Review: Liz Earle Superskin Body Cream

With summer now in full swing I have been trying to spend a little more time on my body skincare routine. I am usually pretty lazy in the winter as I hide behind layers, but despite the fact I reverted to black tights over the last few days as the weather in London has been far from sunny, I want to make sure that my skin is well prepped for all those little shorts, summer dresses and bikinis! As I am not likely to get much sun this summer I will also be fake tanning and want to ensure my skin is in great condition so I can get the most from my tan.

In the last 2 weeks I have been absolutely loving Liz Earle’s Superskin Body Cream*. I tried it a few years ago and am so happy I have rediscovered it as it is absolutely amazing for hydrating your skin. The rich cream glides on smoothly and despite being super moisturising doesn’t feel too thick or sticky. Formulated with 25% plant oils it does tend to leave behind an oily layer on the skin, but it doesn’t feel too heavy and ensures my legs are super smooth even 12 hours after application. I love applying it at night, especially after my shower, as my skin feels amazing in the morning and using it a few nights before I fake tan also guarantees a smoother application and no patchiness!

With East African shea butter, organic rosehip oil, antioxidant cranberry seed oil and pomegranate extract, natural source vitamin E, plus the scent of neroli, this luxurious cream is designed to help more mature or very dry skin look and feel visibly plump and smooth. Personally, I think it is suitable for anyone looking for that extra infusion of moisture and would highly recommend it for all skin types.

Before I write any of my posts I always check reviews on websites to get a general idea of what others purchasing the product thought and to highlight anything I may not have considered. The reviews for the Liz Earle Superskin Body Cream are great, though some people were not enamoured by the scent. I wouldn’t say this is a moisturiser that I would buy for the smell alone, but it is not too strong or overpowering. The results on the skin are well worth it and I always see a scent as a bonus to a good product. Many people love the neroli smell and I am fan!

The Liz Earle Superskin Body Cream retails for £33 for 200ml here.

 

Review: Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.100

I don’t write a huge number of fragrance reviews as I think that scent is so personal. Smells are the strongest conjurers of memories and certain scents can immediately transport you back in time. My favourite scent of all time is roses as my mum fed me with rose jam as a baby so it has always been a deeply comforting and calming scent. However, every now and then I come across a perfume that I am compelled to write about as I think it is so universally appealing. Liz Earle’s Botanical Essence No.100 is exactly that! I have been obsessed with it from the first inhale and I just can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be enamoured with it! A quick look through all the glowing reviews on the website quickly reconfirmed this!

It is described as a fresh floral fragrance and while it is slightly sweet it is also very breezy and uplifting. For me it evokes light, fresh Summer days as it is floral, yet not too heady or old-fashioned. It is described as the joy of entering a British florist’s shop and is a contemporary celebration of some of the most precious ingredients you will find on a perfumer’s palette. Over 89% derived from natural ingredients, blossoming notes of Damask rose, orange flower and Indian jasmine are gently entwined by the subtle sensuality of cypress, sandalwood and Bourbon vanilla, finished with the light, transcendent clarity of mandarin and bergamot.

Originally created as a limited edition in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show, Botanical Essence No.100 returns by popular demand to feature as a permanent addition in the Liz Earle fine fragrance collection and I couldn’t be happier as it has quickly become one of my all-time favourites!

The full list of notes making up this wonderful perfume are:

· Clove leaf – for its spice
· Damask rose – floral (and my absolute favourite)
· Geranium – uplifting and in perfect harmony with rose
· Ylang ylang – floral and sweet
· Vetiver – floral yet woody
· Orange flower water – always beautiful
· Bergamot – fresh and zesty
· Cyperus – woody
· Mandarin– sweet and floral
· Indian Jasmine – sensual and romantic
· Sandalwood – woody and calming

Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.100 retails for £49 here.

Review: New Liz Earle Haircare

For the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of trialling Liz Earle's new and improved haircare range*. While haircare has been part of Liz Earle's line for some time it has recently been reformulated and revamped (after one of the key ingredients yangu oil was no longer available due to drought and poor harvests). The new Botanical Shine range has been formulated using Kalahari melon oil, which promises a host of benefits including being light, super hydrating and protecting from heat damage.

