Affordable Skincare Treats.

Now I like a bit of expensive skincare as much a the next girl, but sometimes you've just got to hand it to the affordable gems that are out there. Especially when they can give the big boys a run for their money.

If your budget can't quite stretch to the sometimes stratospheric prices of high end moisturiser, Organic Surge are definitely worth checking out. I've been road-testing their Blissful Daily Moisturiser* & the Overnight Sensation Night Cream* and I can safely say they do the job, and they do it well! I challenge you to find an organic cream under a tenner that does just as well as these beauties! 

Even after a good double cleanse (or when you want to do a quick eye make up change) I find having an oil based make up remover really handy to either shift those last bits or to remove make up quickly but gently. I used to religiously use a much more pricey version but since I discovered the Nivea Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover it has become a staple.  

Finally The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth Serum* is something that has subtly become a favourite, I kept finding myself reaching for it. At £22 it may be at the higher end of affordable but compared to your top end stuff, this is very purse friendly. Packed with good stuff for your skin and free in silicones & parabens it's a great one for those ingredient conscious girls. 

What are your purse friendly skincare favourites? 

xx

Love Me Beauty Box: January 2014.

In January's Love Me Beauty Box some treasures awaited! 

My box included: 

NYX Cosmetics Single Eyeshadow in Hot Orange. 

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil 

Anatomicals Rose & Jasmine Body Cleanser

Pureology Colour Stylist Silk Bodifier

Cosmetics a la Carte Divine Lash Mascara 

The Verdict?

Whilst orange eyeshadow isn't exactly my thing, I can forgive LMB as the rest of the box is a treat! 

The Cosmetics A La Carte Mascara is a dream, I've been using it everyday despite vowing to use all of my others up first (naughty). Similarly, the Anatomicals Rose & Jasmine Body Cleanser is like Turkish delight in the shower, so that has sneaked its way to the front of the queue too! I've always been a fan of Weleda so the Sea Buckthorn Oil was well received, it's patiently waiting to be used. As I have no real use for the Pureology Hair Bodifier, I've passed that over to my mother, it's apparently amazing!

Overall I'm a happy girl, well done LMB! 

xx

Glossybox Jan 2014: Back To Basics.

As we try our best to wade through the depressingly grey start to the new year, it only seems more important to take care of the basics, even if the temptation to crawl under a duvet with a packet of face wipes and dry shampoo is ever so great! 

Those clever sausages at Glossybox have put together a rescue kit to keep on top of the basics and banish the winter beauty slacker in all of us. 

My box includes: 

Yu-Be Moistursing Skin Cream (full size £13.50 for 33g)

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash (full size £10.25 for 250ml)

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers (full size £8.00)

Anatomicals Puffy the Eye Bag Slayer Wake Up Under Eye Patches (£6.00 for 3 pack)

Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Masque & Blemish Mud Masque (£1.09 per mask)

What's the Verdict?

I love the idea to get back to basics, and whilst nothing hit me between the eyes, I've actually found I've used most of this box up this month, which rarely happens! 

The Anatomicals Eye Patches were a novel thing to use, I can't vouch for their complete effectiveness but the gel patches were cooling and felt relaxing. Similarly the Montagne Jeunesse face masks are a great buy and I've bought a whole selection for an upcoming hen party, I'm sure they'll go down a treat!

I'm already happy with my tweezerman tweezers but this cute pair by the Vintage Cosmetic Company are a great emergency handbag pair! I love the Balance Me range so this cute mini body wash will be a great addition to my travel/gym shower gel stash!

I'm yet to try the Yu-Be Moisturiser as I already have so many on the go, but it smells lovely!

What did you get in your January Box? 

xx

Perfectly Iced: 12 Days of Blogmas 10.

If you've had enough of red talons, going all ice queen is a great alternative if you still crave a bit of festive sparkle. 

I'm a big fan of the Sinful Colors range as they're great for a cheap thrill without compromising on quality. 

I plumped for 101 Snow Me White & 923 Queen of Beauty. It's like glittering icicles on your fingernails! Neither colour are something I'd use often so £1.99 is perfectly priced for a whimsical polish. 

How are you painting your nails this Christmas? 

xx

Quick Fire Review, Lush Secret Santa: 12 Days of Blogmas 9.

It seems an age since the last quick fire Lush review, so what better than to put the ultimate Christmas bath bomb to the test! 

The Secret Santa bath bomb is a supersized burst of citrus festive joy. It's big enough to break into several doses (that would go towards justifying the eyewatering £5.75 price tag) but I went all in, it was a party in the tub! 

It creates a fizzy orange bath that feels like your bathing in Irn Bru, don't expect a moisturising potion though as it leaves you feeling a little dry. 

It's a good bit of festive fun but I'd definitely break it into pieces in the future. 

Available here.

xx

Lush Best Wishes: 12 Days of Blogmas 8.

If you want a touch of magic in your bath at Christmas, Lush is the place to go. The gift sets are always adorable and the Best Wishes box is no exception. 

It comes with three scrumptious treats: 

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Ballistic

Snowcake Soap

Golden Wonder Bath Ballistic 

Each treat makes for an extra special bath time, for you or a lucky friend! 

Find it HERE.

xx

Easy Mulled Apple Juice: 12 Days of Blogmas 7.

Mulled Apple Juice makes for a delicious, warming alternative to it's boozy cousin and is the perfect party drink for any festive gatherings you might have. 

You can always buy your spices (cloves, cinnamon and peel) separately, but I picked this ready to go pack of muslin bags from The National Trust range, they're the perfect foolproof kit if you're not sure on balance for your juice. 

Just plonk your juice into a saucepan (I used a 1L carton) and add your spices, simmer on a low heat for 10-15 minutes and you're done. It's that simple! 

I've jazzed things up a little by adding fresh peel & slices of orange and lemon, the cinnamon stick really is just for show. 

Leave to cool slightly and serve. Christmas is served!
 

xx