A Little Boots Haul

Am I the only one who seems to find Christmas a massive excuse to buy myself presents? Please tell me I'm not alone in this!

After running out of my Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, I was in need of a new cleanser, and I couldn't quite stretch to the £34 price tag of the EH. so I picked up Origins Clean Energy Cleansing Oil which costs £19 for 200ml ( the pump has to be bought separately for £1). I haven't heard very much about this but so far I'm really enjoying it. It has a lovely fresh scent and it doesn't take much product to remove a full face of make up including waterproof mascara. Whilst at the counter also got some samples of the Never A Dull Moment scrub and face wash. I've liked all the Origin's face washes I've tried so far but I fancy a change from the Zero Oil.

I also got two of the new Elnett Heat Defence Styling Sprays, I went for the Waves and Volume varieties. They were on offer for 2 for £9 and I don't really have anything similar so figured they were worth a try. I used the Volume one yesterday and it definitely make my hair less flat and more bouncy.

What have you been hauling?

PS. Soap and Glory's Best Of All Gift Set goes on offer today, will any of you be picking it up?

 

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What I'm Loving #2

I've been off work this week so it's been a lazy week on the hair and make up front. I've just been scrunch drying my hair with a bit of Bumble and Bumble Texture ( £21.50, review here) which gives a great relaxed wave.

I've upped the moisture levels in my skincare with the Super by Nicholas Perricone Coconut Quench Spray, which is full of hylauronic acid. I have been using it as a toner, and it's gorgeous, gets rid of any dry or dehydrated patches.

I've repurchased Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (£10.99) foundation and it still my favourite base just enough coverage for everyday, and not heavy feeling at all. I've given my Naked palette a rest and have been using Burberry's Pale Barley (£22.50) swept all over the lid. Nars Luster (£21.50)has been my blusher of choice since dying my hair red. It's great for lazy make up as it has enough if a sheen that I can skip the highlighter.

What products have stood out to you this week? Share in the comments!

 

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Soap and Glory Whipped Clean and Smoothie Star Body Buttercream

I wrote about Soap and Glory's new Sugar Crush line which have a zingy, fresh lime scent, another of their new releases is a totally different scent. The Smoothie Star scent is a foody scent that is somewhere along the lines of vanilla cake batter and marzipan.

Whipped Clean is a Shower Buttercream that cleanses and moisturises in one. It has the texture of a thick lotion but it is emollient when used on wet skin. It doesn't really lather but it does have a bit of foam. This is a gorgeous product to use at the end of a long day, and I find the scent and texture very relaxing. It does leave a slight residue but not so much that it would stick to clothes.

Smoothie Star Body Buttercream is a body butter that is very thick and nourishing but when applied feels light and sinks in quickly when compared to something like the Body Shops Body Butters. It has the same amazing scent as Whipped Clean and is a joy to apply. I normally wouldn't apply a Body Butter in the morning as I would worry it would stick to my clothes, but as this sinks in in seconds there's no need to worry!

Both products and the Smoothie Star Body Lotion contain a mix of 5 oils to keep dry skin at bay, and when combined with a good scrub (I like Sugar Crush or The Breakfast Scrub) flaky, scaly arms and legs are no longer an issue.

Soap and Glory is available at Boots where Smoothie Star costs £10.50 and Whipped Clean costs £8 (but can both usually be found on 3 for 2)

 

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What I've Been Loving #1

I'm really bad at keeping up with monthly favourites (as you can probably tell if you've been reading my blog for a while) so I thought I would do a less structured current favourites!

L'oreal's Telescopic Waterproof is the first mascara I've found that really holds a curl on my straight lashes, I can't see myself straying from it . But it is waterproof which means I've had to step up my game when it comes to make up removal. My trusty Bioderma wasn't cutting it so I decided to try Garnier Simply Essential 2 in 1 Make Up Remover for Face and Eyes which was a bargain at £2 and its the best eye make up remover I've tried and works great and removing the majority of face make up.