 

As before the range has one Botanical Shine Shampoo for all hair types, three conditioners (fine/ oily, normal, dry/ damaged hair) and a nourishing hair oil.

The shampoo is definitely my favourite part of the range as it is super soft, feels lovely to use and smells wonderful. It doesn't strip the hair of moisture and leaves my scalp feeling comfortable. A little goes a long way and rather than adding more product you just need to keep adding water to create a lovely, rich lather, despite it being SLS free.

I have tried all the conditioners and I am a fan of the new formulation. It's not a major change, but they do feel a little more creamy than I remember. As well as the Kalahari melon oil these conditioners contain a blend of meadowfoam oil with extracts of apple and orange to boost shine.

I am usually drawn to the heaviest and richest conditioner I can find as my hair is long, colour treated and has a lot of texture, but I think that these are so hydrating that even the 'normal hair' formula is enough to keep my hair smooth. I love the fact that they are silicone free and rinse out well so my hair is left swishy and soft, but still feels clean with no product build up.

The new Botanical Shine Nourishing Hair Oil contains a beautiful blend of oils, while still feeling light and non greasy. Just one pump is enough to add some smoothness and shine to my hair. I have mainly used it on the mid lengths and ends of towel dried hair and have found that it reduces blow drying time, but it is also light enough to be used to tame frizz or flyaways or condition parched ends when the hair is dry. Unfortunately this oil does have some silicones, so I thought it would be fair to post the ingredients below...

I know I have raved about Liz Earle's skincare throughout the many years of this blog, but I am happy to say that her haircare also does not disappoint! Phew!

Have you tried the new Liz Earle Haircare range? Do you think the new formulations have made a big difference?

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Beauty Trio

If you have been reading this blog for a while you will already be aware that I am huge fan of Liz Earle skincare, especially their Cleanse & Polish. I have been using this cleanser with a muslin cloth for many years and though I still adore it I have become somewhat desensitized to its distinctive fragrance. I was therefore super excited to see that Liz Earle had launched a Beauty Trio to celebrate 20 years of of the brand!

The set comes in a beautiful turquoise tin and features 3 limited editions of Cleanse & Polish plus 2 pure muslin cloths. These include calming Rose & Lavender, zesty Grapefruit & Patchouli and soothing Orange Flower & Chamomile.

 I am so excited to try all the new scents!

The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Beauty Trio is £50.

24 Days of Christmas with Liz Earle

As much as I love chocolate (and I really do) I have never been so excited about an advent calendar, and without a calorie in sight! The Liz Earle advent calendar is absolutely fantastic. With a pampering treat every day in December I can't think of a better way to prepare for the holiday season!

The calendar is quite hefty as it contains a huge selection of Liz Earle products. Whether you are a seasoned LE lover or are looking to try something new the mix of skincare, body care, haircare and fragrance there really is something for everyone.

Even though I am totally unprepared for Christmas I can't wait for December to come so I can start opening all the doors and start using the products. I will never get tired of minis, especially as I rarely spend more than a week at home so am constantly packing and unpacking, which makes these even more perfect!

The Liz Earle 24 Days of Christmas Calendar is £100 here and contains the following selection of products:

• Cleanse & Polish 30ml with 1 pure muslin cloth
• Instant Boost Skin Tonic 50ml bottle
• Skin Repair moisturiser 15ml (Normal/combination)
• Superskin Moisturiser 15ml
• Superskin Concentrate 2ml rollerball
• Daily Eye Repair 5ml
•  Smoothing Line Serum 5ml
• Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion 50ml  
• Gentle Face Exfoliator 15ml
• Brightening Treatment Mask 15ml
• Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask 15ml
• Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash 30ml  
• Nourishing Botanical Body Cream 30ml
• Superbalm 5g pot
• Orange Flower Hand Wash 30ml
• Hand Repair 15ml
• Foot Scrub 15ml
• Foot Repair Moisturiser 15ml
• Energising Body Scrub 15ml
• Energising Body Wash 15ml
• Botanical Shine Shampoo 50ml  
• Botanical Shine Conditioner Normal 50ml
• Botanical Essence No. 1 2ml

