The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Reviver

Vitamin C Skin Reviver, 30ml - £14.00

I am such a huge Body Shop fan. You name it, I probably own it. Which probably isn't really healthy, I mean who needs to own one of each of their body butters?! Well, I do! Upon recommendation I bought the Vitamin C Skin Reviver which is a serum and also a Body Shop best seller. I haven't looked back since.

Before using the Skin Reviver my skin was really dull and I suffered from large, red, blotchy patches on my cheeks. Since using the Skin Reviver I'm now finding that my skin is glowing and there are even days where I feel that just tinted moisturiser is plenty to wear, or even no foundation type products at all, and that has never happened before!

The Vitamin C Skin Reviver aims to enhance natural radiance, gives skin a silky smooth finish and contain light reflective particles. Another brilliant factor of this product is the silky smooth finish. I have never experienced a serum that leaves your skin feeling as soft as the Reviver does. And of course, following the Vitamin C route, it has to smell of Oranges too!

Wearing the Reviver underneath my foundation and teamed with a moisturiser, this product has become a huge part to my everyday routine and a product that I shall forever be repurchasing. I think I shall even go as far to say that it is now hands down my most favourite body shop product. Sorry body butters, you've been pushed aside!

I'm now looking forward to trying the Microdermabrasion and Radiance Capsules from the Vitamin C skin care collection at some point in the near future. Have you tried anything from Body Shop's Vitamin C collection?!

Beauty | Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil

Garnier Body Ultimate Beauty Oil - £7.49

I really am a sucker for following the crowds when it come to new products, and I have to have them. I know I don't always buy them as soon as they're released, but you can guarantee at some point, I will purchase them and own them!

That is exactly what happened with the Garnier Beauty Oil, and I haven't looked back since. I've recently become very into my body moisturisers and I'm getting into a routine of moisturising my body nearly every day. However, when I'm a bit short on time in the morning, (but not too short compared with using a body butter- if that make sense?!) I spritz this oil all over and rub it in. With this product being an oil I was so surprised to see how quick drying it was compared to a thick body butter or soufflé.

As well as soaking into the skin really well I was even more pleasantly surprised to see how long my skin stayed hydrated for. Since being on holiday my skin has become really dry so needs lots of moisture, when using the Garnier Beauty Oil I can go a do or so long without reapplying, which to me screams winner as I can savour a few more moments sleep. Oh the things us girls do to stay beautiful - or at least resemble some half-decency on my part, haha!

Finally, the combination of Almond, Rose, Argan and Macadamia make for a lovely scent too. The scent isn't overpowering, but simply subtle. It's a scent that you could get away without wearing perfume for the day.

I think that confirms that I am a big fan of this product, and it's one which I incorporate into my routine weekly. I love Garnier products and they never fail to disappoint me! What's your favourite Garnier product?!

Lifestyle | PreVent*, A Natural Insect Repellent

And on this miserable, dull, rainy day I have been reminiscing on my incredible time in Corfu, and although I love going on holiday, the thing I hate most is mosquito bites! I get absolutely bitten to shreds when I go away, so when I was given the chance to try PreVent a natural insect repellent I jumped at the chance!

PreVent Aerosol - £5.63, PreVent Cream - £7.25

PreVent is suitable for both adults and children due to the natural and friendly ingredients it uses, unlike other Insect Repellents, which use many chemicals. By using natural ingredients, PreVent is also low in toxicity which makes it perfect for those who have sensitive skin like myself, and it makes it equally good for the environment.

Each night on holiday I used the aerosol and sprayed it on my body to prevent being bitten. However, over the course of the week I ended up with just two bites, and they were two almighty huge bites! Yet two is still a lot better than 20! The bites which I did get were incredibly itchy and I needed to find some sort of relief from it. As I was just trying anything to make it stop I applied the PreVent cream to them and it actually relieved the itching, which makes it a bonus product in my eyes if it can prevent you from being bitten and relieves the itching on the occasions where you do get bitten!

