The Haul | Lush Bathbombs

I do love a Lush bath. I do find them really relaxing and I really do look forward to them. Pop a bath bomb in, a little bit of bubbles and stick Netflix on my laptop. Then soak. What more could you want? I realised as I went to have a bath the other day I had run out of bombs, shock horror, which of course meant I had to go and pick up some new ones...

The Video Post | Boots & Lush Haul

I went to a couple of shops and bought some stuff. Yup, stuff. I talk through all my latest purchases in this video, as well as introducing one of the cats to you for about 2 seconds...

The Beauty Post | The Kiss

Last week I popped up a review about my ultimate winter lip saviour, however one of these products has also helped to completely sort my lips out. The other is a hmm product. When I saw Lush had bought out some Valentines bits I was determined to own some, especially the lip scrub. So I popped in and bought some bits - not too many if I'm honest - but I did treat myself to these two little pots of lip goodies.

The Kiss Lip Scrub

I generally love these lip scrubs and have been using them for years. I was a bit disappointed in their Christmas Santa Lips one a couple of years ago, so I was dubious about this - shouldn't have been though! This has hundreds and thousands, and little red heart sequins in it as well. Both totally unncessary but it does add to it's cuteness. This one tastes of love hearts (apt for valentines) and is my favourite flavour of these scrubs so far. In general, it's just amazing at removing dry or dead skin, scabs and smoothing my lips out. I couldn't live without these scrubs and The Kiss is no exception.

The Kiss Lip Gloss

I've never used a Lush lip gloss before, so I was really excited about using this. However, I have come away being a bit disappointed. I find it quite hard to use, literally it feels really solid and I have to press down really hard to get any product on my finger. Then, when it's on my lips there is very little colour pay off and little gloss pay off. It's very nourishing and I think it's definitely more of a balm then a gloss. This is sat on my shelf at the moment without much use at al.

Lush is a brand I absolutely love and I'm really loving their lip scrub, however I probably won't be buying any of their other glosses as I was disappointed in this. You win some, you loose some!

What are you coveting from Lush's Valentines collection?

The Beauty Post | Pamper Box

January is a bit ridiculous for birthdays for me. It's two of my best friends birthdays 4 days apart - so thanks guys, very considerate to my bank balance! Luckily we usually have budgets so it's not too bad and this year we seemed to team up on pressies. They got me a beaut butterfly Pandora ring for my birthday in November. For one of them, Amber, we decided to create a pamper box for her. She's recently moved into a house that needs a looooot of work doing to it and every hour she isn't working her and her partner are usually doing something house related. So we decided she needed a good excuse to just relaaaaax and what better way to do that then with a pamper box! It's such a good idea and so easy to put together. We had a total budget of £40 and here's what we put in the box...

Firstly let's all oooooh over this gorgeous box - i found it for 75p in Tesco - BARGAIN! Now let's get to the good stuff...

1. Yankee Candle: Amber Moon Small Jar

Although not quite as obsessed as me yet she is getting into her candles and no pamper evening is complete without one. We couldn't not get her this one as it has her name right there - AMBER moon! It's a lovely winter fragrance and I'm actually quite tempted to get myself one.

2. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

She's always balming her lips or looking after them in some way and I know she's coveted these lip scrubs for a while. Bubblegum is my favourite but I did send a sneaky text asking for her advice on flavours and she said this one so - she got this one!

3. Lush Twilight Bath Bomb

I've falled head over heels for bath bombs at the moment, and if anyone knows how to do them well it's Lush! I love the design of this one, it's so cute and not only that but Ambs has always been a lover of purple - so what better bomb to get her than one that turns your bath purple?

4. Lush Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar

I've never actually tried one of these before but I LOVE the idea of one of these and this strawberry one is incredibly cute and oh my god it smells bloody amazing.

5. Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Removed

Every girl should own one of these. She was fascinated with my one of these when I first got it so we decided to pop on in. Not entierly sure if she already has one or not BUT you can always do with a spare!

6. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

She does like doing her nails but with all girls, hates how long they take to dry. Voila! I've spoken to her about the magic of this before but she refused to pay £9 for it (fair enough) so we got it for her, it's utter magic, I promise.

7. Soap & Glory Hand Food

As long as I can remember she's loved Hand Food so a handbag sized version was always going to go down well.

8. Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream

This is my personal favourite S&G fragrance - and my absolute favourite body cream. She's smelt it before and loved it and I cannot recommend this stuff enough. This is a 50ml version so a mini size but good to test to see if you like it.

9. Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

I really hope she does like the scent of this stuff now... Teamed with the buttercream they do make the perfect body duo.

I now feel like we should have gotten something else to make it an even 10... Hmm. Oh well :( She seemed to love this box and I think it's such a nice idea as well. I'd love a little pamper box for a gift.

What would you put in your pamper box?

The Review | Lush Ocean Salt

LUSH OCEAN SALT FACE & BODY SCRUB

Another little product from my Lush haul, I picked up this little scrub after a recommendation from my bestie Amber. She has gone on and on about this and how amazing it makes her skin feel. Amber has gorgeous skin so I had to snap it up and give it a shot.

I've been using this scrub once a week as my cleanser just to give my face a really good deep cleanse. I grab a scoopful and rub in circular motions around my face for a minute to get the blood in my face going and getting rid of all the dead skin.

It's a very weird feel to be honest as you have the very salty bitty crust with a thick gel type formula so it's a bit of a mix. Usually I'm not a big fan of the Lush pots, however with this product it really works well so it doesn't bother me in the slightest bit. So what about the product itself?

To begin with it did make my skin feel a bit greasy however once my skin got used to it it was really a lovely product. After each use my skin began to feel healthier, cleaner and softer. My skin does still feel a little greasy sometimes when I use this so I think it's definitely for those with drier skin as it will add moisture, whereas with oilier skin types like mine it can exacerbate it depending on the condition of your skin that day.

What scrub do you use for oilier skin?

The Review | Lush Cupcake Mask

LUSH CUPCAKE FACE MASKI had a little Lush haul a few weeks ago and this face mask was the first thing I really wanted to try. I'm falling head over heels for so many masks lately and this was no exception, I love it. If I'm honest I only really got it because of the chocolatey goodness. It's a multi task mask, with ingredients to draw out impurities, tone and moisturise. I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of the smell, it isn't a chocolatey smell at all. That's the only downside. It's comfortable on the face and so nourishing. My skin feels silky smooth and clean afterwards. I have fallen head over heels with this, which is great as I wasn't too keen on their Mask of Magnaminty which was the first mask of theirs that I tried. I would definitely recommend this little beauty to anyone and all skin types as it seems to have something for everyone.The only other downside would be the pot - I think it's just a little messy, however it's really easy to store as I can just stack my Lush tubs up!What Lush masks would you recommend?

The Top 5 | Blemish Combating Products

I've always been one of these people that suffer with blemishes and acne, so finding the right products has always been a mission for me. I'm not going to lie, it's been a struggle so when I find something I like to hold onto it with everything I have. I know there are a lot of people out there like me who suffer from blemishes and find it hard to find something. This week I am focusing on blemishes and skin care. You may have seen hundreds of no make up selfies the past few days which I think is such an amazing cause. So I thought this weeks blog posts will be all about making your skin look the best it can possibly look - face, body and all! So today's post is about me sharing my top five blemish solving products...

1) ORIGINS SUPER SPOT REMOVER GEL

I use this in conjuncture with the Lush Tea Tree Water Toner Water for a targeted treatment. After cleaning the area with toner I pop this gel on the little bugger to help dry it out, reduce redness and swelling and generally just calm the area. A little goes a long way (which is good because it's a tiny bottle) but is well worth the pennies.

