Beau Flutterby Giveaway!!!

Hey everyone,

As you may know I make and sell hair accessories & jewellery. As I am feeling festive, I have decided to launch a Giveaway of one of my items.

This is a pretty White & Ivory Beaded Pearl and Rhinestone vintage~style headband that would be perfect for a 1920's themed night. It measures 20 inches in circumference and has a small elasticated section at the back for a comfortable fit. The 'flower' decoration measures 3.25 inches in diameter.

For your chance to win this headband, simply follow these three easy steps:

1. 'Like' the Beau Flutterby page on Facebook
2. 'Share' the page/competition amongst your friends
3. and finally, 'Tag' yourself in the competition photo

The competition ends midnight on Sunday 9th December and the winner will be drawn at random.

You can easily find my competition page by clicking on the following link: http://www.facebook.com/BeauFlutterby?ref=hl#!/photo.php?fbid=378926212194074&set=a.378926085527420.92137.188009367952427&type=1&theater

Good Luck!!

Claire

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Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub Review

As mentioned in my most recent Feel Unique haul, I purchased the Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Scrub on a whim after my regular St Ives Apricot scrub was on its way to emptiness.

The entire Burt's Bees product range contains 100% natural ingredients, and as a company they are dedicated to educating consumers on the use of truly natural products that are better for our body and the environment.

This particular product has a very delicate fragrance, and it is nothing short of amazing. Although it is more creamy with considerably less scrub particles than the St Ives version, it does an amazing job of cleansing, and really lives up to its 'deep pore scrub' promise. The finely ground peach stone particles are quite rough/sharp, so you do have to be careful and go steady when massaging it into damp skin, but the effects are truly amazing. My skin was immediately more radiant, really deep-cleansed and super soft after the first use.  I also didn't even feel the urge to moisturise immediately after cleansing like I normally would (although I did of course!).

I cannot recommend this product highly enough, and even though it is a few pounds more expensive at £8.50 than the St Ives Apricot scrub that I am used to, I would happily repurchase this product time and again.

What are you're thoughts on this product?

Claire

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Philosphy 'Have A Cherry Christmas' Product Review

Philosophy is a brand "devoted to caring for your skin" and is developed using medical research for proven results. Sound good? I think so too!!

I have been wanting to try the philosophy shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath combos for such a long time. However, I have such a vast stash of shower products to use up that I have always managed to resist making a purchase... Until now...

Have A Cherry Christmas is a limited edition product for the festive season, and just how amazing does it look? I have to admit, I had decided to purchase this particular version as soon as I spotted it prettily glistening away on the shelf - before I even took a sniff! I am a sucker for anything pink, sparkly and girly, and was immediately in awe. This has a White Cherry scent, which is a very delicate fragrance - definately not the usual sweet cherry scent by a long stretch.

As a shampoo, this product is surprisingly quite good. It lathers like a dream, and cleanses well too. I did feel like I had to tug the comb through my wet hair to de-tangle, but once dried my hair was soft and shiny. I'm not sure that I would use this as my every-wash shampoo of choice, as I have quite long hair that I like to use more conditioning products on, but this definately works well as part of the multi-purpose product, and would be good to use for travel.

As a shower gel it also lathered well with the use of a shower pouff, and the glittery-ness on my skin was superb! I was a little disappointed that I did not stay looking like a glitter ball - as this obviously washes away - and (more seriously) that the scent did not really stay evident on my skin. It is a 'barely-there' scent. On a more positive note my skin was super-duper soft, and I didn't feel the absolute need to follow with a moisturiser.

And finally, as a bubble bath... This was the final way that I tested this product, and is probably my most favourite way to use it. It doesn't provide a copious amount of bubbles, which is to my liking, and I loved the way that I could soak in and wash with the same scented product without having to make two separate purchases. My skin was uber soft and lightly scented. Amazeballs!!

I really cant wait to try out more products from Philosophy - I just need to make an emergency dash to the shops to pick up a Candy Cane and Pumpkin Pie before they sell out!!

This product retails at £14.00 for 460mls, and comes boxed to make for an ideal gift or stocking filler. It appears to be unavailable on the philosophy website, but is still in stock on  the Boots website.

What Philosophy products would you recommend?

Claire

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Another Feel Unique Haul....

