I finally reached the bottom of my seemingly bottomless bottle of Soap & Glory Clean on Me. Usually, when I get bored of something shower-related I tell Mr. L to use it up for me. That way, I don’t feel guilty cracking open something new when I’ve still got half a bottle/tube/whatever of something else on the go. But Mr. L wasn’t playing ball with my S&G – too girly smelling apparently *eye roll*.
I picked the Boots No7 Luxurious Foaming Shower Oil up a couple of months ago and it’s been gathering dust ever-since. Just as I’d turned the shower on this morning, I realised I was all out and hot-footed it across the landing, dripping water as I went. Once I’d remembered where I’d stashed it, I dripped my way back into the shower only to realise that I hadn’t taken a photo of it for the blog!
I left the shower again and drip, drip, dripped my way into the bedroom, grabbing my camera as I went. Plonked the box on the windowsill and started snapping away. 3 minutes later, I’d finished snapping and glanced up to see my neighbour’s curtain twitch.
So now, not only does my neighbour know that I have one boob bigger than the other. He know’s WHICH FREAKIN’ BOOB IT IS.
Dedication. This review had better be worth it.
Oh yeah… the review…
I didn’t like it. It barely lathered. Wimpy, weak lather that didn’t smell of anything much at all. Very, very lightly scented.
I tried again… and used enough to bathe Geoff Capes twice over and still…. it just gave me a thin surface layer of bubbles. Didn’t feel much like luxury to me. Being an oil and all… did it make my skin feel smoother or softer? Nope. Nothing more than any other moisturising shower gel. It didn’t strip me of any moisture…. but let’s face it, this stuff is £8.75 a bottle (cheaper with a No7 till spit) but still… it’s a MEH kinda product.
And that’s my official rating. At least my neighbour enjoyed it.
New for Summer, the already popular TreacleMoon lineup is expanding to include a new fragrance.
Lovely Mint Story promises to be a cool, refreshing mint fragrance that takes you back to minty mojitos and tropical times with its skin-tingling zing.
Me? I just want something zingy to replace the tropical coconut-y phase that I’m currently going through!
Treaclemoon bath and shower gels are available exclusive to Tesco (larger stores only) and carry a very reasonable price tag of £2.89!
So, last Friday (14th May) I had my first consultation and test patch for facial laser hair removal at the sk:n clinic in Southampton.
I had previously shared my concerns and nerves about this first meeting… but I needn’t have worried too much. The staff and therapists at the clinic were very friendly and I was put completely at ease in their care.
When I arrived, I was given a few forms to fill out… general contact stuff like name, address, next of kin… and I was also given a consent form.
I asked if I could have a copy of the consent form and they were happy to oblige. I really recommend you do this and infact, it would be great if they did it as standard. It’s a well written document that summarises many of the important concerns about laser hair removal and if you’re signing your name on the dotted line… it’s good to have a reminder of exactly what you’re giving your consent to right?
So after these formalities, I was greeted by my therapist Hayley and led into a treatment room. The laser device was the indimidating looking machine lurking in the corner looking a lot like a big photocopier with a hoover attachment. It’s true… look…
Hayley went through a checklist of contraindications which included things like asking me if I were pregnant, suntanned (yeah right) and whether I was on any medication including steroids (I was assured that steroid inhalers didn’t count!). We discussed which body areas were going to be treated and at this point I asked if it would be ok for me to pay to have a small patch on my chest included in the treatment area. She grabbed a price list and gave me a quote for 6 sessions (just under £300) which I agreed to.
I was asked what I do to currently control the hair growth and I explained that I shave the areas daily. She was pleased with this as it meant that the hair follicles would be intact and undamaged by the plucking or waxing process. If you want to know more about why this would be important and how laser hair removal actually works (along with a video demonstration), check out this page on the sk:n clinic website.
The last thing we discussed was after care. At this point, I was offered the option to purchase a ‘starter pack’. What this basically includes is three products that are recommended for you to use after treatment to help soothe and protect your skin.
It’s obviously another string to sk:n’s money-making bow to offer you the option to purchase products directly from them at the time of treatment. I don’t think they’re particularly marked up (although the seperate purchase price of £15 for a SPF30 Sunblock seems quite expensive).