2) ORIGINS MAKE A DIFFERENCE+ REJUVENATING TREATMENT 

I use this before bed every night, after I cleanse and tone. I use it as my moisturiser and a treatment. It's so nourishing but also amazing at keeping your skin nice and clean. It's not too thick which is perfect for my oily skin, definitely feels more like a gel, but it's great. After I started using this my skin did a complete 180. It's not been the same since and honestly, I do still get some blemishes, but this keeps the majority of my skin nice and clear.

3) LA ROCHE POSAY EFFACLAR DUO+

A new offering, I loved the original, but I love this even more. I use it in the morning after I cleanse and tone, before my make up, as a moisturiser and primer. It smooths the skin and keeps the oil at bay all through the day (hellp rhyme!). It keeps all marks away and helps combat blemishes.

4) LUSH TEA TREE WATER TONER WATER 

This stuff has turned into my absolute holy grail. It has anti bacterial properties which keep my skin so squeaky clean it's never looked cleaner or clearer. I spray this onto a large cotton pad and wipe all over my face after double cleansing to remove any excess dirt or cleanser left behind. I do this morning and night, and also for targeted relief. I spray some on a cotton bud and swab the area to clean, then apply my Super Spot Remover Gel. It's the perfect combination.

5) REN CLEARCALM3 CLARIFYING CLAY CLEANSER 

I will be doing a full review on this this week as part of my skin care series, but really this is just perfect for blemish prone skin. It's lovely and creamy, gentle on the skin but hard on spots. It cleans like no other cleanser I've tried whilst staying gentle - I get dry skin but this doesn't upset it in the slightest. 

I would just like to point out - skincare is completely subjective. My advice would be to find a blogger who is your skincare type - for me I always look to Kate at gh0stparties for any skincare advice as she has very similar skin to me. What might work for me however, may not work for you - all skin is completely different, these are just the products that work for me.

What's your blemish fighting products?

The How To | Caring for Dry Lips

It's that time of year when weather is changing, wind is up and havoc is played on lips or any parts of your body that can become very dry. For me, it really is my lips - it's a nightmare! I've found a couple of products that are amazing at keeping them lovely and soft, plump and smooth. Also - it will cost you under a tenner!

First up is the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub for only £5.50 and absolutely amazing. This is used daily and has lasted for around a year already. It's a sugar scrub that is rubbed over the lips to get rid of any dead skin, scabs from bitten lips, and smooths them out. Also, it tastes amazing. You just lick it off afterwards - yum!

Then, just to finish off, I used the Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm. Cheap as chips at £1.65 and actually fantastic quality. It lives in my handbag and it bought out constantly at the moment. It's smooth and fresh and very very nourishing for the lips. It contains Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter for moisture.

These two paired together are my go to for caring for my lips. Both have been a constant in my routine for around a year and I love them. Cheap and cheerful, and amazing quality.

How do you care for your lips in the changing seasons?

The How To | Evening Skincare Routine

After last weeks Morning Skincare Routine I've popped up my evening routine as promised. This does actually take me longer than my morning, but that's because I give myself a deeper clean in the evening. Taking all my make up, dirt and grime away from the day and making myself feel fresh for the next day. So let's see...

First up is, of course, cleansing. I like to double cleanse every evening - I really notice the difference when I don't do it so it's definitely a rule of mine. I remove my make up with a micellar water, my evening choice is of course Bioderma Crealine. For me it's still the best at removing eye liner, lipstick and all make up. I use a large pad for the face then the normal round cotton pads for the eyes and lips. Next step of cleansing is Ren Clearcalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, a gorgeously smooth cleanser that makes my skin feel ridiculously clean and helps control blemishes. It's specifically for blemish prone skin so it is the perfect cleanser for me, and was recommended by Ren themselves via Twitter. Next we go to toning. I saturate a large cotton pad with my Lush Tea Tree Toner Water and wipe over my face, remove any left dirt and any cleanser from my skin. Then I mist it over my face as a finishing touch. One a week I put a blemish controlling mask to help my skin - in particular Origins Out of Trouble mask, a firm favourite of mine. If I have any large blemishes I use my blemish controlling method (see here) which involves my toner and Origins Super Spot Remover. Lastly I pop Origins Make a Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Treatment, I use this a treatment and also a moisturising as it has some amazing moisturising properties. 