My skins been not too bad lately and I have been trying to keep a glow with Botanics Facial Oil which I use at night either on its own or mixed in with a moisturiser. I have had a bit of a breakout and one of the products that has relly helped to calm it down is La Roche Posays Effaclar Duo a light gel that is great for shrinking up spots and calming down redness.

I've been keeping my make up quite simple; my primer of choice is Laura Mercier's Oil Free Foundation Primer which doesn't feel too sillicone heavy and makes my foundation last that extra few hours. I've been dusting No7's Vital Enlightening Highlight Powder ( review here ) on the tops of my cheeks and brow bone, and finishing off my make up with Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate.



 

What products have you been loving lately? Share in the comments!

 

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Liz Earle Botanical Essence No 15

Sexy is not a word I would associate with Liz Earle, but this perfume could change that. I'm not a fan of girly scents but warm, spicy scents are my thing, so it's no surprise Liz Earle Botanical Essence No 15 has captured my heart.

The perfume has been blended using 15 Natural Botanicals; Bergamot, Virginian Cedarwood, Patchouli, Guaiacwood, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Cypriol, Siam Benzoin, Elemi, Cinnamon Leaf,Damask Rose, Clove Bud, Pink Pepper, Bourbon Vanilla and Vetiver. It really is unique in that it starts of quite fresh and sharp but very soon settles to a gorgeously warm and rich scent.

The bottle is very understated and but is still elegant which reflects the scent well it's sexy but it doesn't shout. This scent is very comforting and I love that I can still smell it on my scarf the next day.

Scent is a very personal thing but if you know someone who loves unusual, warm and spicy scents this would make a great Christmas gift!

You can find Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 on their website (link) where 50ml will cost £45.

Disclosure: Product sent by PR for consideration, this does not affect my opinion.

 

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Bumble and Bumble Straight Shampoo and Conditioner

I mentioned in my review of Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry Cream that I was also trying out the Shampoo and Conditioner I have been using them for a few months now and it has been amazing at calming down my thick, dry wavy hair.

With Concen-straight technology they aim too leave hair smoothed and make styling less traumatic. The shampoo is SLS free but still has a rich creamy lather, and leaves my hair feeling clean but not stripped. It also doesn't strip my colour or irritate my scalp.

The conditioner isn't heavy and really moisturises the hair rather than just coating it, so it doesn't leave my hair greasy or limp.

My hair is much more manageable when blow drying after I use these and it seems to relax the curl and frizz that my hair naturally has. And when combined with the Blow Dry Cream my hair is noticibly smoother and sleeker.

I rotate this combination with the Ojon Damage Reverse which I tend to use every 1 out of 3 washes, as it is too heavy for regular washes, unlike the Bumble and Bumble.

Bumble and Bumble are my go to for high quality hair products and I am looking forward to trying more of their products!

Bumble and Bumble Straight Shampoo and Conditioner cost £23 and £25 respectively and are available at Space NK (link) where postage is currently free.

Disclosure : Products provided for consideration by PR, this in no way affects my opinion.

 

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Soap and Glory Sugar Crush

Soap and Glory have brought out quite a few new products in time for the festive season which include some great new scents. Normally associated with their classic floral scent, the Sugar Crush scent is a great option for those who don't love florals.

I've been trying the original scrub (£8) and the new body wash (£6.50) from the range which both have the gorgeous scent, which combines brown sugar, lime and almond oil.

The body scrub is full of sugar and macadamia and is perfect to slough of rough skin. And combined with the body wash it makes for the perfect zesty, fresh shower. If you buy just one product from the line make it the Sugar Crush Body Wash, it's got a gorgeous rich texture and the half litre bottle will last ages?

The range also includes a body butter which looks perfect for summer!

You can find Soap and Glory at Boots where it is currently on 3 for 2. Have you tried any Soap and Glory's new releases?

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