Anyway, here’s the “Starter Pack”:
Aloe Vera Gel
Spray Water
SPF 30 Sunblock
If you already have these… you don’t HAVE to purchase them. For me, it was a convenient time to pick them up. I’ve already been through a lot of the Aloe Vera gel and I’ll be buying another tube (albeit from Holland & Barratts!).
You’re advised not to use your normal skincare for a few days… simply because you don’t want to expose your skin to any lotions and potions that could cause extra sensitivity on an already sensitized area. However, I made sure to check that wearing makeup wasn’t a problem!
The single most important aspect of aftercare however, (and Hayley drummed into me!) is sunblock. Do not leave the house unless you’re protected from the sun. To be blunt… don’t risk a tan whilst you’re undergoing treatment. The whole premise of laser hair removal is that it targets melanin, the areas of pigmentation (i.e. dark hair and the follicle under the skin). You start getting tanned bits and you lose the contrast making the treatment less effective and more likely to burn the skin.
Dun, dun, dun! It was time to hop up on the couch and get on with the test patch… my mouth went a bit dry at this point…
I was handeed a pair of sunbed goggles… you know, the ones that kinda fit the shape of your eyeballs and don’t extend much further… these are total blackout, so it’s immediately a little more unnerving as you can’t see a thing. A side effect of this is that your hearing becomes a touch more acute… so when the machine (which was right by my head) fired up… I’m not ashamed to admit that my heart beat a little faster.
Hayley was constantly talking to me, explaining what she was doing and reassuring me that everything was as it should be. I’m glad she was chatty… it really helped to put me at ease. I’m such a wuss!
As the (I’m not sure what to call it!?) laser head bit was put over a small area on my chin… I felt a slight vacuum-y/cooling sensation before the laser fired and I felt a sharp twang on the surface of my skin. It’s not painful… but the anticipation is uncomfortable for me. It’s a bit like waiting for a balloon to be popped. I think that as I get used to it and into the swing of a full session, this feeling will fade… but I was really aware of anticipating the next laser fire.
What I wasn’t expecting however, was the smell. Burnt hair… really quite unpleasant and thanks to the treatment being carried out around my chin and top lip, right under my nose! I think I’ll breathe through my mouth next time!
Immediately after, Hayley sprayed my skin with thermal water and applied copious amounts of Aloe Vera Gel which I forgot to rub in and spent the next ten minutes looking like I’d sneezed on myself. My skin immediately turned a shade of lobster pink and I was sent on my merry way with an appointment for my first full session (Tues 18th May) and my starter pack of after-care products.
You can see how my skin looked 12 hours later and read my concerns at the time by reading my update here.
It remained hot to the touch ’till Sunday evening (60hrs after treatment) but the redness and swelling have now subsided. There’s still visible signs of irritation, but it doesn’t feel ‘burnt’ anymore. I’m a lot happier that my skin isn’t reacting in some unusual way. It also would have helped if I’d read the aftercare sheet FULLY and not just scanned it thinking I recognised everything I’d already been told:
2. …the treated area may become red and swollen and may remain so for several days after treatment.
Sorted. My skin probably isn’t going to fall off then. I am Norman normal, just perhaps a teeny bit more sensitive than hardier types!
You’re gonna have to excuse the hair… I have shaved twice since my test patch on Friday… I guess you can see why I so desperately want this treatment done huh? Anyway, at the risk of stating the bleedin’ obvious… the red bits are irritation and these photos show the affected areas 60hrs after treatment.
Honestly, I’m kinda dreading what I’m going to look like on Wednesday morning after my first full session. I’m thinking Freddy Krueger. Don’t forget I’m practically having the whole of my lower face lasered… I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave the house for a few days if the test patch was anything to go by. I guess it’s something I didn’t consider. Oh well, I think it’s time to stop worrying and wait and see what greets me in the mirror on Wednesday morning.
So that’s it really… a full on update. In total, I’ll be having six sessions and although I won’t be updating with as much detail as this after my subsequent treatments, I’ll still be doing progress reports and posting photos when appropriate.
I guess that if I’ve got something worth sharing, I’ll be letting you guys know about it.
