La Mer Glossybox

I managed to get my hands on the beautiful limited edition La Mer Glossybox. I had used a sample of the gel moisturiser which I have to say is phenomenal but rather on the expensive side, so this box is a really great way to try out high-end skincare. I Paid just over £40 for the box which is worth £118!



The box is so beautiful and Glossybox always deliver on packaging.



Inside the box is; Micellar Water (30ml), Treatment Lotion (5ml),Revitalising Hydrating Serum (5ml),Eye Concentrate (3ml), Intensive Revitalising Mask (15ml) and Crème de la Mer (7ml). You also get a complimentary hand and arm indulgence at your nearest La Mer counter.

Let me know if you have tried any of these products or gotten your hands on this exclusive box!

Nature's Beauty Workshop at Origins

Last Saturday I went along to the Nature's Beauty Workshop at the new Origins store in Cambridge. It was an intimate skincare workshop where the Glow Guides answered our skincare questions and showed us how to use their range. They also showed us an exclusive preview of the new Origins Flower Fusion Masks.



To celebrate the launch of the new flower-powered sheet masks, they partnered with Clare Kenward Flowers to transform the store into a pop up florist. Clare gave advice on how to keep your flowers lasting longer and looking hydrated just like your skin should be! She had also created some beautiful bunches you could purchase.



My wonderful Glow Guide Sharon started by cleansing my skin with the Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser due to my skin being a little more sensitive in the winter. I then got to try the new Flower Fusion Lavender Soothing sheet mask. "Inspired by the naturally radiant beauty of florals, each sheet mask helps to provide an instant boost of radiance and dewy moisture. Crafted with natural Bamboo and formulated with pure flower extracts, each sheet mask provides a unique essential oil blend to deliver an ideal sensorial experience and deliver specific skin benefits." These masks are so refreshing and I definitely think a big product for this year to look out for. I also picked up a Rose Hydrating mask to take home to try out. I then finished over with my favourite Ginzing eye cream and moisturiser. I also got to try out the VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-boosting moisturiser with Mangosteen, this gave a really nice even skin tone and the SPF. We then added a pop of colour with the KissZing lip crayon in Rosemance  which was a my lips but better effect.



After all this pampering by the most gorgeous bronze and marble sink I picked up another GinZing set that I was repurchasing and the Rose Hydrating sheet mask I also got the Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Dark Spot Correcting Serum as well as the KissZing lip crayon in Rosemance in my goodie bag. I also got a really pretty lollipop with flowers and gold in it which is too pretty to eat.

If you haven't been to the new Origins store in Cambridge on Rose Crescent you must as the Guides and the store are amazing!

ESPA Favourites

Just thought I'd show you some more skincare I've been using over the year that I just feel is worth the mention. I worked at a salon that sold ESPA and the amount of comments we had about how nice it smelt in there were very high and I have to agree it did smell amazing in there. I didn't try a lot of the ranges but I mainly used the Optimal Skin range which for my skin type being very variable between dry/dehydrated to fairly oily in my t-zone this range worked every time.

From the Optimal Skin range was the ProCleasner* and ProMoisturiser*. I love how this range works with my skin, I find it the perfect texture not too heavy in consistency but still really creamy. The key ingredients in the cleanser are moringa seed extract cleanses and removes make-up whilst multi-functional jojoba spheres gently exfoliate and melt to leave your skin clear, nourished and smooth. Finally, pumpkin enzymes gently dissolve dull cells, revealing a beautiful, radiant, healthy glow. It also is a Tri-Phase multifunctional gel cleanser, exfoliator and mask so you get more than just a cleanser! I leave it on for about 10 minutes so let it really soak into my skin and work its magic. A little goes a long way with this product so I think its a good investment. The ProMoisturiser was a lifesaver product for me, its suitable for all skin types so I can't think who wouldn't like this! It has such a silky texture and its light on the skin but absorbs very well. My skin much preferred the light texture of this cream especially during the winter it soaked in beautifully. Again a little goes a long way so it lasted me ages!

My third go-to ESPA product is the Purifying Micellar Cleanser*. If I haven't worn makeup I use this cleanser alone and then moisturise but if I have had makeup I use this as a second cleanse after using the Garnier Micellar Water as I find often my makeup is hard to budge with just the one cleanse.  This product has a really good pump on it which personally all products could do with! I simply have a cotton pad and pump it a few times and then sweep it from face to neck to décolleté. It also smells so nice, I use it morning and night and then follow with my moisturiser as it also seems to tone your skin I skip using a different one.

The fourth ESPA product I own is the Refining Skin Polish*,  I don't use this quite as much due to it being a coarser texture for my skin I only use it about ones a week, Again with this product a little goes a long way. It smells lovely and does a really good job of shifting dead skin and makeup residue. After using this my moisturiser absorbs really well and I notice a lot more benefit from it.



