Origins Never A Dull Moment Skin-brightening Face Cleanser Review

Whilst on the hunt for a new facial cleanser to try out, I stumbled upon the Never A Dull Moment Skin-brightening cleanser from Origins. This is an easily foaming cleanser with Papaya extract that really softens the skin - so much so that I didn't really feel the absolute need to moisturise after use as my skin was super soft and suitably hydrated. It leaves my skin feeling thoroughly cleansed, easily removes make-up, and definately gives my skin that brightness boost it has been longing for on a 5am start to the day! It smells lovely - fresh and fruity but not overly zingy - and a little product goes a long way (with a price tag of £17.00 for 150mls this is most definately a positive). I would 100% repurchase this product!

* Beauty Bargain Alert* - Essie Nail Polishes for £2.99!!

Hey everyone,

Just a quick post to let you all know that you can pick up a 13.5ml Essie nail polish on Halfpriceperfumes for a bargainous £2.99 each. That's a whopping saving of £5.00 per bottle (excluding p&p).

I have just taken advantage of this offer - will you?

Claire
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Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Underwear Spring 2013

There is nothing I love more than purchasing new underwear. I have always believed that if you feel great in your underwear, it gives you an added confidence that shines through. On a recent jaunt to my local Marks & Spencer store, I spotted these pretty little sets from the new Limited Collection for Spring 2013. I love the fit of this particular style, and they were all very reasonably priced.

Polka dots, Nautical Stripes & Vintage Florals have definately brightened up my underwear drawer and injected a dose of sunshine into my life whilst these miserable wintery days are still upon us... Hurry up Springtime!!

If you want to peruse the new underwear collection, you can easily do so my clicking here :-)

Claire

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My name is Claire, and I am a product hoarder!

You may mistake this for a stall at the local jumble sale, but in fact this 'little' lot is my stash of bath and body products. Does any girl really need twenty two shower gels, twelve hand creams and ten body scrubs (amongst many other items) just sitting in a storage box patiently waiting to be used? No. I think not. It's ridiculous, obscene, and a problem that is quickly getting out of hand.

I love new things. They don't have to be expensive, or the latest on the market, they just have to be in my shopping bag. I am a self-confessed hoarder. I am not a materialistic girl, in the sense that I can live without having the most up-to-date version of something, but I do feel at a loss for not owning a big stash of clothes/beauty products/food in the cupboard etc. Its psychological (I think) and most probably stems from not being spoiled as a child - or rather, not having much as a child. I seem to be incessantly planning for that rainy day - as if running out of shower gel would be my biggest worry! I know its silly, and it is an issue that I am determined to beat.

I know everyone makes big promises for keeping their new years resolutions, but I am going to try my hardest to stick to using up the products that I already have before I even think of buying new ones. I am hoping that this will help to re-train my brain into thinking that I just don't need to own as much crap to feel better about myself. That owning those twenty two shower gels wont make me any better a person.

Does anyone else have this problem? An addiction to buying and hoarding products that they just don't need?

It would be great to hear your thoughts!!

Claire

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Haul: What I had for Christmas...

Hey everyone,

Well, it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to point out that this is a waaayyyy overdue blog post. Nevertheless, the recent snowy weather has made me feel a little festive, and as I had some really lovely gifts for Christmas I thought that I would share them with you...

This is obviously the You beauty advent calendar in collaboration with She Said Beauty, and I am quite aware that it is a strange item to receive as a gift for Christmas in view of that fact that it is supposed to be opened in the run up to the big day. However, the full price of this product was around £60 which (even though it is said to contain over £200 worth of products) I felt was a little pricey for an advent calendar. Mid-way through December I received an email notifying me that this had now been reduced to half the price, and the addict in me snapped it up (on behalf of my mother, who then wrapped it up to be opened on Christmas Day). Anyhow, now that you know the story behind it, I will just say that I am really pleased to have got my sticky mitts on this item, and am even more pleased that I got it for half the price as there are a few items that don't really tickle my pickle - like the fousty AS London candle! I would definately suggest holding out next year (if you can) and buy this product at half the price. Having said that, I am gutted that I missed out on the Ciate advent calendar, and would pre-order one now for this coming Christmas if I could!

