A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

You would be forgiven for not having heard of Aroma Therapeutics before… I stumbled across them when I was at The Vitality Show last month.  They were doing an offer on their bath and body oils and being the sucker oil lover that I am, I couldn’t resist parting with my pennies for a few.

In the bottle, they smell incredible.  Easily as good as offerings from the more well-known brands such as Aromatherapy Associates, Tisserand and NEOM… but sadly, this is pretty much where the similarities end.

Once dispensed into water… the scent dissipates far too quickly, we’re talking gone in a matter of 30 seconds.  Frankly, a fart would linger for longer.  I’m guessing that although exquisitely blended… there just isn’t enough of the potent stuff in these bottles to carry the aroma for a decent length of time.  I’ve also tried applying to my skin before jumping in the shower… but again, as soon as the water hits it, sayonara good stuff.

It truly is a bit of a tragedy because the Recharger scent (Rosemary, Ginger, Rosewood, Nutmeg and Orange) in particular is divine.  I haven’t tried any of the other products in the same scent lineup which includes massage oils and spray concentrates, perhaps I should limit the use of these purely on my skin rather than as part of my bathing routine but damn it, I bought these as bath treats!

Aroma Therapeutics are available to buy online from Fragrant Earth and are currently on BOGOF and are £26.65 for 50ml.

What are your favourite bath-time treats?

I’ve written previously about my love for Gielly Green’s Argan Rescue Oil that I use a few times a week to perk up my over-processed hair.  I recently took delivery of a couple of samples from the Gielly Green body range which included a hand & body lotion and a hand & body wash.

At 300ml a-piece, these understated but elegant bottles will last a fair length of time which is reassuring when you take into account that the ‘wash’ and ‘lotion’ are priced at £12 and £18 respectively.  These are luxury prices for products squarely aimed at the luxury market.

Now, whilst I don’t bat an eyelid at paying nearly £20 for a hair treatment, lipstick or facial moisturiser… I get more frugalistic stirrings when it comes to the kind of purchase that generally needs to be replaced more frequently.  This would include hand washes.

Having said that… I can’t actually fault the deliciousness of these products.  The Lemon and Muguet (Lily of the Valley) scent is fresh and airy.  It delivers a sparkling citrusy zing without skimping on a more grounding floral that lingers for a few hours after application and the scent conveys an overall carefree lightness without being too ‘young’, fruity or sweet.

The formula of the hand and body lotion is blissfully light, not great for those requiring more intense moisturisation but I’ve been using this on my hands (and lower arms) after washing and whilst not moisturising enough to keep my cuticles in check, it’s doing a sterling job on the rest, including my rough elbows!

The hand and body wash smells a little zestier than the lotion and delivers a non-drying formula thanks to the addition of Argan Oil (not too far down the ingredients list either!) and a welcome lack of SLS and alcohol in the formulation.

Overall, if your purse can stomach the price tag – you could do far worse than treating yourself to these bathroom gems.  Gielly Green have delivered a perfect pair of body essentials that bring a touch of luxury to a normally mundane task.

Gielly Green Hand & Body Wash and Hand & Body Lotion in Lemon & Muguet are available to buy online from the Gielly Green website.

I never get round to doing “products of the month” posts because there’s inevitably something else that I wanna blog about when the ‘critical’ time is approaching.

I do love reading other people’s picks though so instead of giving up on these type of posts completely I think I’ll just throw random ones out there when the mood takes me instead.  Who needs time restraints anyway?

1.  Gielly Green Argan Rescue Oil (£19.50)

This has given my dry, overprocessed hair such a lift these last few weeks.  I don’t know how it compares to the likes of Moroccan Oil which I haven’t tried yet but the Gielly Green Argan Rescue add shine, softness and smooth ends without being too heavy on my fine (but lots of it!) hair.

You can buy the Gielly Green Argan Rescue Oil here.

2.  Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel (£19.40)

I received a sample size of this tucked into my last Debenhams order and “uh oh”, ‘cos it’s on the repurchase list!

I’ve been trying to work out a morning skincare routine that suits my combo/dry skin and this has become my morning cleanser of choice.  Normally, I use a ‘cleansing gel’ to remove my makeup but this one is so light that a pea-sized amount cleanses my bare face beautifully.

