Lancome/Elizabeth Arden GWP deals

Two gift with purchase offers - the Lancome one is available until 1st April with the purchase of two items, one to be skincare (you get to chose your skincare item in the gift from hydra zen or Absolue Precious Cells) and a full size cleanser is also on offer if you buy a third item.  


The Elizabeth Arden Gift Time is also with the purchase of two items, one to be skincare and you get to chose 5 trial sizes.  With an additional purchase you get a lipstick worth £19.  Tempted by the Lancome one!

No7 £5 off vouchers

Here's what I bought with my No7 £5 off vouchers.

I reviewed the Beautiful Skin Energising Mask here.  I also picked up wipes, purifying exfoliator, hand cream and pressed powder. I am really pleased with all the items I got which instead of costing £51 cost £26.  Did you/Will you pick up any items with the voucher?

Maison Blanc Macarons

Victoria had me craving macarons in her recent post and imagine my surprise when hubby bought me some today!


There are twelve in the box - 2 chocolate, 2 pistachio, 2 raspberry, 2 strawberry, 2 lemon and 2 vanilla - yum yum!  They cost £6.59 and you can buy them at Waitrose.  I really recommend them - they are delicious!


I also bought this book a while back but not got round to trying to make them yet.

Harvey Nichols GWP

I knew I wouldn't be able to resist!

I picked up the GWP at Harvey Nichols today.  I first mentioned this offer here.  There was also a Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Body Butter (50ml) included but I gave this to my colleague because she loved it (she gave me the samples last week).  Do you think you will get this gift?


Included (all generous sample size apart from full size Butter London Nail Colour)


Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer 
Bare Minerals Pretty Amazing Lipgloss
Trish McEvoy Eye Base - Bare
Butter London Nail Colour
YSL Shocking Mascara
Clarins Hydra Quench Serum
Bliss Orange & Black Pepper Body Butter
Lancome Visionnaire Serum
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Elemis Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream
ESPA 24-hr Replenishing Moisturiser
Eve Lom 5ml Cleanser sachet and muslin cloth
Eau de Chloe mini


You can also shop online to be eligible for the gift - follow this link.

Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner

I picked this mini shampoo & conditioner up last month.  You can read my post here.

A blend of coconut milk to nourish, whipped egg white to add strength and coconut oil for hydration and balance.  Gentle on colour treated hair and suitable for all hair types.  I am a sucker for the scent of coconut so I love these.

Nice foamy lather and leaves hair soft, smooth, non static and scented with coconut.  These mini bottles were £1.99 each for 88.7ml.  Be great for travel/weekends away.  The other scents I fancy trying are - Macademia, Cherry Blossom Ginseng, Vanilla Silk an Grapefruit Mango Butter.  The large size (385ml retail between £5.99 and £6.99). There are also a range of Body Products.  Have you tried this range?

March Wants

Here are my five March wishes!

Sa-Sei Seaweed Bath Crystals from SpaceNK

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Recharging Luminescence Moisturising Mask

Jo Malone bath oil

V05 Give me Texture Tousled Style Spray

Pixi Succulent Lip Twin

What products are you wanting this month?

Latest in Beauty Box(es)

I received two Latest in Beauty boxes the other day.  One was a luxury sample one and the other Little Beauty Box.

Here's what I got:

A Balance Me Daily Essential Skincare Duo - comprising of 15ml Pure Skin Face Wash and 15ml Balancing Facial Moisturiser -  both normal/combination skin.  Both are a good size - looking forward to trying them out.

Melvita Youthful Skin Cream 15ml - I loved the previous Melvita luxury samples from Latest in Beauty.  Have tried this cream out once so far and I love it!  It's more a lotion than a cream and sinks into the skin and also smells great.

My third item (free postage with the purchase of 3 luxury skincare items) is Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash - love this body wash - smells of Turkish delight.

In my Little Beauty Box I got:

St Tropez SPF 30 High Protection for Body with Tan Enhancer Sachet 36g - will keep this for summertime.

5 x 1ml sachets Lavera Moisturising Cream

5ml Sasy & Savy Rose Lavender Hand & Nail Creme

All in all, pleased with this little lot, reviews to follow x

Amarya - March

Here is my Amarya March Box - brilliant value x

Included is - a full size John Masters Lavender Rosemary Shampoo 236ml worth £16.  Good for all hair types, even coloured hair - free from  sodium lauryl sulfate and artificial colour.

The second item is a full size Lip Calm worth £6.  I've used both these John Masters products - and others before.  Great range would recommend. I also love Citrus & Neroli Hair Detangler and Honey and Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor.

Also included is a new product from REN - Bio-Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate (2ml) and a sachet of Inlight Daily Face Oil - never tried this brand so interested to try.

All in all, a fantastic value box.  I think Amarya provide one of the best monthly boxes.