  Will you be treating yourself or a loved one to a beauty calendar this Christmas? xxx

My Favourite Fragrances

Favourite Fragrances

I've recently been playing around on Beautysets to create some fun collages to be used in my latest blog posts. As much as I love blogger I feel that the layout is somewhat limiting so it's fun to try something new! Let me know what you guys think!

What perfumes are you loving recently? xxx

Liz Earle Makeup

As you all know I am big fan of Liz Earle skincare, having used the Hot Cloth Cleanser almost every day for years and swearing by their Deep Cleansing Mask to heal blemishes overnight. Over the past few months I have also tried out various products from their new makeup line and have had slightly mixed feelings. This is not to say that the products have been disappointing, but they do give a very natural, effortless look which is great when you want to look naturally flawless, though I prefer a little more 'oomph' on a night out. Personally I reserve these products for more casual days when I want to give my skin a break and ensure it stays looking young, natural and healthy.

The Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint (£21) is a weightless tinted moisturiser that goes on smoothly and makes skin look fresh and radiant. When blended this is almost undetectable with low to medium coverage. It also provides SPF 15 to protect the skin while softening it with Vitamin E, borage and avocado extract.

 

Healthy Glow Powder Blush (£16.50) in Peony is a super pigmented, dusky raspberry pink. It feels extremely smooth and gives the cheeks a flushed, yet matte look without any shimmer or glitter.

Natural Glow Bronzer (£19.50) is a super lightweight and fine bronzer perfect for the lightest skintones to give the most subtle colour to cheeks. This is definitely not a bronzer that you can go overboard with as it is very light, even on my pale skin. It has no shimmer or sparkle, but adds a subtle glow to fair skins. I imagine it could also be used as a setting powder on darker skin tones.

Bronzer (left), Blush (right).

Have you tried any of the Liz Earle line of makeup? Do you have any product recommendations? xxx

Glossybox Men: Spring 2012

Why should girls have all the fun? Glossybox for men is a quarterly grooming box with 7 luxury sized samples perfect for the modern man.

The Spring edition landed on my doorstep a few days ago - just in time for me to have a sneaky peek before passing the goodies on to my not so modern man ;).

This box contains:

• The Legends London Alum Matchsticks (£1) - This book contains 20 individual astringent matches which can be used after shaving like a traditional aftershave to calm razor burn. Super portable and ideal for traveling!
• Organic Homme by Green People Active Fix Repair Serum (£16.50 for 50ml) - This certified organic men's facial repair serum with proven anti-ageing effects is great for sensitive skins and is suitable for those prone to eczema, psoriasis, acne & skin blemishes.
• 4711 The Original Eau de Cologne (£10.95 for 50ml) - For more than 200 years this cologne has delivered on its promise: using this unique fragrance refreshes the mind, body and soul. 
• FAB Body Moisturiser (£13 for 226.8g) -  This daily essentials moisturiser is perfect for all skin types, but especially effective for sensitive, reactive or dry skin.
• Liz Earle for Men Face Scrub (£13.25 for 75ml) - This scrub is one of the bf's firm favourites! It's active natural ingredients include cooling eucalyptus, exfoliating pumice and jojoba beads to smooth away dead skin cells for healthier-looking, ultra-smooth skin.
• Kyoku Sake Infused Shave Cream (£25 for 170ml) - Another one of the bf's (and my) favourites. This shave cream is amazing on delicate skin as the friction-free silicone micro-particles coat the skin to ensure consistent skin to blade contact to significantly reduce drag – no more nicks and cuts! It also comes in a sensitive version.
• Dr Bronner's Magic Liquid Soaps Lavender Hand Sanitizer (£3.99 for 59ml) - This hand sanitizer is infused with organic lavender essential oil and comes in a handy spray size perfect for any man bag.
• Fudge Hair Shaper (Mint) (£12.20 for 75ml) - The blend of natural waxes, ceresinand carnauba wax delivers both texture and shine. Hair Shaper Mint also contains hydrolised wheatprotein which strengthens and improves the condition of hair whilst styling. It has a strong hold with a semi-matte finish and a refreshing mint fragrance.