PreVent lasts for up to 8 hours, and I can definitely say that it did last all through the night which is an ideal component when looking for an Insect Repellent. Although the products do seem rather small, I still have loads left after the holiday and shall be taking them with me on my next holiday in September.

PreVent is available in the form of aerosol, pump spray, cream and wipes. I'd be interested to try the wipes next as I can imagine them to be very soothing to any bites!

Have you tried PreVent?

Beauty | Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash

Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash, 100ml - £13.00

One thing I'm trying to do most at the moment is use up all my samples that I have accumulated since I started blogging. It is through this that I am finding myself falling in love with products which are new to me, one being this Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash.

This exfoliator is part of Elemis's Teens to 20's skincare range and is designed to leave skin clean, brighter and more radiant, which I certainly feel it does. This has now become my go to face scrub as I find it to be soft on the skin compared to other facial exfoliators which leave my skin feeling red and raw. My other reason to love this product is it's incredible scent. The scrub is infused with Mandarin, Aniseed, Cherry Powder and Jojoba beads, and it is the most gorgeous combination of fragrances thrown together ever!

For 100ml's of product, the exfoliator retails at £13.00, which I believe to be a reasonable price for a high-end brand, and for a product which compliments my skin so well. Once my sample runs out, I will most definitely be purchasing a full sized product, along with trying out some of Elemis's other skincare products. I can see it being a holy grail item to my skincare routine! I have never felt so much love towards a facial exfoliator. This is definitely a sign of getting older!! 

Have you tried any products by Elemis, what would you recommend?

Beauty | My First Delve Into Kiko

On a trip to London with my boyfriend we walked past the Kiko store and I couldn't believe my ears when he agreed to let me do some shopping in it AND accompany me which is where I picked up this beautiful palette and amazing eyeliner.

I've always been very drawn to Kiko's palette due to their gorgeous colours and pigmentation which I was incredibly pleased about with this palette too. Although Tyler had agreed to let me do a bit of shopping, I knew he meant 'but be quick!' with the eyes he gave me! And this palette satisfied my want to try Kiko cosmetics. At the till whilst paying, the assistant also asked if I wanted to purchase their eyeliner and I was sold as soon as he said it doesn't budge all day, and it really doesn't it's the best eyeliner I have ever bought!

The palette and eyeliner came from the Limited Edition Dark Heroine range and the palette is the 02 Street Taupe Variation and the eyeliner is in shade Panther Black. The collection has now ended, but I managed to still get them in the sale. The palette consists of 5 shimmer/glitter shadows and 1 matte shadow, which is perfect for a smokey look that I like to create. If you like mostly mattes then this palette isn't for you. I however, love glitter and shimmer shadows! As you can see from the swatches, the pigmentation of the shadows are brilliant, and worth their value. Both the palette and the liner have great staying power, and there is minimal fallout.

This beautiful palette is the start of a beautiful relationship with Kiko and I've already placed my next order!

Have you tried any products from Kiko yet?!

In The Home | Canvas Design*

I was recently offered a great opportunity to review a Canvas from Canvas Dezign. As soon as I was contacted I immediately had an idea in my mind as to where I would put it and the sort of picture I wanted. However, I had no clue it would end up being so big! The Canvas which is displayed in my photos is 18"x24", however, there is a wide variety of sizes from you to choose from. You can also order your canvas in different styles such as portrait, landscape, square, panoramic and custom made canvases which I think is a great feature, as you can then really tailor your canvas to your photo. Along with the different sized canvases are the different prices for each size, which are the most reasonable I have ever seen, especially for the quality of the canvas. The smallest canvas which is a square 6"x6" retails at £7.99 and the largest square canvas, 40"x40" retails at £59.99. Prices for portrait and landscape canvases are cheaper.