Hey everyone,

Every time I decide to 'browse' the feel unique website, I ALWAYS end up making a purchase. I try to be strong, and tell myself that I don't need yet another shower gel or hair product, but in the end temptation gets the better of me and I just cant resist! Oh well, here comes my latest little splurge...

I have been wanting to try the Redken extreme hair care range for a while, especially as I have heard such good reviews of the anti-snap product, which is a leave-in fortifier that rebuilds and strengthens the hair as well as providing protection against heated styling tools. It costs £13.95 for 250ml and I'm sure that, with such a large bottle of product, it is going to last me a long while.

In addition to the anti-snap, I decided to go all-out and purchase the extreme shampoo and conditioner too. These also work in much the same way, by strengthening the hairs core and rebuilding surface protection. They also provide progressive conditioning. At a cost of £10.10 for 300ml of shampoo and £11.40 for 250ml of conditioner, I am expecting good things....

I usually use the St Ives Apricot Scrub 2-3 times per week for deep pore cleansing. I am running low on this product and, when I spotted the Burt's Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub, I thought it sounded like a good alternative and just had to make a purchase. I haven't really ever used any Burt's Bees products before, so I am hoping that this will be the first of many. It is a little more expensive at £8.50 for 110g but I am hoping that this will result in a better cleanse :-)

And lastly, the Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick. This was a complete impulse purchase, mainly because I have heard quite good reviews about some of the other Korres Lip Butters. It cost £7.00 for a 5ml stick, and on first impression I am not that bowled over. It doesn't particularly smell of mandarin (the main reason for choosing this particular lip butter), but the packaging is funky and it is a product free from a few of the ingredient nasties like silicone. Fingers crossed this make my lips as deeply nourished as it promises.

So that's my latest feel unique splurge and, with free delivery on all products, who could resist?

There is also 10% off everything on the website at the moment, just enter GIFT10 at the checkout (some brand exclusions apply).

Claire

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Empties Sept/Oct 2012

Timotei Pure Shampoo & Conditioner (Normal/Greasy Hair)

The Timotei Pure range are new(ish) hair care products that are free from parabens, colourants and silicone's. This particular shampoo & conditioner is infused with green tea, and has a light, fresh scent that really stays after the hair is dried. The shampoo lathers well, and the conditioner is lightweight but rinses well and leaves the hair feeling de-tangled, glossy and in great condition. I also found that I didn't really need to use a dry shampoo the day after washing my hair as it wasn't as 'greasy' as it normally can be. So, a big thumbs up for this combo!!

Original Source Cranberry Daily Scrub

For use simply as an everyday scrub, I wouldn't say that this is the best product on the market as the grains are few and far between, so I popped a little on a shower pouff and used as a simple shower wash instead. Not exactly how it is advertised for use, but it worked well all the same and I didn't feel like I had wasted my money. On a positive note, it smells deliciously sweet, lathers well, and left my skin feeling soft. It was a great bargain for a pound.

Aussie Take The Heat Leave in Spray

I have used this product after every hair wash over that past six months or so. It combs through the hair well, and it has moderately helped to protect my hair. It smells good too. Would I purchase this product again? Hmm... its good but it is not the greatest heat protectant spray available, so more than likely I wouldn't.

Boots Extracts Almond Body Scrub

I loved the smell of this product, and it left my skin feeling great. Although it does say it is a gentle exfoliating scrub, it just didn't have enough 'scrub' to it for me, and for a cost of £7.95 for 400ml I think there are better products out there.

Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter

I am a big fan of any of the Body Shop Body Butters, and this particular one is no exception. Made with Community Trade cocoa butter, it did a great job of moisturising my dry skin. All of the Body Butters are a bit on the pricey side, but they always smell great, apply easily, and dry quickly. This little 50ml size is also ideal for travel, as the larger size butters are quite bulky. 

Origins A Perfect World Moisturiser

This little tube was good for a weeks worth of testing, and I have to say that I was really impressed with it. Aside from the smell, which I wasn't overly keen on, my skin felt really soft and moisturised after using this product. It provided a great base for my foundation, allowing it to blend easily. A full size 50ml jar is £33.00, and I think it is a product worth splashing out on.

