Leighton Denny Nail Care

I'm a bit of a nail nibbler (terrible I know!) I was recently sent a package of Leighton Denny products* so I'm going to try and get my nails presentable for Christmas. Watch this space! Some of the items I was sent I won't be able to use straight away.

I've already been trying Rock Solid Base & Hardener 12ml* which is great for strengthening and using as a base coat. It also helps to encourage nail growth. I'll be using Remove & Rectify Cuticle Remover 12ml* to dissolve dry cuticle skin and nourish. Marvel Balm 30ml* nourishes dry cuticles, hands (elbows and lips).

The Hydra-Flex Treatment Regime Trio* rebalance and rehydrate damaged nails. Hydra-Flex Treatment Shield 12ml* seals in moisture, creates a perfect shield and makes your nails look better. Hydra-Flex Treatment Serum 12ml* nourishes, moisturises and cares for your nails (love this!) whilst Hydra-Flex Polish Remover 50ml* hydrates and strengthens.

Double Up (2 in 1) Base Coat 12ml* is a new product and is the perfect base and top coat. Also new is Bare It All 'Conceal & Care' 12ml* which has a beige tint (a bit like foundation for the nails). You can use it as a base coat or on its own with a top coat. It masks imperfections and fills ridges.

A Crystal Nail file* makes light work of filing and is "The Rolls Royce" of nail files and I've two pretty polishes* to try.

Do you have any nail growing tips?

*complimentary - sent for review

Shopping My Stash #78

Here's what I've been reaching for this week:

Nuxe Prodigieux le Parfum - I bought this recently from a friend who was having a clear out. I love Nuxe's dry oil so I was keen to try the scent. It's perfect for summer with notes of Orange Blossom, Magnolia and Vanilla.

Avril recently sent me a box of organic goodies* to review and I'm loving the Lipstick Pencils*. I chose 2 and this shade is Rouge Franc. With long lasting colour they are very easy to wear and apply. Love.

Some more Nuxe love! Their Rêve de Mel Lip Moisturising Stick nourishes and cares for the lips.

I've been enjoying using The Hand Made Soap Company's Sweet Orange, Basil & Frankincense Hand Cream* which deeply nourishes the hands. See my review HERE.

Rock Solid by Leighton Denny* which is a base coat and strengthening treatment. I'm a bit of a nail nibbler (but would love gorgeous nails) so I'm on a mission! Fuller review will follow.

What have you been using this week?

*PR samples

Advent Calendars: The first 6 days

I showed you what I got in my Advent Calendars on 1st December - see HERE. I'm doing  round up of the first six days and my thoughts on the contents:

1st December

YOU Beauty:

NUXE Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask (50ml FS) - fairly sure I've tried this mask before. It moisturises and soothes the skin and is suitable for all skin types. Still to try but looking forward to a pampering session.

M&S:

Philip Kingsley Geranium & Neroli Elastizicer (40ml trial size) - I absolutely adore the original version so I know I'm going to love this!

4160Tuesdays:

The Sexiest Scent on the Planet Ever (IMHO) (2.25ml) which has a heady bergamot top note, with a heart of woods and base notes of vanilla and ambergris. This one I've not really tried yet.

2 December

YOU Beauty:

Molton Brown Festive Frankincense & Allspice Hand Wash (100ml) this has a spicy scent which is a little bit masculine. Huge fan of MB hand washes so it will get used!

M&S:

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (FS) I've used this before and loved it. Happy to see this included in the calendar.

4160Tuesdays:

Silk, Lace & Chocolate (2.25ml) which is a blend of cocoa absolute with a touch of strawberry and a hint of bergamot. I quite like this one although I find the strawberry note a touch artificial.

3 December

You Beauty:

Cowshed Cow Pat Handcream (50ml) with a extra for £5 off your next order voucher code. I've used the cowshed handcreams before and have enjoyed them.

M&S:

Had to laugh at two Cowshed products today! Inside is a 100ml bottle of Cowshed's Grumpy Cow Body Lotion which is my favourite scent from the brand. It has uplifting notes of red mandarin, grapefruit and petigrain.

4160Tuesdays:

Shazam! (2.25ml) which reminds me of Chai Latte Tea! With notes of amber, spices, orange, black pepper and incense.  I really like this one.

4 December

YOU Beauty:

Sally Hansen Complete Manicure (Blue Streak FS) I'm not a fan of polish so this one will be gifted on.

M&S:

Pur Volume Vixen Mascara (mini) always happy to try a mini mascara. Not heard of this brand before.

4160Tuesdays:

Doe in the Snow (2.25ml) this is one of my favourites a sweet scent which was inspired by fruity chypres of the 60s and 70s and has notes of citrus fruits, flowers and woods and is "stirred with an icicle". I'd buy this one.

5 December

YOU Beauty:

HD Brows Bronzer in Light/Medium I very happy with this as was needing to buy a new bronzer.

M&S:

Leighton Denny Renovate which comes with a nail buffer I've used this before and was impressed with how it left my nails feeling. My New Year resolution is to grow my nails and I'm sure this will certainly help.

4160Tuesdays:

London 1969 (2.25ml) this is my absolute favourite so far and I will be purchasing a bottle of this! It has top notes of orange, lemongrass, grapefruit, mandarin and cedrat with a heart of Moroccan cedarwood, sandalwood, incense, lavender and violet with base notes of Indian patchouli, labdanum and musk.

6 December

YOU Beauty:

ila Bath Salts for Cleansing (50g) this was one of the items I was most excited about in the calendar. Ila also offer £10 off any purchase online with a voucher code. These salts smell amazing - along with Himalayan Salt crystals there is wild-crafted Juniper Berry and Geranium. 