If there is any other skin care products you think I should try let me know!
*Affiliate Links

Blonde Hair Maintenance

I recently decided to change my hair colour up a bit again so I've now had a full head of blonde highlights from my lovely hairdresser Gary Hellman. I thought I would do a little post about how I keep my hair in tip-top condition after a lot of bleach!



During the dyeing process he used Olaplex 1 and 2 (1 in the bleach and 2 in the toner). Olaplex is a three-step process includes a patented active ingredient that works on a molecular level to seek out broken bonds in the hair that are caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage. You can use Olaplex to restore compromised hair, or add it to another service to provide the ultimate breakage insurance. As a follow up I bought Olaplex 3* which is a homecare product that is a  Hair Perfector that works to help repair damage to all hair types, and it can also be applied once a week between chemical services to further lock-in the results of any given salon treatment.




The next things I use to keep my hair bright blonde is the Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes range. I have the Bleach Blondes Shampoo* and Bleach Blondes Conditioner* and the Everyday Blondes Shampoo*. I really like the smell of these products, I've been using these products since I first ever got blonde in my hair and found it didn't affect my natural brunette colour on the top but kept my blonde looking bright and not brassy. They're really reasonably priced for the product and often have offers on when I purchase them at Boots.




The third thing I use on my hair is more of a general hair care product but I found its helped with my bleach hair a lot. I bought the Moroccanoil Treatment Light* from FeelUnique on offer a while back so I got an extra 25ml than the usual 100ml bottles. This product smells so amazing and the smell seems to last all day. I apply this after washing my hair and letting my hair air-dry. It really smoothed out my hair and softens the ends to make it look silky smooth. It is a more pricey product but with it having a pump it means you don't get any wastage.



If you have any more hair suggestions let me know! I love trying out new products out and hearing other peoples opinions on how they get the best for their hair.

*Affiliate Links

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Gel Wash Review

I just picked up the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Gel wash in Boots this week after being an avid user of their water formula. I am so impressed by how quickly it removed my makeup including stubborn eye makeup. The product is a all-in-one rinse-off gel wash not only cleanses but also soothes and removes make-up, even on eyes and lips.



There is a very slight smell but not anything unpleasant just a clean scent. I follow this up with my usual toner and moisturiser which varies between the Origins Ginzing Energy-Boosting Moistiser or Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. It has such a soft texture that really feels like its doing its job just as quick as the Micealer Water however I feel this was a deeper cleanse. I picked this up in boots but I have found it hard to find recently I assume because it so popular!

Bigger and Bolder Brows by Benefit Cosmetics

I have my brows done by the lovely ladies in Benefit Cosmetics and I'm in love with their brow products! So when they brought these kits out I had to get my hands on one. I purchased the Bigger and Bolder Brows Kit in shade 3 (Medium)

The kit contains ka-Brow which is a eyebrow cream-gel colour which is perfect for filling in your brows with the little angle brush contained in the lid of the product. You can use this quite subtly or you can go full bold brows with it depending how you apply in.

You also get High Brow which is a eyebrow highlighter, I love this product; it blends so nicely and really makes a difference to the shape of your eye area by lifting it with the brightness it gives.

The third product in the kit is ready, set, BROW, this is a clear brow gel that will keep you brows in place all day.

You also get an eyebrow mapping tool in the kit with two styles one is more angled and the other is a soften angle to the end of the brow. you simply hold it below your brows and follow it with ka-Brow.

What I got for Christmas

Just thought I'd pop a little post up about some of the brilliant beauty things I received this Christmas.

The first thing I received was some Charlotte Tilbury goodies. I got the Legendary Party Eyes Kit which has a mini Rock 'N' Kohl in Bedroom Black and a mini Legendary Mascara. I've been trying out the mascara this week and just one coat makes such a difference. I also got a Colour Chameleon in Champagne Diamonds. I wanted this shade to go along with my other on in Bronzed Garnet as a highlight shade.

 

The second thing I got was the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit - Surreal Light. First of the packaging is stunning and has a really great mirror. I've used this a few times now and it such a natural collection of powders and just adds a glow to your skin. None of these colours are available separately and its a limited edition palette.



The third thing I got was some Pixi Beauty products; Pixi Glow Tonic, Multibalm and Fairy Dust Favourites. I've been wanting to try out the Glow Tonic for a while now and finally have my hands on it. I also got a Multibalm which is for lips and cheeks and the Matte Fairy Dust Favourites.



And finally I was very lucky to have gotten an Olivia Burton watch! I'm so happy with the colour and design with the bee. Over the last year I really got into wearing a watch after being frustrated on checking the time on my phone constantly so I decided to get a watch that was a statement and I think this one fits the bill!