It has a delicious ‘wake me up’ grapefruit scent and is the only cleansing gel/oil/balm type product I’ve used that makes me feel clean without doing a double cleanse.  Add to that the fact that it’s one of the least drying cleansers I’ve discovered and I’m delighted to start the day with this gem!

Now, I’ve said that… watch me hate it once I purchase the full size.  It’s always the way right?

You can buy the Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel here.

3.  Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum 20ml (£34.00) *

Now available in a travel-friendly 20ml bottle, Balenciaga Paris is simply exquisite.  I’m not sure how it manages to capture so much in one small bottle.

It opens with a crisp, floral freshness that announces itself with all the fervour that BIG openings bring before mellowing into something quite creamy yet grown-up.

It seems to capture both a lightness and a depth that feels more sensual, darker… naughtier!

My only gripe is that it needs a top-up every 3 hours or so as the fragrance sadly doesn’t last the day… but I guess that’s the benefit of a 20ml bottle!

You can buy Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum 20ml here.

4.  Bliss Blood Orange & White Pepper Hand Cream (part of a duo set that cost £8.00)

Beautifully citrusy with a hint of spice, this hand cream is light, fast-absorbing and nourishing.  The scent lingers for a short while and will keep you sniffing your hands until it fades!  It’s a great daytime moisturiser that sadly only comes in a 30ml tube.  I think it may be limited edition too…

Oh well, as much as I love it – I guess I’ll have to find something else to replace it.

You can buy Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Hand Cream here. (on offer!)

5.  Vicks First Defence (£7.14)

I know this is a bit of a weird one… but I’ve used it twice now at the onset of a cold.  As soon as I get that “drowning feeling” in the back of my throat, I pull this out and use as often as the directions allow me.  Whilst it hasn’t killed or cured the ensuing snuffles, it’s made a real difference to it’s severity.

The last two times I’ve used it, my cold hasn’t progressed into full-blown face ache/streaming nose type horrors as it normally would.  I’ve been able to get on with day-to-day life with a couple of paracetamol and this nasal spray nearby quite happily!

You can buy Vicks First Defence here.

6.  Sheer Cover Refreshing Face Mist (£12.95) *

Since my run in with the Prai o2 Infusion I reviewed yesterday, my skin has been in dire need of TLC and the Sheer Cover Refreshing Face Mist has provided this well.  Once made up in the mornings, I obviously can’t moisturise with normal creams and this refreshing spray gives my skin a hydration boost with a couple of squirts throughout the day.

It’s alcohol-free and at 60ml is handbag-friendly.

You can buy Sheer Cover Refreshing Face Mist here. (Guthy Renker sells products through a ‘membership’ scheme and you may need to cancel your membership if you don’t want automatic product topups every 90 days)

7.  Melvita Eye Contour Gel (£18.00) *

Organic brand Melvita failed to impress me first time round… I tried a particularly stinky oil that I just couldn’t bring myself to use because of it’s… um… aroma.  However, the Melvita Eye Contour Gel is a delight!

Incredibly lightweight and fast-absorbing, I’ve finally found an eye cream that I’m happy to wear under my makeup.  I’ve noticed a decrease in puffiness since incorporating this into my routine… not sure it does much for fine lines or dark circles but it feels wonderfully refreshing and lifting for bleary morning peepers!

You can buy Melvita Eye Contour Gel here.

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What are you currently using and loving?

* press sample

Despite her tender age, Leila is becoming quite the discerning shopper.  Not that she has access to my debit cards or Paypal account you understand… but she does have access to the three bottom drawers of my Ikea Helmer (when I’m not looking).

It was here that she discovered my Lanolips Rose Balm Intense a very short while after I’d opened it…

…and now she won’t give it back.

It’s the sheep you see… Lady Lamb has captured her imagination and her heart, everytime I try to steal a squeeze… my attempts are met with tears.

I’ve been using the Lanolips 101 ointment on L since she was a tiny one to dampen the eczema on her face and because she was always swaddled at night as a babe, the thick lanolin used to work wonders at taking the edge off the itch.  Perhaps something in her subconscious recognises this lanolin-based counterpart, the only other beauty product to have awoken her magpie tendencies was a Beauty Blender – and I don’t really blame her for that one.

Still, at such a tender age (and with no offers to do the washing up on the table) she has no need for my Rose Balm Intense, which afterall.. is for very *dry* hands.  Not very *little* hands.

