Skincare

November 2015 Monthly Empties

- Vicki 3 Comments

Monthly products empties November

Other Stories Fig Fiction Body Lotion

This is a really good sized bottle of body lotion and i’d say it takes me about 6 months to go through this, it has a super handy pump so its easy and hygienic to use. The smell is, as some of you will know my absolute favourite, I’m a fig product addict. The scent of this is lovely and intense and it lasts quite long on my skin, I can smell it on myself throughout the day. This is a lightweight body lotion and it leaves my skin feeling lovely and soft. I already have another bottle waiting to be opened. This has to be one of my all time favourite body lotions.

Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate

This is one of the most lightweight serums I have ever used, once you have applied it to your skin it feels like its disappeared whilst leaving your skin smooth and extremely hydrated. I have loved using this and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and not at all greasy. So if you suffer from oily skin its gel texture won’t feel heavy or add any shine to your skin, its a great step in my skincare routine, I have noticed my skin has been looking healthy and I would say more plump. I will be repurchasing another one and this tube lasted me for almost a year, that is with me using it at least 3 times a week.

Sanctuary Spa Body Scrub

This is quite a gentle scrub so I like to use it daily just to keep my skin feeling smooth. Its has cooling gel like formula with tiny scrubbies, its not at all harsh so if you have sensitive skin it won’t feel irritating or abrasive.The pumice grains are a very light coloured, frothy volcanic rock. The tiny grains help remove dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, thereby improving skin tone. It has that signature Sanctuary scent of rejuvenating patchouli and soothing orange oil and it makes your bathroom smell like a Spa! I used this up quite quickly and I’m not in a rush to repurchase

Sanctuary Spa Body Wash

This has that signature Sanctuary scent and which is quite luxurious and I find it relaxing. This was a nice body wash and it left my skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s is infused with essential oils and spices to gently cleanse and condition, whilst moisturising capsules of sesame oil and jojoba burst on the skin to help leave it feeling soft, silky smooth and subtly scented. So its nourishing and gentle on the skin, I did enjoy using this and I would happily buy it again. At Christmas Sanctuary do the best value gift sets so I might treat myself to one of those.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

I would be lost without my dry shampoo. I use these up like no ones business & I do like Batiste although I’m not fussy & tend to get whichever brand is on offer. If you have any dry shampoo recomendations leave them in the comments.

DIY Beauty Hamper With Boots

- Vicki 7 Comments

Beauty Hamper With Boots

DIY Boots Beauty Hamper

OK so I got a little over excited when Boots asked if I wanted to be part of their DIY Beauty Hamper Campaign*. I think making someone a personal hamper is such a great idea. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a thoughtful gift like that on Christmas morning?

Boots is a great place to get all the supplies you need for your hamper, from festive wrapping paper and tissue, to perfume, skincare, makeup and everything in between. There are so many products to pick from in store or online so you can really create a fantastic hamper full of treats at a price point to suit you. I was kindly gifted the products that I put in my hamper and there are some of my favourite brands in there.

Boots Festive Beauty Hamper

Getting Crafty This Christmas

 

Supplies you will need

  • Tissue Paper
  • Gift Tags
  • Box
  • Wrapping Paper
  • Bows
  • Ribbon
  • Double Sided Sticky Tape
  • Scissors
  • Stuffing
  • Cellophane

Boots Festive Beauty Hamper

Boots Homemade Beauty Hamper

Now time to get creative, I liked the brown box as it was but you might like to cover the box in festive paper. I put a layer of red paper stuffing in the bottom of the box for the products to sit on. I tried to make it look as festive as possible by adding little touches here and there, like a ribbon and a few bows to a couple of the gifts. I wrapped one or two up in tissue paper so they are more of a surprise.

If you have included anything in your hamper that is special or has significance to you then its a nice idea to include a little note and let them know why its important to you or if there is a story / funny story about it. Just something a little more personal.

