Lush Haul.

L-R:

Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub

Big Sea Salt Shampoo

Dirty Springwash Shower Gel

Flying Fox Shower Gel

Mint Juleps Lip Scrub

Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub

I went shopping yesterday and I figured since there was a Lush in the vicinity, I might as well pop in and stock up. I generally don't shop at Lush very much because its stores are kind of out of my way and in places I don't go to very often. I am really happy to have some of their products now though because overall I like what they produce a lot.

Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub is a scrub which I have used before. It is made of both fine and coarse sea salt, along with lime juice and vodka. I really like the scent of this - I think it is unbelievably refreshing! It has been a while since it was part of my collection so I am excited to use it again.

The consistency of Big Sea Salt Shampoo kind of scares me! As you can see, it is thick and pretty gloopy and you can actually feel sea salt in it! The thoughts of rubbing it into my hair... eeek! I have really fine, limp hair though so anything which has the potential to boost it in volume is something I am interested in. I will definitely report back if I like this product.

I have used both of the shower gels pictured above before. Dirty Springwash is a spearmint and menthol scented gel so it is right up my street! I can't get enough of anything minty, my go to morning shower gels. Flying Fox is a honey rich shower gel which is supposedly great at that time of the month. It's not the usual scent I am in to, but I'd use this any day!

My main reason for venturing to Lush was to grab a lip scrub. I've used the Bubblegum one in the past but lo and behold, mint! It was always going to be mine. I have been suffering quite a bit with chapped lips so I am looking forward to using this bad boy! Mint Juleps, my perfect lip exfoliator! 

Finally, I bought Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub. I guess I was feeling extremely scrub orientated yesterday! I'll be honest - I was drawn to this because it is bright blue. I feel like exfoliating my skin so much more in winter because I do find with colder weather and central heating, I am drier. This will be a nice addition to my shower. It also makes a change from Soap & Glory scrubs, though I still adore them.

You will possibly see some of these pickings from Lush in upcoming Favourites posts. 

NOTD: Mysterious by Chanel.

 

I had a super busy day today. I was up after only four hours of sleeping and spent the day shopping with my mum. Therefore, my usual Sunday night nail routine was kind of out the window because all I felt like doing was curling up on the couch and napping! Instead of removing my previous polish and buffing, moisturising etc., I pretty much took off the old polish and painted this one right on. I didn't even file my nails! It is okay though - I am going to the US in a few days so I will probably treat myself to a proper manicure at some stage this week.

Enough of me blabbering! On to the product - Mysterious by Chanel is a khaki green coloured nail varnish. I have no idea why but I am in love with green shades for nails. I am more of a lover of mint green but I find the bright, light shade doesn't really tie in with my darker clothing choices right now. Mysterious is great however! It is a deep, dark olive colour with a creamy finish.

As I mentioned in my last NOTD post, I'm not crazily impressed by the Chanel formulation. Many high street brands can rival it, in my opinion, and the brush isn't particularly good. I would prefer to see a thicker brush, one which makes application easier and more even. Personally, I'd find it hard to splurge on nail products from Chanel in the future but I do think they're a nice gift as they have a luxe feel.

Overall, I am happy with this polish but mainly due to the fact that I adore the colour. What do you have on your nails? I would love to see!

2013 Favourites: Skincare.

L-R:

Origins Checks and Balances

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

I actually found it ridiculously difficult, narrowing my skincare favourites from 2013 down to only five products because above all else, I am a junkie in this category! It was also kind of hard not to include more products from Origins because I totally fell in love with the brand this year.

First up, we have Checks and Balances face wash by Origins. This is my choice of face wash every morning in the shower. A little goes a long way - you only need the tiniest amount of this to cleanse your entire face and it foams up beautifully. It feels like silk on the skin! It is great for combination skin. I don't find it causes tightness at all but yet, it doesn't exacerbate my already oily t-zone. It has a light menthol scent which I find so refreshing. I already have a back-up bottle of this purchased.

When it comes to removing make up, one cleanser stood out above all else for me and that is Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel. I love both oil and gel based make up removers and in my quest to find the perfect one, I have tried numerous, from No.7 to Botanics to REN. I have finally come to the conclusion that Clarins is the be all and end all. This gel is gentle on the skin, doesn't irritate my eyes and removes every scrap of make up, including stubborn mascara. I think I may be happy to put cleanser experimentation on hold for a while.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub is my scrub of choice for a number of reasons. Aside from its terrific exfoliating powers, it smells incredible! Overall I don't love the scent of Soap & Glory offerings but the Sugar Crush line has me obsessed! It is so fresh and tingly! Mmm! It is a thick, grainy scrub and because my skin can get quite dry, especially in the winter, it works really well for me. I don't find it harsh and thoroughly recommend it to anybody who wants super smooth legs! I use it a lot post-wax. 

Ah, need I say any more about Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask?! A mask I have talked a lot about on my blog already, I hope you're not getting bored! If your skin is dehydrated or dry, you need to try this. It is my wonder product! Nothing else makes my skin look and feel as good as this does. True adoration. There is my number one favourite of the year! 

Finally, something I imagine will be in a lot of skincare favourites - La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. I know some people use this as a moisturiser but my skin is slightly too dry for that. I use it underneath moisturiser as a treatment when my skin is not being on its best behaviour. I find that it really prevents break-outs. If I have a spot or two, I apply this to the area and it really helps to clear them up. This is my fifth tube. I tend to pick them up when La Roche Posay have a special offer at Boots! 

Notable mentions to Origins Nightamins night cream (which smells SO good!), Indeed Labs Hydraluron, L'Oreal Skin Perfection micellar water and Origins Modern Friction exfoliator.

Review: Revlon Photoready Cream Blush.

I fell in love with the Just Bitten Kissable lip stains by Revlon a while ago and so I decided to try out some more products from their range. I picked up the above two blushes from the Photoready line - Revlon Photoready Cream Blush, in the shades Flushed (left) and Coral Reef (right).

Firstly, to be a little fussy - I don't exactly love the packaging. The blushers come contained in plastic pots with plain black lids which have stickers attached in a haphazard manner. I know this shouldn't really matter but it does bug me as I like attention to detail and nice packaging draws me in. I think Revlon could have done better in this area. However, on a positive note, I think the colours are absolutely beautiful.

I have a lot of coral blushers already but probably none quite as bright as the one above. I bought Flushed (pink) to step out of my comfort zone, and I am pleasantly surprised. I have to say the consistency of these cream blushes is really nice. They blend so well on the skin and are perfectly buildable. You can have a natural looking flush, or you can build up the pigment to a more dramatic effect. 

I think these cream blushers are well worth investing in and I am happy to have them as part of my collection. In fact, I will probably pick up more at some stage. They are quite affordable at €11.20, and when I bought them in Boots, Revlon was on special offer - three for the price of two. (I bought another lip stain!). If anybody has any other Revlon recommendations, please leave them below!