…nor very little teeth.  Grrr.

For the five consecutive nights that I was able to apply the handcream… I formed the opinion that it was certainly softening on my rough bits but not a product that I’d want to use during the day.  It’s heavy and sits on the skin in the way I love my Lanolips 101 to do… but I just don’t love the same feeling on my hands.

It’s strongly rose-scented and you only need the smallest amount to get good coverage.  After 4 days, it was beginning to heal my sore cuticles before it was rudely snatched from my routine.  I’d recommend it for when your usual cream isn’t cutting it.  Combined with a pair of cotton moisture gloves, I think it would make for an intense and quick-fix overnight treatment.

Or yano, a great addition to your toddler’s handbag.

Lanolips Rose Balm Intense is priced at £8.99 for 50ml and available online or instore in Boots.

New York Cheesecake with an Edge, Vermont Va Va Voom, Toast to the Coast and Southern Belle promise scintilating flavours that leave me unsure whether I should be slathering them on my body or on my crumpets in the morning!

I’m gonna go with ‘body’… but only ‘cos I’m on a diet.

The Body America range of products has been notoriously hard to track down until House of Fraser scooped them up as part of their new Apothecary setup.  The range claims 72% organics which are enriched with Aloe Vera juice to soothe and soften the skin.

That’s all great in theory… but how does the range really perform?

Vermont Va Va Voom Foaming Bath & Shower Wash (£7.00)

Green Apple, Maple and Blueberry… but particularly heavy on the apple.  Thankfully, although heady in combination, the scent that’s left behind on the skin is quite light and pleasantly fresh.

I’m not usually a fan of products that foam before I get them close to my body as I find I have to use a ton to get the same kind of luxurious lather as with normal soapy formulas.  This one gets a thumbs up for managing to go the distance before losing it’s fluff!

I should also note that I didn’t find this drying on my skin.

Toast to the Coast Lip Butter 8.5gms (£4.00)

All style and no substance.  It smells delicious (Ocean and Grapeseed), tastes incredible but does nothing to moisturise my lips.  It’s thin and spreads lightly which makes it a nice butter to apply under a drying lipstick but that’s about as far as my praise for this one can stretch.

New York Cheesecake Body & Face Scrub 100gms (£7.00)

My pick of the bunch and I will definitely be picking this up in the Toast to the Coast flavour.  It’s a milky thin fluid that spreads for miles and contains minute particles of ‘scrub’.  Touted as a light exfoliation, I’d say that on my skin it felt pretty full on and in my opinion, too harsh for the face.  But it’s perfect for bodycare and leaves a positively edible scent behind!

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I haven’t tried any of the body butters but they’re reportedly made by the people behind The Body Shop body butters and only £7/£8 each.  All products are available instore and online.

Have you tried the Body America range yet?

Palmolive have released a new duo of handwashes with a little twist of vintage flair.  Admittedly not the most exciting of purchases but definitely one of those that I spend a little time on when in the supermarket.

If I’m going to be washing my hands X amount of times in the day… I want the process to not be too drying and above all, I want it to smell awesome.

I’ve been using a sample of the Bergamot & Verbena variety over the past few days which holds a lovely, zingy scent.  Bergamot is a real favourite of mine (lavender, not so much) and Palmolive has captured the aromatics of the fruit nicely.

Ok, so it doesn’t quite lift me from the kitchen sink and place me in Southern Italy… but it does make scrubbing my hands an enjoyable experience!

The vintage styling touches on the bottle are cute without being twee and with both scents priced at £1.99 each for 250ml, they’re not asking me to pay through the nose for these extra touches of luxury.

The Palmolive Authentics Liquid Hand Soap range is currently available in Sainsburys and Waitrose.

…a.k.a the most overdone post in the blogosphere in recent weeks.

Everyone is different… with different needs, different tastes and different budgets… so what works for me may not work for you but these are the products that have made this Winter a far more comfortable affair.

It’s probably useful to let you know the kind of issues that Winter has been dishing out to me first right?

Skin: A touch of seborrheic dermatitis that flares up with greater prominence when the seasons change and in cold weather. Dryness (with the odd patch of scaliness if left untreated for too long) around the edges of my nose, eyebrows, hairline, behind my ears (yeah, weird) and under my eyes.