I was also really impressed with the quality of my canvas as the original photo which I sent them was a photo of a photo using my iPhone 4, and the original is slightly pixelated. The actual canvas material is of great quality as they only use artistic 100% cotton canvas which is really thick and soft at the same time. Finally, it was my Mum who most impressed with this factor, (I don't really know about my woods!) the wood which they use for the canvas is a good quality pine, and I'm happy to say that all materials are sourced here in the UK too!

Once I sent off my picture for my canvas I was really impressed to learn that they have 48 hour delivery and for any order, it is always free, which is fantastic - especially for any last minute presents! Your canvas is then sent to you through a courier where you receive a text telling you the date it is going to be delivered and if no one is on that day, you can arrange for it to be delivered another day. On the day of delivery you are also sent a text in the morning with an hours time slot of when your canvas will arrive, which I think is a great feature and means I don't have to sit in all day waiting and can plan my day that bit better! Once I received the canvas I couldn't believe how well packaged it came in order to prevent any damage happening to it.

I was so impressed with the service from Canvas Dezign that I will definitely be using them again in the future and although the photo I have is of my Mum and I, I'm keeping it for myself, although I am contemplating getting her, her own one for Mothers Day, of one of her beautiful landscapes which she loves to capture, as with the quality of the canvas it will look utterly stunning.

For all my readers I have a 15% off code if you enter BLOG15 at the checkout when purchasing your canvas, perfect for any Mothers Day presents or even a treat for yourself! 

Beauty | Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume

 Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume 30ml | £23.00 at Boots | Link.

I am, and probably always will be a Nicki Minaj lover, I love her music, her style and her ability to be unique and not let anyone put her down or their opinions influence the person she is. I guess I love her so much because I want to be like that, to have the confidence 100% of the time to not be afraid to be who I am.

Around this time last year Nicki released her Perfume, Pink Friday, named after her debut album and as soon as I saw and heard about it I knew I had to give it a whiff! When I saw the bottle I couldn't help but smile to myself, it is very true to Nicki. A unique bottle of her where you have to pull off her head in order to squirt the perfume. Now a lot of celebrity perfumes can be rather quite sweet and there are only a select few which I really like, and I expected this to have that really sickly smell to it, due to Nicki's very loud and over the top appearance which she is renowned for. However, I was pleasantly surprised and fell in love with it straight away. It's the perfect scent for Spring/Summer which is why in the colder months I've tended to not wear it. Within the fragrance there are top notes of Starfruit, Italian Mandarin, Boysenberry, Fresh Gardenia,  Lotus Flower, Jasmine Petals, Creamy Vanilla, Caramelised Pear, Skin Musk and Sheer Woods. As you can see it has rather a fruity and floral scent to it which isn't heavy and over-powering by any means, it's actually rather light which is why I prefer to wear it in the spring and summer months.

I know perfume reviews can be hard to write as each fragrance smells different to each individual but I just wanted to share with you one of my most favourite perfumes as I like these kinds of posts and will always check out perfumes in Boots or Superdrug through blogger recommendations when I'm a bit stuck as to what to buy!

Have you tried Pink Friday by Nicki? What did you think?!

Beauty | Elf Lip Balm SPF15 in Pink

Lip Balm SPF15 | £3.95 | Link.

A while ago I purchased a lot from Elf using their brilliant discounts. There are always two things which I'm immediately drawn to and one is Lipsticks and the other is Lip Balms, when I saw that Elf did these really pigmented balms I knew I had to have one.. or two.. or more! However, with Spring just around the corner, this is my perfect Spring pick.

The balm's come in five other colours as well as the pink and they aim to relieve and soothe lips from chapping and cracking, and protect them from the UV rays, which makes them perfect for Spring/Summer. It does have a rather strong peppermint smell to it, so if you can get over that then you'll be fine. I'm not too fussy about the smell, just glad it doesn't tingle like the Sexy Motherpucker!

