Naughty Naughty, I know...Review: GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD Tinglexfoliate Treatment

"I love diamond facials - they leave me glowing and refreshed." - Fergie

I know I know, it has been so long since I last blogged, life had got very busy to say the least. Thanks to some inspiration I am back to fully endeavour (well try) to re-in-capture some great posts that I have lined up! Without any major  further delay lets get straight at it...

I am currently loving GlamGlow Mud Mask that I have added to my skin regime once every weekly. If you have not heard of the Hollywood facial in a pot then where have you been for the past year?! Voted as this year's Elle International Magazine as the World's Best Face Mask it has been quickly grabbed by beauty skin junkies by its impressive A-List users (the likes of Nina Dobrev, Jennifer Aniston and even allegedly Jay Z)! 

Raved by bloggers for its natural rejuvenating properties of mud, volcanic ash and green tea leaf (just to name a few) it really leaves the skin tingling and glowing after its usage. Let's have a look at what it claim's to do:

There’s nothing YOUTHMUD doesn't do – feel the tingle as it works its magic on your skin:

• Skin Collagen Synthesis for a noticeable 3 day glow.

• Brighter, radiant skin in minutes.

• Leaves skin noticeably soft and smooth.

• Multi-level resurfacing exfoliation.

• Penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles. 

• Tightens, tones and lifts the skin. 

• Relieves dark circles and minimises pores. 

• Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils.

• Helps protect against everyday environmental aggressors. 

• Suitable for all skin types, all ages and for both women and men.

• Contains no artificial colours or fragrances.

• 100% paraben-free, cruelty-free, and suitable for vegans. 

Quite an impressive claim; "there is nothing Youthmud doesn't do" - well with that in mind I could not wait to try it out for myself!  First of all the packaging is very sleek and pretty, let's just take a minute to appreciate it...

Very swanky looking indeed - I was intrigued to see the results. So the instructions state to smother the clay like consistency onto clean skin and to leave it on for 10 minutes. Note that the consistency of the mask itself is rather sludgy - I stirred the pot with a spatula before applying a thin layer onto my skin and left to dry for ten minutes. You will immediately notice that the mask will begin to slowly dry and it will feel like your skin has hardened. There is an evident tingling that some users have described as unbearable - but for me it wasn't that bad at all. After ten minutes you simply wash off and pat dry - ta-dah! 

Overall I could see my skin felt a lot smother and my pores seemed more reduced...although I wouldn't go far to claim that my skin was glowing for 3 days straight just because of this product alone. Not entirely sold by GlamGlow but I would definitely state it make a hell of a mean exfoliater (bit ouchie on the skin too at first). 

After having used the above for 2 months I am bit indifferent about it now as most hyped products, not entirely convinced that it is worth the £49.50 price tag for 50ml.

Has anyone else tried any of GlamGlow' other masks?

Happy Sunday!

...ArA...

The Body Shop Hand Cream Review

"He who comes into equity must come with clean hands" - Legal Maxim 

With the current gale force winds gripping the nation my hands can be left worse for wear. Hands are often the most neglected part of our body and also a tell-tell sign of age; I have often moisturised everything but my hands! I purchased this dainty looking Body Shop Hand Cream set a while ago after the pint-sized 30ml counterparts were perfect to stash into a few handbags of mine...

The set that I purchased had a selection of the 3 most popular, I love the vintage retro metallic packaging; tube sized and easy to use. The set contained two Hemp Seed Hand Protector creams which is the somewhat "power cream" out of the three that I own; it has a very thick consistency (which takes some time to absorb) and is somewhat tinged with a mild green colouring. It is not the best smelling cream out there (smells rather like a day out in a muddy field, takes a bit of getting used to) but is the most heavy duty cream in the collection in terms of its accolades. It states it is designed for "very dry skin" and supposedly has worked wonders for damaged cuticles as well as hands which is probably due to the Hemp Seed element that contains moisturising properties, mainly the fatty acids that Hemp Seed is made from. As I do not particularly like the scent I apply this to my hands for a S.O.S.-super treatment at night and I am guaranteed to wake up with soft subtle hands. 

The Wild Rose SPF 15 hand cream is much more to my liking, not only does it contain SPF (winner winner) but its beautifully fragranced and you can smell the roses in an abundance. Although it is targeted for "mature skin" I still love the scent, the rosehip oil no doubt combating those stubborn age spots for mature skin. This cream is a lot lighter than the Hemp Seed Hand Protector, for me this is why it is more practical to be stashed away in your handbag whilst on the go and definitely reminds me of those long summers.

