My Little Box: The Creative Box

This month My Little Box have teamed up with the almighty force that is Pinterest to put together The Creative Box.

I'll be honest, when I first saw that this box was all about creativity and in collaboration with Pinterest I was pretty excited and expected something a little bit special. Whilst I really like everything that came in this box, I was a little disappointed in the creativity level. I was hoping for some cute stickers or a notepad or something along those lines and possibly more creative bits than beauty bits, but like I say, everything that was in the box is lovely. So what did I get?

 In the box this month I received a My Little Box tote bag with the message "Collect moments not things" which is the perfect size to keep my swimming things in and is a definite upgrade from my Sainsbury's carrier bag!
I also received a little packet of tech jewellery which are very similar to hama beads but have a little slit taken out down one side so that you can wrap them around headphone cables, phone chargers etc to keep them safe as well as looking fab.
This months beauty products are all about the skincare. I received a tube of My Little Beauty Creme De Minuit (Midnight ream) which is a rich night cream full of shea butter and cranberry which leaves skin feeling beautiful and smells great as well.
I also received a tube of Talika Photo-hydra Day Cream which I haven't used yet but I've heard good things about. The cream claims to use energy from natural light to help work its way deeper into the skin and moisturise. I'll be giving this a good try out when I've finished my current day cream.
Finally, I received a bottle of gorgeous AINY Skincare Huile Holistique for face, body and spirit. This is my favourite product from the box and I coat myself in it every night before climbing into bed. It smells beautiful and I have really noticed that my skin has been looking brighter and feeling so smooth. Its a pricey product but I know already that I'm going to be replacing it when I run out!

Overall, despite being less of a creative box than I was hoping for, I was really happy with everything I received. I'm already looking forward to seeing what the next box brings.

Do you receive My Little Box? What did you think of this months offering?

Annie xx

Look Fantastic 1st Birthday Box

September marks the 1st Birthday of Look Fantastic's much loved beauty box. I was actually rather surprised that they've only been putting together boxes for a year, it feels like a lot longer to me, but to celebrate their mile stone, Look Fantastic have put together a special birthday box which is full of lovely little treats with a real emphasis on pampering and spoiling yourself.

Inside the box which this month is decorated with sprinkles, wrapped in pretty blue paper, were 8 good sized samples which were more than I was expecting. There were also lots of little postcards with vouchers from the likes of GHD, MyProtien and Coggles to enjoy as well.

What first struck me about this box was that there was lots inside to try, and I was really happy to see the likes of Bliss and Claudalie which are two brands I love. I did notice, however, that the one thing lacking in this box was any form of makeup product, which I think would have turned it into the perfect box (perhaps a lipstick or eyeliner sample instead of one of the hair products) but that might just be me being picky.

So, what's inside?

My box included the Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum and Moisturising Sorbet from Claudalie which are both products that I absolutely love, and have already built into my daily routine. It also included Scrubbing Cream from a French brand called Codage which I also really like because of their regular use of organic and gentle ingredients.

Hair care lovers will also be happy to find three products aimed at making sure locks are kept beautiful; Penetraitt shampoo and conditioner from Professional Sebastian which are designed to strengthen and repair and one of four deluxe samples from PHYTO Paris, mine was the Intense Repair Mask,

Beauty box regular Bliss is also included with a travel size bottle of their Fabulous Foaming Face Wash which is a 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator that is suitable for all skin types.

Finally, a Tan Maintainer from Tanworx by Monu Skincare which works to extend the life of your summer tan as well as giving it a little boost and moisturising skin at the same time.

So, like you can see, a pretty full box this month with some really nice products with a real pampering focus, just right for their birthday celebration. The box costs £15 *here* with free delivery and is worth £55 as well as containing lots of voucher codes.

What do you think of the 1st Birthday box? Have you treated yourself to one?

Annie xx

Peau Naturelle Organic Tea Tree Oil Facial Serum

I have always had oily skin, even now I'm in my twenties I still get more blemishes than I'd care to admit to.
Unfortunately, the temptation to hold back on moisturising oily skin as I did for many years during my teens can just make matters worse and you end up with skin that is dehydrated, dull and producing too much sebum to try and compensate for the lack of moisture.
I'm now extra careful to care for my skin and moisturise twice a day which is why I jumped at the chance to give the Peau Naturelle Tea Tree Oil Serum* a try.

