Author: Vicki

Aldi Lacura Argan Oil Beauty Range

- Vicki 4 Comments
Aldi Lacura Argan Oil Bodycare

Aldi Lacura Argan Oil Beauty Range

Aldi is quite well know for their affordable skincare so I was excited to try four products from their new Argan Oil Range which is released on February 21st. All the products in this line are under £5.

Lacura Argan Oil Nurturing Shower Gel*

This comes out a lovely rich golden colour, I like that its not a cream formula but very much like an oil. This is lovely to massage all over you skin and gently rinse off. You’re left with soft skin that feels nourished, the scent of this shower gel is really nice too, its quite warming, rich and relaxing. You get a really generous 300ml of product in a shower friendly squeeze style bottle.

Lacura Argan Oil Anti Ageing Body Lotion*

This body lotion is a lightweight cream and is 95% natural. It promises to help tighten skin, moisturise and protect from the first signs of ageing. Bold claims, from testing this over the past couple of weeks I would say that its hydrating and my skin feels smooth and nourished after applying this morning & night but as for anti ageing & skin tightening I’m not 100% sure (yet). I think applying moisturising lotion to your body is a great way to keep your skin looking healthy, radiant and stops it from drying out which in the long run helps to keep your skin looking its best. I will continue to use this lotion & let you know if I see any improvement in skin tightness.

Aldi Lacura Argan Oil Beauty Range

Carino Professional Oil Treatment*

This is an exciting product, its a hair oil that you can use as an Leave in Conditioner, Finishing Product or an Overnight Treatment. It comes packaged in a really sweet glass bottle so it feels luxurious. I have used this as a leave in conditioner and a finishing product and was very very impressed. This oil treatment is fantastic at helping eliminate frizz, adding shine and improving the condition of your hair. I have dark curly hair thats is prone to being dull & frizzing (i also use a lot of heat) so this bottle of oil has been a god send. I will be trying it as an overnight treatment this week & I’m excited for the results. The oil is lightweight & you need only a small amount, the scent is quite sweet and rich.

Affordable Beauty from Aldi

Lacura Argan Oil Anti Ageing Handcream*

I use hand cream so often throughout the day so its nice to have them strategically placed about my house, handbag and car so I never have dry hands. This Lacura one is quite a thick cream formula but it doesn’t stay greasy on your hands. So after applying it you’re ready to type, drive or just crack on with your day, no waiting for the product to sink in or feeling tacky on your skin. The scent isn’t as strong as the body lotion but it still smells nice. It contains no parabens, silicones, mineral oils or colourants and is 95% natural.

So all in all some great releases from Aldi coming your way on February 21st. If there was one product I’d say you had to try it would be the treatment oil, I think out of the four products its the one you see the best results from.

Lacura Argan Oil Range is available exclusively in Aldi from February 21st 2016

* PR Samples

February 2016 Five Under £5

- Vicki 5 Comments

Five Under £5 Feb 2016

This month post seems to have come round so quickly, not that I am sad to see the back of January. So I have some great things in this months Five Under £5. If you want to get involved and link up your monthly finds then head over to Julia’s blog at Rainbeaubelle.

Tony Moly I’m Real Sheet Masks 

I am a sheet mask addict & that coupled with the fact these Tony Moly ones are just so bright & cute makes me a very happy lady. If you didn’t already know Tony Moly is a South Korean cosmetics brand & their products are affordable, incredible and always have the cutest packaging. These masks come in 11 varieties for all different skin concerns, I have the lemon one for brightening and the tomato one for radiance, you just apply to clean skin & relax for 30 mins then remove the mask & pat the excess product into your skin. £2 each

PUKKA Wild Apple & Cinnamon Tea

I really like Winter Teas & these PUKKA ones are nice and warming. They’re not too overpowering with cinnamon but have just enough flavour, I like to have a cup after a cold Winter walk. PUKKA teas are among my favourites and their selection is so big. If you have a favourite PUKKA tea let me know. £2.40 for 20 bags.

Essence Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

If you like to wear eyeliner but hate when it smudges then these utter bargains from Essence are all you need. They’re a waterproof gel liner, so easy to apply & smoke out then after a couple of minutes they dry down and stay in place all day long. At £2.30 everyone needs at least one colour in their makeup bag.

The Lady In The Van by Alan Bennett 

This is a true story about a homeless lady called Mary Shepherd who ends up living in her old Bedford van on Alan Bennett’s driveway in London. She lives there for 15 years and the story is little snippets of their interactions over the years. Often funny but at times quite poignant, I read this book in a day. I just couldn’t put it down. Mary Shepherd is eccentric, fiercely private and quite alone in the world. Well worth a read. Kindle edition was £2.30

Co-Op Dark Chocolate Infused With Orange Oil

I have a square of this each night as a little treat, its so rich and yummy, if I didn’t break off one square at a time I would eat the entire bar in one sitting. I love chocolate orange & this is a good mix, not sweet but very zesty! This was around £1.

Let me know what bargains you have found this month.