M&S:

Rosie for Autograph Nuit Parfum (15ml) with centifolia rose, jasmine and musk. Looking forward to trying this one.

4160Tuesdays:

Dirty Honey (2.25ml) with pure white mock orange blossom and honey notes. I like this one and I'll definitely consider picking it up.

What do you think of the selection for the first 6 days? If you got an advent calendar which one did you chose and what are your thoughts on the contents?

YOU Beauty Advent Calendar Days 1-7

I've been simply loving opening my YOU Advent Calendar. Such a treat getting a luxury beauty product each day.

Here's what I've received days 1-7:

Day 1 saw me receiving Sisley Black Rose Mask (10ml) - a luxury face mask from a top of the range brand. I've been lucky enough to use this mask before - it plumps up the skin leaving it radiant and renewed. This little one is going in my travel bag for my next weekend away.  You can see my initial post about Day 1 here.

On Day 2 I got Caudalie Feuille de Cassis Hand & Nail Cream (30ml). I've used this lush hand cream before and love it.  See my review here.

Day 3 saw me getting an ESPA duo - Refining Skin Polish (7ml) and Optimum Skin ProSerum (4ml) - see my review of the ProSerum here - I'm really happy to have a back up of this gorgeous serum! We also received a code for £15 off ESPA online with no minimum spend - a very generous offer.

On Day 4 I got Leighton Denny Nail Varnish (4.6ml) in VAMP - I'm not a huge varnish lover but will pass this onto a friend who I know will love this rouge-noir shade.

Day 5 gave me balance Me's Super Toning Body Wash 100ml - one of the few balance Me products I've not actually tried!  I'll review it once I've tried it.

On Day 6 I got Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation 7.5ml - I've used this several times before via beauty boxes. A great product so happy to see it in the calendar.

Day 7 saw me get a cute little pair of The Vintage Cosmetic Company Tweezers.

What are your thoughts on the first 7 days?  Did you get the calendar too?

Free Leighton Denny Colour & Go Nail Duo Nail Varnish - Harper's Bazaar - July Issue

Next month (out 4 June) Harper's Bazaar magazine are giving away a free Leighton Denny Colour  & Go Nail Duo Nail Varnish, each worth £11 - there are six shades to choose from.

Stylist Magazine - issue 130

The latest issue of Stylist Magazine had a couple of articles which caught my eye.

The first one was on skincare - The Ultimate Skincare Routine - cleanser - you should be using a 50p piece amount, toner - 20p piece, serum 5p piece, eye cream - a grain of rice size for each eye (I definitely use way too much!) and a 20p piece size for moisturiser.  You can read the article here.

Another snippet which caught my eye was that Marks & Spencer are currently opening beauty halls in their stores with the finest of skincare, make up, hair and body care brands.  These include Apivita (I really want to try the face masks) and Dr Renauld.  Leighton Denny and Lyn Harris (of Miller Harris) have created own brand products for M&S.

Really excited can't wait for one of my local stores to open.  Currently open at Sheffield, Crystal Peaks and Westfield.  There will be 22 Beauty Halls nationwide by September.

You can read Stylist online, subscribe or pick it up locally every Wednesday in London, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham and Birmingham.  Also from French Connection and Airport Lounges.  (I've never seen this anywhere locally and I subscribed for 20 issues - only got 2 left - going to catch up with it in future online).

Do you pick up the magazine?

Feel Unique - February

I received my Feel Unique Beauty Box yesterday morning.  I am pleased with the contents this month.

Elemis Lime & Ginger Hand & Body Wash 100ml - Have used this before and love the scent and quality of the product.  A luxe treat.  Feel Unique say "this fresh & exotic wash has a beautiful rejuvenating fragrance with a deep cleansing formula that lathers into a super-rich, delicious formula for all over the body".

Decleor Phytopeel Natural Exfoliating Cream 15ml - another product I've used in the past but not for ages.  Apply to the skin, leave to dry and then rub off using circular movements, rinse face with water and then apply toner.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 40ml - I received this in Glossybox and still got loads left.  Great product but swapping for the Maximiser which was in the alternative box.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Useage Dry Oil 10ml - can be used all over the body - face, hair and over the body.  Feel Unique also suggest mixing a drop with your foundation for a dewy look.  They also say "pour a small amount in the palm of your hand and gently ruffle you hair for a natural sheen".  Really pleased to try this product.

Leighton Denny High Performance Nail Polish mini - Diamond Ivory - a pretty light shimmery shade.

Extra is a Jean Paul Gaultier mini EDT - Kokorico - a men's fragrance...it's not very nice  but as it was an extra I don't mind too much.


What are your thoughts?

Glossybox - October

I was pleased to receive my Glossybox.  This is my first one and I thought I was going to miss out this month but I received it on Saturday a few days later than everyone else (so I had already seen what was inside).

Beautiful box and packaging, although I am unsure where I am going to store all the boxes at home now I am subscribed to four! (Although the Amarya one is a plain white box).

This month "six pack", the 6th box and it includes:-

A full size Leighton Denny Nail colour in sex kitten.  This retails at £11.

A full size Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeline in Moray - a mossy green colour with gold fleck - I love this.  Retails at £13.  I will definitely re-purchase this.

Two 15ml Dermalogica products - multivitamin power recovery mask and thermafoliant scrub.  Haven't tried either of these although I have used other products from the range before (Daily Microfoliant  is amazing).

A little Dermalogica make up pouch which is cute and a 1ml Dermalogica renewal lip complex. (was so excited I forgot to take this out of the pouch when I took the pic!)

Finally, three .8ml carded vial EDP samples of Fracas, Visa and Calypso by Robert Piguet.  I love Fracas so was pleased to see this in the box but haven't tried the other two before.

I was impressed with my first glossybox, roll on November x