to repurchase but I did enjoy using this scent. 

Mark Hill Beautiful Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner - see full review here 
I just HATE these from the beginning but I used them up when I was at the gym because I am normally too tired to care much at the time. However always regretted it afterwards, my hair felt clean but it was left frizzy, dry and had that feeling of when you don't wash a product out - even though I had spent ages washing it out. Steering clear of these - even though they have been rebranded. Has anyone tried this?

That was a big empties, I will be doing another one next month as I am trying to use up all of my minis and products which only have a little left in. It is saving me money and it definately saving me space.

Are you using up your bits or just throwing them out?
      

Christmas at Lush

So I am slightly annoyed at myself for doing this post after Christmas and now 50% of this stuff is now unavailable. The thing is that this year I asked for a few bits for Christmas, so I wanted to wait for my full collection to show you all! I am a full Lush addict and I love going into there stores are the people are always super friendly and helpful which always makes me make at least one purchase - damn them. I know there products are on the pricey end for what they are but I can honestly say that I love them!

Soaps

Honey I Washed The Kids - £3.40 for 100g 
This soap is gorgeous for dry, 'wintered' skin, enriched with honey.

Rock Star - £3.40 for 100g 
An old classic, it smells super girly and lathers up whilst still nourishing the skin.

Sea Vegatable - £3.10 for 100g
It contains lavender and sea salt which helps with blemishes on the body.

Snow Globe - Discontinued (Christmas 2012) 
This lime citrus smelling soap is right up my street, it is refreshing and kind on my skin.

Snowcake  - Discontinued (Christmas 2012) 
Marzipan Christmas smelling soap, it has a slight bit of glitter on the top of the soap but underneath it is just pure white.

Bath Bombs

Golden Wonder - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Butterball - £2.45

Rocket (actually a bubble bar - oops) - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Space Girl - £2.10

Party Popper - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Dragons Egg - £3.20

Bubble Bars & Bath Melts

Candy Mountain - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Christmas Eve - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Santas Sack - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Melting Snowman - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Moustache - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Magic Wand - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)

Hair

Shine So Bright Hair Balm - £4.50 for 10g
This pricey balm is actually lovely on the ends of my hair, it is really soothing and helps banish that frizzy end look. A little goes a long way.

Trichomania Solid Shampoo  - £5.25 for 100g
I am still not a solid shampoo convert as I find it a faff, yet this one is packed full with coconut and really helps smooth and repair dry hair. 

 

Extras

Snow Fairy Shower Gel - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)
This sugar, sweet shower gel is super girly and is great before a night out.

Twilight Shower Gel - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)
This should be used in a before bed shower, the strong lavender scent helps relax you and your muscle. It is great after a long day. 

Whoosh! Shower Jelly - £3.50 for 100g
I was using the Sweetie Pie Jelly and I had glitter in it and that was a no no for me, however this one which is enriched with grapefruit and essential oils not only feels great on my skin but also wakes me up.

Dream Cream Hand & Body Lotion - £10.95 for 240g
This is heaven for when my skin is particularly worst for wear, I would recommend it to anyone who has super sensitive skin.

Popcorn Lip Scrub - Discontinued (Christmas 2012)
I am a huge fan of the bubblegum flavour, however I tried this several times and didn't like it, the final time that I did try it I liked it so I bought it instantly.

What have been your Christmas Favourites?

My 5 Week Challenge

I'm the biggest non-runner in the world. I hate it so much, I used to walk around cross country at school and refused to run for buses/trains/tubes. However, at the start of 2012, it was the biggest ambition of mine to do the Race For Life. Now like most families theses days, mine has been unfortunately affected by cancer. My Auntie caught her cervical cancer late because she didn't pick up the signs, but luckily after a tough battle she has pulled through. And more recently my other Auntie has sadly been diagnosed with her second bout of breast cancer. This has made me more determined than ever to run and to raise as much money as I can.


From the title of this post, I have 5 weeks until the big day. I'm running at Clapham Common on the 4th July for the 5km race. I know you can walk, jog or run the distance, and I could easily walk it as I walk that distance to and from work somedays. Though I want to push myself and attempt to run it. I also think this will generate more donations from friends and family as they know my relationship with running. 


This means that over the next 5 weeks. I will be keeping you posted on my efforts. Let me know if you have joined the Race for Life 2012 :)

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter

I wanted to blog about this before I run out of my Body Shop Strawberry body butter - as you can see I am scraping the bottom of my tub. The Body Shop body butters are my FAVOURITE moisturisers ever, I've only go a christmas one left, so I am in need of a Body Shop shop. I am always trying new and different body butters but none come close.


I have normal skin, it's not really dry or oily, I get the occasional spot on my back so it is important for me to have a blemish treating moisturiser. The thing that I love the most about the Body Shop body butters is the way they smell, and how they last on my skin. My favourite smells are fruity ones, in particular the orange but this strawberry one reminds me of Calpol -- which is yummmo.


This butters retail at £12.50 but they are on promotion a lot of the time too which is handy if you are a serial offending like me :D Check them out !