Peau Naturelle is a UK based brand who make all of their products by hand with an emphasis on making natural and organic products available at a price that is affordable to all who want it.
The anti-blemish facial oil combines beautiful lavender, lemon and tea tree oils in a base of grapeseed and jojoba.. Together these create a powerful antiseptic formula due to the tea tree and lemon, whilst the lavender also soothes any existing blemishes or discomfort. Grapeseed and jojoba oils are both light dry oils which skin into the skin quickly and easily, allowing it to breathe whilst being gently moisturised without blocking pores. The ingredients are all organic and the product is 100% natural and Soil Association certified.
I have been using this oil once a day for almost a month now and have noticed a real difference in my skin. It feels a lot more comfortable and is also noticeably more plump and bright. I have still had a few blemishes pop up around "that time of the month" but they have been quick to heal and less prominent than usual. All you need is two drops which sink into the skin super quickly. I tend to do this before bed as a night serum so that it can work its magic whilst I sleep. I also find the scent fairly comforting.

Overall, I really rate this product, and for £9.99 a bottle, I think it is well worth a try for anyone who is feeling less than happy with their oily skin. Next I might have to give the Detoxifying Clay Masque a go :)

You can pick up  bottle of Organic Tea Tree Facial Serum *here*

Annie xx

Nourish Rejuvenating Peptide Serum

One of my favourite beauty brands, who I am always happy to praise due to the consistent high quality of their skin care, is Nourish. I adore their products and just cannot get enough of them.
Because of that, when I was sent an email asking if I would like to try out the Rejuvenating Peptide Serum* I was only too happy to oblige.

(sorry for the grubby counter top, I took the photos at work!)
The serum is designed to stimulate the production of collagen, using foxberry and tripeptides. This helps to give a smoother, fresher and more youthful appearance and also minimises the visibility of fine lines.
Alpine foxberry is traditionally known  for having skin-brightening properties and when used in skin care it is wonderful for giving a more even skin tone.
The product also uses tonka-bean extract which emits visible light, helping to enhance the skin's natural luminosity.

This serum makes skin feel amazing! It is light and nourishing and sinks into the skin really quickly but leaves it feeling completely hydrated and super soft to touch. When I got mum to test it out there was an instant visible difference to fine lines an the whole face had a bright, healthy look to it.
I'm also a big fan of the Nourish Argan Skin Renew* which I spoke about *here* and that works really well when used alongside the serum to lock in moisture and give nice long lasting effects.

Like I said at the start of the post, I really don't have a bad word to say about Nourish and I would definitely recommend this product. At just £20 for 30ml I also think it is very well priced. It is 81% organic, cruelty free, and just generally fabulous! You can pick up a bottle yourself *here*

What do you think of the Nourish range? Have you tried many of their products?

Annie xx

Revisited: Gold FUN from Lush

In my post earlier today I mentioned a product that made me realise that I as ready to start blogging again. That was this; gold FUN. It's a product that I first wrote about around this time last year when it was released as part of the Lush 2013 Christmas range, but has been brought back this year as part of the 2014 range.

For those who haven't heard of FUN before, it is a 4-in-1 product from Lush that is able to be used s bubble bath, body wash, shampoo and soap... It also happens to look, feel and handle in the same way as play-doh!
Designed to be suitable for those with even the most sensitive skin, FUN was released as a bath product for those who are unable to use the bath ballistics and bubble bars, due to their slightly harsher ingredients. It is made using a base of talc, glycerine and cornflour which work together to make it silky smooth as well as humectant.

Now, I'll admit that during the time that I worked for Lush, I absolutely hated FUN, and I mean really hated it. In my mind it was messy, gooey and just generally not my cup of tea at all. I think a lot of this was based on the demo station for the product which was always soggy, messy and gave me a headache, especially on a busy Saturday!

