Introducing Soaper Duper

Soaper Duper has recently launched at Liberty and I was lucky enough to go to the launch event where I had lots of fun and bubbles.  Soaper Duper which is described as follows:

With a passion for soap that could move mountains, Soaper Duper are unconditionally dedicated to creating bath and body products that tick all the boxes. Luxurious, fragrant and ecologically friendly, each innovative concoction is created with a blend of the finest naturally derived products, capturing the essence of modern living in a gloriously guilt-free fashion, all the way down to its packaging.

Now the packaging is very snazzy and has been designed by none other than industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, whom you might know has designed some packaging for Kiko Milano makeup with the snazzy gold packaging!  Curvacious, easy to grip and bright green, the bottles of body wash and hand wash stand out.

The range which states it is uses 90% natually sourced ingredients, uses no animal by-products or damaging chemicals, it instead uses recycled plastic for the bottles. Also, using plant dervived formulas you will find no nasties lurking.  So with all this green goodness are the products any good?  Well actually yes, they are Soaper Duper as the name suggests.

With 8 products currently within the range, I have the three pictured above. The Fruity Green Tuberose Body Wash features Natural soap bark, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera Juice, Coconut Water, lemon, pineapple, and grape alpha hydroxy acids. it foams into a lather, but contains no SLS, it smells just absolutely incredible, like something I would quite happily drink rather than wash with. Kind to the skin, it leaves it feeling just amazingly soft, smooth and incredibly moisturied and it costs just £7.50 for a 500ml bottle.

The Zesty Lemon Body Lotion uses sweet Almond Oil, Lime Butter, meadowfoam seed oil, borage oil, kukui oil, cotton seed oil, peach oil, lemon butter, vitamin E, aloe vera, and shea butter. A lovely thick luxurious cream which is as you can imagine incredibly fruity smelling and just an absolute pleasure to use. On the skin it begins to absorb incredibly quickly and it leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and just smelling so so good.  This tube contains 250ml and is priced at £8.50.

The final product, and something I can never have too much of, is the Zesty Lemon Handcream. Packed full of amazing ingredients such as shea butter, macadamia oil, cotton seed oil, baobab oil, peach kernel oil, camelina oil, wheat germ oil, orange, aloe vera, green coconut water and kukui oil.  To me, it smells so different from the body lotion but is equally amazing. Again it softens, soothes and moisturises those hands and elbows (a great place for left over cream) and is a bargain at £6 for 100ml.

Currently available from Liberty, Soaper Duper was creatived by the fabulous Marcia Kilgore whose name you might be more familar with from the likes of Bliss and Soap & Glory this is a range that is fun, green, fruity and gives back. Soaper Duper supports both WATERAID™ and CLEAN THE WORLD™ which you can read more about right here.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Learning to Flat Lay with Burt's Bees

I am a huge fan of Burt's Bees and the story behind the brand, so when I got the chance to go along to a masterclass with Burt's bees and food stylist and Chef Anna Jones for a flat lay masterclass, I was really quite excited. One aspect of blogging that I know I need to work on is my photography, sometimes I wing it and hope for the best, sometimes I can spend hours just getting one shot I am happy with and other times, I just go for the easiest shot available to me without experimenting.

We all know that bloggers do love their flat lays and some do it so amazingly well I am green with envy, so the chance to be given hint and tips was something I looked forward too and enjoyed. Designed to give the present a chance to experiment, we learnt about fresh ingredients that go into making the Burt's Bees lip balms and it was those ingredients that we were to use to create that flatly. Being taught that textures and shapes can give a photo that little something extra, Anna told me not to be afraid to mix colours and textures and that there is no right or wrong way. Start with what you think will show off the centrepiece and then add or remove other items until you are happy and take photos as you go along so you can see how the photo takes its shape.

Using one of my favourite Burt's Bees lip balms as inspiration - Blueberry and chocolate, I chose a few textures and patterns and then chose the items that I felt would work and this is my end result:

Along with the table of food and getting to meet Anna we were gifted with an amazing box of all the current Burt's Bees lips balms which included a video about the brand which is just such an education in itself. I love the philosophy:

Your skin is beautifully alive. It’s a living, breathing thing—your body’s largest, loveliest organ—and when it’s healthy, it shows. Just as the right mix of foods from the earth nourish your body, the right mix of ingredients from the earth help nourish your skin, giving it a fresh vitality that comes from balance.

If you have never tried anything from Burt's Bees then you need too, it is an amazing brand and though Burt Shavitz himself sadly died last year, his memory lives on.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Joan Collins: Timeless Beauty

Timeless Beauty is the moniker given to a range of makeup, beauty and fragrance products from Dame Joan Collins and coming from the lady herself:

“Beauty is not just for the young. I believe with a little care and attention any woman can look good through her 40s, 50’s, 70’s and beyond.”

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty is a new international luxury beauty brand, created by one of the most glamorous icons of our time. It aims not just to inspire women, but to provide them with the tools to feel and be beautiful at any age. The collection features some beautiful products any one could own from nail polishes, eyeshadow quads, palettes and lipsticks alongside skincare, fragrance and accessories. 

Today, I am sharing what’s new in from Joan Collins Beauty.

