Sunday Spatime!

I love having a bit of at home spa time on a sunday evening, or on any other evening for that matter! It always involves a lovely smelling bath, sometimes a face mask and a few other bits and bobs depending on how I'm feeling. I thought it would be a good idea to share what I'm using here on the blog and make it a bit of a feature as I always seem to use a different combination of products. Today it's all about relaxing and getting my self set up for a busy week back at work tomorrow. So here's what I'll be using!

Kiehl's Lavender Foaming Relaxing Bath with Sea Salt and Aloe Vera

I adore the scent of lavender and to me, this really captures that true lavender scent. It's so calming and relaxing and it creates lots of lovely bubbles in the bath. That said, the formula does contain sulphates so it isn't the kindest to skin, it can leave it feeling a bit on the dry side but it's nothing a bit of body oil can't solve!

Elemental Herbology Facial Glow

I love a good face mask and this one is a firm favourite for when my skin needs a 'quick fix'. It contains AHAs so it gently exfoliates the skin leaving it feeling soft, clean and bright. It just seems to work every single time, and the best part? You only have to leave it on for 4 minutes!

Caudalie Divine Oil

I've loved this stuff ever since I discovered it a few years ago and I don't think I'll stop using it anytime soon! It truly is an amazing product that I reach for again and again. It's a body oil that glides on really easily and sinks in very quickly. It never leaves a greasy residue on the skin and it smells seriously amazing. I also find it leaves my skin feeling noticeably smoother for a good couple of days after I've used it, which is surprising considering I always moisturise my body everyday anyway.

Nude Pro Genius Oil

What can I say? I love oils! For the face as well as for the body. They may take it little bit of extra time to work into the skin but in my opinion they are well and truly worth it. I've only used this facial oil a few times but so far I absolutely love it, it sinks into the skin really easily and a tiny bit goes a very, very long way. I'll report back with a full review once I've been using it a bit longer!

What beauty products do you use to relax?

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Sale Edit

I love a good sale but I always seem to leave post christmas sale shopping till january. I don't like the stressful and frenzied atmosphere that comes with shopping as soon as the sale starts. It does usually means that most of the popular stuff has already gone but to me that's part of the fun! I like to take my time looking around and I always end up finding some hidden gems. 

1. I love this Marc Jacobs iPad Case, it makes me feel like spring is on it's way (if only!) I'd be snapping it up myself if they did a version for iPad minis. Perhaps I could use it as a makeup bag? Because obviously I don't have enough of those!

2. This Caudalie trio from Space NK is an absolute bargain at just £11, the body butter alone is usually £21! All 3 products work brilliantly and smell delicious too.

3.  I love the cut of this Flowy Vest from Zara, it could easily be dressed down with jeans or up with leather skinnies and a statement necklace.

4. Another versatile basic that I could probably quite happily wear everyday. The Ribbed Sleeve Dress from Mango has a really great fit, it strikes just the right balance between slouchy and smart.

5. I imagine my self wearing this ASOS Sheer Panel Skirt, to a spring wedding in the country. Now all I need is an invitation to one. 

6. I love having hot, steamy baths, I'd like to say just in the winter but really I have them all year round. The Aromatherapy Associates oils are absolutely lovely, they're so potent that they fill the entire bathroom with scent by just using a few drops. This set is a great way to try a range of different scents. 

7. I usually dress in monochrome but I love adding a pop of colour with accessories. These sunglasses by Finds would fit nicely into my wardrobe and go with any outfit!

8. A smart black clutch is an absolute wardrobe staple and I love this minimally chic one from Alexander Wang. 

9. I've always loved the look of an Aviator Jacket but have yet to own one, I tried this one on the other day and am seriously tempted to go back and get it. It would be a great piece to throw over jeans and a white tee on weekends.

10. I love the scent of Life's Jump Start range, this set contains a mini body wash, sugar scrub, body lotion and candle. It smells like freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit just, great for mornings and perfect for beating the January blues!

11. I always get scarves in sales, I can't help but feel they're almost always overpriced for what they are. This Houndstooth Bicolour Scarf looks both cosy and smart, a combination I think can sometimes be a bit hard to find.

12. I wear my black boots 99% of the time but I really like the look of these beige Suede Ankle Boots, I could see myself getting a lot of wear out of them come spring.

I hope you liked my better-late-than-never sale edit! Have you found any gems in the sale recently?

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Empties #9

It's empties time again! Where I talk through the products I've used up, what I thought of them and whether or not I'll be repurchasing them. It's been two months since my last post of this kind so I've gathered rather a lot! 