For more information or to subscribe to Glossybox for Men (£15 plus p&p) please visit their website here.

Will you be purchasing a subscription for any men in your life? Have you tried any of the products in this season's box? What do you think of them? xxx

Treats for Winter Skin

With Christmas parties being penciled in to all the corners of my already full diary the time has come to prepare for battle... with my skin!

Over the last few weeks my skin has not been looking its best - in part due to poor health, but I am sure that the harsh weather contrasted with the toasty warmth of central heating at home and air con at work has made a valid contribution. So to perk up my complexion I will be investing some time into my skin over the next few days and thought I would share with you some of my favourite skin treats!

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - (£21.50 here)

This is a recent purchase for me, and I can't believe I have waited so long to try it! It really is a miracle cream and I adore it for giving my skin a quick boost. Beauty Flash Balm brightens and tightens the skin (gently) with extracts of olive and Witch Hazel, while boosting radiance and softening. 

It can be used as a quick remedy before a night out - apply (without massaging) a very thin layer over the face, neck and eye area, following immediately with make-up. I have also enjoyed using it as a facial mask- apply a generous layer and leave to soak in for 15 minutes, then blot excess with a tissue.

Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Concentrate - (£40.85 here)

This serum is a lovely treat for dehydrated skin. With 100% pure and natural essential oils specially formulated for the daily care of combination and oily skin it feels really soothing and comforting, as well as having an amazingly relaxing scent. As I have oily skin I have always been wary of using oils, but in the last year I have really learned how to make them work for me - little and often! I like to apply a couple of drops after cleansing and toning at night and either massage it in alone, or add it to my favourite moisturiser. Thanks to its natural affinity with the skin this serum penetrates efficiently to balance and purify, as well as reduce excess sebum production and clear impurities.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil-in-Gel - (£24 here)

I'm probably one of the few beauty addicts who doesn't have a huge soft spot for Shu Uemura's cleansing oils. It's not that I don't like them, I just prefer to use a cream cleanser (Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is my absolute favourite) and find oils a little too 'thin' to give me a thoroughly cleansed feeling. This is why I have really enjoyed using Shu's new Cleansing Oil-in-Gel, which gives the smooth feeling of an oil and effectively removes impurities while still leaving behind the fresh feeling of a gel wash. I also like the fact that it can be used both wet and dry, though I prefer to use a little luke warm water to create the perfect texture. 

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - (£19 here)

The Superskin concentrate is a lovely serum that comes in a convenient rollerball dispenser, which is perfect for popping in your bag for use during the day or travel.

For optimal results Liz Earle's therapist recommends:
After cleansing, massage with Superskin Concentrate to help clear toxins, reduce puffiness, boost circulation, encourage cell renewal and aid lymphatic drainage.
Step 1: Warm a small amount in your hands and breathe in the divinely aromatic aroma. Then massage onto your skin with upward and outward movements using firm pressure.
Step 2: With your fingertips, lightly smooth in an outward circular direction along the cheekbones to above the eyebrows.
Step 3: Finish by gently sweeping your hands up the neck and over the décolletage.

 Neal's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm - (£35.35 here)

Anything rose scented wins favour with me and this wild rose beauty balm does not disappoint! This multi purpose product can be used as a rich cleanser, gentle exfoliant (with a muslin cloth) or deeply nourishing balm – to quench areas of dry or dehydrated skin. The high levels of wild rosehip oil (a potent antioxidant to help repair, firm and smooth the skin) are combined with geranium, starflower, hemp and rosemary seed oil, to help decongest and enrich the skin, restoring its natural radiance.