I wouldn't say that this is my best or holy grail lip balm because it isn't, and it just works like any other normal lip balm, yet it does add plenty of moisture to my lips. However, the reason I do love it so much is because it's the first  Lip Balm which I have come across that has been as pigmented as this one by Elf, and for £3.95 or even cheaper if you wait for the 50% off codes, it makes it even cheaper and worth it's value for money!

Have you tried any of the Lip Balm SPF15's by Elf, what did you think?

Beauty | Barry M Matte Nail Paint

Barry M Matte Nail Paint - £3.99 each.

I haven't written a Nail Polish review in what feels like forever, even though I frequently wear it. Recently I picked up two new shades from Barry M's new Matte collection. I had never tried matte nail polish up until now and I love it. I love how the finish is so completely different to any other polishes which I've purchased before. I chose the colours Burgundy Crush and Mocha as I thought that they were perfect winter colours!

I've always loved Barry M Nail Paints as I think they're brilliant quality for their price. From the pictures you can tell that the polishes really do have a matte effect which I love, however in the daylight, naturally, it gives the polish more of a shine. The top photo is the day of application and the second photo is 4 days after I had painted my nails. I wanted to show just how great the polishes last, which to me is something which is really important that I look for in a nail polish and Barry M always keep me happy with their quality of product.

I think Burgundy Crush is going to be one of my new winter favourites with it's deep red colour and Mocha will be perfect for winter, but for spring too, as it's a very similar colour to their famous Mushroom Nail Paint, just in a matte finish. As you can tell I love both these nail paints, although I don't think I'll be purchasing the other colours in the collection as I already own a lot, and I mean a lot of dark nail polishes. However, I will always replace these two and may purchase other colours if they bring out a new colour range. I think Matte pastels would be lovely for spring!?

Have you tried Barry M's Matte Nail Paint?!

Beauty | The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club 5th Edition*.

I would be lying if I said I didn't love perfume. I think I'm the most perfume addicted person out there, and I just can't help but buy more and more! So when I was sent The Fragrance Shop's Discovery Box* it was like a dream come true, plus I had already read lots of reviews on this subscription and was toying with the idea of signing up.

Like Glossy Box and Love Me Beauty Boxes you can sign up to the Discovery Club which is ran by The Fragrance Shop. Every quarter of a year you can pay £5.00 to have your box of perfume samples sent straight you your door for you to try. In this edition, the 5th edition there are 9 perfume samples, usually there are 5 so it's a complete bargain. Each box also comes with a Discovery Club booklet which tells you about each perfume you've received and also includes lots of vouchers worth up to £45.00 to spend in The Fragrance Shop. So this is what you can expect to see in a box.

The box contains popular samples for you to try, and I've enjoyed every bit of sampling new perfumes and deciding on my favourites. I have a feeling that this could be bad for my perfume addiction! 

I also love how they have included fragrances for men in the box which I'm sure my boyfriend will find a loving home for, especially as the Hugo Boss Boss Bottled is already one of his favourites on his shelf and he always smells so divine when he wears it. Surely I can't be the only girl who goes weak at the knees over a good smelling bloke?! Hugo Boss Hugo Man is also another great smell for guys and both of these have top notes of apple, along with other fruits and spices. Finally in the men's range is Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme. Now Issey Miyake has always been a brand which I've associated with older men, but with it's distinct woody smell with top notes of yuzu - a Japanese citron, it too, also smells incredible.

Now for the ladies, this edition we have 6 popular favourites, and some which I am already familiar with. I'm no stranger when it comes to Givency's Very Irresistible, something which I've had before and adore it's floral combination of roses and peonies. It's a very unmistakable feminine smell. There are also two by Thierry Mugler, Alien and Angel which I know are two favourites within the blogging world. I can already see Alien becoming a top favourite of mine! Like Givency's Very Irresistible, Guilty by Gucci is another one of my favourites due to it's similarities, although Gucci's Guilty uses oriental florals. Finishing with the florals is Jean Paul Gaultier Classsique which also includes hints of ginger entwined with the florals. Finally for the ladies, is Nina Ricci Nina, a fruity favourite for most.

