Naked Body Wash

I was browsing through cards in Oxfam when I came across these two Naked Body Washes in Ooh la la Coco de Mer (coconut and passionflower) and Love Me Rose (with rose extracts) (both full size and brand new!) for £1.99 each instead of £3.99 each.  And both in scents I love!

Klorane Freebies

Serenity of Beauty mentioned on her blog a few weeks ago that Klorane were giving away free samples of shampoo and conditioner (there was a mass dash for the samples and the company suspended the offer due to the overwhelming demand).  I got mine on Friday - a mini 25ml bottle of camomile shampoo and a 10ml sachet of matching conditioner suitable for blonde or highlighted hair (that's me).  I do so love a freebie.  

Day 6 - Lancome Juicy Tube

Today I got a lovely little mini Lancome Juicy Tube (7ml)  in Lychee, a really wearable shade which adds a nice light glossy sheen to the lips.  (tastes good too!)

Day 4 and 5 - YSL Rouge Pur Couture and Lancome Hypnose Mascara

On Sunday I received a gorgeous mini YSL Rouge Pur Couture - pure colour satiny radiance.  A lovely mini lipstick in a great wearable shade (09).  Very moisturising on the lips and great size for the handbag! Love it!


Today I got a mini (2ml) Lancome Hypnose Volume Mascara in Black - my favourite mascara and a great handbag size.


p.s. I'm off now to check out all the blog posts I've missed over the last couple of days!  Missed catching up with your blogs x

Day 3 - Lancome Tresor EDP

I was away for the weekend for hubby's birthday and I had supposedly scheduled posts to go - well, ha! they didn't!  Here they are now! I'll also this week do a post on our weekend away.


On Saturday, I got a 7.5ml mini EDP Tresor Perfume by Lancome.  Not a perfume I'll use so I'll probably pass it on. It is marketed as a floral-oriential.  

With notes of rose, apricot blossom, peach tree flowers, lily of the valley, vanilla, heliotrope, iris, amber, sandalwood and musk.

Apologies for the poor photo! x

Clinique Bonus Time - Harvey Nichols

A great bonus time gift at Harvey Nichols.  

Available from 1-17 December - free with two items, one to be skincare.

Gift contains - Youth Surge Day SPF 15 Age Decelerating Moisturiser, mini High Impact Mascara, Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector, Chubby Stick in NEW colour Strawberry, All about eyes, Take the Day Off, Colour Surge Eyeshadow duo, Liquid facial soap and a cute make up bag.

Day 2 - Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Today I received Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 7ml.  It's a light textured face cream which is unscented.  I think I'm going to enjoy using this cream - it will be good for the winter months.  A good sized sample.  A 50ml jar retails at £24.

p.s. I'm going to be doing a few scheduled posts as its a busy weekend for me (as I guess it will be with everyone!).  I will reply to comments when I can.  Have a great weekend x

L'Oreal Lip Balm Universal Lip Glow £8.49

A translucent lip balm in a lipstick case and shaped like a lipstick.  It reacts to the moisture of your lips to give an individual colour and subtle healthy sheen.  Lots of moisturising action but I don't notice any colour on my lips!  Would I re-purchase, no!

Advent Calendar - Day 1 - Lancome Eau Micellaire Douceur

How excited am I, day one of the Selfridges Advent Calendar.  

I got Eau Micellaire Douceur which is an express cleansing water for face, eyes and lips.  This is a 50ml size which is a great try me size.  Full size retails at £20.45 for 200ml.  Looking forward to trying this out.


I had a quick wee shot when I opened the first door of the calendar at 6.30am and it seems a good product with a nice smell.  Though I am unsure if it would be able to take off mascara etc.  May be good for non make up days.  Will test it out.


p.s. hubby got a mini cigar!

Xmas Lush Haul!

I picked up the following things in Lush:

Rose Jam Bubbleroon - I've wanted to try this one for a while - ooh its amazing, smells gorgeous.  Says to crumble under a running hot tap to create lots of bubbles.  I'd not tried a bubbleroon before so's wasn't too sure how much to use - used about half of of one side for a bath - is this right?

I stocked up on two Magic Wand as I love it soooo much!