My favourite out of all three has to be the Almond and Nail Cream, ah where do I start with this gem?! This cream is tailored specifically for manicures as it contains the duo of a manicurist special agents panthenol (vitamin B5) and and sweet almond oil celebrated for good skin and nails. The most quickest to absorb and the smell lingers too which is oh-so-divine! It is targeted for all skin types and for me has the most appeal.

Currently the above 30ml Body Shop Hand Creams are £2.50 online! Grab them whilst you can!

Which one is your favourite?

...ArA...

Vichy Normaderm Review

...Floreat Curator Cutis...

Vichy skincare range has been around for a while and often has been hailed as one of the more leading high-end drugstore products with its claimed mineral-rich therma spa water ingredient. Vichy have a range of specially developed skin care products designed for those of us with the more complicated skin types. The Normaderm range itself is targeted mainly for oily combination skin, with a little targeted action for acne prone skin too; helping to target blemishes and keep those breakouts at bay. The Vichy Normaderm range recognises the link between oily combination skin and breakouts (excess oil produced by our skin blocking our pores leading to breakouts…you know the drill, most of us have been there).

I have used Vichy Normaderm products in the past, but never truly committed fully to the cause. So I have been wanting to review the Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care (Day Moisturiser) and Chrono-Active Pore Refining Care (Night Moisturiser) for some time now, but wanted to incorporate these two products properly in my routine before I could review them (hence the slightly erm “weathered” packaging in the photos – sorry about that).

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care (Day Moisturiser)

This daytime moisturiser claims to common problem areas targeting: imperfections, pores, oily/shiny skin and uneven skin tone. This daytime moisturiser is not my favourite, once it is applied to can rub off in little bits and looks as though your skin is peeling off (when in fact it is the day moisturiser that is dried onto the skin)! It has a matte finish and although it may make your skin look less oily for me it was not really a hit, as I did not really feel or see the real results. The formula  flaking off my skin was something that I was disappointed with and it did not last long at all. This product does contain Alcohol therefore I would not recommend using this product if you have sensitive/dry skin during a hot summers day or on your tropical holiday; as it could leave your skin dehydrated rather than hydrated. 

Overall this product did not blow me away; it did not deliver on its bold claims. I could not wear this day moisturiser all day on my skin, as the product was often peeling away from my skin and rather looked more like an acid peel than a moisturiser! It did not have a great wear time at all for a moisturiser, and did not leave my skin hydrated all day.

A 50ml bottle of Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care Day Moisturiser is £12 from Boots.

Vichy Normaderm Chrono-Active Pore Refining Care (Night Moisturiser)

This night time moisturiser is my favourite of the two moisturisers, it claims to limit the amount of pores that produce excess oil overnight so that the skin has a more even tone and that pores are less visible overtime. It easily melts onto the skin and once applied instantly - what I can only describe somewhat as dissolving into the skin – it was not greasy at all even though the consistency when it comes out of the tube is runny. You may feel a tingling sensation when you apply it onto your skin, this is probably the Zincadone A ingredient that targets bacteria and skin regeneration, although I would not recommend applying this night-time moisturiser onto broken/sensitive skin; as this may deeply irritate the skin and cause discomfort! On my skin this moisturiser was perfect, I definitely noticed my pores were less distinguished and my overall skin tone did improve. I particularly liked the fact that my skin was noticeably soft after I applied the moisturiser without that heavy greasy feeling that most night moisturisers tend to go over load on the greasy results.

A 50ml bottle of Vichy Normaderm Chrono-Active Pore Refining Night Cream is £12.77 from Boots.

***

Overall I am not completely convinced, I will not be re-purchasing the day moisturiser again!

…ArA….

A Very British Spring – Essential Accessories

...Imber Ymber...

Well seeing that the slight improvement in the weather was short lived, I thought it would only be fitting to make a suitable spring wardrobe essential post, that tailors around the spring rain showers we seem to be getting quite frequently lately (bo ho…better leave those spring/summer clothes at the back of the wardrobe yet)!

The lack of sun does not mean that you cannot dabble with those cute spring flowers here or there (instead of being on the grass they are the print on your scarf or blouse, I have not seen a single daffodil yet thus far). I have rummaged around and tried to create British-weather proof spring essentials that will still leave you feeling spring(ish) without shivering your knees off in the heavy winds...leave those strappy sandals and spring skirts for a warmer day (unless you are wearing them with thick tights)!

1. 

Always keep an umbrella in your bag, you never know when the temperamental weather turns sour! This beautiful Black Floral Print Umbrella has a frill trim detail all the way round (I love extra details) and looks very pretty and has a very cute black rose handle, the details are so beautiful and make it very feminine. It is currently on sale from River Island for £7!