However, when sorting through my stash the other evening, I found a bar lurking from last winter that had gone a bit droopy and sorry for itself so I decided to give it a real chance and have a FUN only bath so that I could use up the whole bar. I have to say that as much as I didn't think I would, I loved it. I pushed the boat out and used around two thirds of the bar as bubbles by breaking it up and swirling it under the running water. If you have ever used one of the Sunnyside bubble bars then you will be aware of the swirling gold effect in the water, Gold FUN has the same effect. It also smells like the much loved Honey I Washed the Kids soap. By using two thirds of the bar I was surrounded by mounds of bubbles so I could have easily gotten away with using much less.
With the other third I washed all over and also shaved my legs by lathering a little up and using it in place of shaving foam.

I found that after my bath I came out feeling really smooth and relaxed. I often get trouble with eczema on my legs but I found that even they felt soft and supple and whilst I still moisturised, I could have gotten away with not using any.

So, as much as I will always carry memories of children modelling penises out of Pink FUN or mixing every single colour together on purpose because clearly it's very funny when I was working in-store, I can honestly say that FUN is not the product of nightmares that I originally thought. In fact, it is everything that it claims to be, and something that I will actually repurchase regularly and very soon.

Annie xx

Nourish Golden Glow Toning Body Shimmer

Nourish is one of my favourite brands for natural, organic products. They always feel so indulgent as they are packed full of beautiful butters and oils. The Golden Glow Toning Body Shimmer* is no exception.

The idea of this product is that it helps give skin a warm, lightly shimmering, glow whilst keeping skin hydrated, balanced and helping to tone all in one go. A big ask!
The packaging is sleek and I love the simplicity of it. White and gold are one of my favourite colour combinations and sat on my white dressing table this looks in-keeping and feminine whilst also looking quite high-end.
The bottle has a pump dispenser that deposits enough product to massage into both arms and along collar bones if you press it down fully or if you press lightly you can get just a little product out.

The product itself has a rich, creamy texture and contains light reflecting particles (which are a nightmare to catch in a photograph!) and due to a combination of argan oil and aloe vera leaf juice sinks beautifully into the skin leaving it feeling hydrated and silky smooth. It has a lightly incense like aroma coming from frankincense, myrrh and neroli oils which are all known for their positive effect on the senses- in fact, neroli is a natural antidepressant as it helps with the release of serotonin. 77% of the ingredients are organic, 6.5% are natural minerals and all are cruelty free!

I really like the finish that this product has on the skin. Instead of looking shiny, it just gives a warm glow which is subtle enough even on skin as fair as mine. When hit by the sun it lights up and really gives skin a healthy, luminous look. I've had several comments about how nice my skin has been looking whilst wearing this and I have to say that I see a real difference in the mirror and in photos. Another little trick I've been using is to mix a small dab into my foundation to give a dewy, fresh finish that also stops the foundation clinging to any dry patches.

Over all, I have been very impressed with the product. I wouldn't say that it is overly toning as it simply works to tone by keeping the skin well hydrated and the addition of a little gentle marine extract, but in my eyes, that isn't the main selling point of the product. The effect on the skin is beautiful and perfect for spring all the way through to autumn . Worn along arms, legs and collar bones it gives a long lasting glow, definition and warmth. A 100ml bottle will set you back £25.00 *here* and last you through the whole season, so in my opinion it is well worth investing.

What do you think? Will you be investing in a bottle?
Annie xx

June Favourites 2014

So, I'm currently propped up in bed ill, with not enough energy to really allow me to do much more than watch Netflix and browse Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/lampysplace/ if you're interested in beauty, home decor and recipes). At least Lolly the Grumpy Kitty is enjoying having some company.

I've been a bit naughty lately and treated myself to new products from some of the limited edition MAC collections as well as a Hugo Boss Deep Red perfume, however, I'm trying not to feel too guilty because they have all become instant favourites, alongside several golden oldies that I have been loving lately.