Hair: Coarse, dull and kinda bushy! (just for clarification, we’re talking head hair here mmm-k?)

Nails: Where do I begin… these have suffered the most this winter and I’m starting to see the point in using acetone free nail polish removers despite still being in love with my poundland bargain purchases.  My nails have started to peel quite badly on the edges and I’m having to trim them regularly just to remedy this.  My cuticles are like elephant hide and the poor things sob everytime I approach with a new polish.

As you can see… a few issues that have needed to be kept under control.

It has literally taken me until the last week or so to pin down *which* products are having a reasonable effect on those issues and the ones I’ve shown above are the ones that I know are making a real difference.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (£28.50 – ish)* has been a gentler alternative to my usual scrubs at keeping my face free from flakes.  I’ve started trialling a Clarisonic in the past week but up ’til then, it’s been the Dermalogica sloughing my skin without causing extra dryness or irritation.  I can see why it’s so revered amongst industry experts.

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate (£37.80)* has probably been my skincare product of the year.  It’s one to avoid if you have oily skin but on my combo/dry skin – it’s a tonic and a half.  As the weeks have gotten colder I’ve upped the frequency with which I’m applying and I’m on a full pump every evening spread all over my face (except the bridge of my nose!).  It’s ‘organic’ scent takes a little getting used to and many will dislike the heavier feeling it leaves behind.  Me?  It lets me know that my skin is getting the nourishment it needs.

Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil (£4.39) The range is targeted toward the needs of Afro hair and although it’s recommended use is on the scalp, I’ve been applying this on my hair 20 minutes before jumping in the shower.  I combine this with Pantene Pro-V Colour Protect 2 Minute Damage Rescue Treatment (which I use as a conditioner rather than treatment) and have been enjoying much healthier and smoother-looking hair as a result!

Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter (£5.70 – ish) Another ‘product of the year’ is the Haus of Gloi’s pumpkin butter formula for deep and long-lasting body moisturisation.  I’m in love with the thick but absorbable creams… finding the perfect scent can be a bit like playing Russian roulette but at £5.70 for a full-size tub, it’s hardly breaking the bank.  The site’s stock of pumpkin butter moisturisers is slowly dwindling, replaced by the lighter emulsions… that makes me sad – I’m hoping I have enough stock in my own beauty cupboard to last me through ’till it really does start getting warmer.

Weleda Calendula Weather Protection Cream*(£5.50) Good enough for baby, good enough for me. It’s been my handbag staple for weeks now.  The thinner-than-Vaseline texture and gentle scent make this intensely moisturising product my pick for on-the-go moisturisation.  I apply a very small amount (half pea-sized for my entire face)… it spreads like a dream and although it’s lanolin/almond-oil based, sinks in fairly quickly without leaving me looking shiny aslong as I’m careful not to over-apply.  Also wonderful for ravaged cuticles!

CND Solar Oil – (£5.07 – ish) Whilst I’m not convinced it’s my HG for keeping my nails in good condition, it’s done a better job this Winter than my LUSH Lemony Flutter which is why I’m including it in the list.  It’s inexpensive and quick to apply before or after a manicure.  It smells divine (if you like marzipan!) and certainly goes some way to giving my poor tips a bit of respite.

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream (£3.77) This is a ‘branded’ version of a cream that should be used very sparingly indeed!  I usually pick up a chemist-own version for a bit less than this.  It’s a steroid cream that can thin the skin with prolonged use, hence the ‘sparingly’ comment.  For me, nothing comes close at soothing my skin in an emergency.  I usually use a miniscule amount behind my ears if the skin starts to crack (nice) or if I get wind burn.  Leila also benefits from a smidge if her eczema gets out of control which thankfully this year, it hasn’t.

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So those are my winter skin saviours, it’s not the most glamourous list in the world and the price point varies wildly from a couple of quid, right up to £40 but these are the products that I haven’t been able to better.

*denotes PR samples

What are some of your winter must-haves?

Yum. Oh.

I’m a long-standing fan of Lush’s Honey I Washed the Kids soap. It’s got no whizz-bang exciting things going for it but it’s comforting. Like an old-favourite jumper washed many times over, I’ve been repurchasing it once or twice a year since my early twenties.