***

2.

Who can go wrong with a classic bowler hat? I am loving this dusty pink number so on trend with the pastel spring palette, it will keep your head covered in those downpours as well as adding a vintage laid-back feel to any daytime outfit. It is also available in black and burgundy  but my favourite for spring has to be this light pink which is again very feminine. It can be brought from H&M for £7.99!

***

3.

River Island have created a very good alternative to those rain/overcast days which will leave your Wellies behind, I tend to avoid Wellies simply because unless at Glastonbury for me they are not practical for everyday-wear, instead ankle boots tend to be more favourable to wear in Spring being both comfortable and not leaving you feeling like you are still stuck in autumn/winter.  These Black High Shine Chelsea Boot Wellies are great for dressing up or down (as well as keeping your feet dry and not flooding ruining those beloved pastel ballet pump shoes that you looked forward to wearing all spring). Grab them from River Island for £20!

***

4. 

If you have hands like mine they tend to always remain cold (no matter what the weather), the current harsh wind does not help (especially when holding an umbrella, my hand tends to turn into a great numb bloodless piece of flesh). These cream studded leather gloves (I am a sucker for any clothing that is studded..,*cough cough Valentino-inspired cough cough*) are perfect for teaming up in spring. They are a far cry away from those thicker winter wolly numbers that are now firmly tucked away in my bottomless wardrobes. They are at a steal sale price for £14.50 (reduced from £35) from Asos, especially as they are leather and studded! 

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5.

This beautiful oriental print scarf is advertised to be green, although I think it is more of a light minty green/light aqua-ish pastel colour which is so pretty for spring. It again looks very feminine and can be teamed with your outfit to add a bit of spring sensuality and keep you warm at the same time. It can be brought from Acessorize for £12.

***

6.

Not strictly an accessory as such although I feel this is an essential handbag item when out and about and had to feature it; it is simply a life saver if you have sensitive hands like mine. I currently have this Sanctuary hand cream in my handbag, it never fails and is a very friendly tiny travel size tube at 30ml for £3.00 available from Boots. It always moisturises my hands without being too heavy and greasy; leaves them smelling divine and soothes away the harsh effects of the coarse wind that dry out my hands, leaving me feeling more like I have dried prunes for hands!

***

Lets hope the British rain departs soon, enjoy your lazy Sunday!

...ArA...

J’adore: Ted Baker Body Soufflé and Body Spray Review

UK weather never fails to astonish me, instead of beautiful sunny spells and the smell of spring daffodils we are having to endure another snowfall of sleet and dampness…so typical so UK. Anyway despite the slushy snow outside I have been trying to stay upbeat for the better summer days ahead and been wearing my favourite signature body spray suitable for every day wear.

A favourite scent of mine that always reminds me of sunny days gone is the Ted Baker body sprays and body soufflé (no you cannot eat it, just a very luscious and creamy body butter that smells heavenly)…these have been my usual trusty daily sprays for years (since they first introduced them to Boots) and they are a perfect pick me up for spring time. Ted Baker did re-brand the packaging and some of its range; however I find that they still smell the same.

Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray | Ted Baker Body Soufflé | Ted Baker Origami Body Spray

I love the girly purple/gold abstract packaging, very modern yet still feminine. They smell really expensive and unique and have a strong lasting power (unlike those other oh so familiar deodorant cans on the market); for the price they are ideal for daily usage. My favourite being the Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray which contains bergamont and patchouli (all ultra-elegant fragrance notes which are not in usually in other high street deodorant’s - another reason this super quality product is my favourite daily body spray).  I usually wear this in the daytime, it is perfect for everyday wear, not too strong yet it has that lingering scent to it.

Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray

They also have the Ted Baker Origami Body Spray which is a lot less sweet than Butterfly Wings, it contains sandalwood and rose and hints of vanilla, which again lasts for ages on your skin. I also have the matching Body Soufflé which also has hints of sandalwood and rose, it is best used after you have showered/bathed as it sponges into your skin quicker, think of this Body Soufflé as a Body Butter, it is thick and creamy and is therefore best applied onto clean skin (plus the smell just lingers and lingers…mmm). 

Ted Baker Origami Body Spray

I feel being a British brand Ted Baker’s bath and beauty range is perfect for those on the go looking for a better alternative to the usual female daily deodorants on the market, being a body spray it is a lot gentler yet I still feel its quality fragrance is far better than any other (even dare I say it the hype about Victoria Secret’s body sprays). Overall I love the Ted Baker range; I always have their body spray in my bag when out and about!