As you can tell there is quite a range in this box and something there for everyone, even if there's one which may not quite be your favourite I'm sure you'll be able to find someone else who loves it. Personally, I just think this box is a great way for people to try out new fragrances and the samples are even handy just to stick in your handbag to freshen up. Along with the vouchers this box really is worth it's value for money and I can't wait to see what is in the next quarterly instalment!

Is the Discovery Club something you'd be interested in?

Beauty | L'Oréal 3 In 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

The L'Oréal 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution is something else which I brought because every other blogger was raving about it! However, I am thoroughly glad I did as this has been such a great product to work with.

To start with, Micellar Water is a cleansing water which is free from soap, and one of the best factors as to why people love this product is because unlike most cleansers you don't need water to rinse the cleanser and clean the face like a usual routine. You can simply apply the water onto a cotton pad and then straight onto the face. Once you've finished all that's left is to use a toner. You do not need to use water to remove this product. The Micellar water is also great at removing make up, as from the name, it uses molecules called Micelles which trap and remove all elements of dirt from the skin such as make up, dust, grease and grime, Finally the solution draws the impurities out from the skin and hydrates it at the same time. What could be better from a product?!

With the  L'Oréal Purifying Solution it has three uses. Firstly, it removes all traces of make up and I even find that it can also get rid of really stubborn Mascara, which is a huge positive to me as removing eye make and mascara is one of my least favourite tasks. It also unclogs pores and remove impurities which every girl wants, as no one wants to be left with dirt trapped in their skin! Finally, it tones and soothes the skin. The  L'Oréal Purifying Solution also comes with an affordable price tag which is even better considering that it does three great jobs in one. At £4.99 it's available to buy in any Boots or Superdrug store.

Although the Micellar Water has three great functions, I wouldn't recommend that you change your skin care routine to solely this product as it's actually as in the wrong hands it becomes a lazy persons product when we all know that there isn't anything better for our skin than a proper cleanse and tone with a cleansing balm or cream. This product is great for travelling and even going to things such as festivals or when you're in a hurry. I tend to use this product when I come home at silly o'clock in the morning from a night out and cannot keep my eyes open long enough to cleanse and tone, especially as it removes stubborn eye make up and lip products. Or I use it on days where I haven't worn any make up but know that my skin needs a quick clean before bed.

I would definitely say that this is a product which every girl needs to own in their bathroom cupboards as it does work well on the skin, especially as it's also suitable for those with sensitive skin. It's a quick way of removing make up when you need it to and it's incredibly affordable!

Have you tried  L'Oréal's 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution?

Beauty | John Frieda Sheer Blonde and Frizz-Ease

Sheer Blonde: Everlasting Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner 250ml*

Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masque 150ml*

Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum 50ml*

For a long time I have wanted a hair care routine as I've never really had one other than washing my hair. My hair has always been really funny when it comes to heat protectors and serums and I've never incorporated hair masks into my routine. That is until now, where I see the benefits of them and the difference it makes to my hair using them.

My natural hair colour is a very dark blonde/ash colour. Other than a spell of a few years where I was a brunette I have always been blonde and since the age of around 13 have always used bleach to highlight my hair and make it almost white blonde. To give my hair some kind of care I have cut down on how often I get it bleached. It used to be every month and it is now every other month, sometimes I'll even go two months. I've also gone from a full head of highlights to a half head (which I'm not complaining about due to the costs too!). As we're well into winter now I find that the cold, bitter air mixed with central heating can also be a killer for my locks making them quite dry, and finally due to a serious lack of sunshine my hair isn't keeping it's blondness due to the natural sunlight bleach and I start to notice a few more yellow-ey tones to my hair, which I can't stand. however, since using the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner for blonde hair I've noticed that it has delayed this process, which to me is amazing. I use colour protecting shampoo and conditioners all the time, but none seem to prevent the discolouring as much as this shampoo and conditioner. However, the only downside which I find to the shampoo and conditioner is that if I use them often, everyday for a week or so, they begin to make my hair go slightly limp and look a little greasy much sooner than normal.

