bloomzy /

French Beauty & Skin Care Haul

Some French beauty products that I picked up on holiday

Whenever I go away on holiday I always spend about 90% of my money on gifts.
However this time after the fiancé kept pestering me to ‘treat [myself]’ I decided that for once I would.
I knew I wanted to buy a few French beauty products and luckily for me the well-known ones, which we also have at home, are slightly cheaper in France. Also they carry some brands that haven’t made it to the UK yet.
French pharmacies are amazing, and much better than British ones, in my opinion.
Even the smallest of pharmacies carry lots of well-known beauty brands, and their new products.
So I paid a quick visit to the pharmacy and spent a good 30mins trying to decided what I wanted to pick up.
I finally decided on a few things:
+ Avène Eau Thermale – Micellar Lotion (make-up remover)
+ Avène Eau Thermale – Eau Thermale (thermal water spray)
+ Evian Brumisateur (facial spray)
+ Caudalíe Eau de Raisin (grape water)
+ Belle à Croquer Rosée de Concombre – Sérum Plaisir des Yeux (Cucumber Eye Serum)
+ Avène Eau Thermale Crème Nutritive Compensatrice Riche (extremely rich compensating cream)
+ Avène Eau Thermale Micellar Lotion – Travel size
+ Avène Eau Thermale Lait Corporel Hydratant (moisturising body lotion)

As you can see I went a bit crazy with the facial sprays.
I’d been wanting to try out Evian’s for a while, and then I was drawn in by Avène’s & Caudalíe’s too.
I plan to try them all out and then do reviews, then later maybe do a comparison post featuring them all.
The Belle à Croquer Cucumber Eye Serum was a last minute item that sounded nice (I love the smell of cucumber, and I remember always putting cucumber on my eyes at sleepovers etc.), so I thought I’d give it a try.
I will try to review all the items as I use them, but feel free to let me know if there is one you’d like to see sooner than the others, and if there’s a general consensus I will put that one at the top of my list.
bloomzy /

Review: Naked Skin Face Wash

Naked Skin Bare Faced Cheek Softening Face Wash, with Rose Oil – For Sensitive Skin*

Naked is probably a brand you’ve all heard of, either for their hair or skin care.
Their products boost that they are 97% natural (the rest are preservatives etc.), with some of their products even being 99.5% natural. The main point being: their products do not include parabens, sulphates or petrochemicals. Naked are a brand known for their honesty as well as their products.
The Bare Faced Cheek Softening Face Wash uses rose oil which is extra soft on the skin, and has an amazing smell to it – I’m not kidding you, I can’t get enough of it! I was drawn to this as someone with sensitive, combination skin and I was not disappointed.
Pros:
+ Very gentle on the skin
+ Leaves my skin soft
+ Doesn’t dry out my skin
+ It’s a massive bottle.
+ Only £4.49!
Cons:
– Doesn’t combat spots specifically (on my skin)
Notes:
Ok, I felt like I was reaching a bit on the cons there.
Of course no one is going to expect a face wash to combat spots (unless it claims to) by itself, but I just couldn’t find anything else to be negative about…even then I’m not upset about it. This is my new favourite face wash! I can’t use regular soaps as they dry my skin out, and since this is made for sensitive skin I had no worries. I’ve been using this day and night, as part of my regular skin care regime and I’m very happy with the results. I also had to mention one last time just how much I adore the scent – so if you’re a fan of rose scented products you need to try this out.
Unfortunately it is currently sold out, but keep an eye out here.
You can also browse Naked’s other products here.
bloomzy /

Summer skin goodies

(Aloe Vera Lip Balm*, Tan Tablets*, Aloe Vera Wet Wipes*)
A few days ago some goodies turned up in the post for me.
I was quite intrigued as they all seemed to be centred around ‘Summer Skin’.
Honestly, at first I was a little dubious when I laid eyes on the ‘tan tablets.
The whole idea and concept just seems a bit odd and weird to me, but after reading up on them and finding out how they work I felt a bit better about the whole idea. They basically contain all the key vitamins that you need to achieve a deeper tan. Just remember that if you do buy these, you do still need to protect your skin against the sun – so don’t forget the sun cream! I may be tempted to try them, however with my fair skin and lack of tan (I’ve never tanned), I don’t think they’ll be much use. However if you can tan then these may be for you!
Luckily I have a friend who does tan and she has offered to try them out and write a small review for me!