In the cold weather it's also important not to forget the rest of your skin. I know that my routine isn't quite as meticulous in the winter - my legs are hidden by opaque tights, and I don't like to think about my feet at the best of times! My favourite moisturiser at the moment is undeniably Kiehl's Creme de Corps (from £8.50 here).

This is an amazing cream. It's rich, without feeling greasy and sinks in quickly without leaving behind too much residue, leaving my skin like velvet. Due to its natural colouring and the inclusion of beta-carotene (a naturally derived antioxidant predominantly found in many orange/red vegetables such as carrots, it is used in Vitamin A production and gives an orange tint when used in skin care products) it can dye any clothes that come into contact with it. Heading the warning I like to wait a few minutes after application before dressing, but I haven't experienced any problems with staining myself.

Liz Earle Superskin Bodycream - (£28.75 here)

This super rich and indulgent aromatic cream contains 25% plant oils and is perfect for drier skin areas. It requires a little effort to rub into the skin and some time to become fully absorbed, but it is well worth it. With East African shea butter, organic rosehip oil, antioxidant cranberry seed oil and pomegranate extract, natural source vitamin E, plus the divine scent of neroli, this luxurious cream makes a great gift for anyone, and a fantastic skin treat for yourself!

Lastly, I couldn't live without Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (£18.50 here). If you haven't tried it, you need to! Lips, cuticles, knees, elbows, cuts, blisters, scrapes, blemishes, burns it works to soften, heal and protect any skin ailment you can think of!

I hope you find this little guide for winter skin indulgences useful. Let me know what your winter skin saviours are!! xxx

Liz Earle Sensitive Shave Cream

The Liz Earle Sensitive Shave Cream is a wonder product that I have been meaning to share with you all for quite some time! I first received a sample of it about 6 months ago and have repurchased it over and over again since.

Just to give you a little bit of context the bf has very sensitive skin (he always gets annoyed when I mention his eczema, but I am prepared to withstand his fury when/if he ever reads this). Unfortunately along with sensitive skin he was 'blessed' with a very hairy chin... and we are not talking about a 5 o'clock shadow here, it's more of a 12 o'clock shadow! Working in the medical profession he is required to look smart and hence shave every day, which isn't ideal. He therefore often has problems with irrtation, dryness, ingrown hairs, redness... I'm not painting a pretty picture here, but you name it the poor boy has suffered with it.

After a few days of  using the shave cream (check out Liz's shaving tips here) I could already see the difference on his skin, without even having to ask. It definitely looked smoother and less irritated and I noticed that the shaving process was faster too. When I probed him about the cream itself he went as far as saying he "really, really" liked it (a first!) as it gave a really close, comfortable shave and left his skin moisturised and soft. History was made a few weeks later when I phoned to say I was popping into Liz Earle and was actually asked if I could pick up some of that "shave cream stuff". This was record breaking material - not only did he remmber and ask me for a specific product, but he was actually planning to use it for its intended purpose! It definitely makes a change from his usual routine of using my eye cream or expensive serums to moisturise his elbows, knuckles and Lord knows... maybe toes *sigh*.

Since the bf was so fond of the shave cream I decided to purchase some for myself as I often experience a rash or painful bumps after shaving my underarms. I can honestly say that this is the best shave cream I have ever used. It is soft and creamy, yet lathers with a little water to give a really close and smooth shave.

 Probably not the most visually pleasing photo, but as you can see it lathers very smoothly.

With extracts of Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil and Glycerin it not only works well to moisturise and soothe irritated skin, but also smells amazing (see full ingredients list here). The rose scented geranium gives it a slightly sweet, flowery smell, while the peppermint keeps it fresh and uplifting - a fragrance that I think both sexes will enjoy!

The Liz Earle Sensitive Shave Cream retails at £10.75 for 100 ml or £5.50 for 30 ml. I highly recommend it to everyone with sensitive skin and those prone to razor burn or shaving rash. I've been buying it as gifts for my male friends and have received great feedback from everyone so far. It may not be a particularly exciting product, but in my eyes it's definitely a hero!

