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

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

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

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm Review

Nuxe is a brand that I have a whole lot of love for. I'm currently using their miceller water, toner, moisturiser, hand cream and of course this little pot of wonder.
I picked the Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm with a recent Space NK order when I decided that I deserved some post operation treats. What with the op being on my throat I thought a lip balm was a sensible choice and I've been looking for an excuse to buy it for a while :P

I'll start by saying that at £9.50 this lovely little lip balm doesn't come cheap, hence my hesitation in purchasing, however, it has really been my saving grace this week. Instant relief on application!
As I expected, after my operation my lips were horribly dry and chapped and with constantly needing to force myself to sip on water to stay hydrated I really needed something long lasting, ultra-nourishing and non-sticky.
The gorgeous blend of honey, shea butter, soya glycerine and sweet almond oil give a soft, melt on the lips texture that isn't greasy and has an uplifting grapefruit scent. I've never been a huge fan of citrus scents and would personally have preferred a softer smell but it isn't over powering and fade away fairly quickly.
I've been slapping this on in a nice thick layer and letting it slowly sink in whilst I've been housebound but a small amount goes a long and you can very easily get away with using next to none per application. I also love that the formula is shine free meaning it is easy to wear without looking like you've smothered yourself with grease.
To sum it up, I think that this is an incredibly high quality lip balm that is a good investment for the winter, especially if, like me, you suffer a lot with dry, chapped lips. The light but deeply nourishing formula is perfect for protecting from the winter wind and cold without getting hair stuck all over it and because it sinks in quickly is also suitable to apply lipstick over the top for a wash of colour. Definitely worth the mini splurge I'd say or something to pop on the Christmas list.

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

Having a Love Affair with Nuxe

Hello, I'm back up and running on a shiny new laptop!

If you read my blog a lot then you'll know that I am a member and admin for facebook group Beauty Box Swaps. As a little birthday treat I arranged to do a birthday box swap with one of the lovely ladies in the group and we both put together a box of equal value to post to each other. I have a post going live tomorrow about the swap showing what was in my box but for now I couldn't wait to share some love for a brand that I've not really explored before; Nuxe.

It's common knowledge in beauty blogger land that the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse dry oil is one of the most gorgeous body products out there with its beautiful smell and ability to leave skin looking and feeling amazing but I had never really paid much attention to other products from the brand so when I received the Micellar Cleansing Water and Hand and Nail Cream in my box along with a mini dry oil and some samples I was really excited to try them out.
One small problem... I'm now hooked on both. These are honestly two of the nicest, most simple yet effective products I have ever used.

I use a cleansing water twice daily; before applying makeup, and after removing it and have previously been using Lush Tea Tree Water, however after one use of the Micellar Cleansing water I was a convert. The gentle rose scent is soothing without being overwhelming and after running a cotton pad doused in the cleanser makeup just melts away and skin is left feeling amazingly soft and refreshed. Due to a little glycerin it also feels protected and is perfect even for sensitive skin. I just cannot knock it.

I'm a bit of a hand cream hoarder. I just love the feel of freshly moisturised mitts! I was instantly impresed with this hand and nail cream because of how little I used to originally test it. I squeezed a tiny amount from the tube just to get a feel for the smell and consistency only to find that's all I needed! It spread across my hands like a dream and melted away almost instantly leaving my hands feeling soft and the skin looking plumper and more even in colour and once again there is glycerin in the lotion which helps draw the ingredients into the skin and lock them in, creating a weightless protective barrier on the skin. The smell, like other Nuxe products is soft and feminine without being sickly and reminds me of warm sunny holidays with the gentle blend of coconut, sweet almond oil, avocado and shea.

I haven't given the sample sachets a try yet as I already have other products on the go but they're already at there waiting excitedly on my dressing table tempting me to use them. I can't remember when I was last this excited about a brand and I really am looking forward to becoming addicted to other things they sell too.

Annie xx