April Favourites

Hey lovelies, I am tucked up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate, it is raining cats and dogs outside. 

So I have decided to share with you what were my favorite products for the month of April. 

Some of these products you might have seen before, some of them are new. 

Everyday Favourites: 

Armani shades - between low glare in the mornings and the dazzling sunlight in the afternoons, having these bad boys in my hand bag have been a necessity. 

Jack Wills umbrella - did you know umbrellas are pricey? Like seriously this umbrella was "12 and it was half price!!!!. I came to the rude awakening, that I have never actually purchased  an umbrella, (when I bought this umbrella).  I mean for an every day product, they are pricey, especially if you want a sturdy one to hold up against these hurricane rains /tornado winds we seem to be getting these past few months. 

Body Favorites:

Garnier 7 day Intense moisturizing lotion - good moisturizer not to light and now to heavy  perfect for the fluctuating temperatures of Spring. 

 Dove Hibiscus and Almond shower cream - has been keeping my skin clean as well as soft. Sanctuary body spray - great for spritzing on the go, as well as topping up during the day, the scent is very light. I know you are wondering why I have two body scrubs/exfoliators as well as exfoliating gloves. Exfoliating gloves are the business, I use them every day, with my Dove Almond and Hibiscus shower cream.  

There is a method to the madness with the 2 body scrubs. Gigi No Bump Scrub - is for use in delicate areas such as the bikini line and decolletage.  The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub this is for use every where, but I moistly focus on the back of my thighs and arms with this. 

Face Favourites:

 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - medium coverage plus spf, this has been my regular base not that the morning have been lighter. 

 Garnier Micellar water -this has been a great makeup remover, plus at 400ml for £4.99, this has been great value for money. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - great face powder on its own as well as topping up my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. 

 Murad perfecting day cream with spf 30 - it goes on and gives my skin a grey  tinge, which does not last. My skin totally absorbs it  and it leave no residue, plus it doesn't interfere with the application of my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer which contains spf 20.

 (I am all for the spf, I am going to be as well preserved as possible, no leather face here. Moisturizer, water and spf are my friends) 

Hair Favourites:

ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion - I've been using this for years. It works great as a hair moisturizer I just continue using it. 

Almond Oil (decanted into the Tresemme liquid gold bottle) - this is what I use to seal in the moisture of the Olive oil hair lotion. 

There you have it my April favourites,

xxx

Boots Star Gift - Sanctuary Ultimate Glow Pamper Tin

A little bit of self indulgence is on offer this week available from Boots. The Sanctuary Ultimate Glow Pamper Tin (sounds like the perfect prep before a night out) is on offer at the cost of £19 per tin. 

                                                     

The Ultimate Pamper Tin Contains:
-Body Wash (250ml)
-Body Lotion (250ml)
-Radiance Exfoliator (100ml)
-Fresh Faced Purifying Wash (140ml 
-Pumice Foot Scrub (50ml)
-Moisture Rich Foot Butter (50ml)
-Spa Pedicure Foot File
-Spa Skin Body Polisher
-Spa Facial Headband

Not only does the set include everything you need to get yourself ready for a glittery night out. It also comes with instructions. lol 

How to Use

Body Wash: Massage on to damp skin then rinse away. Therapist’s Tip: Finish your shower with a blast of cold water – as cold as you dare - to tone your skin, close pores and awaken your senses.

Body Lotion: Massage generously into clean skin after bathing to help awaken your senses, stimulate circulation and soften skin. Therapist’s Tip: Massage the lotion into slightly damp skin to lock in moisture and leave your skin satin smooth.

Radiance Exfoliator: 1. After cleansing, while face is still damp, apply a pea-sized quantity of the scrub & massage into skin. 2. Use upward circular movements paying particular attention to nose, forehead & chin. 3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. 4. Pat dry & apply Illuminating Moisture Lotion. Therapists Tip: This exfoliator can also be used on the back of hands to help even skin tone.

Fresh Faced Purifying Wash: 1. Add a splash of water to the product and rub between hands to activate the foam. 2. Work over face and neck in an upwards circular motion using your fingertips. 3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. 4. Pat dry and sweep Pore Refining Toner over face and neck. 5. Finish with a Sanctuary moisturiser.

Pumice Foot Scrub: Massage into damp skin from the base of the heel towards the toes. Rinse away the scrub and pat dry.

Moisture Rich Foot Butter: Massage the Sanctuary Moisture Rich Foot Butter generously all over both feet. For a more luxurious spa treatment, use with the Sanctuary Moisture Locking Socks.

Another great gift idea for you my lovelies.

xx

Radox Citrus Fragrances Review

Though they have not been around very long the New Radox Citrus Fragrances have already been crowned "Best New Shower Product" at the Pure Beauty Awards 2013. The new collection comprises of three shower gels in Energise -Key Lime and Peppermint, Revive - Mandarin and Lemongrass, and Uplift - Pink Grapefruit and Basil. 

I found these on offer at Boots and decided to give them a try after having a sniff. I did consider trying them one at a time, but then I  thought suppose they do not go on offer anywhere else for a long time since they are new products. I purchased them all for 99p each, at a bargain of 50% off. Let me tell you Radox has definitely hit it out of the park with these fragrances. They are perfect for these chilly autumn mornings when I have to contemplate whether or not I want to leave the warmth of my bed much less venture outside. 