Harvey Nichols Gift with Purchase

Harvey Nichols are doing a special offer - spend £110 eek! on any men or women's beauty products - fragrance, skincare or cosmetics and receive a limited edition beauty bag worth £110.  The beauty bag is designed by Will Broome and is packed with 13 products including - Chloe, Laura Mercier, Clarins and YSL (also looks like products from Butter London, Lancome and ESPA from the flyer above)  Available from Monday 12 March while stocks last.  I got the last offer with a friend which split costs and we divided up the products x

No7 Beautiful Skin Energising Mask 75ml

I first mentioned this mask here.  Having now tested it out here are my thoughts.

A lightly floral peel off mask.  Apply to dry cleansed skin.  The gel is clear but it is easy to see where you are applying it.  It feels really gentle on the skin - I sometimes find masks leave my skin sore/irritated when applied.  It takes about 10 minutes for the mask to dry.  It peels off easily leaving the skin bright and fresh.  I love this!  Have you tried this mask?

Especially good value at the moment with the £5 off voucher from Boots.  normally costs £12.50.  Have you bought anything with your voucher?  I've been finding some really good products I've probably overlooked before - like their hand cream and face scrub - reviews to follow x

Essential Care Organic Rose Moisturiser

I got a sample sachet of Essential Care Organic Rose Moisturiser in my February Amarya beauty box.

A light day cream scented with damask rose.  It also contains shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil and aloe leaf.  It can also be used as an eye cream - I love multi-purpose products!

Retails at £6 for 15ml or £19 for 50ml.

Essential Care was established in 2003 and is run by Margaret, Colin and their daughter Abi.

Herbs and essential oils are used and the products are free from chemicals.  The company supports fair trade, natural farming and the environment.

All products are handmade in small batches and tested on human volunteers.  Distributed in health stores, pharmacies, online beauty boutiques and department stores in 12 European Countries. The products are certified to Soil Association Organic Standards.

I fancy trying the Organic Coconut Candy Scrub next.  Have you used any Essential Care products?  What are your favourites and which ones should I  try?

The Beauty-Ful Blog Award

I have been awarded the Beauty-Ful Blog award by Lipstick Fridays – thank you very much!  Please check out her fab blog. x

 Rules:

***This award is meant ONLY for people who have a blog dedicated to makeup…that’s why the “Beauty”***

The person who receives the award should link back to the person who gave the award (if you have received the award directly from sdglitter then you may skip this step but mention it that you have been awarded by sdglitter).

The person who receives this award must pass this on to 5 other beauty blogs that he/she follows and out of the 5 one should be a newly discovered blog.

The person who receives the award should list 5 trends of makeup that he/she likes or dislikes or both

The best rule – the person who receives the award should post a link to Beauty-Ful Blog Awards so people who have not received the award can nominate themselves.

My top five trends

1. Treat yourself to a massage/facial 
2. Fresh Floral light scents for Spring – think Jo Malone/Prada
3. Neon Brights for lips and nails
4. Luminous Skin
5. Use more Organic Products – free from sulphates and other chemicals

My five nominees are 

Claire Louise at XxDollyBlossom

lovely pettit_mom

Nardine at Live...Laugh...Love

Beccy at beautybeelondon

Newly discovered – Ali at Joie de Vivre

Thanks again Lipstick Fridays for my award x

Herbfarmacy Hard Working Hands Cream 50g

The Herbfarmacy range is created by Botanist, Dr Paul Richards who has been growing herbs in Hereford for over 25 years.  You can read more about him here.

The company is Soil Association Certified.  I like how the ingredients are listed on the bottom of the jar.

The hand cream has Comfrey, Calendula, Mint and Marshmallow included in its ingredient list.  It's made with 79% organic ingredients.  A rich cream which is slightly minty in scent.

Great for super-dry hands. I have been using it after gardening and it works really well as its super moisturising.  I've been using this the last few months and I've barely made a dent in it. I'd definitely re-purchase. Retails at £13.85 for 50g.  You can see the website here.

Monday surprise

One of my friends at work came in with a bag of samples for me - sure cheered up my Monday!

Included is:

15ml Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

22ml Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub

7ml Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm

10ml Guinot Bath/Shower Exfoliating Gel

3ml Guinot Face Mask

2ml vial Clarins Eau des Jardins - treatment fragrance

sachet Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream

Suggestions for my next giveaway!

I'm just looking for some suggestions for my next giveaway!   I'm going to be doing one with two prizes - one UK and one International - so, I'd like some suggestions of things you'd like to win. I am thinking along the lines of a lipstick/other make up product or some item you'd like that you can't get in the USA/Canada or other location - which I am able to ship without any additional charges (to you) x

RMK Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil sachet came in Joliebox.  I didn't receive this but got the alternative (Kimia).  I got two as extras in a swap from Nardine and Emma.  I was so thrilled as I love it so much! - thank you.  Thanks also to Wendy at Beauty Box Swaps for sending me two in as swap - I was only expecting one!