I do have some other bits I substitute in every now and then, but to be honest this line up is definitely my go to at the moment. It's made a huge different to my skin and I intend to keep at it for the foreseeable future. I am definitely up for trying other products so any suggestions would be appreciated!

My Skin Type: I have typically oily skin which is also blemish prone. Very occasionally it can be dry, this is due to an imbalance of oil in my skin.

What's your evening skin care routine?

The Review | Lush Tea Tree Toner Water

LUSH TEA TREE WATER TONER WATER

I was always so meh about toners, but I caved and finally bought this one. When Kate from gh0stparties recommends something I can't just ignore it - it's like saying no to free chocolate. I bought myself the smaller 100g version so I could give it a try without buying the full version. That is one thing I really like about Lush, there are always smaller versions to buy and try first - if you like it buy the larger version, if you dont - no harm no foul.

So onto the product. To begin with I wasn't too keen on this, I sprayed and didn't rub it in or pat it in, therefore the toner settled and I ended up with blemishes and spots - not good. Then I realised it must be the way I was using it. Since that I've been spraying this on a large cotton pad and wiping it on my face, then in the evening I lightly (very lightly) mist it on my face and pat in. Since using this I have noticed a definite difference. My skin feels fresher, looks brighter and no so tired. I also use this as a targeted treatment. It has antibacterial properties, which is perfect for cleaning blemishes and keeping them clean and sterile. I pop this on a cotton bud and clean the area, then apply a targeted treatment. 

This has completely changed my opinion on toners, I would be completely lost without this. I will definitely be purchasing the larger sized bottle and would recommend this to anyone with oily or blemish prone skin. The antibacterial properties make sure your skin stays very clean, the tea tree brightens the skin and makes it look healthier. It's a beauty.

What toner do you swear by?

The How To | Morning Skincare Routine

I've had a few of you guys asking me for my new updated skincare regime - basically I got lazy last year and my skin paid the price so I've had to really step it up this year and commit to sorting it out. I've already popped a couple of little bits up such as Blemish control (see here) but I thought I'd pop my full routines for you all, and let's start with the morning!

Now, the morning I don't tend to do too much. As far as I'm concerned the more time I can spend in bed in the morning the better - I'm not exactly a morning person! So where do I start...

First up is removing any excess dirt, so I use a mild micellar water just to get rid of any excess dirt from the nights sleep. At the moment my morning micellar is L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution. It's really mild and perfect for a quick clear up. My next step really depends on how my skin is behaving at that moment in time. If it's feeling a bit naughty I feel the need to add another cleanser. At the moment I'm loving Ren Clarimatte T Zone Control Cleansing Gel. Basically this really controls my oiliness throughout the day (hence the morning cleanse). No oily t-zone for me. Once I'm all clean and cleansed it's time to tone. I spray the Lush Tea Tree Toner Water over my face, just a mist. If I have any large blemishes I use my blemish control routine - Tea Tree Toner Water and Origins Super Spot Remover Gel. Afterwards it's time to moisturise and prime my face ready for make up and the day ahead. I like to use Nivea Express Hydration Primer, I like using this as it's very lightweight and helps to prime the skin. Then I throw La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (+) over the top, a really affective treatment for blemish prone skin and again, a really great way to prime the skin. 

I realise I said I didn't do too much, it really doesn't seem like it at the time, but having done these posts I realise there is a lot of products here. Whoops. Anywho, this really seems to be working in terms of preparing my skin for the day and keeping it clean and healthy. My evening routine will be coming up very soon!

My skin type: My skin is all over the place at the moment, but basically I have oily and blemish prone skin. At certain times it can go quite dry but that's usually if I neglect to moisturise. 

What's your skin care morning routine?

