Giveaway | The Skin Regime

The perfect complexion is something that we all strive for. Even girls who (on the outside) have the perfect complexion. Dana Ramos has been through all of this and has written this fantastic little book, The Skin Regime. All the way from the US (or if you're in the US not all the way) I was sent this book and a sample peel to try out, just to see if I would be interested and well, this book is actually great.

It's a funny and completely honest account of skin care and products on the market. I'm not going to completely ruin the book for you as I really would recommend it. It gives recommended products, routine and pit falls not to fall into. It's pretty safe to say this has changed my view point on skin care. Am I going to stop using all my usual skin care products? Probably not - I am a beauty blogger so I will always be seduced by different products. But I will definitely take me time over them now, and I am definitely going to get the products recommended in the book.

Okay, so the peel itself - the routine for using it is inside the book - but I was sent a very gentle peel to try out. Initially a very weird sensation, and was a bit anxious about using it due to the whole "peel" element. But honestly, it was a gentle sample, so although my skin felt a little sensitive afterwards, there was no adverse affect and my skin did look better after a couple of days.

I would highly recommend taking a look at this book and giving the Regime a go. So, I am incredibly excited to announce my FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY. Yes, all my others have been UK based but to all my lovely readers all around the work... Dana Ramos is offering one of you a copy of the book and a sample peel to try out. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
The giveaway will last for two weeks, once the winner is announced I will give your information over to Dana who will send out your goodies.

GOOD LUCK! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nails | Top Three Spring Shades

I'm a person who loves it when their nails are all painted, suited and booted. I love new colours and I love different shades. This spring I've been keeping to a fairy pastel based palette and these three are definitely my top three.

Models Own Upotia £5
Thanks to Lily I have hunted this down and finally bought it. It's different to what I thought it would be, its a very pale lilac, paler than the photo lets on, and is a gorgeous subtle shade. Long wearing and great as a base when you want to add a sequin top coat.

Barry M Lychee £3.99
A favourite in the blogging world and has become one of my most worn. A "foundation" shade, if you like, which again is great as a top coat base or just a lazy shade. Really long lasting as part of their gelly range.

Essie Maximillian Strasse Her £7.99
Silly name aside, this is a gorgeous pale duck egg-ish blue that screams IM SO PRETTY I COULD DIE! Definitely my favourite. Again, lasts for ages and honestly I am just in love with this shade. it is one of my absolute faves and I will live and die in it.

Pastels are a great shade for spring and summer, and with "foundation" nails setting the way for the next couple of months, these pale shades are definitely in style. Also - look I have a nail wheel yay! About bloody time and I love it. All swatches are just one coat and are without any top/base coat.

What's your top spring shades?

Body | Soap & Glory Sugar Crush

 SOAP & GLORY SUGAR CRUSH BODY SCRUB £8.00

This scrub has been around the blogosphere and it took me a while to give in, but when Soap & Glory went on 3 for 2 I thought why not - let's give us a go.

Firstly the smell - O. My. God. It's so scrummy! It's made of brown sugar, sweet lime, almond and macadamia oil. All I can smell is the lime and sugar and I really do love it. I first got it and was sat on my bed continually smelling it over and over again. When using it in the bath or shower the whole place just smells of it and it's incredible. If they did a candle of this I would buy it.

Okay, so the product itself - it's quite a thick syrupy scrub that you need to scoop out and rub in, it's thick and dense and lovely to use. Since I've been using it my skin has visibly cleared - I use this especially on my back and it has made a huge different. This is hands down the best scrub I have ever used and I will definitely want to rebuy this when it runs out. One request - bring out a candle with this scent?

What Soap & Glory products do you recommend?

Make Up | MAC Plumful

MAC LUSTRE LIPSTICK IN PLUMFUL £14.00

When I went off to Cardiff, I accidently found myself in a Debenhams, taking advantage of their 10% off sale in the MAC section. I've been thinking about getting Plumful for a little while now and was tossing up between this and Brick O La and after swatching both of them in Debenhams I decided upon Plumful.

It's a gorgeous deep berry shade with a strong tint of blue shaded purple - and I absolutely love it. It's a colour I never thought I would love, or couldn't live without, but this is definitely a lipstick that I could no longer live without. It applies smoothly and flawlessly onto the lips. It lasts a good few hours and doesn't transfer.

It's part of their lustre collection, which is the same as my other MAC lipstick - just a coincidence, but I do really like the finish of the lipstick. I honestly love this lipstick and I can see why people get addicted to buying MAC products as they are such good quality products - I definitely want to get another and I'm already looking at what shade to get next!

What shade would you suggest? What's your favourite?

Hair | Naked Care for Sensitive Scalp

NAKED CARE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER FOR SENSITIVE SCALP

I've been having some issues with my scalp at the moment, it's been a bit flaky and I've been trying to find something to help combat it. I say these on a blog a few months ago and thought I should give them a go. They are 97% natural and are made up of very good things.

This particular type is made of neroli and cotton seed, honestly I'm not a huge fan of the smell, it doesn't really appeal to me at all which is a shame as I love the idea of the organic/natural brand. In terms of the product itself, it's easy to use, foams up easily and isn't too over-foamy. It applied nicely and made my hair feel squeaky clean. The product lasts quite a while as well, which is a nice change.

Afterwards, if I'm honest, I didn't make my hair feel as soft and nice as a lot of other shampoos and conditioners, which was a bit disappointing. My hair was still clean and it did keep the grease at bay for a while longer than others. In terms of scalp, it didn't improve it at all if I'm honest. It kept the itchiness at bay, which was a complete relief, but I still had my flakes, so in that respect it didn't really do what I wanted it to do.

Overall, it is a nice product - but probably not one that I would repurchase unfortunately. Sorry Naked!

What anti-dandruff shampoos do you use?