Which is why I was excited to see the scent launched into a new Limited Edition shower gel that goes by the name of: It’s Raining Men. Alongside the other limited edition launches for Valentine’s Day, It’s Raining Men will only be around for a short while… so I suggest you go sniff it out tout de suite!

It foams REALLY well… and to be quite blunt, when a shower gel (that doesn’t claim to contain magical properties) costs nearly £8 for 250ml, that’s an important thing to know about it.  It means that I can see this bottle lasting me for a good long time.  Judging by my usage of the sample I was sent, I’d estimate that it’ll still be going in 3 months time.  You really only need a drop on a bath lily to work up a huge lather.

As for the scent?  To me it’s a little sweeter than my HIWTK soap… just a touch.

It’s Raining Men is a saccharine feast for the shower that bubbles up beautifully and leaves my skin with a delicate honey-ed scent.  I like it and I’m purchasing a backup at the weekend in preparation for it leaving the shelves for good.

Lush – It’s Raining Men limited edition Shower Gel is available online or instore at LUSH

This Valentine’s day, why not share a bath with someone you love?  Just make sure that you don’t get the tap end.

LUSH have released some new delights and brought back some old favourites in celebration of the mushy occasion!

New to the LUSH party this year are…

1. Be Mine (£26.95) … A sexy selection of six scrumptious treats that’s sure to make the one you love ‘be yours’ this Valentine’s Day. Inspire someone to melt into a marshmallow bath, let it rain men in the shower and get up close and personal with a Soft Coeur massage. A gift to ensure they’ll stay yours as well! Contents: Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt, The Frog Prince bath ballistic, It’s Raining Men shower gel (100g), Sex Bomb bath ballistic, Sugar Babe sugar scrub, Soft Coeur massage bar, Lust solid perfume.

2. It’s Raining Men shower gel (£4.25 for 110g / £7.95 for 260g / £14.25 for 510g) … hallelujah! A divine shower gel scented with our best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids fragrance … amen! Shower with this luxurious honey and tropical flower gel and your skin will be left deliciously soft, scented like crème brule and extremely lickable!

3. The Frog Prince bath ballistic (£2.75) … kiss this cute little character (on his bright red, pursed pout), throw him in a tub of warm water and, as the fairytale goes, marvel as he dissolves in front of your eyes to reveal your very own Prince Charming … or in this case, a sticker of one of our charming compounders from the Lush factory! And as you would expect for royalty, he has his own, exquisite, sultry brand new fragrance – a majestic blend of jasmine, sandalwood, rose and neroli.

4. Love Birds soap (£3.00 for 100g) … something for all those lovers out there, this gorgeous new soap is scented with some beautiful aphrodisiac essential oils to make Valentine’s Day that extra bit special! It’s the Keep It Fluffy fragrance, which includes sensual jasmine and vanilla for a romantic soap that will soften and moisturise skin, while leaving it delicately scented.

5. P.S. I Love You (£13.95) … say it with Lush and tell that special someone what you’ve been meaning to say for ages. This cute little gift is a foursome of romantic products to leave your special someone feeling in no doubt of your feelings. All wrapped up with love birds and heart embossed paper. Contents: The Joy of Jelly shower jelly (100g), Strawberry Feels massage bar (mini), Love Birds soap, Sex in the Shower emotibomb.

1. Truly Scrumptious (£27.25) … a delectable collection of Lush’s sweetest treats, what better way to tell someone you’re sweet on them?! Contains Lush’s best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids soap, a chocolately Whipstick lip balm, Space Girl and Butterball bath ballistics, Vanilla Dee-lite body lotion, Creamy Candy bubble bar and a Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt. All in all, it’s exactly what it says on the tag!

2. Ex Factor bath ballistic (£1.99) … a gingerman shaped little friend to join those Valentine-less folk in the bathtub, who may be feeling a little blue at this time of the year and fed up with all the lovey dovey paraphernalia wherever they look! He dissolves in the warm water in a swirl of ylang ylang and vanilla to reveal a small pink candy heart. The delectable mix of essential oils is the same as our best-selling Butterball bath ballistic, so will leave you feeling happy, relaxed and ready to meet someone else!

3. Magic Mushroom bubble bar (£2.30) … a fun-guy to share Valentine’s Day with, this charming toadstool is a frothy strawberries and cream scented wonder for your bath. The fragrance is a blend of Lush’s best-selling Vanillary and the popular strawberry-sundae Yummy Yummy Yummy. Crumble under running water for masses of skin softening strawberry and vanilla scented bubbles.