Sanctuary Spa Mande Lular Body Souffle

A light to medium formula body butter which has a nice spa like scent to it. I do really like it but there are other similar products that I like a lot more, like The Body Shop body butters. Repurchase? Maybe

The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Shower Gel

Oh how I loved using this shower gel, it smelt like fresh lemonade and really made me feel awake first thing in the morning. I wish it wasn't limited edition! Repurchase? Yes, if they ever bring it back!

Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume 

This is such a cult product but if I'm honest I really dislike it, I just hate how it feels thick, gritty and dirty in my hair! I think there are much better dry shampoos on the market and I'll be sticking to those in future! Repurchase? No

Soap & Glory Hand Food

This is probably my favourite hand cream ever, it's very moisturising, sinks in quickly without leaving any oily residue and isn't too expensive. I bought three of these when they were on offer and I've managed to get to the end of them all at once! Full review here. Repurchase? Definitely

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil

This oil is very good for soothing and moisturising very dry skin, I like to slather it on when I get out of the bath. It sinks in well and leaves my skin feeling so soft the next day. I've also been using it on a post surgery scar in the hope that it will help with the heeling progress! Repurchase? Yes

Botanics Ionic Clay Mask

This one's a really great clay mask on a budget. It tackles congested skin and spotty areas helping to bring it back to normality. I used it 2-3 times a week and was really pleased with the results. Repurchase? Yes, but not straight away, there are a few others I want to try!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+

I won't go into this one too much as I did a whole post on my skin's progress after using this up, you can see that here. Suffice to say it's been my favourite skincare find of the year! It takes down spots in record time, keeps blackheads and clogged pores at bay and helps to reduce post blemish scarring! Repurchase? Definitely.

Caudalie Grape Water

I love a good hydrating toner/ facial mist and this is one I've repurchased multiple times. It's definitely not as much of a treat as their Beauty Elixir but it does rehydrate skin and is especially great for very sensitive skin helping to calm it down and feel less sore. Repurchase? Yes

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

I love this moisturiser, it's another product I've bought time and time again. It's really basic, no-fuss option that doesn't have any wacky claims. It just moisturises your face really well. Sometimes that's all you need! Repurchase? Yes

Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm

I was very excited to try this lip balm when I first bought it for two reasons, firstly it was supposed to be rose scented and secondly it was supposed to be tinted a flattering soft pink shade. Unfortunately it disappointed on both counts as the scent was pretty much non existent and there was no pigmentation what so ever! Repurchase? No

Revlon ColourStay Concealer 

This is the only high street/drugstore concealer I've ever tried and I really liked it. It had a light to medium coverage that was very buildable and looked so natural on the skin. Great for everyday and worked well on blemishes as well as under the eyes. Repurchase? Yes 

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Travel Body & Haircare

In my last post, I mentioned the skincare bits I'm taking away on holiday with me (you can read that one here) so today I thought I'd talk hair and body care! Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow if you fancy finding out what I'm taking makeup wise!

I'm not taking too much away with me body care wise as I'm only going for a week, I'm sticking to the basics! The Boots Extracts Mango Body Wash and Body Butter in miniature. I love the scent of these and the body butter is so moisturising and sinks into the skin really quickly. The Caudalie Divine Oil is a multitasking product that I love using but try not to use everyday. I'd go through it so quick if I did! I'm reserving it for slathering on limbs for evenings out, it gives skin a lovely, healthy, glow. I'm also taking The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter, not a body care product I know, but I couldn't resist including it with all the other mango stuff!

I seem to find haircare a bit more difficult to narrow down! I'm taking the Kerastase Chroma Riche Shampoo and Masque and the Lee Stafford Argan Oil Nourishing Miracle Oil which I spoke more about here. It's great for taming frizz and making everything a bit more managable! I'm also taking their Flat Iron Protection Mist, incase I decided to get the straighteners out, Living Proof Frizz Styling Cream to use pre blow-dry and Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle in case I need some extra volume!

What body and haircare items do you take away on holiday with you?

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Empties #8

It's that time again! Time to share with you what products I've used up lately, what I thought of them and whether or not I'll be repurchasing them.

Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil

I started out loving this one but soon realised it didn't sink in particularly well and left my hair with a bit of a residue. Not ideal for those who like to add more product as and when needed. This one definitely needs to be used sparingly! Repurchase? No.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+

I've been talking about this product non stop recently, you can see the full post here. It's an amazing formula that makes spots disappear super fast, unclogs pores and fades pigmentation. I can honestly say it does all those things, by far my most favourite discovery of the year! Repurchase? Already have!