Flora by Gucci

I love almost all of the Gucci fragrances, and this one is by far one of my favourite scents of all time. As the name suggests, this perfume has a light, floral scent, but without being too sickly-sweet. I would repurchase it again and again, and am really unhappy that this bottle is empty :-(

L'Occitane Precious Night Cream

Oh, how I am falling in love with the L'Occitane range. This particular product claims to reinforce regeneration of the skin, visibly correct deep wrinkles and improve skin firmness. It works overnight, and is just such an amazing product. The smell is a bit iffy, but it is such a rich, indulgent moisturiser that I wouldn't hesitate to spend £49 on a 50ml jar. I don't know how well it would work on deep wrinkles, but my skin absolutely loved it.

L'Occitane Rose 4 Reines Body Milk

As body moisturisers go, a body milk is not something I would have ever considered purchasing. This was before trying out this generous sample. It is enriched with grape seed, and I applied it to my legs, tummy and arms after having a bath. My skin not only smelled amazing, but was left feeling super soft and more than adequately moisturised. I have to say that I was quite shocked after using this product, as I didn't expect any body milk to be this good - they always just seemed too watery in consistency to do any worthwhile moisturising. It has super fast absorption, and the scent is one of a beautiful vintage rose product that your gran would be proud of. A full 250ml bottle retails at £18.50.

L'Occitane Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner

These are products formulated with a natural origin vegetable complex of 5 essential oils. The shampoo aids repair of dry, damaged, colour-treated or chemically-treated hair. The conditioner strengthens, regenerates, nourishes and helps to restore capillary fibres. It also claims to detangle, soften and add lustre to hair. I loved both of these products. After use, my hair felt thicker, glossier and healthier, and in much better condition that it had done for a long time. The shampoo is £14 for 300mls, and the conditioner is £14 for 250mls - not exactly a bargain, but I guess sometimes you get what you pay for. And I would definitely purchase these at full price.

 

I hope you like my empties - what products have you used up lately?

 

Claire

 

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Caudalie Winter Rescue Duo Review

Recently I purchased the Caudalie Winter Rescue Duo in preparation for the harsh winter weather. As soon as the crisp, cold mornings set in I suffer uber chapped lips. My skin also takes a battering, especially my hands which,  after being washed a zillion times a day in work, can be chapped and dry to the point of soreness some days. Frown.

 

This little Duo contains a full size Lip Conditioner and a 30ml Hand and Nail cream.

The Lip Conditioner has a subtle vanilla flavour, and is the most amazing product for dry/chapped lips that I have ever used. I applied it before bed and in the morning my lips were miraculously repaired. This effect lasted all day without the need for re-applying anymore product whatsoever. A definite winner!

The Hand and Nail Cream has a very subtle white grape and Shea butter scent. It applies easily, absorbs quickly and leaves hands feeling nicely moisturised. I wouldn't say it is as groundbreaking as the Lip conditioner, but it is a lovely little product that I would most probably purchase again.

The Duo retails at £7.20 (inclusive of postage) at feelunique, which I think is an absolute steal. I think that it would be ideal as a secret Santa gift or make for a great little stocking filler!!

Are you thinking of giving these products a try?

Claire

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Lush Stepping Stone Foot Scrub Review

A little while back, I purchased the Stepping Stone Foot Scrub from Lush. I work long, hard 12 hour shifts where I am constantly on my feet. This really takes its toll, and not only do my feet feel tired and achy, they also tend to dry out - and more so during the winter months.

Looking a little worse for wear :-(

The Stepping Stone Foot Scrub smells amazingly citrus-fresh, and contains pumice which promises to scrub and smooth away dead skin, whilst the jojoba oil moisturises to leave feet feeling soft. Sounds like just the ticket!

I purchased this product on a whim, and having returned home I read through some online reviews, most of which claimed that this is a product that dissolves very easily in water, allowing for no more than one use. For a cost of £2.95 this seemed a little excessive. I followed the recommendation of one reviewer, and crushed up the whole product into an empty pot using the back of a spoon. Bingo! A product that is now fit for multiple uses!

I wouldn't recommend using this product in the shower, as the slightest contact with water and it fizzles away super-quick. I used mine whilst in the bath, soaked my feet for a while, and made this the last product that I used in my routine as the pumice makes for a very uncomfortable feel under the bum when it settles on the bottom of the bath. I towel dried my hands before scooping a small amount out of the pot, and repeated each time to allow as less water contact with the product as possible. I would guess that I can now get around 8-10 uses out of this one product, making it far more value for money.