Boots Beauty Hamper DIY

DIY Homemade Beauty Hamper

Then start to pack your hamper, I had a play about with the layout before I was happy and to stop the products moving about I used the double sided tape. A DIY hamper Is a great way to be creative and put a little bit of personality into a gift, I think this type of gift is more thoughtful.

Ready for under the tree

Finished DIY Beauty Hamper

Once everything is in place & wrapped it in the cellophane, I added some cute red and white ribbon and a big gold bow. Now its ready for under the tree and I am going to gift it to my mum, she is going to LOVE it! Let me know if you have made a hamper as a gift and what products / items you included in yours. Or if you’re going to make one for the first time this year.

Thank you to Boots for including me in such a fun campaign. If you’d like to see a much better hamper than mine you can check out this step by step guide.

•this isn’t a sponsored post but Boots were kind enough to gift all the products and supplies I needed to put together this festive hamper.

Katherine Daniels Skincare

- Vicki 1 Comment
Katherine Daniels Skincare Products

Katherine Daniels Skincare Products

British Skincare brand Katherine Daniels

I love discovering new British brands and when this Katherine Daniels parcel arrived on my doorstep I was excited to try everything out.

Their skincare comes in easy to follow steps which makes everything so simple.

Step 1 – Essential Cleansing Milk

Step 1 – Essential Toning Lotion

Step 2 – Concentrate For Dry Skin

Step 3 – Sensitive Skin Cream

So caring for your skin has never been easier, we would all love to have the time & the money to have facials every week but that’s just not reality for most of us. So it’s nice to use skincare to create an almost Spa at Home type of feel & Katherine Daniels products are luxurious and have been created to treat the most common skin issues and conditions so you can really care for your skin at home!

Concentrate For Dry Skin*

This is a very lightweight but nourishing serum packed full of incredible skin benefits such as

  • Concentrated seaweed peptides – to protect & defend against ageing
  • Phytosqualane & Tryglicerides – to hydrate and nourish
  • Extract of Myrtle – Increases cell tissue life
  • Vitamin E – which helps protect from free radicals

This is a lovely serum if you are noticing fine lines and wrinkles, it plumps the skin and over time helps reduce them. It’s very rich and nourishing, it leaves the skin feeling smooth and is the perfect serum for the colder months. If you have dry sensitive skin then this will be a great addition to your routine.

Essential Cleansing Milk* 

This cleanser is so light in texture, I haven’t tried that many cleansing milks so I wasn’t sure how I would get on with this one. It is a very gentle and you use it on damp skin and massage it in, to break down makeup and dirt then use a damp warm cloth to remove. It has a soothing scent and it the cleanser left my skin feeling clean but not tight and it was very effective in removing my makeup. It contains these key ingredients

  • Red Seaweed and Blue Micro-Algae Extract – Which boost Collagen and Elastin within the skin
  • Glycerine – This helps to hydrate the skin and prevent moisture loss

So its also a good hydrating cleanser and will help your skin look radiant and plump. If you like to use a cleansing milk then you should check this one out.

Essential Toning Lotion*

I was excited to see this toner was alcohol-free so it’s not going to strip your skin or be too harsh. Toning is one of my favourite steps in my skincare routine. This one calms and soothes the skin, so its great for cold weather when my skin tends to be more sensitive and prone to redness. This contains some lovely ingredients too

  • Blue and White Lotus Flower Extract and Mastocarpus Extract – Both are excellent for relaxing and soothing the skin

This leaves your skin feeling comfortable and smooth, ready for the next step in your routine.

Sensitive Skin Cream*

This is a gel moisturiser which leaves my skin feeling velvety smooth and incredibly nourished. This feels like it sinks into the skin immediately, it’s not greasy or heavy and is a lovely smooth base for makeup. This also contains Phytosqualane which is a key ingredient in nourishing the skin and keeping it looking supple and radiant.

Katherine Daniels is a brand to keep your eye on, their products have a nice simple feel to them. They’re all really good quality and I have enjoyed them in my skincare routine. All four of the products in this post are Paraben and Mineral Oil Free.