4. Hello Gorgeous (£17.90) … it’s always good to tell people they’re gorgeous and what better way than with a selection of Lush’s most gorgeous products. There’s a Japanese influence, with a cherry blossom design on the outside and the mimosa scented Sakura bath ballistic on the inside. Also contains a small tin of Gorgeous, our extra special orange blossom moisturiser; Helping Hands hand cream; cherry and mimosa Rub Rub Rub shower scrub (100g) and a lovely pink luxury bath melt made with marshmallows.

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I haven’t decided if I’m falling in line with the marketing this year or going all-out I HATE HEARTS AND FLOWERS.

Are you a Valentine’s celebrator?  However I’m feeling about all that love stuff, I never fail to use the occasion as a magnificent excuse to do things that I couldn’t get away with on an ‘ordinary’ day… hello Chinese takeaway, self-indulgent baths and leftover Quality Street.  Love yourself I say!

Philosophy have some rather adorable Christmas gift sets out this year though I’ll confess they’re not a brand that I can claim to be hugely familiar with.

Occasionally I’ll go on a TK Maxx Philosophy spree and I’ve been pleased with the things I’ve picked up.  In particular, their Purity facial cleanser which I’ve currently got stashed away in my overnight bag.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings… here’s what they’ve got on the shelves for Christmas 2010.

Peppermint Bark (£14.75) – Mint Chocolate Candy Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath 8oz and High-gloss, high-flavour lip shine 0.5oz.

Share the joy of delicious mint chocolate candy with this peppermint bark gift set. this giftable tin includes mint chocolate candy shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz. and high-gloss, high-flavor lip shine .5 oz. these moisturizing formulas are designed to give you clean, soft skin and irresistibly kissable lips, as you indulge in the joyful combination of rich chocolate and peppermint candy scents.

The Gingerbread Girl (£13) – Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel 16oz.

Our gingerbread girl is sparkle, spice and everything nice. this foaming bubble bath & shower gel features a refreshing, ginger spice scent and gold sparkles to light up your holiday season with joy. this moisturizing formula gently cleanses and conditions, leaving skin and hair feeling ultra soft.

The Gingerbread Man (£13) – Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel 16oz.

He cleans, he soothes, he’s back and ready to draw you a relaxing bath. the gingerbread man foaming bubble bath & shower gel pampers you with a refreshing, ginger spice scent and an ultra-rich, moisturizing lather that gently cleanses and conditions skin, leaving it feeling super soft.

Holiday Greetings (£18) – Brown Butter Cookie Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath 4oz; Coconut Macaroon Body Butter 2oz; and Pink Frosted Cookie High-Gloss, High-Flavour Lip Shine 0.5oz

Exclusive to John Lewis.

Holiday Hostess (£16.50) – Sugary Cinnamon Icing Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath and Body Lotion 8oz.

Glow and Behold (£13) –  Celestial Citrus Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath 16oz

Rekindle your childhood glow as you lather with this miraculous shower gel. glow and behold is our celestial citrus shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath created to lift your holiday spirit to joyful new heights. behold a sense of wonder as the sparkling, moisturizing formula gently cleanses and conditions skin and hair.

Candy Cane (£17) – Foaming Bubble Bath and Shower Gel 16oz and High-Gloss, High-Flavour Lip Shine 0.5oz.

Experience pure joy during your shower or bath with candy cane foaming bubble bath and shower gel. invigorate your senses with a crisp peppermint scent as you enjoy a rich, foaming lather from head to toe that leaves skin feeling ultra clean, hydrated and soft.

Exclusive to QVC UK (lip product not pictured above)

Warm & Toasty (£20.50) – Double Rich Hot Cocoa, Hot Buttered Rum and Hazlenut Espresso Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath 6oz

May you feel warm and toasty with this holiday hot toddy inspired shower gel set. this gift includes double rich hot cocoa, hot buttered rum and hazelnut espresso shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 6 oz. these moisturizing formulas gently cleanse and condition skin and hair, as the delicious scents inspire the warm, cozy feeling of sipping hot toddies by a toasty fire.