I've mentioned the Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid foundation (review *here*) many times before and it is a foundation that I still keep returning too when I want a nice even coverage that looks natural yet hides a multitude of sins. I went back to using this lately after the madness I had with the Seventeen Miracle Matte Foundation (review *here*) and have fallen right back in love with it.
The first of my little MAC purchases was from the Disney Maleficent collection in the form of the sculpting powder in shade Sculpt which is a tan matte powder perfect for contouring along cheek bones for a defined look. Whilst it is now out of stock, the closest MAC bronzer I can find is *here*.
Its unfortunate but just an accepted fact that I sometimes have trouble with spot prone skin. I don't know why because I eat healthily, take care of my face and don't have excessively oily skin but I guess it's just one of those things. Nothing works as well for me as the Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel (review *here*)which has been getting a lot of use during the last month as my skin grumps about the hot weather.
When the weather is warm I tend to avoid too much eye makeup because I find that it tend to smudge a little and just end up looking less pristine than I would like. This summer, instead, I have been sweeping on a couple of coats of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara* (review *here*) which never fails to impress me with its results. It coats and lifts eyelashes instantly mking them look fuller and longer and the result lasts all day without smudging or clumping. Its a firm favourite.
My other naughty MAC purchase was the Mineralise Skinfinish Duo in Jolly Good (review in the next couple of days) from the Kelly Osbourne collection which is still in stock in a lot of stores so you can grab it if you're quick! This soft bronze powder is perfect for fair skinned girls like me who want to add a touch of warmth but nothing too dark. I either use it lightly all over for a glowing look or pair with the Maleficent powder to contour my cheek bones.
Finally, a perfume that I wanted for a long long time and finally bought myself a few weeks ago. Deep Red is a really warm, yet soft and sensual smell which is womanly without being overly sweet. Right now I can't get enough of it!

What have been your favourites recently? Have you tried any of these products? What were your thoughts?

Annie xx

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Skin Tonic

This week has been crazy! Between working 9-5 and spending every evening at the theatre performing, there has been zero free time to blog.
However, it has provided the perfect opportunity to really enjoy the refreshing beauty that is the Aromatherapy Associates Rose Skin Tonic(*). At the end of such a busy day it feels amazing to come home and take off my stage make-up using this product.

Made my distilling thousands of fragrant Bulgarian rose petals, the skin tonic is both soothing and nourishing at the same time. Acting as a mild astringent, it is designed to be used after cleansing the skin to tone the pores leaving them refined and lightly moisturised.
I have been using several pumps of this on a cotton pad every morning and evening after using my Nuxe Rose Micellar Water and the combination really leave my skin feeling beautiful.
Just a little of the Hydrating Rose Skin Tonic(*) removes any last traces of make-up, cools my skin and helps to reduce any redness. I've also found that my skin has been drinking up less moisturiser after using this so I believe it really is helping to provide my skin with some much needed moisture,

The design of the bottle makes the product very easy to use. There is a simple pump on the top of the bottle, much like that on a liquid soap bottle which allows you to dispense as much or little of the water as you like onto a cotton pad. I usually use three pumps for my whole face so really not much. After using this twice a day for several weeks now, there is still very little gone from the 200ml bottle.

I'll be honest, at £25 for a 200ml bottle, this product is not cheap. But as with all Aromatherapy Associates products, it is beautiful, and I really have felt and seen a difference in my skin. It looks brighter, feels softer and generally healthier, so whilst I wouldn't have spent so much on a skin tonic before, I wouldn't hesitate in replacing it.

What do you think, would you purchase a bottle of Hydrating Rose Skin Tonic?
Annie xx

Steam Cream- It's a Love Affair

WiFi issues have kept me away again in the last couple of weeks, blogging nightmare, however, I've been taking the time to beaver away, giving some beautiful products a proper look so that I can share their fabbiness with you :)
With the change of seasons my eczema has been a complete disaster area and I've been left really sore from scratching subconsciously at my feet and ankles in particular. No one wants to have big sore patches, especially in the summer when sandals and bare legs are a must.

Steam Cream was recommended to me as a wonderfully natural, light and incredibly fast acting moisturiser- not dissimilar actually to Lush's Dream Cream which is another favourite of mine- with ingredients tailored specifically to soothe and nourish all skin types head to toe and aid those with eczema and other skin related woes.