The Foot Scrub itself is amazing. It is a fine scrub that exfoliates easily and really does leave skin feeling super-soft. Followed by a little moisturiser, my feet now feel pampered to the max. As a side-effect, the palms of my hands are now also feeling rather soft and exfoliated too!! Dual-purpose maybe? I really wouldn't hesitate in repurchasing this product!!

Do you have any handy hints for making your products last a little longer?

Claire

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Joico K-PAK Moisture Intense Hydrator Review

If you want to create that super silky fresh-from-the-salon style at home, then this is the product you may well be looking for...

Joico K-PAK Moisture Intense Hydrator is a treatment for dry, damaged hair that promises restored moisture, sealed cuticles, shine, improved manageability & elasticity. Phew! This is alot to expect from a single hair care product, however, this little beauty did exactly what it said on the tube.

I used it following a normal wash with my Kerastase Shampoo, and after leaving it to work for the minimum 3 minutes then rinsing out, my hair was instantly more silky feeling. Tangles were no match for this mighty product, as my comb eased its way through my damp locks. On drying, my hair smelled amazing, and my silky soft tresses were in the best condition ever. Split ends were sealed and almost invisible, and my hair no longer had that dry-ended I-really-need-a-cut feel.

I cannot recommend this product highly enough, and at £13.95 for 250 mls it is worth every penny!! Go on, treat your hair!!

Have you tried any Joico hair products?

Claire :-)

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Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath & Creme Brulee Souffle Body Creme Review

A few months ago, my sister treated me to four lovely Laura Mercier Bath & Body products for my birthday. Since then, I have been waiting for the cold, dark, winter nights to arrive so that I could run myself a hot bath, light some candles, and soak away peacefully in the delight that is the Creme Brulee Honey Bath.

The packaging is so luxurious, and I love the little wooden honey dipper that comes with the product to allow for easier use. As soon as the lid comes off, the delicious smell hits you. It is as amazing as you would expect, and certainly good enough to eat! On first use, I used sparingly, plunging the honey dipper in and allowing the excess to drip away before holding the dipper under the hot, running tap. There were bubbles, but not that many, although I am not a fan of a having a bath full of bubbles anyway.

After a long soak, and a normal dry off with a bath towel, my skin felt soooo soft and silky. It also smelled lovely - adequately scented, but not too overpowering. This is the type of bath product needed on a cold winter night, candles lit around the bathroom, for a relaxing soak before jumping into a freshly changed bed in clean pj's. Bliss.

As for cost, 300 grams is a whopping £31.00. Normally, this would be such an off-putting factor for me, however I would willingly treat myself to this product again and again without a doubt. It is that good!

I followed the Creme Brulee Honey Bath with the Creme Brulee Souffle Body Creme. The only downside to the Body Souffle for me is that, after one use, I am completely addicted. You may well wonder why this is a bad thing - it is purely down to the cost, as 300 grams of this little baby is an even more whopping £43.50 - eek!!!

This product has a much richer, creamier scent than the Honey Bath. It is quite lightweight in consistency, applies really easily, and absorbs super quick. A little product goes a long way, and the nut oil is evident on application as the skin glistens for a few seconds before it is then fully absorbed. There is no sticky, greasy residue with this product. All it leaves is skin that feels extra silky soft. It dries with a slightly muskier scent - definately not a sickly sweet scent anyway.

I would guess that 300 grams would, if used for full-body daily moisturising, last around one month, which can work out to be very expensive! Having slated the price, they've got me over a barrel with this product, and I know that, despite the price label, I would definately re-purchase. I would even go so far as to say that it is the best body moisturiser I have EVER used!! I would highly recommend this as an extra special treat for yourself, or as a really nice gift for others. It's Amazing!!


So that's it for my review, hope you all liked it :-)

Please feel free to leave your comments!

Claire

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Saturday Afternoon Post :-)

Don't you just love it when a courier knocks the door with a parcel of goodies on a Saturday Afternoon? I LOVE feelunique.com

Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 60 Sec Treatment 200ml - I ha vent had my hair cut in a salon for just over a year. As awful as this sounds, I have now finally got the length of hair that it had taken me about 10 years to try and grow. despite this neglect, I wouldn't say my hair is in really bad condition, but it does need a treatment every now and again as the ends are quite dry. I had recently heard a review of this product on Youtube by Ruth of A Model Recommends, and for £8.45 I thought I would give it a go. It has that intense, salon-product scent to it, and promises a visibly enhanced healthy shine and smooth, silky hair in 60 seconds. Sounds great! I cant wait to try this out!