Snowcake  soap was also on my want list - I had seen loads of reviews and it smells amazing of cake and marzipan - yum.  It's a pretty large piece so should last a while.

I also picked up a small piece of candy cane soap which smells of peppermint and sweet cherries - so yummy its making my mouth water.

Finally, Dragon's Egg bath bomb.  Read about and saw amazing pictures of this on The Beauty Belle's blog and I just had to have - still to try though!

I also got a sample sized piece of Angel's Delight soap which smells of Opal Fruits.

Oh I do love Lush! x

November Empties

It's official! I am addicted to beauty products!  Here are my November empties.

Bareminerals Purifying Facial Cleanser and Purely Nourishing Moisturiser double sachet - for combination skin -  I really loved the moisturiser and may purchase this at some point.

Korres Lemon Body Milk - from the last Boudoir Prive box - loved this would re-purchase.

Vaseline Intensive Care Deodorant - like the fact that this one doesn't sting and a neutral scent.

Deep Steep Foaming Handwash - Tangerine & Melon 249ml - quite a nice handwash, a foam rather than a gel took a bit of getting used to but it smelt lovely and fruity (had just about finished this by end October).

Sanctuary Spa Relax Warming Body Oil 15ml x 1 - supposedly single use - this lasted me twice.  Would probably repurchase as nice product (and good gift - comes in set of five).

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk 30ml - this was part of a travel set of four (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body milk).  Nice product would re-purchase.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil 110ml - my most favourite bath oil in the world!  Will definitely re-purchase.

Morroccanoil for fine & light coloured hair 25ml - bought the smaller size to try, loved it and have bought the full size since.  I'll keep the little bottle to decant from the larger one for travel.

Garnier BB Cream sachet - light - fab sample - love this product - will purchase full size at some point (when I finish up other foundations/tinted moisturisers).

Jimmy Choo Perfumed Shower Gel 150ml - lush product with the gorgeous scent of Jimmy Choo.  Was a birthday gift - would re-purchase (I also got the body lotion which was gorgeous too but finished it before I started blogging).

Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment for Neck and Bust 15ml - this was from the Breast Cancer Awareness Set in October - love this product.

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel 125ml - quite liked this product though it was a pain you can't use it on the eye area.  For this reason alone I probably wouldn't re-purchase, but other than that a really good product.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Body Wash 250ml - nice product with good scent (I love rose scents) and lather will re-purchase.  Dr Organic range can be bought at Holland & Barratt, in a range of scents.

Origins Incredible Spreadable Ginger Body Scrub 100ml - love this, its always on my Christmas Wish List - it smells divine.  Although I think this one was free with Grazia magazine.

Cetuem SCR Gold Creme de Lite 5ml - from Boudoir Prive - okay cream and smelt nice but didn't wow me.  Wouldn't purchase.


Molton Brown Parasdisiac Pink Peppercorn Bath and Shower Gel 100ml - love Molton Brown products (usually scent of choice is Heavenly Gingerlily) but decided to try another - okay scent but wouldn't repurchase though great quality product.

Giorgio Armani Regenessence Multi-corrective Rejuvenating Cream 3ml - lovely product but mega bucks.  £75 full size.  Smells amazing though and really feels like it works.

Body Shop Morroccan Rose Shower Gel 60ml/Body Lotion 60ml - lovely scent, would re-purchase.

Elemis Quiet Mind Relaxing Bath Elixir - De-stress Bath Soak 100ml - really nice product would re-purchase full size. Smells great and really relaxing after a stressful day.

Caudalie Cleansing Water 50ml - this was quite a nice product - would be good for holidays (and kept in the fridge).

Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Body Oil 1.2ml sample - I'd always wanted to try this but wasn't really impressed, was ok product, scent was of lilies and I didn't really like it.  Though I'd like to try the lip balm in this range.

Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath 125ml - love this for use in the bath or neat as a body moisturiser for dry skin areas.  Normally pick this in GWP deals.

Palmolive Milk & Honey Handwash 300ml - picked this up in the supermarket for 60p - nice product.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 15ml - love, love, love this cream!

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel 75ml - a good cleanser would probably re-purchase.