Packed full of oatmeal infusion, cocoa butter, rose, lavender and neroli, the ingredients actively work to calm irritation on the skin, balance dryness and reduce redness. This is also enhanced by glycerine which acts both as a humectant that locks moisture into the skin but also as a protective barrier against any external elements. Summed up...the recipe for perfect eczema relief!

From the first use I have loved this product. It sinks in straight away thanks to the fusing process during production which uses steam to blast the ingredients and give it the unique light texture, gives long lasting, effective results and is even vegan friendly. You can pick up one of many beautifully designed 75ml tins from their website for £12.95 which I think is amazing value for such a high quality product.

Have you tried Steam Cream? What do you think of it?
Annie xx

Bath and Body Works PocketBac Hand Sanitisers

I don't know about you but hand sanitisers are one of my handbag essentials. I like to be able to know that I can quickly disinfect my hands anywhere any time I want to. Bath and Body Works, a beauty cult company from the US make the nicest range by far in my opinion.

The cute and colourful little bottles hold one of 40 different fragrances and they range from the likes of cherry blossom through to ice cream sundae so there's something for everyone to enjoy. The three that I have are Vanilla Berry Sorbet, New York Golden Apple and Pink Vanilla Macaroon and they all smell amazing in addition to killing off germs. There is still a faint alcoholic smell like you get with all hand sanitisers but this is largely disguised by the intended scent.

The sanitiser has a light, liquid gel formula that like any other evaporates away on the skin however like most others do, I haven't found that this dries out my skin or stings like billy-o on scratches, instead I'm just left with hands that feel soft and clean and smell yummy. The little blue balls that are dispersed through the product also vanish on impact with the skin so theres's no worry about being left with grainy hands.

Bath and Body Works isn't readily available in the UK at the moment, but the hand sanitisers are super easy to get hold of on ebay for just £1.99 with free postage. Definitely worth investing and they also make sweet little extra make weight presents. I'm hooked.

Annie xx

February Favourites 2014!

February has felt like a month of recovering from winter and getting excited about spring this year and I've found myself reaching for spring ready makeup more and more in the last couple of weeks and I think this months favourite products really reflect that.

I love a nice flawless base and I find that the lovely fresh weather we've been having lately suits the Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation perfectly. It is a good coverage for building up a medium level of coverage with the smallest amount and where the formula has been whipped into a light mousse it still lets skin breath. I've been pairing it with a beautiful coral pink baked blush from Accessorize for a glowing, light flush of colour. The small amount of shimmer hits the light and gives a sheen that enhances cheekbones.
I've also been focusing on bold eye makeup lately, giving some less tried out products a trial so lips have been kept nice and simple. I've found myself reaching regularly for my Brave lipstick from MAC which was actually the first MAC lipstick I ever owned. It is a pinky nude shade that is barely there but gives lips a beautiful definition and lasts for hours. On drier lip days I've been whipping out a little piece of Lush history in the form of the Snow Fairy Lip Tint which combines the benefits of a lip balm with a slight wash of colour. It also tastes just like their Bubblegum Lip Scrub. I'd say that whilst this is no longer available to buy it is very comparable to the Maybelline Baby Lips products.
To complete my spring ready vibe I've been dousing myself in my all time favourite perfume; Moschino Funny which has been my signature summer scent for years now. Its full of beautifully bold fruity notes and to me just sums up so many happy years.
Finally, because no matter how much I try to deny it, it is still kind of winter out there and so my skin is still annoyingly dry I've been treating it to a daily helping of the rich and deeply moisturising Ambre Vanille Souffle Body Cream. I cannot get enogh of this stuff! It works wonders on my skin and smells completely out of this world. It's such a sophisticated, sensual smell- nothing like your average vanilla scent.

What products have you been loving during February? Have you tried any of these before? What did you think?
Annie xx

The Daily Evening Pamper

I find sitting down for ten minutes at the end of the day and taking the time to remove my makeup properly really relaxing. Its like my little daily pamper routine and recently I've found products that my skin loves so it makes it all the more rewarding because my skin is looking better and it's left feeling great afterwards.