Boots have cute little 50ml travel sizes too which are great to be stashed into your purse or bag!

Ted Baker Body Soufflé retails at £6.50 for 300ml pot

Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray at £5.00 for 150ml bottle

Ted Baker Origami Body Spray at £5.00 for a 150ml bottle

…ArA…

Weekly Skin Exfoliators: No 7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser & St Ives Blemish Fighting Facial Scrub Review

...Luceat Lux Vestra...

Around every week or so I like to pamper my skin (mostly on a chilled out Sunday) using a good scrub or a spa type treatment to exfoliate my skin; I feel that this routine helps to keep my skin rejuvenated and  smooth without it being too much of an effort. To do this job I usually use two my favourite products (alternating when I can, I like to mix it up); they are no other than the No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleaner and St Ives Blemish Fighting Facial Scrub. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser

Let’s start with the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser, think of this as a gentle spa treatment in the comfort of your own home without the hefty price tag. No7 have come a long way in recent years (from re-branding to branching out in new lines) offering good quality drugstore products which have been trusted by so many. It is no wonder that this cleanser has received so much positive feedback and is one of No7 more popular products.  

Its simple clear packaging enables you to see how much of the product is left and it is packaged with a small muslin cloth. The purpose of this Hot Cloth Cleanser is to give your skin that deep invigorated spa treatment, (give a good old dusting to those pores)! It aims to remove all dirt and grime and exfoliate your skin using the muslin cloth which you simply run under warm water to use.

To do this you simply apply the creamy thick cleanser onto DRY skin using the pump applicator (one squirt of this foamy matter is more than enough), and then (after some optional intermittent-lounging-for-some-time-with-your-cucumber-peels moments) use the wet muslin cloth to wipe away all of the cleanser.  Use warm water to wash away any remainder that is left, and (most importantly) make sure you use cold water after to close your pores.

The muslin cloth acts as an exfoliator to lift dead skin cells and any grime away from your skin (think of it like a brush), to leave it looking baby soft and squeaky clean. Another advantage of using of a muslin cloth weekly is that it encourages circulation to give you that bright hallow glow without it being too harsh on your skin (as you are not frantically scrubbing away daily)!  The only slight minus point for me personally is that I feel the muslin cloth is not that tough, or of a great quality. I don’t feel it lasts that long. I often use my own flannel or a textured face towel which I will put in the wash once I have used it.

This is a great quality product which I would recommend to rival any other hot cleanser, its thick consistency and texture doesn't disappoint on results. It is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin on anyone who wants to have that indulgent experience!

It comes in a 200ml size which you can pick up from Boots for £9.95 (very economical as it lasts ages - plus if you have a £5 No7 voucher you only pay £4.95 - bargain)!

St Ives Blemish Fighting Facial Scrub

This apricot scented scrub is one of my staples that I have used for years, I remember using this since being in my teens (such fond memories… *ahem*). You only have to look at the Swiss company behind it and look at their glorious blemish free faces to know that St Ives are winners when it comes to facial scrubs, is it any surprise that they are consistently voted as the UK’s Number 1 Scrub band? I use this twice a week (the most) for maintaining clear skin and tame my oil/combination skin.

The secret of a scrub is a bit like a muslin cloth, scrubs exfoliate any dirt and grime away, they mostly contain small beaded ingredients - in this case brown coloured beads, (think of these little wonders as tiny little muslin clothes acting together to add that sparkle to your skin) which help to scrub away the bad stuff such as dead skin cells away to leave your skin polished and clean. In this way they are easier to use as any other daily cleanser, as you just apply it to your face and rinse as you normally would do.

St Ives Scrub lives up to its reputation, it is a no-nonsense tough scrub that you can feel scrubbing against you skin as you apply it. For this reason I would not recommend daily usage of this product, as this can be very harsh to the natural ph and oil balance of your facial skin, (and in actual fact may trigger breakouts if used excessively)!

I love the apricot smell, it surely does smell of all the good natural elements which it is based on, plus it no longer contains no parabens or phthalates *hooray* (even though on boots online they still seem to have the older ingredients listed, for this reason I have taken a photograph of the ingredients for you sceptics to have a look at - see below).  I have found using this weekly (in addition to my daily routine) my skin is a lot less oily and I don’t really suffer from major breakouts (I bet I have just jinxed myself) although I use this to maintain clearer skin and love it for its thick beady texture.

"Formulated without Parabens and Phthalates" 

You can purchase it from any good supplier; I usually pick it up from Boots for £4.29 for 150ml tube.