Miller Harris Rose Silence EDP

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Miller Harris Rose Silence Perfume

Miller Harris Rose Silence Perfume

Miller Harris was founded 15 years ago by expert perfumer Lyn Harris who spent five years training in Paris, then in Grasse at Robertet, the world’s leader in natural aromatic ingredients. Whilst respecting tradition, Miller Harris strives to push the boundaries, creating exquisitely crafted fragrances that are innovative yet timeless.

From the moment you hold a Miller Harris fragrance, it feels luxurious, special and exciting. You instantly notice the chic, elegant simplistic outer packaging. The outer packaging of the Rose Silence eau de parfum is a subtle pink on the front and a light grey on the back with black detailing, it looks feminine and sophisticated. The bottle is just gorgeous too, it’s a weighty glass bottle with delicate black floral detailing which adds a nice touch. Its a bottle that feels nice and tactile to hold and also looks pretty sat on your vanity (which is always important).

Valentines Perfume from Miller Harris

Miller Harris Rose Silence

Miller Harris Rose Silence eau de parfum* 

Not one part of this Rose Silence fragrance smells like your typical Rose scented product. Its romantic but not old-fashioned, its floral but yet sweet and it has a touch of musk but it’s not overpowering. It’s an absolute delight and would be lovely for all ages. It has notes of,

  • Top notes: mandarin, blackcurrant
  • Heart notes: rose
  • Base notes: patchouli, cashmere musk

I really enjoy fragrances that have patchouli in them and that together with the fruity notes of blackcurrant and mandarin to give it a touch of zest and the cashmere adds a lovely freshness to the mix. The rose is delicate and makes this a very sensual and romantic scent. Its a scent that lasts all day and I have been getting a lot of compliments on my perfume this past month which is always lovely.

Rose Silence Miller Harris Perfume

Valentines Gift Idea

If your looking for that perfect gift then this or any other Miller Harris fragrance would be ideal. They are just so luxurious and pretty.

*PR Sample

Delving into my Sample Stash #5

- Vicki

Sample Stash Update

ESPA Purifying Shampoo & Conditioner

This is a brand new release from ESPA, I only had one sachet of each product but it was enough for me to tell I would love to use it again. Its suitable for all hair types and is jam packed full of beneficial ingredients like Coconut Oil, Honey, Jojoba, Olive Oils. They all help soften, hydrate and protect your luscious locks. The conditioner also contains a blend of plant protein which leaves hair looking rejuvenated and lustrous. This duo feels lightweight but adds volume, shine and hydration to my hair.

ESPA products are well know for their luxurious scent and their haircare doesn’t disappoint, they smell so good. They contain a blend of essential oils including Bergamot, Jasmine and Cedarwood which smell rich, relaxing and so pampering.  They are 99% natural and free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) and silicones.

Merumaya Overnight Recharge Night Cream

Merumaya is one of my favourite skincare brands, they’re affordable, great quality, British and its founded by Meleka who is an advocate for #beautyhasnoage, she is positive, dedicated and ambitious. I’ve tried almost all their products & I can say I have loved, repurchased and recommended them all.

I have a few samples which I take with me on my travels and this mini Overnight Cream is a great one to help keep your skin looking plump, radiant and nourished. Its a gentle, lightweight cream and it has quite a distinctive scent.

Origins Modern Friction

This is a thick cream exfoliator with tiny rice starch particles which dissolve when massaged into your skin and they gently help remove dead skin and dirt to promote healthy skin bright skin. Its not at all abrasive or irritating, lemon oil starts the process of illumination, all while aloe soothes and prevents irritation, redness, or flaking. The exfoliator is scented with the perk-up aromas of bergamot and peppermint. It leaves my skin smooth, supple and feeling clean.

Sisley Instant Perfect 

This is a luxury skincare product and if a primer is a step you never miss out or that is vital to your makeup routine then you might consider splashing out on this, but otherwise I would say its not a necessity in your makeup bag. This gives your skin a blurring effect and smooths out fine lines and reduces the appearance of pores. What I do like about it is that it reduces shine and doesn’t have a greasy finish. It leaves my skin feeling velvety soft and yes it did act as a lovely base for my foundation but there is no way I could afford to spend £43.50 on a makeup item. I would splurge on a skincare product but I would class this as a makeup product. Its luxurious and it does work but not for my budget (sadly).

Delving In To My Sample Stash

Burberry Nude Radiance No. 01 Fresh Glow Luminous Base

Because I only had a very small sample of this I tried to make it last as long as possible and so I mixed a small pea sized amount with my foundation to add a luminous glow to my skin. It worked really well and I am a little sad to say I’ve fell in love with it. Its an essential part of my routine but I do love the dewy luminous glow it gives and it helps make my skin look healthy. The price tag I am not so in love with so sadly I think I am going to have to find a good dupe.

What is it about Burberry makeup that just makes it feel instantly luxurious and beautiful?

Amazing Cosmetics Concealer

This is one very full coverage concealer – not one to use under the eye just because its pretty heavy duty and prone to crease. This is a concealer for blemishes and any other imperfections you wish to cover. A little goes a long way and it is buildable. This is waterproof and very pigmented, I do have a shade thats slightly too dark but I am hoping come the warmer months that its a better match.