The How To | Reducing Blemishes

ITEMS USED: ORIGINS SUPER SPOT REMOVER & LUSH TEA TREE WATER

Combating breakouts is one thing, but those really annoying and painful blemishes are a whole other story. I've always struggled with aways to get rid of them, or even just to reduce the appearance, swelling and pain. You may know I've been overhauling my skin care somewhat these past few weeks and through this I've found a nifty little way of helping to sort this out. 

It's so easy and just involves two little products and two steps. So you can't really go wrong!

ONE

Grab a cotton bud. Soak one end of it with your Lush Tea Tree Toner Water. Rub over in inflamed area. This product contains antibacterial properties so it cleans the area like nothing else and keeps it clean and free of dirt. I've found this helps reduce soreness and redness.

TWO

Take a squidge of Origins Super Spot Remover and put on the inflamed area with a clean finger. Rub in. I've found this dries the area out reducing the swelling. It gives a little gel overlay on the top of the blemish so also protects it from any nasties trying to find their way back in.

I've found this way is amazing at reducing the appearance of your blemish. You do still need to moisturise otherwise the Origins gel will dry the area so just follow your usual skin care routine. After a couple of days said blemish is history! I'd love to know if you try this and if it works, or if it's just me going mad!

What's your blemish busting routine?

The Review | Mask of Magnaminty

I feel like I'm a little bit obsessed with Lush lately. I cannot get enough of them and I keep finding myself creeping onto their website to have a look, and then quickly shutting it down as I could easily spend hundreds in there. This purchase was definitely a necessity for me though (so I say with all of them). I can't actually pronounce this but here we go.

Mask of Magnaminty is a mask made specifically to try and combat spotty skin, it's also one you can use for either face or back. I purchased this with my back in mind. Back-acne (or back-ne) is a real pain in the arse, if you excuse my french. I hate it and have never really found anything that gets rid of it. So I picked this up to see what it could do.

It has mineral rich kaolin to nurish, honey for its anti bacterial properties and peppermint oil to stimulate the blood cells to look refreshed and nourished. I use this before I go in the shower, I slather it on my back (where I can reach), then wait for 10 minutes before I pop in the shower, then rinse off. 

I found the first couple of times you use this it really doesn't make a difference, not one I saw anyway. My skin looked cleaner and fresher yes, but there wasn't any difference in terms of spots. It was about the fourth go that I saw more of a difference and my back started to look a bit clearer. I use this a couple of times a week to get this. It's not life changing I have to say - in face I am a tad disappointed and it's not really done what I bought it to do. All in all it's a nice mask, but for me it's not quite doing the job. Also, the scent is incredibly strong - if you're not a mint fan then you won't like the scent. I'm not a huge fan if I'm honest.

So basically, it does clear the skin a touch and it does clean your face. But if you're looking for that miracle cure for back-ne then you may want to look elsewhere. I got the 125g pot so I could try it for £5.25 or you can get the larger 315g pot for £9.25, you can get both here from the Lush website or from your local Lush store.

What masks from Lush would you recommend? Do you know of a back-ne cure?

The Review | Santa's Lip Scrub

This is definitely the most perfect Secret Santa gift of all time. It just screams it! Well, if you're buying for a girl anyway, not sure how much the boys will appreciate this. I will admit I actually bought this for my Secret Santa, then decided I wanted it for myself so got my SS something else so I could treat me. Whoops!

I have the Bubblegum version of this Lip Scrub and use it religiously. I get very dry lips, and I bite them as well which doesn't help, so I need all the help I can get. This isn't as coarse as the Bubblegum version, so basically it doesn't have as big bits for those with confused faces. It's a lot smoother so I've found it's better for everyday use rather than a proper scrub. It tastes of those cola bottle sweets (yum!) and is the same as the others, you can lick them straight off after use. I also love the little hearts on the top. Obviously after use they are gone but such a sweet little extra.

Stocking filler or Secret Santa, this is the perfect mini gift this Christmas. You can find the Santa's Lip Scrub in Lush stores and online here for £5.50.

What's keeping your lips supple this winter?

Best of 2012.... Etc

These are all those other bits that don't necessarily fit into a particular category, but those I still absolutely love!