I also finished the Prada Candy EDP sample from Feel Unique box - a full size bottle is on my Christmas wish list, a Bamford Organics mini soap in Rose - smells beautiful and creates lots of lather.  What products have you been using up this month? x

Hand Cream(s)

Have been finding my hands have been getting very dry in this winter weather.  I am currently using three different hand creams regularly.

Pai Fragonia & Seabuckthorn which retails at £16 for 50ml (I won this in February on a Facebook Friday Valentine's competition with the body cream). 

I've got this in the bathroom beside the soap.

It contains seabuckthorn which are orange berries, rich in natural oils and are found on bushes near the seashore.  They are quite bitter tasting and are usually used in skincare and bodycare products - although I did once eat seabuckthorn ice cream! (it was horrible!)

The hand cream also contains fragonia which is an Australian essential oil which is extracted from leaves in the bush and it has a citrus and spicy floral note.

This hand cream has a nice rich texture and it melts easily into the skin leaving no sticky residue.  The scent is unusual and takes a bit of getting used to.  I'd say its slightly herbal and fruity and quite strong smelling.  It hasn't put me off the product though.  It is marketed as being great for dry, chapped and sensitive skin. 

On my bedside table I have Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream - 100ml - retails at £18 (although I got this in the sales last year in a set with full size beauty flash balm and three or four minis for £20 in total - a bargain!)

I am nearly finished this one - lasts for ages!  This is a light cream which sinks into the skin, softening hands and cuticles.  It contains sesame and coconut oils, shea butter and Japanese Mulberry extract. I don't adore the scent but do love this hand cream - it works.  I also have a 30ml size of this in the bottom of my handbag.

In my desk at work I have the L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream Hibiscus Flower.  I first mentioned the L'Occitane hand creams here.  I love these hand creams as they are so rich and great for dry hands. It's scented with exotic hibiscus flower, enriched with shea butter, honey and almond extracts - just delish! 

I have also got a Herbfarmacy hand cream to try out - and I'll try and do this after I've been in the garden - it smells quite minty and it contains comfrey, caledula and marshmallow and is made with 79% organic ingredients.

What hand creams do you use regularly?  Or are you not a hand cream fan? x

Allure Beauty Magazine

I picked up the American magazine Allure on Thursday (November issue).  Mainly out of curiosity.  I've read other blogs which rave about/slate this magazine and I decided I'd like a look.  There is an International newsagent near my work which stocks a lot of foreign titles.

I was especially taken with Juicy Couture Lip Glosses - in Brut, Rose and Kir Royale.  Kir Royale is a berry tint  - enhances natural lip colour, adds shine and tastes of raspberry liqueur! 

I also fancy the Malin+Goetz Absolute Rose Candle - created for Allure's 20th Anniversary which combines Moroccan Rose with green ivy, Anjou pear, bamboo and musk.

Also found it interesting to look at other American products we can't get here and products which are the same as we get although packaged differently.  

It also includes fashion, footwear, beauty articles and an article on personal trainers (and even more advertising than our magazines).

I'll probably get the December issue when its available here. Retails at £4.40.  Has anyone else read the magazine? x

Boudoir Prive - November

The postman woke me at 7.15am with a lovely surprise my Boudoir Prive box! It's fab-u-lous!

Look at the goodies!

First up, STUDIOMAKEUP Rich Hydrating Lipstick in "really red".  A really wearable colour - I'll swatch it later.  This is a full size product which retails at £12.95.  The packaging is really ingenious - you need to click the bottom of the case and then just pull to get the lipstick out.  Love it.

Two Vinies Ayureveda's Soul Luminous Skin Mask - each 15g.  Full size of 40g retails at £32.85.  It's brown (like mud) with a earthy smell.  Never heard of this brand so looking forward to trying out.  It's been featured on vogue.co.uk and Boudoir Prive says "the gentle exfoliants and natural skin brighteners will even skin tone and keep your skin glowing throughout the day".  It's also gentle enough to use daily.

Korres Wild Rose 24 hour Moisturiser 10ml.  Full size is 40ml which retails at £19.  I love Korres products so keen to try this.  Boudoir Prive says "A 24-hour moisturising and brightening cream.  Wild rose oil is a natural source of vitamin C and helps repair fine lines and uneven skin tone".