Here’s a vid that Mr. L shot when we went for a cup of tea afterwards, please excuse the sillyness at the end. Apparently, I’m boring, unlike the dude that walks behind me with a giant red erection… no, really (40 seconds in).
I’ve already declared my preference for shopping solo before… it’s a control thing.
My tastes are probably different to yours and I don’t wanna spend 20 minutes pretending to like that green eyeshadow you’ve gone all misty-eyed for.
I mean… “Hey! Why don’t you come over here instead and examine these 7 different taupes with me whilst I delve into miniscule detail noting all the subtle differences between them”.
See the problem? I’m not a very compatible or companionable person whilst shopping. Just leave. me. alone.
So, it’s with interest that I saw Elemis’ latest launch!
By the way… this is supposed to be a graphical representation of Debenhams on Oxford St… I wanna know why there’s only two women in the picture? There should be at least 50… all foaming at the mouth… pushing, snarling and invading one another’s personal space whilst clutching their little yellow Selfies bags from down the road.
Anyway, where was I?
Oh yeah… Elemis… Well, they’ve introduced this thing called a Double SpaPod and it goes something like this…
Launching this May is the world’s first Double Elemis SpaPod. Now there are two treatment rooms available so you can book in alone or if with a friend you can both stop for advanced facial therapy and total body revival before you continue to shop!
I’m really not sold on this whole “go with a mate” thing but it got more interesting when I read this…
Each treatment is carried out whilst you relax on an Intelligent Massage Chair that measures the length of the spine, takes your body weight, warms the body and is then programmed to deliver a customised massage using a variety of techniques, working specifically on any problem areas.
Getting warmer…
And check out the new innovative Smart Glass Technology. At the flick of a switch, this advanced glass instantly frosts over locking out the hustle and bustle of the beauty hall and cocoons you in its relaxing retreat-like ambiance…
Sold to the lady who wants to play with the switch! *flick, flick, flick*
.
I guess I can see the point with going to a spa-type thing with a mate… but I dunno, if it involves shopping too… I think I’d rather be forced to buy nothing but Constance Carroll for a year than buddy up…
Are you a sociable shopper? Do you take your girlfriend’s to the loo with you? Do you want one of those Elemis massage chairs for your front room too?
Put down the broccoli and head for the Beauty Aisle ‘cos there’s a new brand in town!
Dirty Works is exclusive to Sainsbury’s and incorporates a range of body scrubs, body butters and bath products to leave you feeling pampered but not penniless!
The comparison to Soap & Glory has to be made though right? Is this an even more budget-friendly option?
I was sent a little trio of goodies called “Get Set Go” Mini Luxuries which includes:
Bare Necessity Body Lotion Buff Your Stuff Body Scrub All of a Lather Body Wash
I’m a little over the whole kitsch packaging thing now that it’s been done to death… but I can see it still appealing to many and this set in particular would make a great little gift set for a bathing belle.
Each product in the set is 100ml, so considering it’s mini… is pretty darn generous! The products are all quite highly-scented… I smell cocoa butters, fruity scents and vanilla.
They’re not the most luxurious products I’ve used, but they do what they say on the tin and they do it well.
Most products seem to be priced around the £5 mark, check them out next time you’re doing the weekly shop!
An edgy release from an edgy brand that fits perfectly with the Body Electrics ethos of makeup to enhance movement, dynamics and light.
Illamasqua released two Illumine Oil’s with the Body Electrics collection and it was the oils that first drew my attention. Pulse is a golden bronze shimmer, whilst Volt is an iridescent silvery violet shimmer. I was very kindly sent a bottle of Volt to slather myself in so I thought I’d do the good blogging thing and not keep my opinions to myself.
Firstly, I’m put off by the price… £32 is a lot of money to pay to decorate your decolletage with shimmer.
Don’t get me wrong… the shimmer is beautiful, it’s radiating and it catches the light perfectly.
You could DIY it, I think it would probably look chunkier and less effortlessly elegant if you did… But still… £32? *whistles*
Anyway, I swerve from being wildly extravagant with my money to tighter than a ducks arse, so let me review this on it’s own merits first before you all get out the fans to revive me from the price tag.