Charles Worthington Salon at Home Moisture Seal Shampoo and Mineral Hair Rescue Masque

This shampoo and mask duo are great if you need to inject some moisture into your hair. They leave it feeling smooth and silky, and are pretty good for drugstore products. Repurchse? Maybe at some point, I have some other products on the go at the moment! Full review here.

Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk

Whenever my skin gets super sensitive, this is the cleanser I reach for. It's just so gentle and non irritating, it's the only cleanser I can rely on to not aggravate my skin. It also manages to remove all my makeup including stubborn mascara which means I don't have to use any stripping makeup removers on my my skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner

If you're after an exfoliating toner on a budget, this is definitely one to try. I've been using it a while now and I hardly ever feel the need to manually exfoliate using a scrub. It's so much kinder on the skin. It's also gentle at the same time as it doesn't leave the skin feeling at all dry or stripped. You can read my full review on it here. Repurchase? Already have.

Avon Naturals Lavender & Chamomile Fragrance Spritz

This is definitely one of my 'repurchase forever' products! It has such a calming and relaxing scent that I like to spray onto my pillow before bedtime. I'm currently giving one away so make sure you enter here. Repurchase? Yes. 

Sanctuary Spa Body Butter

This one's a good moisturising body butter that smells nice. It's not the best I've tried, I much prefer The Body Shop and Soap & Glory's offerings as they leave the skin lastingly moisturised but this one's good if you prefer something a bit lighter. Repurchase? Maybe.

The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Body Butter

Now here's a body butter that was amazing, much like all of them from The Body Shop. It had a lovely rich formula that was extremely moisturising and it smelt so delicious. It's such a shame this range was limited edition! Repurchase? Yes, if they ever bring it back!

The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Body Scrub

Another product from the same range that smells equally as good if not better. The scrub wasn't gentle but not the most 'scrubby' either, it sat somewhere in the middle. I usually go for the very scrubby ones but I'll make an exception for this one as it just smells so good! Repurchase? Yes, if they bring it back!

What products have you used up lately?

Boots Haul

Another day, another haul. But the last one was all with boots points (therefore free) and this one is more needs than wants, plus it doesn't include any makeup so it doesn't really count, right?

Moving on, let me tell you what I actually got! First up I ordered some more of my trusty Caudalie Grape Water from FeelUnique, I've gone on and on about how much I love this stuff (here) so it was just yet another repurchase of the stuff. It's great for dry and sensitive winter skin.

Next up was my trip to Boots, I'd heard Amelia talk about the Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave In Conditioner and seeing as how I've loved all her previous hair product recommendations, I decided to pick one up. I also got the Moisture Seal Shampoo and Hair Rescue Masque from the same range as I needed some more anyway and I like to use products from the same range together!

Come rain or shine, coconut oil is a staple in my beauty routine, I spoke about all the ways I use it here. This one comes in a nice little glass jar that I can always top up from a bigger bottle which is handy. The more sensitive my skin gets, the more I tend to use this stuff, at the moment it's all I'm using to remove makeup and I keep reapplying it (about every 15 mins) to a pesky dry patch that just won't budge. Sexy, I know. 

Said dry patch is on my eyelid, and everything I put on it seems to be making it burn at the moment. I got this cucumber eye gel in the hope that it would be soothing and calming, fingers crossed it is! 

Nailfiles, we all know how they work so there isn't much to say about those, but I do always specifically get these Double Faced Cotton Pads, one side is designed to take things of, like removing makeup/nail varnish etc and the other side is designed to put things on, like when using toner. I know it sounds like a bit of a gimmick and they are slightly pricier but if you are using decent products you end up saving in the long run. I find I need a lot less product when I'm using them.

Last but not least I bought Maybelline Colour Show Nail Varnish in Clear to use as a base and top coat because my current one has gone gloomy, but more on that in my next empties post!

Have you tried any of these products before?

Empties #5

Another month, another empties post, where I share with those who are interested what products I've used up, what I thought of them and wether or not I'll be repurchasing them. So here goes!

First up, bath and body, I was so sad to use up the last of my Botanics Relieving Bath Soak it smells amazingly relaxing, creates lots of lovely bubbles that don't dry out skin and is rather friendly on the wallet. It's by far my favourite high street/ drugstore bath product, it feels and smells so luxurious you'd think it was high end! Repurchase? Definitely!