Two double sachets, both 10ml of Rahua Voluminous Shampoo and conditioner, safe for colour treated hair.  Never tried this brand but know its expensive so keen to try out.  Boudoir Prive says "Create thick, glossy and bouncy hair with this 100% natural voluminous shampoo and conditioner.  The lemongrass and green tea remove excess oils while jojoba adds moisture and nourishment".

I like how you are given two double sachets as this is enough product to find out whether you love or hate.  Presented in a cute little green drawstring bag.  Shampoo retails at £27 for 275ml and the conditioner £28.50 for 275ml.

Finally, a Dead Sea Magik Silky Smooth Body Lotion 50ml.  Full size of 350ml retails at £7.70.  It seems a nice lotion with a gentle scent.

Thank you Boudoir Prive, I am thrilled with my box! x

Happy Birthday!

Our dog Bess is 15 today, isn't she a cutie. x

Advent Calendar(s)

You may remember I posted about this little beauty here.  


And that I made a promise to make hubby his own surprise advent calendar?  Well here it is... (bet you can't guess what No.17 is...LOL) x

YOU Fragrance Discovery Box

As featured in YOU magazine - the YOU Fragrance Discovery set is available at Latest in Beauty.  You can view the set here. It costs £2.95 plus P&P of £2.  For £4.95 you get - 

15ml boxed "sample" of Laughter EDT by SpaceNK - which retails at £20!!!!  You can view this here.  I've worn this before and its quite a fruity perfume - I may gift this.

5ml boxed mini L'Occitaine Pivoine Floral EDP  - you can read more here.

1ml boxed vial Elie Saab EDP - floral and woody, read more here.

2ml carded vial Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.1 EDP, with notes of bergamot, geranium, lavender, coriander, vetiver, tonka bean, patchouli, mandarin, bitter  orange, cardamon, nutmeg, cedarwood and damask rose.

1ml carded vial Yardley Royal English Daisy EDT, with green florals, apple, hyacinth, white rose, sandalwood and musk.

L'Occitane Gift Guide - with free gift worth £20 when you spend £25 or more.

I think this is great value.  Would you buy? x

Tom Ford Santal Blush EDP 50ml

The Christmas Shopping Party at Harvey Nichols was fab.  A few glasses of fizz and a look round the mobbed store!  It was a nightmare to get served but I managed to buy Tom Ford's Santal Blush EDP 50ml - which is gorgeous!  You can read about it here.

Chic packaging and a stylish bottle (great for displaying on my dressing table)  - to the scent itself - sheer luxury - it smells expensive!

I had tested it a few times instore before taking the plunge.  Even with 15% discount it was seriously expensive (£120 for 50ml, £102 with discount - ouch!)

I love it!  It opens with spicy notes of Sandalwood, Cumin and Fenugreek and then mellows on the skin with notes of cinnamon and rose.  It also includes ylang ylang, jasmine, woods, benzoin and musks.  It is marketed as a "spicy woody oriential".

I also got two sample vials of Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP (which I also love) x

Glossybox - November

Picked up my Glossybox yesterday.  I am generally pleased with it.  Only thing I won't use is the nail wraps.  

Glossybox says "The Christmas Gift Guide:Part 1.  Five products to try before you buy whether for yourself or others".

What I got:

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps (red with a black lace effect)

40ml Tube Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - a pre-shampoo treatment - brilliant product, used before, gives hair amazing shine and depletes frizz.

25ml Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Mask for dry/sensitive skin

15ml Arbonne Ultra-Hydrating Hand Creme 

1.5ml Freak EDP by Illamasqua

My verdict:

I am pleased with the box.  Only product I won't use are the nail wraps - but I can pass these on.

I am always on the look out for hand creams and pleased to try the Freak EDP - I don't always find it easy to get free perfume samples from beauty counters.


I am pleased to try this one it's really nice (not as strong smelling as you'd think considering it contains notes of Black Davana, Opium Flower, Poison Hemlock and Frankincense to name a few) and I'd definitely think of buying especially with 20% off.  I'd used the Elasticizer before - fab product and always pleased to try a new face mask. x

A little note

Just a little note as I might not be able to write a proper post today.  I am going to the Harvey Nichols Christmas Shopping Party tonight - I can't wait! 15% off all beauty! 

I am also picking up my Glossybox at the Post Office before I go to work! x