What are you best skin exfoliators?

...ArA...

Beauty Staple: Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Review

...Minime senuisti!..

With its various celebrity endorsements Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula has been a much loved affordable and trusty body moisturiser. So I decided to give a quick review about my love for Cocoa Butter, another timeless classic of mine.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula has been around for a good few years, incorporating cocoa butter (obviously) enriched with Vitamin E (helps to soften skin and keep it oh so heavenly smooth). These agents together have super-power moisturising effects thanks to the natural hydrating elements and vegetable fat origin of cocoa butter (no surprise then that it smells of chocolate, cocoa is one of the key ingredients of chocolate making)! Palmers claim to use the highest quality cocoa bean (sorry to those that did not make the mark) which they press down into the cocoa butter, used subsequently in its formula. Furthermore Palmers formula no longer contain any Parabens, which is another added bonus!

It is usually used by users with very dry/rough skin, although I feel that Palmers Cocoa Butter can be used by users of all skin types, as its moisturising properties can be best taken advantage of especially after a shower/bath when it’s vital to moisturise. Palmers Cocoa Butter can be used all over the body and smells mildly of chocolate (which I have to admit does take a bit of getting used to), although this does not really bother me (a scent free version is available if the smell does bother you).

You may be thinking it will be too rich and greasy to be absorbed into the skin, but the convenience of the pump version of this lotion allows easy application (so you are not wasting it away, or getting carried away by the chocolaty smell), only a few pumps are needed and it absorbs super quickly into the skin once rubbed in (thanks to the buttterrryyy properties of cocoa).  I am left with silky baby soft skin which leaves a youthful appearance. It has a thick consistency, although this can be easily spread if a right amount is used (thanks to the pump)!

I usually stock up on the 400ml bottle with Boots constant 3 for 2 offer (see below), although one 400ml bottle will last me for approximately 3 months! They do have smaller sizes, I would recommend the 250ml for travelling. 

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula is available in most good stores; pick up yours at Boots for a 400ml bottle for a very affordable £5.30

…ArA…

Beauty Staple: Bio-oil Review

...Lumen de Lumine...

When you first think of Bio-oil you can be forgiven for thinking its usage is for pregnant women who are using it religiously to avoid stretch marks or saggy skin. However the likes of Kim Kardashian have hyped its magical properties, she has claimed to use it to keep those under eye wrinkles at bay. It is mostly used to treat stretch marks, dehydrated skin, ageing skin, and even skin tone.

Your skin is the largest organ that you have, so naturally I try to aid my skin to keep it healthy and youthful.  I have used Bio-oil as part of my daily skin care regime for some time. I apply it every other night on cleansed skin as a deeply nourishing night mask, especially during those cold winter months when my skin needs that extra umph (it seems like most days here, with the cold UK climate my skin is left with needing a lot of TLC)!

I was a bit apprehensive at first to use some form of oil on my face, as I have oily/combination skin (not the best of friends). I found by applying it before bed was the best way for it to work up its magic whilst I blissfully feel asleep with a bit of a shiny face! Remember a little goes a long way; you only need a few drops of the orangey oil, massage it gently into your skin using the tips of your fingertips until it is absorbed by your skin.  

Bio-oil contains PurCellin Oil which claims to help penetrate deep into the skin and leave the skin with a breathable surface without being non-greasy or heavy. I am a bit sceptical about the non-greasy element, as I am still left with a dewy look after I have massaged it keenly into my skin…although this may be due to my pesky oily/combination skin.

Bio-oil also contains vitamins A and E, Calendula, Rosemary, Lavender and Chamomile oil. Rosemary and Chamomile oil have been known to hydrate and smoothen the skin, you can smell the undertones of Rosemary and Chamomile as you apply it, this leaves a nice aroma which can help you relax, and another reason I apply it at night to catch those Zzz’s! In the morning I am left with plumpy smooth skin with a natural glow (*hallelujah*) which is the reason that I keep my trusty Bio-oil at the forefront of my bedtime rituals!

Overall I would recommend this old loved staple to anyone who wants to maintain their youthful glow or simply use it for more of one of its targeted uses. 

It retails at Boots at £8.99 for the 60ml size, £14.99 for the 125ml, or £19.99 for the 200ml size (which is currently on a online exclusive buy one get one free offer at Boots, grab it now)!

Although quite steep for a drugstore product I would still recommend it as an invest piece, no other nightcream/mask has given me that early morning glow. My small 60ml bottle has lasted me for a few months, well worth the pounds!

Do you have any experience of Bio-oil’s multi usage properties?

...ArA...