As for the Aloe Vera lip balm and wipes – so happy!
I’m a bit of a lip balm hoarder and this one contains SPF15, so I will be taking this on my holiday in a couple of weeks when I head off to the sunny South of France. It will be perfect for moisturising my lips and keeping them safe in the sun. 
I think the wipes will also be quite handy to carry in my bag for removing my make-up or just freshening up.
These would also be great for anyone planning to head of to the festivals this Summer.
If you’re interested in any of the items you can purchase them from Holland and Barrett (online here).
bloomzy /

Review: Lush Colour Supplement

First off I’d like to excuse the state of my pot of Jackie Oats.
I was recently asked by some readers to review Lush’s colour supplement, after I mentioned it was one of my favourites in my ‘Basic Make-Up Must Haves‘ post. It is an item I use everyday, hence why mine looks very used. I’ll try to update the post with a nicer picture when I buy my next pot.
Lush’s Colour Supplements are an amazing addition to the natural beauty market.
I went into my local Lush store to try out their supplements, as I’m a fan of natural beauty products and the brand itself. The lovely staff lady helped me pick my shade. We tried out the pale pink and yellow shades, but they didn’t work out and eventually we settled on ‘Jackie Oats‘. Jackie Oats is the palest of the 5 shades that Lush currently offers, and is aimed at ‘English Rose’ complexions. As it is aimed at those with pale skin, it also includes sun block to help those with sensitive skin – it also includes aloe vera and oatmilk to help reduce redness, which is one thing I have found to be very effective.

Swatch

The great thing about Lush’s colour supplements is that you can use them in several different ways:
1. Straight out of the pot, as a foundation.
2. Dabbed onto the skin, as a concealer. 
3. Mixed with your favourite moisturiser, as a tinted moisturiser.

Notes:
Lush’s Jackie Oats is the first ‘foundation’ that has matched my skin tone enough that it isn’t visible.
By this I mean that it isn’t too dark or orange, and it blends well with my natural skin tone.
It covers any red marks I might have, and helps to even out my complexion. I usually pair it with Collection 2000 powder, as it holds it well. Since I started using Jackie Oats as a foundation people have been complimenting my complexion. Someone even said it was flawless a few days ago. 
I’m definitely sold!
You can find Lush’s Colour Supplements in-store and online, here.
bloomzy /

Review: Glossybox 1 Year Anniversary Box

Glossybox 1 Year Anniversary Box
This month saw Glossybox have their 1 year anniversary…birthday? 
I’m not sure which is more fitting, but they celebrated anyway and sent out a ‘special’ box.
I received:
+ Noble Isle – Summer Rising Bath & Shower
+ Lolita Lempicka – Eau de Parfum & Si Lolita
+ Apivita – Cucumber Express Beauty Masks
+ Osmo Berber Oil Hair Treatment
+ Eldora False Eyelashes
+ Glossybox Mirror & Balloon
What were my thoughts on the box?
Honestly I was underwhelmed. I’m sorry to say it.
I thought this was supposed to be a celebratory box, but it just seemed like any other.
I suppose the balloon and mirror added a little something extra, but it didn’t win me over.
I just bought myself a new mirror, which wasn’t cheap, so I have no use for this one unfortunately.
I always love perfume samples, so I was happy to receive a couple in this box.
I also liked the addition of the cucumber facial mask and hair treatment oil.
I already have a full bottle of Argan Oil which will easily last me, but it’s difficult to take when I travel. 
So that was very welcome.
As for the eyelashes, they’re not my style, but if they’re yours I’m selling them here.
And finally another shower gel?! There has been a shower gel in the last 3 boxes I’ve received – last month’s box even included a full size one. I’m not sure if the Glossybox team are worried about our hygiene now it’s getting hotter but really? Overall I was unimpressed, and felt that the 3 items I liked weren’t worth the money. As I’m moving back home now and also need to save up for the future I have cancelled my subscription.

However, if you would like to sign up to Glossybox, you can do so here.
Glossybox has also just hit the States! Sign up here.