They Say:
Create a sultry shimmer with an after-dark edge. Smooth Illumine Oil over skin for a light-reflecting finish that makes every movement a drama. Infused with pearlised particles, passionflower seed oil and vitamin E, this luxurious dry body oil is quickly absorbed and leaves skin illuminated. Bask in a radiance of your own making and demand to be worshipped.
You get 100ml of product for your money and to be fair, you only need a very very small amount (2 fingertip fulls) to fully cover your entire decolletage. I could imagine this lasting easily over a year of regular use.
I’ve tried very hard to capture the iridescence in the bottle, it’s quite breathtaking… kinda like the Prism nail polish but on a much larger scale!
If there was one time this blog needed smell-o-vision, it would be now. Volt smells ah-mazing. It’s tropical and heady, perfect for warm summer nights.
The packaging, whilst elegant and simple is a source of irritation for me.
Picture the scene… glass all over the floor, £32 Illumine Oil soaking into your floorboards giving them an ethereal, sparkling glow… only to be matched by the sparkles in your eyes from the big fat tears.
Maybe it comes with being a Mummy… I mean… I’m not asking them to sell it in this:
…. but accidents happen. And that bottle with it’s standard bottle opening is asking for trouble.
Anyway, how does it sparkle?
Ohhh… I tried and I tried to capture it’s delicate shimmer… here’s the best I could do.
You can see the sparkles that are suspended in the oil… and yes, they are indeed mostly violet which gives a true ethereal (though not Edward Cullen) type glow to your skin. The sparkles are very, very fine and small… not at all chunky.
The sparkles stick firmly and whilst transfer is still very much apparent (hello strange glitter speck in the corner of my vision) the sheer density of sparkle ensures that you will remain suitably spangly all evening long.
I think I’ve covered everything…
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it beautiful? Yes. Did I rock it whilst doing a trolley dash in Tesco last night? You betcha.
Illamasqua Illumine Oil in Volt is £32 for 100ml and available at Illamasqua counters nationwide or online at Illamasqua.com
My dislike for “innovation” in beauty products is fairly well documented, so it’s nice to come across a product that is innovative in a proper science-y way (rather than a “stick a battery in it and make it buzz” kinda way).
Fake Bake have come up with what they’re calling a “Self Tan Revolution” and it involves something rather interesting…
Now, I did a “Home Economics” GCSE at school many, many years ago… It taught me lots of valuable life lessons. How to bake Cheese Scones & a great Spinach Gratin… how to avoid Scurvy and perhaps most importantly, I learnt about the importance of vitamins and what ‘orrible things might happen to my eyeballs if I were to become deficient.
One of those vitamins was a little fella called Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies are able to produce significant quantities of it with the help of sun exposure.
Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb other minerals and nutrients such as calcium, obviously essential for healthy teeth and bones. There have also been studies in recent years that suggest links between disorders such as depression and a lack of Vitamin D.
But what’s this got to do with self-tanning solutions?
Well, the bods at Fake Bake have incorporated Vitamin D into their tanning range of products and treatments, mimicking the body’s natural ability to create the vitamin through the skin.
I know that in theory, it’s no different to incorporating anti-aging or anti-cellulite ingredients into products, but it’s good to see something so obviously beneficial in a non-superficial way being introduced into a product that’s used by so many.
A good citrusy scent is unbeatable for those mornings when you just can’t seem to muster the energy to lift your sleepy head from the pillow. It’s an energising, invigorating and fresh smell and if combined with a hint of spice then it’s in my shopping basket quicker than a New York minute.
However, I’ve come to the conclusion that citrus is a tricky scent to capture… I’ve sniffed many ‘lemon’ products that quite frankly would be better kept under my kitchen sink than by the side of my bath.
The Body Shop have just launched their Sweet Lemon range, I was given two products from the range at their recent presentation and as a veritable grumpy connoisseur of all things lemon-y… they’re up against a tough nose.
Sweet Lemon Shower Gel – £6
A soap-free, non-drying cleansing gel with luscious lemon seed oil. Lathers to leave your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed, soft and subtly scented.