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette
A brand new fragrance and my favourite at the moment. It's a fab everyday scent, subtle yet incredibly pretty. Floral (which is quite obvious) and incredible cute bottle. I love Marc Jacobs scents and have a review of Dot coming up soon as well!

Soap & Glory Whipped Clean
I couldn't live without this stuff now, which sucks when it's £8 eek! But it's so moisturising and it smells amazing and it lasts for quite a while as well. Would definitely recommend this as a shower cream/shaving cream.

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub
Another can't live without product. My lips get ridiculously dry and this has definitely saved them this winter. It takes scrummy and is a very easy product to use. Definitely highly recommended.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
An everyday, morning, pre make up spot buster. My skin has never been clearer than when I use this stuff and it has honestly lasted forever. Definitely worth the price tag.

Fade Out White Moisturising Cream
I was always a bit meh about moisturising creams, but this is amazing stuff. It brightens my skin and moisturises before make up. It doesn't aggravate my oily skin either! Thumbs up!

What's your favourite all time products of 2012?

Winter Warmers

I've been wanting to write this post for a while, but was waiting until I settled on my favourite products that have actually made a difference to me this winter... Every year I think "right - this year I will find my perfect combination" but it never happens - this year however I feel I have come pretty close!

Lips
Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub (full review here)
Love this little post of miracle magic! Leaves my lips feeling lipstick ready and removes all the gritty dead skin and scabs left over from me biting my poor little lips. Tastes scrummy too!

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose (full review here)
A nice little product. No sticky residue on fingers and leaves my lips feeling lovely and moisturised  despite the winter chill. A perfect partner for my lip scrub.

Face & Hair
Fade Out White Moisturising Cream (full review here)
A gift from a PR company and I love it. It's my everyday facial moisturiser and it's made such a difference the past month or so. I forgot to take it to NY with me and my face felt horrible - until I got home and rejuvinated with this baby!

VO5 Hot Oil Moisture Soak Elixir (full review here)
To begin with I was a bit iffy about this product, but I am now in no doubt that this is definitely saving my hair from being left dry and brittle with this weather. A definite hair saver - I just wish it lasted longer!

Hands & Body
Soap & Glory Hand Food (full review here)
Love this little hand cream. Not just for winter, but all year round (when you work in retail anyway). It gives my hands a new lease of life and the smell is incredibly scrummy!

Soap & Glory Whipped Clean (full review here)
This shower cream has saved my body, my legs especially, from this cold weather. I don't know what I did before it and I don't know what I would do without it either! A definite must in my shower from now on!

These products are all my little winter savers - it's taken me a couple of months to choose my favourites and these definitely are the best of a bunch (and I mean a great big huge bunch of products). Hope this helps you in some way - I definitely feel I have finally found the ingredients for healthy winter skin!

What's you winter warmers?

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub £5.25

My lips take a right beating no matter what time of year - mainly cause I bite them, but winter is especially bad and I get scabs and dead skin and they are just a bit eugh. So this year I was resolved that it would be different. So I picked up this lip scrub from Lush. I'm always intrigued by Lush and I love the concept behind the brand and their products - I haven't come across one yet that I don't love.

This product is made up of castor sugar which acts as a gentle scrub and jojoba oil to moisturize your lips without leaving them oily or greasy. I dab my finger in and then rub across my lips, then lick off. It leaves them feeling smooth instantly, I then pop on my current lip balm of choice (Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose) which helps to protect my lips. Having used it for only a couple of weeks I am already seeing a distinct  improvement into the quality of my lips and the ease at which lipsticks go on now.

My only reservation with this is that I'm not a huge bubblegum fan, or of any of the other flavours they do - this was chosen purely out of colour. But I've found that this doesn't taste very bubblegummy at all - to me anyway, it's actually rather tasty.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who asked and it's not a bad price either. It seems to be lasting forever too which is good! Definitely grab one of these little posts for the winter - it's a lip saver!

How do you keep your lips soft in winter?