UPDATE 1
After reading some of the comments on the Glossybox Facebook page about the perfume samples (some people were claiming that theirs were only half full) I decided to double check mine. Well mine weren’t half full…they’re only 1/3rd full!! Utterly ridiculous and very annoying. For samples that I could have received free from a perfume counter, I would at least expect them to be full in a box that I am paying good money for.
UPDATE 2
I want to thank Glossybox for replying to my email about my perfume problem.
They were kind enough to explain the situation to me:
“These are 08.ml samples in a 2.0ml container…these are the full samples we were provided.
It was due to them being that way that we provided two”

I understand Glossybox’s situation here, and I think it’s nice that they included two because they weren’t completely full. However I think the company were bad to send samples that are less full than those that you would receive free from a perfume counter, and I think Glossybox should not have included them – these are not the kind of samples I would expect to receive in a beauty box that includes ‘luxury product miniatures‘.
bloomzy /

Guest Post: Make your own body lotion

The lovely ‘Bokusouchi‘ has been kind enough to guest post for me whilst I am away.
She wanted to bring you all a DIY Beauty Tutorial, and after deliberation decided that she would show you one of her tried and tested favourites. Here is ‘How to make your own body lotion‘.

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What you’ll need:

1) Unrefined solid coconut oil (you can get this online or in a health food shop)
2) 1 ounce of beeswax (it normally comes in 1 ounce bars, I got 2 for £1 on ebay)
3) An essential oil of your choice (I went for sweet orange)
4) A medium sized pan
5) A sterilised pot/jar (I sterilised an old mayo jar)
6) Something to mix it with that you can throw away, like an old chopstick etc. 
If you don’t have that use the handle of a mental spoon/fork etc.

Boil your kettle. While your waiting, pop your beeswax into the jar and top it up with coconut oil, like so

Once your kettle has boiled pour the hot water into your pan and put the jar in. 
You want the water to be roughly half way up the jar. 
Make sure you put the ingredients into the jar before you put it into the pan, if not your jar will tip.
Put the heat on to about medium.

Keep it on the heat until it completely melts.
It will go a funny yellow colour but don’t worry that’s supposed to happen!
Then take it out (watch your fingers, it’s going to be hot!), it should look like this.
Now time to give it a stir and add your oil! You’ll only need a few drops, trust me.
…….and that’s you done!
If you find that it’s a bit too hard you can melt it down using the same method and add more coconut oil, too soft beeswax.

I loved this body lotion but prefer it as a night time one as it’s a bit heavier than the ones I’m used too. 
I’ve found it’s an AMAZING overnight foot treatment too, just load it on and pop some socks on. 
You’ll wake up with baby soft tootsies!
bloomzy /

Review: Miaflora Moroccan Argan Oil

Miaflora Moroccan Argan Oil
I had to do a review on this, because it is currently my favourite product for hair, although it can be used on skin too.
It’s a bit of a miracle cure for those with dry or frizzy hair – like me!
So what is Argan Oil?
It’s a cosmetic (in this case) oil made from the Argan tree, that is traditionally produced in Morocco.
It’s made from natural products and can be used to nourish and protect hair, skin and nails. 
It can be used on all skin-types and can be used to smooth hair out and give it extra nutrients and shine.

What the oil looks like in your hands.

How do you use it?
– You can apply it to nail cuticles
– You can add a few drops to your bath
– Or use it for rough/dry patches of skin, or as a body moisturiser.
– You can use it as a daily facial moisturiser, and it can be applied before make-up.
– Finally, my favourite use – you can apply it to dry/split ends (or all over to add shine) to add some life to dull hair.
What do I think of it?
I love it! I started using it on my hair, because no matter what I do or what products I use, it’s always dry.
It’s nothing to do with dying etc. (though that doesn’t help), my hair has just always been this way since I was little. It’s also very frizzy and it can be difficult to handle when it’s not straightened/styled (thanks to my dad who passed on his tight, coarse, curly hair), so I found Argan Oil to be a lifesaver. It calms my hair down, gives it some moisture and even de-frizzes it. This is my miracle hair product!

As for using it on skin, well I haven’t tried it yet.
Some people have said it works wonders, whilst others have said it has made their skin worse.
I easily come out in blemishes so I probably won’t use it on my face, but I have started using it on dry patches of skin. 

You can purchase Miaflora Argan Oil here.
Disclaimer: This item was sent to me by the lovely people at Pegasus PR, in my big pink box (see here). However I am not required to review these products and have chosen to do so myself. All views represented in this post are my own.