The Sweet Lemon Shower Gel is nice, it definitely isn’t too synthetic smelling – it’s sharp rather than sweet and lathers up nicely. I’d like it to leave a little more scent on my skin, but for an “in shower experience” it does the job well. I think it comes at quite a price though… between me and Mr. L we’d get through 2 bottles of this a month easily, and I wish I could justify £12 a month on Shower Gel, but I can’t. If your skin isn’t sensitive to soap, I’d suggest trying out a bar of the Sweet Lemon Soap at a much more affordable £2 a pop.
Sweet Lemon Whip Body Lotion – £8
Light and fluffy, this quick-absorbing, non-greasy whipped cream lotion, with rich and velvety natural ingredients, smoothes easily over the skin, leaving it feeling well moisturised, soft and supple. Provides moisturisation that lasts up to 12 hours. Leaves skin scented with an uplifting and fresh lemon fragrance.
The scent of the Sweet Lemon Whip Body Lotion (which again is sharp rather than sweet) lingers beautifully without being overpowering. The formula feels light and fluffy, sinking nicely into my skin without leaving any greasiness. I’m not sure how much stock I’d put into their 12hr moisturisation claims for this product as I personally need something heavier to keep my skin supple for that length of time. I’d give the scent of the range a 7/10 but it really appeals to Mr. L’s nose, and he never gives a crap about stuff like this… so it’s definitely a product I’ll be shopping for when my current one runs out. As it spreads so smoothly, I don’t think I’d need to repurchase too often either… well, not unless I catch Mr. L at my bottle again *side eye*.
Have you tried the new Sweet Lemon range from the Body Shop? What are your favourite smells to get you going in the mornings? Bacon doesn’t count.
I freaking LOVE getting things through the post… letters, makeup, postcards, ebay purchases, those little sachets that Nivea sometimes send out, even the occasional dog poo if it’s from an admirer…
In our lifetime as a woman, we will experience around 500 periods and use around 11 thousand tampons! That’s a lot of tampons and a lot of hassle! So, sit back and relax as Trinket Women deliver a precious gift direct to your door each month. Cotton, sophisticated and feminine, we believe Trinkets tampons will make you feel good about your period. Period!
“Yay! I’m so excited my box of Trinkets has landed on my doormat, now I know my period is imminent! I can’t believe how GOOD I feel about the impending 5 days of inconvenience, grumpiness and occassional pain! Hoorah!”
Sarcasm aside… I actually think it’s kind of a nifty idea…
More times than I’d like to admit, I’ve gone to the bathroom cabinet only to discover an empty, unreplaced box of tampons. This results in much pleading with Mr. L to go do the “corner shop shuffle” in a fake moustache and sunglasses, only for him to come back with the wrong stuff.
You can choose to have your Trinkets tampons delivered every 3, 4 or 5 weeks. You also select type and absorbency requirements and with prices starting from £2.29 for a box of 16 with the option to cancel at any time, they’re not taking the mick.
If you want to give it a go, take advantage of the offer the people at Trinkets have put together for my readers. Enter code T1045 on the website to get a 2nd pack for free. I’ve just ordered 2 boxes for £2.29 delivered, that’s cheaper than I can get them from Boots.
It’s a great deal with no STRINGS attached and the code will be available for a limited PERIOD only. God damn I’m funny.
I’m a certified skincare fan, but Mr. L hates anything remotely greasy. Infact, he doesn’t really understand the concept of ‘moisturising’ or why he would ever need to do it. Machismo aside, that doesn’t stop me getting him to moisturise my back for me when I get out of the shower. I’m lazy and it’s always nicer if someone else does it don’t you think?
Aveeno sent me a few bits a while ago, and after giving them my unadulterated attention (not easy to do when you buy as many products as me), I’m back to let you know how they performed for me.
Not quite an oil and not quite a cream means that it has a hella confusing name!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first pumped the lid. It is a very light, runny cream with a bakewell almondy smell. I’m not sold on the scent, it’s not offensive in any way… it’s just a bit biscuity for me.
Aveeno say:
Combines the concentrated goodness of naturally active colloidal Oatmeal and sweet almond oil.
Provides the benefit of an oil with the convenience of a cream.
Helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture level and prevent dry skin.
Skin is left looking and feeling soft, smooth and healthy without a greasy after feel.