Are you fed up of seeing Soap & Glory products in my empties posts yet? I'm certainly not fed up of using them! I've worked my way through their Clean On Me Shower Gel, it smells like Miss Dior, has built in moisturiser to leave your skin feeling soft and makes you wander around singing 'lean on me…' all morning! Repurchase? Yes

Yep, another Soap & Glory product, this time it's their Flake Away Body Scrub, with the same amazing scent as the shower gel and an amazingly scrubby texture this is by far the best scrub I've ever found, and trust me, I've tried a lot! Repurchase? Yes

I don't normally use body sprays but when I spotted the Yardley Peony Body Spray I had to try it,  I love absolutely anything peony fragranced and this one definitely didn't disappoint! Repurchase? They also make an Eau De Toilette of this scent which I'm trying to get my hands on instead.

Onto skincare, seeing as I went away over Christmas I took some of my minis with me. I don't usually use foaming cleansers, I tend to stick with gentler cream or oil formulas but seeing as I had a mini Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser, I thought I'd give it a go. It's very gentle for a foaming cleanser, as the name would suggest, it leaves the skin feeling quite soft and nourished and it's handy if you don't want to be faffing about with flannels like I usually do. That said, I'm still not converted! Repurchase? No

On the other hand I absolutely loved the Clarins HydraQuench Cream for Normal to Dry Skin, I've used a few of their products from this range and they've all been winners with me, this cream is really rich and moisturising but still has a light texture that sinks into the skin easily. My skin never felt dry while using it. Repurchase? Yes

Next up, Caudalie Grape Water, I absolutely love this stuff, you can use it in so many ways, as a toner, to set makeup or just when your skin needs an extra moisture boost. Full review here. Repurchase? Already have!

The Body Shop do some really great budget skincare products and the Hemp Face Protector is one of my favourites for parched, uncomfortable, eczema prone, winter skin. It's a really rich nourishing formula that keeps all those nasties at bay! Full review here. Repurchase? Yes

I usually love Kerastase products but unfortunately the Resistance Masque Force Architecte was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't terrible, but it was nowhere near as good as the masks in their Nutritive range. Repurchase? No

Last of all I finished an Avon Brow Definer in Soft Black, the first ever brow product I've ever used up! The formula and staying power was great but I found the colour to be a tiny bit on the dark side. Repurchase? Yes but one shade lighter.

What products have you used up lately?

Best of the Sales - Beauty

Boots Extracts Coco Butter Collection - 10.00 5.00

Korres Shower Gel Trio - 10.00 7.50

Crabtree & Evelyn Deluxe Hand Therapy Collection - 15.00 11.25

Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Travel Candles - 22.00 17.60

Ren Rose Experience Gift Set - 32.00 16.00

Soap & Glory Once upon a Lime Gift Set - 18.00 9.00

Sanctuary Triple Moisture Bliss - 10.00 5.00 

The Body Shop Chocomania Shower, Scrub & Soften Luxury Gift - 25.00 15.00

Burt's Bees Festive Edition Essentials Kit - 12.99 11.04

Macadamia Flawless Cradle - 25.75 19.31

Nars Guy Bourdin Collection Longwear Eyeliner Set - 35.00 25.00

Caudalie Winter Must Haves Set - 12.00 9.60

Nuxe Cocooning Must Haves Gift Set - 30.00 24.00

Maybelline New York Colour Show Gift Set - 7.99 4.79

EcoTools Fresh & Flawless Brush Set - 11.99 10.19

Elemental Herbology Travel Essentials Kit - 24.00 12.00

November Favourites

This month I've been continuing to love most of the products I featured in last month's favourites post, obviously I didn't want to repeat myself so here are a few other things I've been loving!

I've been absolutely loving my Caudalie Grape Water (full review), as the weather gets colder, my skin gets dryer and this has been a great life saver. It's great if you need a boost of moisture over the top of makeup.

My absolute worst spot for winter dry skin is around my eyes, they start to feel sensative and uncomfortable and the Clarins Special Eye Contour Balm is the only eye cream that seems to nip it in the bud. I usually just use this as night but when my eyes are extra dry I use it in the day as well. 

A rushed morning where makeup was done in the car and mascara was forgotten lead to the purchase of Miss Sporty Fabulous Lash Xtra Black Lash Building Mascara, and I'm so glad because I love it. It's not the quickest to use but it's really buildable and gives great separation. Plus it's cheap as chips. (full review)

Avon Advance Techniques Nourishing Argan Oil Leave in Treatment has been used non stop since I bought it. It tames frizz and moisturises hair in one step. I use it pre blow dry or just on the ends as a touch up. (full review)

I've been continuing to love both my Avon 8 in 1 eye palette and MUA Undressed Palette this month, often being a bit bolder with a bronze or chocolate smokey eye. My Natural Collection Lipstick in Rose Bud has been a perfect partner to that, it pulls the whole look together really nicely without making it look over done. Definitely a 'my lips but better' type shade.