To see their product range or find a Katherine Daniels salon near you visit www.katherinedanielscosmetics.com

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Products Currently in Use

- Vicki 2 Comments

Current Beauty Products

I have been in my new house for almost 3 weeks (the weeks have flown by) and before I moved I had a product clear out which felt really good and meant my stash was de cluttered and easier to manage. Now that I have a lovely bathroom I didn’t want all my products out & looking messy and overwhelming so at the start of the week I have a look in my skincare cupboard (let me know if you’d like a post about that) and I select the skincare I want to use that week, sometimes I keep the same products out but more often than not I have a big shake up. This way I am rotating products more and also discovering products that are at the back of the cupboard and aren’t getting the love they deserve.

So these are products that I am currently using & really enjoying.

Origins Original Skin Mask*

I have been using this Retexturizing mask twice a week for a while now & I really love it. What I really like about this mask is that its a dual action mask, so you smooth a layer over clean skin (I apply it with a brush). Then you relax and leave it for 10 minutes then you wet your fingertips and gently massage the mask off and the little jojoba beads gently exfoliate and refine the skin. Leaving you with the most soft, radiant looking skin.

So you’re getting a 2 phase mask and its not one of those masks you need to leave on for ages, you just apply it & wait 10 minutes then massage the beads whilst removing the mask & you have fresh looking radiant skin. Its a great one to apply if you’re in a time crunch and need your skin too look great or your makeup to sit on your skin really well! The clay mask side will help balance your skin and unclog pores and its so gentle it won’t dry out your skin at all, I think thats because it is made with Mediterranean Rose Clay and also has Canadian Willow Herb which are soothing and won’t irritate. If you like Origins face masks you will want to add this one to your line up.

Sanctuary Body Scrub

This is quite a gentle scrub so I like to use it daily just to keep my skin feeling smooth. Its has cooling gel like formula with tiny scrubbies, its not at all harsh so if you have sensitive skin it won’t feel irritating or abrasive.The pumice grains are a very light coloured, frothy volcanic rock. The tiny grains help remove dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, thereby improving skin tone. It has that signature Sanctuary scent of rejuvenating patchouli and soothing orange oil and it makes your bathroom smell like a Spa!

Kiehl’s Calendula Foaming Face Wash

I have been using this cleanser a couple of times a week for well over a year & its a product I never see mentioned on blogs. It’s targeted at people who have sensitive skin are that are prone to redness which is me! I have to say its a really lovely cleanser for the morning because It leaves my skin feeling revitalised and refreshed, it also cleanses the skin without stripping away all the moisture. It is sulphate & paraben free too. Two pumps is enough for your face & neck and like I said this bottle is lasting me ages. I really like Kiehl’s skincare and it never seems to let me down and this is a cleanser I can always rely on, especially if my skin is a little sore or I have a few blemishes it gently cleanses my skin and leaves it feeling clean but not stripped of moisture.

Decléor Micellar Oil*

I have noticed a couple of brands releasing Micellar Oils, I like Micellar Water & Cleansing Oils so having them combined is exciting. This offering from Décleor works really well at removing my makeup I use this as my first cleanse and it is so gentle but effective. I use two pumps and massage it on to dry skin so the oil dissolves my makeup, I like to work it in to the skin for about a minute then once you wet your face it emulsifies the oil and I take it off with a hot cloth. It contains Sweet Almond Oil which is rich in essential fatty acids and will help strengthen and soothe skin & it also contains Vegetable Squalene which is derived from Olive Oil and helps maintain skins optimum hydration levels and leaves skin feeling supple and radiant. This won’t sting your eyes or leave your skin feeling greasy, I also really like that it has a pump and it will last a really long time.

HEMA Hand Soap

This was from a recent trip to Amsterdam & I bought it mainly for the packaging, I thought it looked quite luxurious and simple but it actually smells pretty good too. It is in the scent Cedar and has notes of amber and musk. Also for an affordable hand soap it isn’t too drying, I do always use a hand cream after but thats because I get very chapped hands in the colder months. I love HEMA & can’t wait to try a few more scents.

Let me know what products you are currently using too!

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.