My first step is to take a cotton pad and very gently wipe away makeup with the Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water which is a beautiful product, possibly my favourite ever face product and that's a big claim! It melts makeup away instantly without being harsh, calms any redness or irritation and is perfect for sensitive skin types. If I a wearing a lot of eye makeup I also take a second cotton pad and make sure I've managed to get it all off. Following this I sweep a little of the Nuxe Gentle Toning Lotion on using another cotton pad to close the pores back down.

The next step is to slather my face in my other favourite face product, the beautiful Nuxellence Jeunesse which is a gorgeously light and nourishing serum/moisturiser that is designed to be able to be used alone as a face cream or paired up with a richer moisturiser on areas where you need extra attention. I use this alone across my cheeks, chin and forehead but then layer up with my Nourish Argan Skin Renew(*) on and around my nose which has a tendency to get rather dry. This argan, rose and frankincense infused cream is rich and deeply hydrating without leaving an oily or clogged feel to the skin and as we all know, argan oil leaves skin and hair feeling so amazingly soft it's unreal!

Finally I focus on the little areas that need special care. I pop a small amount of the Clinique Spot Treatment Gel onto any blemishes or areas that look like a spot is lurking waiting to pop up. I do this after moisturising because the treatment can be a little drying and creates a protective barrier on the skin so I like to use it to lock the moisturiser underneath as well so the skin gets the benefit of both products.
Not my favourite eye cream ever but currently I am finishing my routine by dabbing Dr Nick Lowe Age Correct Eye Serum under the eyes. I have a bit of a love hate relationship with this product because it works beautifully yet I find that it leaves skin feeling a little...sticky? It is fabulous for reducing my dark circles and tackling any puffiness but it does leave the skin feeling less smooth than I'd like, sort of tacky, all the same, I'm determined to give it a good chance.

What products do you use regularly? Do you find the routine of sitting down and pampering as relaxing as I do?
Annie xx

Clinique Spot Solutions Gel Recap

In March last year I posted a review of the Clinique Spot Solutions Spot Treatment Gel (ridiculously long name I know!) which I picked up whilst on holiday in Tenerife. For a couple of months I used it religiously before kind of forgetting all about it in the summer. When it got to November and my skin started to get a bit grumpy again I dug this little gem back out and have been loving it ever since so I thought I'd do a little recap.

The Spot Treatment Gel is designed to battle blemishes fast by drying them out, reducing redness and swelling all in one little dab. All you do is use  clean finger and dab a little of the clear gel onto the skin and pat it in for a few seconds. The gel dries and creates an invisible barrier on the skin to protect the area and slowly it sinks in, all the while, the active ingredients tackle redness and swelling and helps to visibly reduce the appearance of the blemish before the day is through which when you're as self conscious as I am, is a god sent!
I pop this onto any visible spots or areas where I can feel something brewing under the surface before bed as I take my makeup off and by the morning I usually find that the offending area is looking much better and is left a lot more manageable when it come to concealing.
As I said in my original post, at £13.50 (now £14.00) for 15ml this product doesn't come cheap however I have been using this now daily for a good few months and I still have over half of the bottle left so when it's broken down into cost per use it's actually very reasonable. Back in my original review I mentioned that whilst I liked this product there were others I preferred, however, I now disagree and find that I never reach for anything else on bad skin days.
Have you tried this product? What do you reach for to battle your blemishes?
Annie xx

Fragrance Direct Sale Bargains

You may have already seen some bloggers posting excitedly about the Fragrance Direct winter sale and I couldn't avoid joining them because it really is amazing!
At the moment on the site you can find brands such as Becca for as little as £4 and there are also thousands of products for under £5.
I tried to be quite restrained when I did my shop with them so didn't pick up too much but its taking a lot of self restraint not to buy more!