Last up is Avon Rare Gold Eau De Parfum, I bought this a few winters ago and everytime the weather gets colder I seem to pull it out and fall in love with it all over again. It's a very warm, rich grown up scent that smells much more expensive than it is! Keep your eyes peeled for a full review coming soon! 

What have you been loving this month?

Caudalie Facial Sprays

Over the last few years Caudalie Beauty Elixir has become quite the cult product, and with good reason! They also make a facial spray called Grape water which I've been using everyday since I bought. 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir claims to smooth features, tighten pores and give the complexion a burst of radiance. In my experience it does make pores appear less noticeable and definitely adds a lovely radiant glow to the skin. I use it in so many different ways, as a toner, to set makeup, to soothe tired, puffy eyes and of course to revive and refresh the skin. The lovely glass bottle contains a thin film of nourishing oils at the top and when you shake the bottle before use, it all mixes together. The spray itself comes out as a fine herbal scented mist which you just can't help but love.

Their significantly cheaper Grape Water is also lovely to use, the main difference is that it doesn't add radiance to the skin but instead gives in an incredible boost of moisture which is great this time of year when skin is feeling a bit dry. It's also great for sensitivity, a quick spritz just seems to calm and cool angry skin. As is doesn't have the lovely fragrance of Beauty Elixir, it doesn't feel like as much of a treat but it definitely gets the job done. 

I tend to use both in exactly the same way but steer more towards Grape water in the winter for it's moisture giving properties and towards Beauty Elixir in the summer for it's refreshing scent and radiance boosting properties. 

Empties #4

I've been trying to use things up and avoiding buying new  products recently in an attempt to prepare for my house move next month. Here's what I've recently got through.

Ted Baker Hand Cream

I touched on this in my Project Use Up post, it's a decent hand cream which smells nice but doesn't seem to do much longterm. Repurchase? No.

Redken Extreme Shampoo

This protein enriched shampoo is brilliant for strengthening damaged hair (full review here). A little goes a long way with this one so it's lasted ages! Repurchase? Definitely. 

Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk

I feel like I haven't stopped talking about this stuff recently, it's a new descovery and I absolutely love it, massaged on and flanneled off it removes all traces of makeup and leaves skin feeling silky soft. (full review here) Repurchase? Already have!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor

I loved this conditioner years ago and never used to use anything else but after trying it out again recently I don't love it quite as much. Most probably because I've tried a lot of other conditioners since and my hair is in a lot worse condition! That said it does leave hair feeling soft and lightly fragranced. Repurchase? Maybe, but there are some others I want to try first.

Sephora Express Body Scrub & Mask

I picked this up when I went to France in the summer and had very high hopes for it but unfortunately I wasn't that impressed. It's a 2 in 1 product that contains traditional exfoliating grains as well as exfoliating AHA fruit acids and can be used as either a scrub or a mask. For me it didn't do much because I like scrubs which are quite course and really 'scrubby' and found this one was too gentle for my liking. I didn't find the AHAs to do much either. Repurchase? No

Kerastase Reflection Chroma Cristal

This one was unfortunately another disappointment, I usually love all Kerastase products but this one is the exception. It's a shine perfecting mist take settles into two parts that you shake before you use. I found it to be very watery and therefore cause my hair to get a bit damp, obviously not ideal if you've just spent ages straightening your hair! It also doesn't leave a great finish, I much prefer my Lee Stafford Shine Spray which is a third of the price! Repurchase? Definitely not.

Schwarzkopf Got2b Oil-licious Styling Oil

This is a great budget argan oil serum, I've been using a few pumps on damp hair before blow drying and it leaves hair with a lovely finish. full review here. Repurchase? Definitely

The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Cream Compact Foundation

It's not often I get through a foundation because I have quite a few on the go but I really enjoyed using this one on sensitive and dry skin days. It's very moisturising and leaves skin with a dewy finish (oily skinned girls this is definitely not for you. This was the only thing that worked for me when my skin was reacting to everything. Repurchase? Yes, if my skin gets reactive again.

Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturising Balm 

This technically isn't an empty because I still have more than half the pot left, but I've had it a while and it has separated so definitely needs getting rid of. I didn't use it because it just didn't work for me, I found it to be very greasy and not last very long on the skin. Someone once told me it made my skin 'glisten like a basted turkey' needless to say I never used it again! Repurchase? No

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care

This is a brilliant lip balm that actually treats dryness rather than just keeping lips comfortable till it disappears. It doesn't have a fragrance and leaves lips with a natural finish meaning it's great under lipsticks and on girls and guys alike. Repurchase? Definitely.