I adored the texture of Aveeno’s Moisturising Creamy Oil, it glides onto the skin with no dragging and I can instantly feel it relieving any tight patches (I suffer from small areas of eczema). Unfortunately, the cream isn’t rich enough for the effect to last the whole day on me, so if you’re very dry-skinned, I’d look for something a little heavier.
If you have normal skin, I’d whole-heartedly recommend this body moisturiser. Especially for the Summer and morning applications. It’s light and absorbs quickly leaving a slight sheen on the skin. A definite good buy and one that I will be repurchasing.
Shea butter based, it applies thickly and more heavily than the creamy oil. I’m not a fan of the tube packaging, I seem to consistently dispense too much product. However, I believe that if you buy the 300ml version of this one, it comes in a pump bottle like Aveeno’s Moisturising Creamy Oil.
My skin feels slightly tacky to the touch after using this and it takes a good 5-10 minutes for absorption to be fully effective. There’s no doubt in my mind that this lotion is far more penetrating in it’s skin relief than the creamy oil, but it’s not as “light and carefree” to use. I wouldn’t use this after a shower before getting dressed in the morning… but I have been using it happily before bed where I don’t mind my skin feeling a little tacky.
As for skin benefits, combined use of these 2 products means that I’ve banished my dry scaly bits! My skin is now Summer ready, so bring on the sunshine (and fake tan).
The Aveeno range is currently £2 off at Superdrug and a 1/3 off at Sainsburys.
Back when February was still so new I was calling it January, I blogged about this:
Hei Poa Pur Monoi Beauty Oil, my skin was bone dry at the time and as a fan of most body oils anyway, I was keen to try another.
I ordered from Zuneta and it arrived within two days with a couple of posh samples enclosed as a bonus!
It’s not particularly attractive in it’s solid state, infact… it’s not at all appetising until you unscrew the lid and give it a sniff. The unmistakable scent of Frangipani fills your nostrils, a beautiful tropical aroma.
So how do you turn it from that solid, waxy-looking state into a warm oily texture ready for use on your skin or your hair?
I fill a jug with hot tap water and simply sit the bottle in the water whilst I’m in the shower. It takes about 4-5 minutes to melt completely, but you don’t need to melt the whole bottle. If you only wanted a little, you could be done in 30-40 seconds.
Not a huge thing… but a point of note is that the labelling on the bottle is waterproof and has so far remained intact despite being submerged countless times! I hate paper labels on bath products that disintegrate as soon as they get a splash of water on them!
After about a minute in the hot water, I pulled the bottle out and although you can see it’s not completely melted, there’s enough there for one application.
I find the Hei Poa to be a particularly dry body oil, it’s not massively ‘glidey’ and once I’ve started to spread, it drags a touch on my skin. The flip-side to that is that I’m not left feeling at all greasy. It’s a trade off that I’m happy with. The oil leaves my skin feeling noticeably smoother with a beautiful sheen and delicate scent.
I’m a very happy Hei Poa convert!
What to try next? The ‘golden glow’ version or the shower/bath oil? – decisions, decisions!
I’ve never been fully sold on tattoos, I love looking at the designs and I appreciate the work that goes into creating a successful piece of permanent body art.
But truly? I can barely decide which socks to put on in the morning. Choosing something as permanent as a tattoo would send me into some kind of mental turmoil treatable only by electroshock therapy. It is with pure joy then, that I discovered Jinny Rainbow.
Recently launched in Selfridges, Jinny Rainbow offers beautiful glitter body illustrations that last up to 7 days. The glitters and powders used are hypo-allergenic promising skin-friendly artwork for all.
You can choose between selecting an on the spot design undertaken by a body artist or if you would prefer attempting a bit of DIY designage (is that a word?) you can purchse handy kits to create personalised designs at home.
Spoiled for choice, Jinny Rainbow carries a selection of over 100 vibrant glitter pigments and shimmers plus 200 exclusive stencil designs.
How beautiful is that? My inner 4yr old is climbing the walls with excitement and trying to work out if I’ve got time to swing by Selfridges this afternoon for a nosey!
So how much would this kind of frivolity set you back? With prices starting from £5 for on-the-spot designs and from £30 for starter kits it’s not exactly gonna break the bank is it?
Do you need a bit of glitter in your life? I’m thinking a sparkly bluebird on my shoulder.. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah and all that.