The John Frieda Intensive Masque and Hair Serum have also been added to my new routine. I've been using the Hair Masque once a week after shampooing my hair, and I cannot get over how soft my hair feels. Even my Mum who suffers from particularly frizzy hair has even commented on how well this product works for her. I have to say though, I can't choose what my favourite thing about the product is. If it's the way it leaves your hair so soft or the incredible fragrance it has as it uses Avocado Oil. The hair serum has also been brilliant for when I've had those unruly bed-hair days. All that's required is a small amount of product, the size of a pea, which is then put into the wet ends of your hair to give you that perfectly smooth, soft and shiny blow-dry.

These products have definitely kick-started my haircare routine and I can't wait to start trying more of the John Frieda range!

Beauty | Soap & Glory: The Yule Monty

This Christmas one of my favourite presents was the Soap & Glory Yule Monty gift set. If you don't know by now, I am a massive Soap & Glory fan and the huge gift set just satisfies all my S&G needs!! The carry-case in which it all came in was also designed by Jonathan Saunders this year, and each year the case is designed differently, but this one will sure be a keeper to store all my products in!

Although you can no longer buy the gift set from Boots, all the products are individually available to buy and for what you pay, I consider them to be very worth when you also look at the quantity of the product. Each Christmas Soap & Glory also bring out a large gift set just like this one for around £60. However, just before Christmas there is always a period of time where the gift set goes down to less than half price, and when you think that about 3 of the products can individually cost £10 each, then that's a complete bargain, so it's always worth waiting for that offer!

As well as skin and body care Soap and Glory also do cosmetics. I'm yet to try any of their other products as I've only used the Thick & Fast Mascara which I adore, and am ever so near to running out, so this arrived just in time!

Some of the products here are dupes of what I already own, but personally I think you can never have enough Soap & Glory, although my boyfriend seems to think differently...

Full reviews on some of the products will be coming soon!

Beauty | The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector 100ml - £10.00
Long time, no see?! I know I haven't blogged in so long, but since starting Uni I would never have believed how busy I've been. It truly has been crazy, but I love it. Uni really has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm constantly motivated and doing so much uni work and when I'm not studying I can't bare to look at a computer screen and I'm off out living my life, which is why I haven't blogged in almost a month, but I haven't left you! I'm just trying to blog when I can and get some quiet me time.

Throughout my travels as I travel to and from University in Oxford my hands are really effected from a combination of cold weather and the central heating on transport and in buildings. My hands were so dry that they would be incredibly sore, itchy and almost raw looking. It was a complete fluke that I stumbled upon The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Protector, and I haven't looked back.

Firstly with this product, if you're not aware of Hemp like I was then you'll find it very odd that there's the Cannabis logo on the front of the packaging. Hemp is sourced from Cannabis, but isn't illegal. It is the oil which is extracted out of the Hemp seeds which makes the hand cream so conditioning.

As you can see the hand protector is very thick compared to more hand creams which is why it is so ideal for those who suffer with dry hands. Most hand creams don't even touch the surface but this product does. If I use it in the morning I won't have to reapply the hand cream again till the next day, or possibly even the day after as that's how deep conditioning it is, and only a small amount is needed.

The only thing I would warn people about is the smell. It doesn't have a pleasant girly smell like most hand creams and some people even find it off putting, but because I know how good it works the smell doesn't put me off, and it soon wears off.

Stumbling across this hand protector has been my life saviour for this winter and I'd even go as far to say it's my holy grail, no other hand cream compares!

The Body Shop also sell a Hemp Lip Balm which I'm going to have to try if it's anything like the Hand Protector! Have you tried any products in the Hemp range by the Body Shop?