One item that has been on my wish list for the longest time is the Ginger Burst Body Wash from Origins. I am in love with the Origins brand, and am yet to find an Origins product that I dislike. This little set is another gift from my lovely mother, and is the 'Ginger to go & stay' set, which includes a full and travel size product of the Incredible Spreadable Ginger Body Scrub,Ginger Burst Savoury Body Wash and the Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream. The clear toiletry bag was also include in the set, and as with all online Origins purchases, I received a bag of generously sized samples. All products in the gift set smell divine, and I cant wait to give them a whirl!

Another brand that has never yet let me down is Laura Mercier, and this gift set containing four mini hand creams is another gift from my mother. I have said a million times that, as part of my job, hand washing is essential. As a result, a good hand cream is also essential and these little beauties are the ideal size to keep in my pocket whilst I am busy at work. They all smell amazing, and I am sure that they will live up to my expectations.

Back in November, I went on an overnight trip to London with my family. I visited Liberty for the first time and my mother (again) bought me one of the much-raved-about Diptique candles. It was a tough choice, but I opted for the Patchouli scent, which smells quite musky with floral undertones. The Diptique products are a little on the pricey side, which is why I purchased one of the 'minis' - these still cost £20 for a 70g candle. My theory behind this is that I could see if they really are as amazing as everyone says without wanting to kick myself for spending an extortionate amount on a candle if they're not. I haven't tried it out yet though!

This lovely Burt's Bees gift set is from my sister. Hand creams/treatments, lip products and foot creams are always welcomed by me, so this was a lovely set to receive. I have only tried two Burt's bees products before, and was really impressed. I will definately keep you posted on my thoughts of these little beauties.

More hand cream! It appears that my family know how much I love the stuff!! I love any product that is Almond fragranced, and every item in this set floats my boat. I haven't tried any of these particular Body Shop products before though, so I am excited to try them out :-)

My auntie bought me this Small Wonders Soap & Glory gift set. All products are smaller versions of their full size, and would come in handy for travelling. I am really looking forward to trying out the body scrub and body butter, as I have heard great things about them.

And finally.... No Christmas would be complete for me if I didn't receive a large bottle of Snow Fairy shower gel from Lush. It is by far my most favourite of all the Lush shower products (I would go so far as to say my most favourite ever shower product), and lasts me ages. I also received the Christmas party gift set which contains a 100g Northern Lights Soap and a Party Popper Bath Ballistic. Both of these products aren't ones that I would have chosen myself, but that's not to say that I don't like them. Sometimes it is good to receive items like this, as you are introduced to new products that can rapidly become a favourite. They both smell amazing, and I will definately be putting them to use!

So that's it for my Christmas Beauty Gift haul - I hope that you like everything and wont hold it against me too much that most of these sets probably wont be available to purchase again for another 10 months :-(

Claire

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I'm Back!!

Hey everyone,

I have taken a few weeks off from the blogging world because, quite simply, I was exhausted. New job, increased hours, busy baby, and life in general all-combined had simply wiped me out. Today, however, is a snow day. A day for doing not alot really. And today I realised just how much I miss writing my blog. I have given it much thought, and instead of writing on an adhoc basis, I am going to be more organised and set aside some time each week to write. I will be making more regular, planned entries and will be giving alot more thought about the products that I buy. This all stems from the realisation (also today) that I am infact a hoarder. Be it body, bath or beauty products, I have become a magpie with a huge stash (post to follow!). My life feels cluttered, and part of my new years resolution was to have a good old-fashioned clear-out - starting with my hoard of products. I have become one of those people that see's something she likes and just has to have it! I need to nip this problem in the bud - fast - or I may just end up with my very own version of Boots.

So that's my little update. Keep a look out for my new blog posts, and any comments are (as always) very much appreciated. But, for now, I will leave you with a little snowy picture that I have taken from out of my bedroom window...

Happy Snow Day Everyone!!!


Claire

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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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