The Uplift - Pink Grapefruit and Basil is my personal favourite, the sharpness of the grapefruit was an instant love for me. 

My second favourite is the Revive - Mandarin and Lemon grass. 

The third fragrance Energise -Key Lime  and Peppermint I can take it or leave it. The citrus scents does not come through as strong as it does in the other two shower gels. However I do think that the guys would love the Energise, for that same reason the scent is there but not as pungent. 

Would I buy full prices? - Yes 

Would I recommend? - Yes 

Would I repurchase? - Yes

Perfect Pairings - Plum

     Unlike my last post BOTH of these items contain Plum in the scent. This will be a high/ low pairing, the scents compliment each other very well. 

 L'OCCITANE's Plum Blossom skin moisture gel - though it was the Garnier moisture gel which sent me scurrying to the loving arms of Cocoa Butter in February. I quite like this moisture gel, for one thing it actually moisturises and does not disappear within two minutes, leaving my confused as the whether I had moisturised my skin. It has a light consistency and spreads well, but it is not watery. 

Dove Go Fresh Plum and Sakura Blossom body wash - one thing I have noticed about Dove body washes which I have never noted, they lather really well. For products which contain 1/4 moisturiser they have alot of bubbling action going on. However even with the bubbling action, this body wash will eave your skin feeling clean and moisturised but not tight as you would from soap. 

Perfect Pairings - Berry Berry

This paring is a little more on the fruity side, but it is gorgeous. One thing I love and hate about Body Shop products is the lasting smell. However the love I have for lotions and potions which smell great far outweigh the hate. 

The Body Shop Raspberry body Scrub - gorgeous berry scent, a jelly like formula and the Raspberry seeds are not too harsh on the skin. 

     
     Dove go Fresh Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena scent body wash - to my nostrils this is the best complimentary body wash for this body scrub (unless you count the Raspberry shower gel from The Body shop) The body wash itself is gentle on the skin, especially in these harsh Arctic temperatures we will soon face. Like all other Dove body washes it is made with 1/4 moisturiser and in my opinion is a great low end substitute for shower cream. 

Perfect Pairings - Citrus Scents

These are just a few items from different ranges which I think complement each other scent wise. It can be so easy to get caught up and buy the whole range of product just for the smell. while I do love a bit of layering sometimes you do not have to break the bank to smell fabulous.

Dove go fresh Grapefruit and Lemongrass body wash (The original shower cream)
L'occitane Verbena Extra Gentle Soap (this is a huge bar which can easily be cut in two halves, to extend the life.)

The Body Shop Satsuma body butter - the smell of this goes a longgggggggggggg way, so use sparingly, the satsuma oil nourishes and relieves dry skin quite well. Be careful not to use this with the Lynx chocolate body wash or else you will wind up smelling like a confused Chocolate Orange. lol lol 

New Stuff - Doo Gro, L'Occitane, L'Oreal, Palmolive

Yea I know usually I would say this is a haul or something of the like, but everybody is hauling something or another these days. So I thought New Stuff, plus I like to plan my hauls. I save up my money make a list of things that I need to purchase, search different websites and blogs for deals that are going on and then buy I buy products. These are just products I have accrued over the last week. 

£2.43 this was on half price offer and I  am getting bored of my Infisium 23 (been using it religiously for over a year/ 12 months) so I thought I would give this one a try.

£1.01 this was on half priced offer as well, I bought it to suppliment my REN Morrocan Rose Otto body wash (£16  for 200ml that ish is not cheap). It smells exactly the same as the REN for wayyyyyyy less

£5.10 the most expensive purchase this week. I bought his to replace my beloved Aphogee Green tea and Keratin Reconstrustor, after nearly 2 solid years of service it is finished.

£4.80 I picked this up in the L'occitane summer sale. it was 70% off  So I thought I would treat myself. Also I have a few rose scented washes, so a lotion would be a good way to layer the fragrance. Did I mention it was 70% OFF. original price £16 for 100ml 

£4.80 same reason as above, I wanted to treat myself and it was 70% off.





what lotions and potions have you treated yourself to lately?
write in the comments and let me know.

Review - Dove deep nourishing body wash

What they say

     Dove difference - only dove body wash has  NutriumMoistureTM - our unique blend of moisturizers enriched with skin natural lipids that can absorb completely to nourish deep down while you shower. Deeply Nourishing, clean rinsing always beautiful.

  What I say

     As I mentioned before here my-winter-beauty-essentials I am a lover of body washes and shower gels. to me this is the body wash form of the age old dove skin soap. I picked this dove shower gel up a few months back with a few others. I had tried the dove Go fresh cucumber body wash + body mist last summer and I was sold. The consistency is quite thick so a little goes a long way, and even with the added moisturisers, the body wash lathers quite well (aka alot of bubbles). I liked the way my skin felt afterwards, I was clean yet there wasn't that dry tight feeling. I would not suggest using this with a wash cloth/wash rag/flannel, the cloth tends to get slimy after about 3 uses due to the moisturisers in the body wash.
        Preferred bathing accessories to use are a bath lily or exfoliating gloves, the ones sold at The Body Shop are the best and they are recession proof. using the bath lily/exfoliating gloves does aid with longevity of the product so if you were interested in getting your money's worth with this product, definitely invest in a bath lily.   

would i recommend? - yes
would i repurchase? - yes
would i buy full priced? - yes

Miss Mai

xx