Caudalie Winter Rescue Duo - Admittedly, this was an impulse buy. As I have said before, I am always wanting to try out new hand creams, as my hands become dry and sore through washing them a zillion times a day in work, and the winter weather only adds to this. With ingredients like avocado, Shea butter & grape-seed oil, I have high hopes for this product. I am also suffering the worst dry lips ever at the moments, and am hoping that the vanilla lip conditioner is going to work some magic on them. This set cost £7.20, which was a bargain I thought :-)

Caudalie Peach Shower Gel - This was another impulse buy, especially as I didn't realise that Caudalie produce bath & shower products. I thought it was only facial skincare! This shower gel smells exactly how you would expect, is soap-free and claims to be non-irritating. I have sooo many shower gels, but I don't mind adding this one to my vast collection as I seem to be getting through them all quite quickly. At £8.10 for 200mls, it is quite reasonably priced.

Have you ordered anything from feelunique lately?

Claire

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Mini Urban Decay Haul

A few blog posts ago, I shared my disappointment of the re-vamped Big Fatty Mascara by Urban Decay. This product had been purchased along with a few others, so I thought I would do a mini Urban Decay haul for you.

As a side note, I have to say that I really love the rock-chick-esque packaging that Urban Decay have going on at the moment!

My most favourite ever Urban Decay eyeshadow has to be Sin. I have loved it since forever, and its popularity as part of my make-up collection never dies. It is the only shade in my Naked palette that has a significant 'dent' in it. I think it is such a versatile colour, which I wear alone for daytime/work and vamp it up by blending it with Darkhorse or Hustle for an evening look. So, when I discovered the 24/7 eyeshadow pencil available in Sin, I just had to have one! Crease-proof, waterproof and Ultra Long lasting. The Pigmentation is fantastic, and I cant wait to give this little beauty a whirl :-)

I also purchased the new Karma brush. this was another product that, like the Big Fatty Mascara, was mis-sold to me. I was told that this brush was multi-use and suitable as an applicator for blusher & foundation. Thinking that this was ingenious for travelling, I snapped it up only to discover that it is for foundation only. It feels very soft, and I have read only good things about it so far, so despite my initial disappointment that it is not what I first thought, I am excited to try it out.

I also had two freebies thrown in with these purchases. The Midnight Cowboy lipgloss mini is right up my street. It is almost sheer with a delicate bronze/gold sparkle. It smells delicious, and is the perfect size for taking on a night out.

I also had this eyeshadow & primer tester. Although the darker shade of eyeshadow scares me, I am determined to give it a go all the same. And I have heard many a rave review of the Primer Potion, so this comes as a very welcome tester.

I hope you all like this mini-haul. have you treated yourself to any Urban Decay goodies lately?

Claire

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Florabotanica Balenciaga Paris

To date, I have never purchased, owned or tried any fragrance by Balenciaga. However, whilst out and about shopping today this little beauty caught my eye.

It is the Florabotanica by Balenciaga, and not only is the couture bottle such an amazing, unique design - very 'Alice in Wonderland' I thought - but the scent is simply stunning, and long-lasting. It is described as a fragrance with two architectural notes: a fresh floral facet and a mysterious green facet, and its name is intended to evoke the 18th century botanical gardens in which the most exotic and rarest plant species were displayed.

I feel that this description is well-deserved, as it is a bold floral-based fragrance that at first appears very classic in scent, but has a delicious modern twist. You really need to seek this product out and test it for yourself to appreciate its uniqueness. And who doesn't need that perfume bottle displayed on their dressing table?!

Florabotanica is an eau de parfum available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml sizes, with prices ranging from £40-£75. I am seriously considering purchasing the latter as I really cannot get enough of this, and think it could be my go-to winter fragrance!!

Have you been wowed by this fragrance as much as I am?

Claire

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More free samples!!

In follow-up to my recent post where I told you all about how generous L'Occitane were by sending me a good amount of free samples, I thought I would let you know about a few more free samples that I received about two weeks or so ago from Neal's Yard.