Retails at £29 for 175ml at Look Fantastic.  Contains Apricot and Almond Oil to keep skin soft and scented with damask rose and mint - the mint scent is the most prominent.

This is the best oil cleanser I have ever used.  It makes skin look and feel amazing. It is said to "melt the oil based sebum clogged in your pores that lead to whiteheads, blackheads or even acne" - sounds gross but leave skin so refreshed and clean.

This is going on my "wants" list.  Skin looks brighter and fresher, clean and in great condition.  

I have found a sachet lasts four uses. To use, apply to dry face and then add water to emulsify then rinse.  Found it very effective at removing waterproof mascara.  Have you tried this product?

My Collection of Exfoliators and Masks

These are the exfoliators/masks that I am currently using.

Exfoliators

Dr Nick Lowe Cooling Menthol Face Scrub - My all time favourite.  You can read my post about it here.  I normally stock up on this when Boots are doing a £5 off voucher promotion.

Avene Gommage Doux Purifiant - Gentle Purifying Scrub - A Beauty Bible Testing product.  You can read my post here.

Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage - Mild Enzymatic Exfoliator - All Skin Types.  I received this as a gift and have only used it a couple of times so far.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Thermafoliant - this was in Glossybox.  Nice product with heating action.

Decleor Phytopeel - from the last Feel Unique box.  A brilliant product, really effective.  You apply to the face and let it dry and then rub the product off in circular motions.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - apply like a face mask, leave on 10-15 minutes and then remove with lukewarm water and follow with a mask.

Masks

No7 Beautiful Skin Energising Mask - just bought this one in the No7 £5 off promotion at Boots - not tried it yet.

Vinies Luminous Skin Mask - this was from November's Boudoir Prive.  I really like this product although I know a lot of girls had really bad reactions to it.

Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask - smells gorgeous.  Really lovely moisturising mask.

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask - this is a fabulous mask.  I got this as a freebie at a Harvey Nics night.  I only use it occasionally as its so good!  Apply to the face and neck, leave 3 minutes and then blot to absorb any excess.  Only downside is full size of 60ml retails at £72.50.  My trial size is 15ml.

Dermalogica Multi-Vitamin Power Recovery Mask - another Glossybox product and lovely to use.

Cetuem SCR Gold Illuminating Mask - this was from Boudoir Prive in October.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Off Mask - think I've only used this once so far.


I also have my masks and peel from my mystery box from Hong Kong.

Just thinking I really miss Boudoir Prive - it was my favourite box (closely followed by Feel Unique)

What exfoliators/masks do you recommend?

She Said Beauty - Launch Box - March

I received my first She Said Beauty box today.  Loving the box - just like Boudoir Prive boxes used to be before they changed to Joliebox.

Onto the contents:-

Orly mini Nail Polish in Black - this is going to Beauty Box Swaps.  Nail file I'll keep.

Comfort Zone Good Night Kit - renight Recover Cream 6ml plus renight Recover Complex 4ml - the carton is stamped with a date in 2010! According to She Said Beauty it is the date the product was made....

We are Faux Eyelashes - not a false lash fan so these will be swapped.  Worth at least £9 though.

Aveda Smooth Infusion Trio - nice - though already enjoyed for free via a magazine offer.

Collection 2000 Cream Puff - full size - retails at £2.99 for 5ml - shade fairy cake - I will use this, lovely shade.

Bonus - Jing Flowering Dragon Eye Tea - nice extra but nothing new.  Have bought this type of tea from Cho Time Tea previously.

Not as exciting as I'd expected this box to be. Was expecting a bit more for a first box especially after all the hype.  I'm cancelling. What are your thoughts?

Magazine Freebies - April

A great month for magazine freebies!

Cosmopolitan magazine are giving away a free Clinique mini product to celebrate their 40th Birthday.  I found out about this on Emma's blog.  There is a choice of gloss, mascara, 7 day scrub cream or moisture surge.  I chose the 30ml Moisture Surge.

Marie Claire are giving away a 45ml Rehydrating Rose Moisturiser worth £12!  I also got a sachet of Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream.

Glamour are giving away Percy & Reed products - choice of shampoo, conditioner, mask and finishing polish.  I picked up the Totally TLC Hydrating Mask and Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish both 100ml, 2 x 1.5ml sachets of Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Make-up and a Beauty Guide in association with L'Oreal. (I gave my second mag to a colleague) I do love a magazine freebie! x

Miss Ballantyne Organic Rose & Geranium Soap

I picked up this cute little soap locally.  Retails at £4.50 for 80g.  Ideal for a gift or treat.  A cold processed soap made with olive oil, rosewater and geranium and topped with rosebuds and petals.  You can buy at Etsy here.  The soaps, hand creams, face creams, lipbalms and toner are made by Karen Ballantyne, a Medical Herbalist based in Edinburgh.

Other products I fancy trying are Organic Rose & Chamomile Toner, Gardener's Cream Wax hand cream and Mother's Ruin soap.