Gok Wan Get Gorgeous Box

In my bedroom underneath the window there is an eves, which is great for storing bits and bobs. I am a confessed shop-a-holic and with that it is amazing what I can find in the back. Usually it I find old/unopened christmas/birthday presents and shopping bags. This Gok Wan Gorgeous box was one of those - now it felt like christmas all over again. In this lovely red glossy box was full of yummy smellies; in this box there is a body wash and shower scrub along with a liquid gold body wash and bath essence. Now they aren't the usually smell that I normally pick because I'm not a lover of over perfumed scents which is why I'm quite glad that there isn't a moisturiser in the set because I probably wouldn't use it. 

Overall I happy that I found some little goodies lying in the back of the cupboard, I also found some No.7 pieces which I obviously brought ages ago and have never opened. I will be excitingly showing you that this week, so look out for it :-)

Lush Haul *February

* Dream Steam - Steamer Tab - £2.50

* Magic Mushroom - Bubble Bar - £2.45

* Karma - Bubble Bar - £3.10

* Leap Frog - Bath Ballistic - £2.75

* Yuzu & Coco - Bubbleroon - £2.95

* Sex Bomb - Bath Bomb - £3.10

* Happy Blooming - Bath Melt - £3.85

* Rock Star - Soap - £3.25

* Creamy Candy - Bubble Bar - £2.45

* Sugar Babe - Body Scrub - £2.60

* Fair Trade Foot Lotion (from a gift set) - RRP: £8.95 (225g)

* Helping Hands (from a gift set) - RRP: £6.75 (100g)

 Think Pink - Bath Bomb - £2.45 ( I dropped this before takin the photo... :( It still made a great bath) 

Yes, this is my february Lush haul... I have grown to really really love Lush. Can you tell? I didn't buy this in one big haul but in staggering shopping spree - as this way it gives me more chance to go in Lush lots of times. There are also a couple of little bits that are from a gift set that I received for christmas. This haul doesn't include the post that I did on Lush's Cupcake Mask and Lush's Jasmin & Henna Fluff Eaze Hair Moisturiser they were also purchased this month. 


What I love about Lush:


1. The products are natural which means they are kind to your skin - my theory is that if you want great looking skin you need to use nice products. 


2. The products look innovative and they smell great too.


3. While the prices are on the expensive side when you compare the fact that some of the bombs or bars you'd use a whole one per bath - I think verses the quality of them they are great. 


4. I can take them out of the packaging and put them in my cupboard or on the side and they aid as an air freshener. 


I am going to put a quick review about the products that I have already used. But the ones that are still sitting in my cupboard are: Dream Steam, Karma, Happy Blooming, Creamy Candy and Sugar Babe along with Sex Bomb and Rock Star - but these are just stock of products I have used before :P


Magic Mushroom - it smelt like strawberries and cream, it wasn't as over powering as some of the products that you can find in Lush. I was personally attracted to the look of the mushroom as I was cute. It crumbled in the bath nicely and there were no lumps (I hate when bombs/bars leave lumpy bits) the water was postbox red accompanied by frothy white bubbles. I used the whole mushroom for one bath as I don't think there would had been enough for two - that and the smell had weakened significantly once created into a bath. 


Leap Frog - it turned my bath bright green which was a bit odd getting into, there was a little note inside the bomb which I thought was sweet. "This is a kissed from the prince" (something along those lines). The smell reminded me of washing powder - it felt fresh although not my favourite smell - I brought it more for the way it looked. 


Yuzu & Coco - My favourite scent I think - coconut oil and shea butter, leaves you skin feeling kissable and nom. The macaroon shape means it is easy to split it between two baths, I didn't find that it bubbled as much as other bubble bars I have used. It felt like a treat on the skin though. Love Love.


Sex Bomb - A staple love of mine though I do get annoyed with trying to put it in half so I don't use a whole bomb per bath as this one is massive and I think it could be more value for money to split it. If you have any tips that would be great?! Again this one is girly looking, girly smelling and very very pink!


Rock Star - This soap bar last for ages, like months, though this could be because I only use it maybe once or twice a week as I normally have showers but try to make one day a week for a bath - two if I'm feeling I need it. This soap is sweet smelling but you can detect vanilla in it, it is gentle on the skin. I'm on my second lot now, but I want to break away from it as there are plenty more than I MUST try!


Foot Lotion - I work part time in retail whilst doing my degree, so after a long shift my feet are normally quite achy. This lotion is refreshing and lovely with peppermint and spearmint smells. I love it as much as the Body Shop one they are both fab in my eyes. 


Helping Hands - I wished that in the shops when you buy this that it comes in the same pump as it does in the gift sets. I carry this one in my handbag and it is probably the best hand lotion I have used (second to that would be Helping Hands by Soap & Glory). It contains honey, almond oil and coco and shea butter, these are the smells that I can detect, but also aid to why it is so smoothing. 


Think Pink - The smell I find similar to Sex Bomb but it is a lot small in the size so I put the whole one and it turned my bath pink and had little confetti hearts which scattered about. Obviously because I dropped it, it was pre crushed so had no floaty lumps. The only thing was that similar to Sex Bomb it left a pinky stain in the bath but it was easily removed with a  squirt of Flash Bathroom Cleaner.


What's your favourite Lush product??