A little while back, I posted my views on the Neal's Yard Rehydrating Rose Moisturiser, which you can read about here. I was less than impressed with this particular product, but had not completely lost faith in the brand as it was only the first Neal's Yard product that I had tried. I relayed the information detailing the problems I had found with this moisturiser in an email to Neal's Yard via their website, and politely requested some samples of other products before I started spending my hard earned cash on more Neal's Yard items that I may also have an adverse reaction to.

They were very obliging, and I have received trial sizes of the Orange Flower Facial Polish, Orange Flower Facial Wash, and the Orange Flower Facial Moisturiser. As you can see from the photos above, one of the products is quite oily (the facial polish), and a little has leaked out during transit, causing the writing to smudge. All of these products smell lovely - more of an aromatherapy-based orange than a fruity/citrussy orange - and I couldn't wait to try them out!!


£14.80 for 100g



I used all three products as a skincare trio. The Orange Flower Facial Polish has micro-particles in it which, although seemingly gentle, make actually quite an abrasive scrub. Out of all three products, this is my favourite. My skin felt so soft and clear immediately after use, and my complexion also looked much brighter. This is definately a product I can see myself purchasing full-size, however I think it is a little too harsh a scrub for everyday use. It also doesn't appear to be available on the website, so maybe I would just have to purchase it in-store?

£15.50 for 100mls



The next product is the Orange Flower Facial Wash, which I have to say I found a little disappointing. This claims to be "A gently foaming lotion with nurturing orange flower and mandarin oils to cleanse without drying the skin". It should be massaged into damp skin and rinsed off with cool water. I much prefer a facial wash that lathers up well, which this one does not (not even a hint of the 'gentle foaming' as described!), and the biggest downside with this product is that it does not remove mascara/eyeliner effectively. I also found it to be quite drying, and my skin felt very taught after use. Unfortunately, this is not a product I would consider purchasing.

£23.75 for 100mls



The Orange Flower Facial Moisturiser again smells very aromatherapy-based, and is not what I would describe as an intense moisturiser. If you have normal skin, with no dry patches, this product would most likely be great for you. On the plus side, it absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it soft and non-greasy. I wasn't overly wowed by this product, and don't think I will be purchasing the full size, simply because it is not moisturising enough for me (but thankfully I suffered none of the red blotchy rash as I had done with the Rehydrating Rose Moisturiser!!).

This post just goes to prove how sending out samples can really help us as a consumer when choosing new beauty products. There is nothing worse than making a big purchase, only to find out that the product you have chosen is not suitable for you. Being able to try-before-you-buy is such a great concept, and it is a shame that many other companies are not so obliging with sending out free samples on request.

Please let me know if you have tried out some great samples lately?

Claire

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Recent Purchases: River Island, Primark, Nars, Laura Mercier & L'Occitane

Lately, I have been shopping on several occasions where I have picked up a few bits and pieces here and there. I have combined these into this little haul for you all to see :-)

I absolutely LOVE my new boots from River Island!! Usually, I would opt for good old brown or black in a boot, but when I saw these I just had to have them!! They are faux fur-lined, making them the most snuggly boots ever. They come in a few different colours, and I have my eye on the grey ones too. I love their versatile style, and at £30.00 they were an absolute bargain. I can't wait to wear them this Autumn :-)

I also treated myself to a new pair of pyjamas from Primark. They are made from a stretchy jersey-type fabric, and as soon as I saw the pretty vintage-style bird print fabric I snapped them up! They are so soft and comfy, and I am sat here in them whilst writing! Ideal for those cold winter nights!! For £8.00 you just can't go wrong - Oh, how I love Primark!!

A little while ago, L'Occitane kindly sent me some free samples. I was so impressed with the products I tried, that I decided to take a trip to their recently-opened store in Queens Arcade, Cardiff. I am always on the hunt for a good hand cream, and with the assistance of the two lovely girls that work there, I decided to splash out on the One Minute Hand Scrub and the Dry Skin Hand Cream (available here as a duo). I got to try both products out in-store and was really impressed. The hand cream is multi-award winning, and the scrub has received excellent reviews online. I am looking forward to putting both products to the test during the upcoming winter months.

The Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Gift Box was a rare find, and an absolute bargain. It contains a full 200ml size Body Wash (RRP £29), a full size 50g Hand Cream (RRP £13) and a 100g Souffle Body Cream (worth £14.50). However, I paid a 'measley' £35.00 for all three products - a saving of over £20!! For those of you who haven't yet sampled the delights of Laura Mercier's bath & body care range, I urge you all to take a look (and a sniff) the next chance you get. I promise you, you will be hooked!! Unfortunately, this gift box was the last in-store of a discontinued line, but I purchased it in House of Fraser, Bristol. I know they are out of stock of these on the website, as the newly packaged gift sets are on their way in time for Christmas, but keep your eyes peeled for the possibility of finding one in your local store!!

And my final purchase, the 'All About Eve' Eyeshadow duo by NARS. I am becoming somewhat addicted to NARS products lately, and it seems that every time I pass a counter I can't leave empty-handed. I have wanted this particular eyeshadow duo for a while now, but I was lucky to also receive three 2ml trial samples of the new NARS Skincare line, namely the gentle cream cleanser, luminous moisture cream, and the optimal brightening concentrate. The full-size versions of these range between £20.00 and £50.00, so I will let you all know what I think as soon as I have tried them out :-)

So thats it peeps, I hope you all like my new purchases as much as I do :-)

Claire

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Empties - July/August 2012

Whilst I realise that I am a little late with this post, I just thought I would share with you the latest 'dent' I have made in my stash of beauty products.

Liz Earle Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash (£11.50 for 200mls)

I was really excited to try this product, especially as the reviews I had read stated just how gentle, soothing, and nicely scented it was. However, it pains me to say that I was a little disappointed. It did have a really lovely orange-based aromatherapy scent, and lathered well with the use of a shower pouff. The big downside for me is that it wasn't really moisturising and, if anything, I found it a little drying for my skin. For £11.50 there are much nicer shower gels out there.

Radox Moisturise Shower Gel with Chamomile & Jojoba 

I'm sure that this shower gel cost me just £1, and in stark contrast to the Liz Earle Body Wash mentioned above it is very moisturising, as well as being nicely scented and lathering up well. It is not a ground-breaking product by any means, but for £1 it is a bargain and highly recommended!

Gillette Satin Care with Aloe Vera

Again, not a groundbreaking product, but it is just another item that I have managed to use up in recent weeks. I always purchase Satin Care as I find it to be great value for money as a little product goes a long way. I have sensitive skin, and find regular shaving quite irritable to the skin on my legs. Combined with a good exfoliator and moisturiser, Satin Care prevents any irritation of the skin. Bingo!

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Conditioner

I always wonder if I am the only girl on the planet who uses up approx half a bottle of conditioner per full bottle of shampoo - providing they are both the same sized bottles?! I tire easily of the same shampoo/conditioner combo and always end up with a fair amount of half-full bottles of conditioner clogging up my bathroom shelves. I am currently persevering with using one particular shampoo per all of my half-empty conditioners to rid my bathroom of these once and for all. Most people would just throw them away, but I don't believe in waste! The first empty conditioner is this one, which I am not overly keen on. It is quite a thin-consistency conditioner, and smells lovely. However, it doesn't seem to completely rinse out of my hair, and leaves it feeling lank, lifeless, and a little on the greasy side. I doubt that I will be repurchasing.

Clarins Hydraquench Moisturiser

I have previously written an in-depth review of this product, which you can read here, and I cannot tell you just how disappointed I am that I am now completely out of it. This is definately my most favourite moisturiser, and one that will be top of my Christmas list for Santa!! In short: Amazing product, a little pricey, but worth every penny. Highly recommended!!

Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer in Moderately Fair

This product just seemed to last forever! It is the type of product that you use alot, switch to a different concealer for a change, rediscover it at the back of your make-up drawer a few weeks later and start using it again, forget about it again, rediscover it again.... and so this pattern continues until it is finally used up.  It works well, but can be somewhat 'chalky' if the skin around your eyes is a little on the dry side, and it settles in the fine lines if not used sparingly. Having said that, I do feel like it does its job well, and is great value for money as it lasted me for ages (hence why there is no print left on the tube as pictured). Would I buy it again? Probably.