I've loved Becca for a long time so I took the chance to grab a few bits including the totally amazing Luminous Skin Colour Ultra Sheer Foundation which is actually still online if you're quick! The stand out product has to be the Rejuvenating Primer though which leaves skin looking and feeling silky smooth (I think you can still get hold of this too)

Everyone loves Korres body products but I hadn't tried any of their makeup products before so I picked up a couple of foundations to test out. Unfortunately the Wild Rose foundation is the wrong shade for me so this will be passed on but the Ginger and Vitamins Foundation is gorgeous. So light and soft with very build-able coverage and I think come summer it will be perfect for that light, dewy look.

Finally, I fed my false lash addiction with a few pairs for just 99p a pair...rude not to eh?

So over all I think I did pretty well and over all I only spent around £35 which is the RRP for just one of the Becca products I picked up. Definitely a website worth looking at and they have also just added new lines to the sale so I may have to take another look.... ;P

Annie xx

Lush Valentines Collection First look

Now that Christmas is done and dusted, the retail world has moved on to the next "big day", valentines day!
Being a hardcore Lushie I was very excited when an email pinged into my inbox telling me about the super bright valentines collection.
This year the collection takes a nod towards the beautifully bold! Think neon wrapping, confetti, glitter and punchy fruit scents.

The range takes a rather artsy theme with products inspired by musicians, novelists, artists and actors and I have to say that I really love how everything looks. I've never been one for laid back, subtlety and the stand out style really appeals. I think that the collection shows Lush as people want to see the company; as the crazy soap shop that we all love.

I'm meant to be on a spending ban at the moment since my beauty stash is getting quite astonishing, however I'm going to get my hands on a few bits from the collection to show you in closer detail...and also because I want some of these gorgeous bright goodies in my life so any excuse! ;)

Prince Charming is definitely the product that I'm most keen to have a good sniff of. The sweet yet refreshing ingredients all point towards it being a product that I'll end up falling in love with then pining for when it's discontinued.
The only thing that I'm a little disappointed by is that there are several products in the collection, like "The Kiss" lip gloss that have been returned from last year that, to be honest, I thought were pretty rubbish that time round and could have maybe been replaced with something more interesting however that's just my personal opinion.
You can find the range *here*. What are you most looking forward to trying?
Annie xx

Nivea Express Hydration Primer

Todays review is about a product that I was really not expecting much from when purchasing but has turned out to be a little gem.

The Express Hydration Primer from Nivea is part of their daily essentials range and is designed to give a smooth, hydrated base for makeup.
Rather than promising to airbrush pores or fill fine lines is works by giving an instant moisture boost to the skin which is able to be easily absorbed. By giving skin that extra nourishing boost makeup sits better, doesn't cake and smooths over blemishes a lot better which gives makeup a more natural look and I find it also helps keep it looking fresh longer as well.

Before picking up this primer I was guilty of not moisturising before makeup as I found that day cream combined with foundation made my skin feel clogged and have a tendency to stop makeup staying on as well but the light consistency of the Nivea primer feels so refreshing and sinks in so fast that you can't feel it there; you just see it working its magic.
Retailing at just £4.99 for 50ml it's also great value so if you're looking for something to save you a bit of time in the morning or just a light primer that won't clog pores but will help longevity then I'd definitely say you should give this a try!

Have you tried this primer before? Do you think it's something that you would find as useful as I have?
Annie xx

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer

Primers are a big part of my daily makeup routine; to create the perfect flawless base a primer or two are key and this one definitely has to be my number one, especially when combined with the Nivea Express Hydration Primer (review coming in a few days).

The thick, buttery formula is designed to give an airbrushed look by blurring imperfections, smoothing over pores, creating a soft and even cover to dry patches and helping to reduce the production of excess sebum which is the cause of oily looking skin. I use this mainly on my t-zone and around the edges of my nose which has a tendency to get a little dry, especially around my piercing and the smallest amount of product goes a long way.

Having tried a fair few primers that claim to give an airbrushed effect and been disappointed, I'm happy to say that I haven't once felt let down by the Clarins offering. I find that I get compliments on my complexion and I have really seen an improvement in how long my makeup stays looking fresh. On good skin days I have even been known to step out with just this and a little moisturiser on my face. I really cannot sing it's praises enough!
You an pick it up for £26 *here*

Annie xx

A Very Lush Christmas #4 Gold FUN!