Have you tried Liz Earle's Sensitive Shave Cream? Do you ecperience problems when shaving? What are your recommendations for shave gels/ creams/ oils for sensitive skin? xxx

Current Haircare Favourites

I have been trying a number of new hair styling products recently and wanted to share some of my favourites with you!

Products mentioned:

• Liz Earle shampoo and conditioner (£8)
• Bumbe and Bumble Mending Conditioner  (£23.50)
• V05 Treat Me Right Intensive Conditioning Treatment (£4.28) 
• Pureology Super Smooth Smoothing Elixir (£14.85) 
• Aveda Smooth Infusion (£18.50) 
• John Frieda 3 Day Straight (£6.99)
• Aussie Take the Heat Cream (£4.69) 
• Osmo Blow Dry Potion (£4) 
• KMS California Quick Blow Dry (£9.50) 
• Tigi Bed Head Spoil Me Defrizzer (£8) 
• Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Rock 'N' Roll Extreme Hairspray (£8.56) 

I hope you enjoy the video and please do let me know your favourite hair products in the comments below! Thank you for watching my lovelies. :) xxx

Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts

Panicking about what to buy your loved one this Valentine's day? Do not fret! The bf and I have been hectically reviewing products to find the perfect gifts for you. Though don't tell him that's what all these presents have been for, he just thinks I'm really generous ;).

First up are Gifts for Him.

A fragrance always makes a lovely present. So why not treat him to a new scent this Valentine's day? Over the past few weeks we have been liberally spritzing ourselves with Paco Rabanne 1 Million. With notes of peppermint and blood mandarin mingled with cinnamon and rose absolute, with a touch of leather, this is a masculine fragrance with a modern twist. Sexy and deep, yet not too heavy, it's easy to wear and versatile. I am told that this is currently a very popular fragrance, and I can see why!

If your man is a little hesitant (or just plain lazy) when it comes to skincare, why not introduce him to an easy and effective routine gently? There are many kits out there designed to give you a taste of the products on offer, and this can be a great way to nudge him along, while letting him chose a few favourites. The Liz Earle Men's Try-Me kit has four travel size products in a handy re-usable wash bag including the amazing Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (with muslin cloth), Sensitive Shave Cream, After-Shaving Moisturiser and Face & Body Wash all for £15.60.

The bf has developed a particular soft spot for the Shave Essentials kit (£28.35). He already likes Liz Earle, after constant thieving of my products (deep marks from greedy fingers digging around in my moisturiser are a deadly giveaway!) and he has not been disappointed by the 'manly' products. He tells me that the Sensitive Shave Cream and After-Shaving Moisturiser make for a smooth and comfortable shave.

Why not add some fun to Valentine's day? Men are encouraged to purchase us sexy underwear, so why not turn the tables on him with some novelty pants? These ones from ASOS are just too cheesy not to love ;).

Gifts for You, Both of You

I always like to by a gift for Valentine's that we can both share. Let's keep it clean now ladies... 

Why not treat yourself to a beautiful candle to set the mood? I was recently sent the Thalgo Indoceane Relaxing Scented Candle (£16.50), which promises to burn for 50 hours. I have noticed that even after about 6 hours of burning it still looks very full, so fingers crossed it lasts forever lol! Not only does this candle look gorgeous, it smells divine with spicy Indian notes of Coriander, Cardamom and Incense on a tender, enchanting base of Patchouli.

If you are planning a romantic night in you may want to indulge in Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy Body Oil (£16.20). I have been testing out 'In Love Again' with organic rosehip and avocado oils blended with pure sweet almond and apricot kernel oils, enriched with vitamin E and infused with a sensual blend of neroli, vanilla and sandalwood this oil smells absolutely delicious. The packaging is also unique with tamrillo and strawberry floating inside the bottle. This natural oil is perfect for daily use after bathing or showering in place of a lotion, especially for dry skin. It also works especially well as a soothing massage oil or bath oil ;).