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black

 By far, my most favourite mascara. It volumises, lengthens, and doesn't dry out easily. It can be easily layered without clumping for a variety of different looks. Put simply, I would repurchase it again in a heartbeat :-)

Simple Kind To Skin Moisturising Facial Wash

This is a travel sized product that I took on my trip to Paris back in April, and I am really glad that I didn't purchase the larger size. It is unscented - as most Simple products are - and doesn't lather well. I didn't feel like it gave my skin a good cleanse, it doesn't remove make-up easily, and I also found it quite drying. It didn't do anything amazing for my skin and, unfortunately, I wont be re-purchasing this product.

L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss - Shade 415 Iced Chocolate

I used to religiously have my hair highlighted, but recently I have opted for darker locks. I absolutely love this brand of hair colour as they only last for up to 28 shampoos, and they leave my hair feeling and looking healthy, glossy and conditioned. This particular shade initially proved too dark for my skin tone, but it didn't take long for the colour to fade out a little. If you are a babe on a budget, I would really recommend giving these a whirl!!

Airwick Reed Diffuser

Although obviously not a beauty product, I had to add this in as I am loving these Diffusers. My favourite scent is Crisp Linen & Lilac, which smells exactly like fresh laundry. They last for around 2 months and the scent never fades. Also, they are an absolute bargain, and by far the best value diffusers I have found so far

So, that's it peeps! Phew. I need a cuppa now!!

Please feel free to let me know your opinions on these products too :-)

Claire

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Origins Superstar Giveaway

I feel as though I have been bigging up Origins quite alot in my blog of late, but this is just going to be a small entry to let you all know about a great offer they have on at the moment in the way of their 'Superstar Giveaway'.

With any skincare purchase, you can choose 3 free deluxe samples. There are 10 samples to choose from, and these include the famous VitaZing Moisturiser, Modern Friction Dermabrasion and GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. This offer is available Online and in-store, however, although the Online offer is available now, the offer in-store is not available until 20th September. The offer ends both in-store and Online 4th October 2012.

 

Additionally, with orders of £30 or more, you can receive a free cleanser duo ~ a 30ml A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser and a 15ml Mega Mushroom Face Cleanser ~ as well as free delivery! Simply add the code CLOCK at checkout.

I have had my eye on the Night-A-Mins moisturiser for a while and, with all of these deluxe samples up for grabs, now seems like the right time to make a purchase.

Will you also be taking advantage of this offer?

Claire

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Dr Martens... to buy or not to buy?!

Recently, I have been scouting around for a new pair of winter boots, and strangely enough the brand that has continuously caught my eye is the very retro Dr Martens. These were very popular when I was in Junior School (back in the day!) and, in recent years, I have mostly associated this type of boot with the grungy emo types amongst us. However, I am quickly becoming more and more fond of them. From what I remember, they are really durable and also very classic in style. Having had a look on their website I am spoilt for choice, and these are just a few of the pairs that I have my eye on at the moment:




Felice Boot - Side view - £100

Felice Boot - Front View

Gayle Boot - Side View - £100

Gayle Boot - Front View



Haley Boot - Side View - £140

Haley Boot - Front View

At a starting cost of around the £100 mark, they are not cheap by any means, but I am guessing that they will last a few seasons, and I just really do love them!!

What are your thoughts? Would you recommend a particular pair of Dr Martens?

Claire

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** Ba Da Bling **

If you looking for a website offering a treasure trove of unique gifts or maybe just a treat for yourself, then Etsy could be right up your street! I began selling my handmade hair accessories on this website just a few months ago, and aside from being part of such a wonderful community of truly gifted artists and craftsmen, I love the uniqueness that it has to offer, particularly if you are someone who likes to stand out from the crowd! I have discovered one particular Etsy shop just this morning that I am excited to tell you all about.

Jamie Constantino is a 22 year old girl based in Florida who creates an amazing selection of Kawaii Nail Polishes, and sells them in her Etsy shop 'KawaiiNailLaquer'. Her Collections contain an array of glitter polishes based on several themes: Harry Potter, The Avengers, Batman, and many more. They are really unique and, lets face it, who doesn't love a bit of bling?!

The glitter used to create these wonderful polishes are tried and tested by Jamie to ensure the highest possible standard of product, with glitter that does not curl. And her 100% feedback speaks for itself.

I have my eye on three items in particular, but at just $8 a piece I may even treat myself and get them all! The good news is that Jamie ships worldwide :-)

I hope you love the look of these little beauties as much as I do :-)


Claire

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