A product that I was maybe a little apprehensive to see as part of the Christmas range, Gold FUN is a product that I thought I might have a love hate relationship with. I've never been a big fan of FUN as I find it has a tendency to break apart a little bit and leave "crumbs" which bug me. I also found that when wet the original formula had a bit of an...oozy problem. BUT, thnkfully, so far, I've found that with the new gold FUN these haven't actually been an issue so I actually love it!

The golden play dough like product is made using the same base as other FUN products which is built up of a blend of talc, corn flour and glycerine which are all beautifully gentle and are what make FUN such a child friendly product to wash with, and they all also happen to be ingredients perfect for eczema prone skin like mine which gets really bad in the winter. What I like most about gold FUN though is that it is scented with my favourite Lush smell; Honey I Washed the Kids which is a soft caramel honey aroma which works really well with such a soft, relaxing product.

The soft doughy texture makes it nice and easy to break a piece of FUN off of the bar before stowing the bar away somewhere dry (important because otherwise it will go a bit gloopy from the wet!) and it can be used for all sorts of different things. Uses I've tried have been showering, hair washing, bath bubbles, soap and shaving my legs but I've heard of people using FUN as a face mask, to wash clothes, and even as washing up liquid.

Whilst FUN will never be my favourite Lush product, I do really like the golden FUN bar and I think that some of the bigger problems I had with it have been fixed. I think it will make a lovely little stocking filler or secret santa gift and is fab for children who, from my experience, love squidging it and making a bit of a mess with soapy play dough :)

Annie xx

A Very Lush Christmas #3 Let the Good Times Roll

Christmas launch day is tomorrow! Wow this week has gone fast. Unfortunately I didn't get around to blogging yesterday because things got rather ridiculous on the illness scale but todays product is a favourite for so many people that hopefully you'll be so glad to see it back that you'll forgive me :P
Let the Good Times Roll is a facial cleanser originally released last Christmas and became such a huge success that when it was discontinued in the new year because "too much of a good thing can be a bad thing" customers were devastated and all year customers have been asking about its return.

This facial cleanser uses a lovely soft blend of polenta and popcorn to give a light but effective cleanse and the products naturally slightly oily nature makes it a good choice for normal to combination skin types as it will draw any excess oil on the skin into the cleanser and out of the skin so that when you wash it off your skin is left fresh and clean and will also be lightly moisturised. Fab right!

Just like the other Lush roll cleansers, to use this all you do is mix a pea sized amount with a little water and rub to form a milky paste that you can make as thick as you like, then simply massage onto the face in little circles to make the most of the scrubby ingredients and rinse off with warm water before feeling smug about your soft, caramel scented skin ;P

This was my favourite Christmas product last year and so far it has been this year too from the things I've tried. I cannot express enough how much I think people should try it out, or at very least head into your nearest store and give it a good long sniff! A lot of love for this one!

Annie xx

A Very Lush Christmas #2 The Penguin

Hello,
Today has been nothing but illness and drama so I'm afraid this is a lot later than planned. I'm now sat in bed forcing down throat sweets with my scented candles on the go to make myself feel a bit calmer.
Todays little peek is at one of the cutest Christmas products in this years range, a bubble bar, simply named The Penguin.

Isn't he just adorable? This sweet little guy is full of orange flower absolute and Sicilian mandarin oil so you get a lovely warming, festive scent to your bath. The design inspiration behind this cute bubble bar actually comes from the smallest breed of penguins in the world who are blue and found in the south of Australia.
Whilst it makes me feel like a really mean person crumbling The Penguin into my bath, the bubbles produced are gorgeous. The mixture used to create the white part of the bar are made using what's known as bubble crumble, which has extra cream of tartar added to give softer, foamier bubbles (especially good for people living in hard water areas like I do)

I think the penguin makes a great little add-on gift, stocking filler or treat for a cold, rainy winters evening although I can't promise that you won't feel guilty breaking him apart!

Tomorrow I have a product that is making a welcome return from last year and I'll be honest, it may be my complete favourite ;p
Annie xx