I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's day! What gifts will you be purchasing this year for your loved one? xxx

Gifts for Her!

The most hectic days of the year are upon us and with only a week to go before Christmas it's time to get organised! So many of you have sent me messages asking for advice so I thought I would put together a little last minute gift guide, to suit all budgets, for those struggling to maintain the Christmas cheer while bustling around the shops ;). Let's begin with gifts for her (for him and for you coming up next)!

For Her

Liz Earle Essentials Try-Me kit (£21.75) - This skincare set is great for any age and would make the perfect gift for the girl who is always too busy to pamper herself, but deserves a lovely treat. This kit includes the celebratred Cleanse and Polish (with muslin cloth), Instant Boost Skin Tonic and two Skin Repair Moisturisers (one for dry/ sensitive and one for normal/combination skin) enclosed in a durable little makeup bag.

White Tea and Ginger Bath Gift Set (£24.99) - For the budget conscious who don't like to show it this set has a great range of beautifully presented products including bath soap, body lotion, bath confetti, hand wash, bubble bath, bath salts, shower gel, and sponge in a stylish ceramic bowl. You don't have to rush out either, if you order by Tuesday 21st December with standard delivery your gifts are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas Eve!

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (Limited Edition) (£15.50) - In this harsh winter weather Eight Hour Cream is an absolute handbag essential for dehydrated skin and chapped lips. The limited edition packaging is adorable too!

ELF 100piece Eyeshadow Palette (£15.00) - Having had the opportunity to try this palette out it is evident that the price does not reflect the quality of these shadows. Pigmented, smooth and with a range of textures this palette would make a wonderful gift for the younger girl starting to experiment with makeup through to the makeup master. I absolutely love it and think it is incredible value for money.

GHD Midnight Collection Gift Set Limited Edition (On sale £119.20 down from £149!) - This wonderful new GHD set would make a wonderful gift for the glamorous girl in your life. We all know GHDs are pricey, but this set including the gold classic styler, limited edition travel hair dryer, styler pouch with heat resistant roll mat, treasure chest case, baroque travel mirror and two ghd sectioning clips is currently 20% off!

Ted Baker Tellan Leather Jacket (£299) or Reiss Rogers Biker Leather Jacket (£275) - Every girl needs a good leather jacket, and I am in love with these two. The quality of the leather is stunning in both and the feminine, fitted shape makes it versatile and perfect to throw over a party dress or a smart blouse and pencil skirt. One of these is actually my Christmas present this year ;). Yay!

Viktor and Rolph Flowerbomb Gift Set (£48.50) and Emporio Armani Diamonds Gift Set (£34.50) - At a recent fragrance event I was given the chance to try a multitude of different perfumes and these are my two top picks for the season. V&R is one of my all time favourites - femine and floral this warm, sweet fragrance with notes of tea, bergamot, jasmine, orchid and rose is a signature statement scent. Armani Diamonds is a fragrance I had never tried before - elegant and feminine with top notes of rose and raspberry that blend into an amber and vanilla base, I think this perfume will be enjoyed by many!

Zara Messenger Bag (£29.99) - While browsing the Zara website (as you do!) I noticed this stunning bag and thought it would make a perfect present at a budget friendly price! With it's classic shape, mix of materials and geometric perforations it is completely on trend for this season, and will accessorize a number of outfits perfectly.

Phew! I hope that was helpful my lovelies! Stay tuned for the next installments in this series - For Him and For YOU! Hope you are all well and looking after yourselves :). 

Natalya xxx

Liz Earle Signature Facial Secrets

A few weeks ago I was treated to a Liz Earle Signature facial. After hearing from Liz about how wonderful it is, and that even she struggles to get an appointment as they are so popular, I was excited to say the least. After a long Friday at work I was definitely ready to start the weekend with a little pampering!

The signature facial took place in the Liz Earle treatment rooms in their flagship store, just off the King's Road. The first step was to fill in a short form about what I wanted from my facial and any skin concerns I had, as well as a few select questions about my diet and beauty routine, and the products I relied on.

