Tranquilty by NEOM.

I'm a firm believer in beauty sleep. You can slap every lotion/potion/acid/serum/concealer on your visage and still look rough around the edges if you're skimping on the zzz's. But, as the world seems to speed up by the minute I'm definitely guilty of finding it difficult to wind down in the evening. I've been working longer hours and finding less time to just relax in the evening so the NEOM Organics Tranquility Collection is a little miracle. 

NEOM have teamed up with the The Sleep Council for their 'Perfect Nights Sleep' range to promote the importance of good sleep...with a little help from the heady lavender notes of the Tranquillity range.  

You may have heard me raving about the delights Neom have to offer in the past but they deliver on every level. The brand ethics always kick things off to a flying start - all products are certified organic or natural, no nasties hiding in these beauties, not to mention the luxurious feel to everything they come up with. 

Like the hardened beauty blogger I am, I donned my pyjama's, lit my candle and let the lavender, jasmine and sweet basil fill my bedroom. If you're not a lavender fan I'd steer clear as it really is the overriding note to the scent but I find it incredibly soothing. I managed a quick bath and did the nessesary skin grooming before I popped into bed after spritzing my bed linen with the serenely scented pillow mist. 

Whether it is the tranquil scents or the added element of routine before hitting the hay, I really am enjoying this range. It's a thumbs up from me. 

Are you getting a good nights sleep? 

xx

Beauty Resolutions.

If you read a multitude of beauty blogs or watch a variety of beauty vloggers, you will undoubtedly be aware of the ever growing 'essential beauty rules that we all follow, to the letter, everyday, like the angelic beauty know it alls that we are' list. 

Well I, Laura of the Beauty Spark will confess, It's all to easy to slip from the self righteous seat we beauty bloggers sit on and preach from. 

So, here is my solemn promise to practise what I preach in the following areas. 

1. Cleaning those brushes. 

If you want a brush for it, I probably possess that brush. Buffing, blushing, lining, shading, slapping it on, blending it out. I'm your girl. But, cleansing them all is another story. Once weekly cleansing sessions all too often fall to the wayside when I'm trying to juggle lots of other things already. 

So, I'm going to try a new tactic. Instead of letting them build up into a 20-30 brush mega cleanse, little and often is the 'method du jour'. In reality, I'll use 3-4 brushes maximum to do my make up, so if I just give them a quick cleanse and rinse in the evening and leave them overnight, I'm golden. 

2. Routine is everything. 

Now this I am so much better at than I have ever been. I'm talking cleanse/tone/moisturise. Even when I'm tired. Cleansing wipes have been banned from the house. I think this is all down to using products that really work for me and I actually want to use at the end of the day. But there is always room for improvement. I can count on one hand the amount of times I've fallen asleep with a full face on in the last few months but I'd quite like this to be never, my skin will thank me for it. 

3. Haircuts. 

Dreaded haircuts. As my hair is fairly low maintenance, I regularly fall into the trap of not getting it cut as much as I should. If I told you I'm getting it cut tomorrow for the first time in six months, this would surely knock points of my BB credentials. I'm afraid it's the horrid truth. I plan to remedy this by booking in an appointment for next time straight away. 8 weekly trims will be my new smug routine! 

What are you beauty resolutions? 

xx

Skincare Additions/Re-Additions.

So, back story. My beloved Caudalie SOS Serum, Origins A Perfect World AND Vitazing pretty much bit the dust all within a week of eachother. It's the vicious skincare circle I always find myself in. 

Deciding to embrace my intrepid beauty blogger I took heed of Laura's advice, all in the name of research (forever fickle) and picked up the NUXE Serum Creme Fraiche de Beaute from the Escentual bargain french pharmacy sale. 

First impressions are more than favourable. I'm thoroughly throwing the product in at the deep. I'm currently battling with a post cold dehydrated mug, but it has stepped up to the plate, applies like a dream and leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated. 

Now, re-additions. This must be my third or forth pot of A Perfect World from Origins, It's been a long term staple and no other cream seems to cut it like this one does. But, I'm currently foxed. Without getting too autistic about a cream, It feels slightly different and It's thrown me off. The pot definitely feels like it has a cheaper lid (too rain man for you yet?) but more importantly the cream itself feels thicker, smells slightly different and just seems, well, reformulated. I can't find anything to back this up and it may just be me. To be investigated. 

What are your skincare staples? 

xx

Current Skincare Routine.

When it comes to skincare, I'm notoriously fickle. However, believe it or not, I think I've finally found a routine that not only works for me but has left me with no desire to chop and change.

Shall we begin? 

Morning. 

When it comes to my morning routine, I like to keep my skincare to a minimum. I cleanse with Simple Refreshing Facial Wash. It's not fancy or expensive, but it leaves me with fresh clean skin, what more could you ask for? I pop a 50p sized amount onto my Face Brush and cleanse for about 2 minutes, then rinse with cold water to get the blood flowing! 

I usually spritz my face with the Caudalie Beauty Elixir before applying a thin layer of Origins VitaZing, which I may or may not apply foundation over. 

Evening. 

In the evening, I like to spend more time on my skin as it gives products time to work overnight and I find taking time out to do my routine before I got to bed a good way to wind down. 

I've been using the NSpa Melting Cleansing Gel* for a few weeks now and it's become a firm favourite, It leaves my skin feeling super soft and moisturised but without leaving an oily residue. I then follow this up with a spritz of Monu Rosewood Reviving Mist* or Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I finish with my holy grail moisturiser Origins Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturiser with White Tea and then use the Nspa Eye & Lip Treatment.

Those Little Extras.

Although they don't feature in my daily routine, the following products play an essential part. 

If my skin is feeling a little thirsty, the NSpa Replenshing Moisture Mask* is a lifesaver, for the skin and the bank balance! 

I'm also a long time fan of both the Connock Wonderbalm* and Nourishing Hand Cream*. 

If I'm battling a breakout, Origins Super Spot Remover & Sudocrem* always give me a helping hand. 

Finally, the Caudalie SOS Serum is a wonderful addition to my skincare routine, but it's currently on order and my sample bit the dust, It really does make your skin feel amazing. 

What products do you rely on for beautiful skin? 

Laura xx

*Provided by PR for consideration.