Under The Mistletoe (£16.50) – Peppermint Bark, Candy Cane, Pink Frosted Cookie and Have A Cherry Christmas High-Gloss, High-Flavour Lip Shines 0.5oz

Kisses under the mistletoe will seem sweeter than ever with these tasty lip treats. under the mistletoe includes peppermint bark, candy cane, pink frosted cookie and cherry christmas high-gloss, high-flavor lip shines. lips will be irresistibly sweet with a smooth, sheer shine.

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One thing’s for certain… they all look adorable.  Do you find Philosophy products live up to expectations?  I’m really tempted to pick up the big Have A Cherry Christmas Bubble Bath next time I’m in Selfridges.  Anything you particularly recommend?  Anything I should steer clear of?

My second (or is it third – who’s counting?) Haus of Gloi order arrived a couple of weeks ago and included the limited edition scent Parkin and Aduwa from the permanent line.

I think by now, it’s confirmed that I’m a lover of the gourmand, foodie smells – particularly from this brand.  They simply do them so well.

I picked up a full size Parkin Pumpkin Butter, a mini size Parkin Bubbling Scrub, a full size Aduwa Bubbling Scrub and mini sized Saft Ernte & Pumpkin Queen Pumpkin Butters.  I basically scraped up the last of the Halloween offerings with this order.  I also made a separate order that contained just the Pumpkin Queen Perfume Oil but I seem to have mislaid it 🙁

Anyway… back to this order…

I’ve already talked about Pumpkin Queen and I won’t spend long on Saft Ernte (seeing as it’s barely available on site anymore) but suffice to say that if you’re a fan of Pumpkin Queen, you’ll like Saft Ernte too…. it’s a slightly peachier, sweeter version of Pumpkin Queen.  It’s a teeny bit *too* sweet for me… but not by much.

Parkin is still extremely gourmand… albeit darker.  In the jar, it’s all about the gingerbread… but once on the skin, it has a bitterness that comes from the black treacle.  The scent doesn’t last quite as long on me as Pumpkin Queen does but the formula is just as rich, moisturising and moreish.

Aduwa is part of the permanent line; described as: Sweet, hot, creamed ginger over a thick benzoin, creamy coconut milk.

I’ve only smelt this in the jar as I’m still finishing up my mini size Samhain scrub… but first impressions tell me that Aduwa smells good enough to eat!  The coconut is strong and true… none of this synthetic sun tan lotion coconut scent.  It’s like sticking your snout in a bag of dessicated coconut.

The next thing to come through is the creaminess… I was expecting a hit of ginger but it’s lacking a little.  This is pure coconut mixed through creamy hot milk.  Delightful.

My addiction to all things Haus of Gloi is well and truly compounded.  My Yule Tide order came through a couple of days ago… but I’m not even allowing myself a sniff until I’ve made some head way into these items.  I’m sure that won’t be too hard a task for me to manage!

Have you ordered anything from Haus of Gloi yet?

When I was making a birthday purchase for a dear friend, I couldn’t resist keeping the GWP for myself.  I know that’s naughty… but don’t act like you wouldn’t.  You wouldn’t?  Ok… now you’ve made me feel *really* bad.

Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One has been a hit on counters since it was launched last year.  It’s a very soft, feminine floral that updates the traditional rose scent and reintroduces it to a younger generation.

Of course, as with most fragrance successes comes the spin offs… the body lotions, shower gels and in this case… the body shimmer powder.

I received a ‘mini’ 6g size free with my fragrance order and have been thoroughly loving it.

As an objet d’art, it’s a really pretty thing to have sat on my dressing table.

As soon as you remove the lid you become aware of the delicate scent of roses and grapefruit.  It smells like a really clean floral… immensely feminine and quite suited as a body product.

The shimmer that this product imparts is beautiful.  Delicate, rose coloured with gold accents… it’s shimmer for grown ups.  I tap a little into the lid and use my powder brush to dust along my collarbone.  I’ve tried to catch how it looks in the photo below but not sure I’ve done it much justice.

I would definitely repurchase this in a larger size if/when I run out.  The scent it leaves on my skin is just the right amount and I would imagine that when layered with the complimenting EDP is a force to be reckoned with.

Don’t you just love a good GWP?

D&G Rose The One Shimmer Powder (in the huge 26g size) is available to buy online from John Lewis, priced at £34.