After taking a second to change into one of their soft dressing gowns, and getting tucked into what can only be described as a (heated!) bed, I was already feeling relaxed.  The first part of the luxurious 90 minute treatment was a double cleanse with Cleanse & Polish (to remove makeup and deep cleanse). My tired eyes were then revived with the Eyebright soothing lotion. As I had complained about some dry patches around my nose Jo also used the gentle exfoliator all over my face, neck, and upper chest. She then performed a lymphatic drainage massage using plant oils and superskin concentrate. 

At this point I was so relaxed with the heat, the music and the calming aura in the room that I almost fell asleep! This has never happened to me before as I often find facials a little nerve racking. On many occasions the products used have reacted badly with my sensitive skin and even caused stinging and burning, so I am always wary. As I already use much of the Liz Earle range I was confident that this would not be the case, especially as we discussed my skin type and areas I wanted to see improvement in (tone, blocked pores around the nose, oiliness and blemishes - not asking much then!). Jo also went through the products she was using during the facial and as she could see my skin was sensitive chose to skip the brightening treatment mask (one of the products that does burn a little), so I was happy to see that she was tailoring the treatment to my skin as well as my 'needs', and not following a set formula as many beauticians do.

While the products were soaking in she treated me to a hand, arm and shoulder massage. I was struggling to stay awake when she used the steam to prepare my skin for extraction. Now this is an area of a facial I usually find awkward and painful, but grit my teeth as I don't want to look like a wimp. Jo was very careful and it didn't hurt at all. After my pores had been cleared she used an ozone treatment (I have no idea what this is officially called lol). The ozone is meant to sterilise and aid healing. Oh, how I wish I had one at home! My skin heals very slowly, and I mean very slowly. If I have a cut or a scar from a blemish it usually lasts weeks and takes months to even begin to fade. The blemishes that Jo treated healed within days!

After some skin repair moisturiser and a little more massage the treatment was over and I have to confess that after Jo left me to get dressed I stayed wrapped up for a minute or two not wanting to move. The real magic came when I looked in the mirror. After the 'extraction' I was expecting some red patches that would take a while to fade, but instead my face was (dare I say it) glowing. There was no redness in sight and my skin looked clear and even. I was so happy I ventured out to dinner straight after with not a scrap of makeup on (well, do we count mascara?). Even the bf commented on how healthy I was looking! I would never normally be brave enough to do this, so it is a real testament to the products and Jo's magic.

Jo was kind enough to send me a personalsied skincare guide a few days later so I could recreate the treatment at home. Now, I won't lie to you and say that I have completely stuck to it, but I have done my best and have seen good results. Are you interested in learning her secrets? Luckily, Jo has given me permission to share my plan with all my lovely readers! So here is the first part and if you want to know more just leave me a comment and I will write a follow up post :).

Lymphatic Drainage Massage Routine

(This application can be used with Liz Earle skincare and any plant oils)

Warm product between hands, and pat onto your face and neck.  Massage with flat palm, fingers together, circle down (3-6 times each side), each side of the neck (right hand on left side and vice versa). This will open up the lymph channels to oxygenate the skin. Continue onto the face and massage outwards along the jaw line (3-6 times each side), then either side of the nose downwards (3-6 times each side), to the sides of the mouth. Continue with 3-6 complete circles around the eyes draining upwards from the corners of the inner eyebrow outwards. Finish with circles up and out over the forehead towards the temples.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Liz Earle Signature Facial and the way it made my skin look and feel. It was the perfect pampering treat and I am now in the process of getting another appointment. I feel my skin will be in dire need come January after my ski trip and all this mulled wine... if only they had a similar treatment for my liver ;).

At £85 for 90 minutes I think it is well worth it too. If my mama lived in England this would definitely be part of her present this Christmas (and I know she is reading this and probably calling me now to tell me she still wants me too book her one hehe). If you are interested in finding out more or treating yourself, or a loved one, to the most luxurious, relaxing facial you can find more information on the Liz Earle site here. Enjoy! xxx