I AM WOMAN Dry Oil Body Polish £18 - With a blend of mineral rich Himalayan Salts, Avocado, Olive and Jojoba oils and Kiwi seeds.which have some amazing properties such as:

• Kiwi seeds contain several skin friendly nutrients such as vitamin C, E and antioxidants which are essential for boosting and rejuvenating your skin’s health. 
• Himalayan Salts have high mineral content and helps to draw out toxins within the body 
• Avocado Oil - Has a high vitamin E content and helps to soothe the skin, prevents inflammation and itchiness, anti-ageing, UV protection. One of the most important avocado benefits for skin is its ability to soothe dry and itchy skin. The oil is easily absorbed by the skin and can act as an excellent moisturizer. 
• Olive oil is packed with anti-aging antioxidants and hydrating squalene, making it superb for hair, skin, and nail an antioxidant. It is also rich in vitamin E and A and helps prolong youth, hydrates the skin, maintains its elasticity and softness. 
• Jojoba Oil is a great nourishing oil which has a composition similar to the skins own oils. It contains myristic acid which also has anti-inflammatory action, it acts as an emulsifier with the skin's natural sebum and gently unclogs the pores and lifts grime and embedded impurities and an excellent moisturiser and ideal for all skin types.

This scrub does a fantastic job at leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch. Perfect for removing dead and dry skin cells, this body polish is a really lovely treat and a perfect addition to your pampering session.

TEN EFFECTS Skin Treat & Makeup Fixer £20 is designed to revive and rejuvenate skin whilst keeping make-up in place. I always used a setting spray or powder having applied my make up, even as the weather turns cool because I have combination skin with an oily t-zone and my make up can often just disappear part way through the day.  But Ten Effects is more than just a makeup setting spray because as well as working to keep your make up in place, it also has ten skin benefits (hence the name).  From one spritz these products is said to minimise your pores, hydrate and firm your skin, refine your wrinkles, improve the tone of your skin, add a pH Balancing Layer, soften and calm any redness, lock your makeup in place and cool your skin!

The product contains a blend of seven natural ingredients which are organic rose water, Pomegranate, Comfrey, Mango, Hyaluronic acid, Glycerine, Vitamin E and red algae gel all of which work together to rejuvenate, calm, soothe and hydrate.

With a pump action bottle, one spritz is enough to cover your entire face without leaving it soaking wet, a delicate rose fragrance is the first thing you smell and since using this, I found it to be really hydrating on my skin and it doesn't smudge or budge your freshly made up face but does help to keep everything firmly in place for most of the day. I love that I can spritz this when I also feel like a splash of hydration in an afternoon, especially if I am feeling that midday slug.

I have been impressed with both of these products and they are a lovely edition and a delight to use. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Zadig & Voltaire Fragrances

It is a rare occasion that I smell a fragrance and it wows me immediately, infact it is highly likely that the scent in question might take a good 2-3 weeks before I decide that I even like it. This is not the case with Zadig & Voltaire, it did wow me from the very first spritz and I just absolutely, utterly and without question adore it.

You may have come across the Zadig & Voltaire brand within the world of fashion. With items which are edgy and chic they have a handbag and shoe collection to die for, they are slightly out of my budget, but a girl can dream and for now (and perhaps forever) I am more than delighted with my fragrance.

With a fragrance for both male and female they have a few notes in common but smells incredibly different but just simply stunning. 

THIS IS HER! The female fragrance is described as being sensual, free and jauntily. The woody, floral and gourmand This is Her, signed by perfumer duo Sidonie Lancesseur and Michel Almairac, contains notes of pink pepper, Sambac jasmine, milky chestnut cream, vanilla and sandalwood. As a scent it is cosy, it is sweet, it is indulgent and most definitely unique. I love that it smells so totally different to anything else I currently own or have tried and on the skin it starts out being quite floral until the fragrance settles and is mixed with vanilla and sandalwood it becomes just beautiful and I cannot get enough of it.  Impressively it is one of those scents which lasts all day without the need to re-apply and it can still be smelt the following day if it is applied to clothing.  

This is her comes available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml bottles and is priced between £50 and £75 which is an absolute bargain and for me, this is a scent which will forever remain within my collection.

THIS IS HIM! is described as being manly, wild and free. It is made of grapefruit aroma, black pepper, incense, milky sandalwood and vanilla. Upon opening there is an initial grapefruit blast which is fresh and invigorating and it soon fades into quite a sharp vanilla scent which when mixed with the incense it wows. Once the smokiness of the incense and black pepper settles on the skin the note of Sandalwood comes into its own and it is just a fantastic scent. Once the mister spritzes himself with it, no matter which room he is in, I can smell it and it is just truly divine and again, it is long lasting and the strong scent does last all day. 

Once he comes home from work some 9 hours after leaving the house, I can still smell This is Him quite clearly. This is her comes available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml bottles and is priced between £35 and £60 which is an absolute bargain and for me, this is a scent which will forever remain within my collection.

This is Her denotes the female version and it arrives in an all white box which is as plain as a box can be when featuring just the brand name, some may call it chic. The bottle inside is very edgy with clean lines and a rough edge which stands out to attract your attention, it is only when you investigate the male fragrance do you realise that the bottles fit together, almost as if they should be one.

If you haven't guessed already, I am besotted with these fragrances and wear This Is Her pretty much everyday I love it that much. It is the perfect gift for anyone who loves fragrance and likes something that little bit different because this is exactly what you get.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Liz Earle Superskin™ Dry Oil for Body

The Liz Earle Superskin™ Dry Oil for Body is one of the latest launches and is a product I have had now for a few months. I have said many times that when it comes to moisturising, I am pretty rubbish at remembering to use body butters and creams but give me something in a spray that absorbs quickly without me having to stand around waiting for it to dry or sink in, I want it - well we have a winner!

This Dry Oil is described as being 'Formulated with their Superskin™ botanical blend of cranberry, rosehip and borage seed oils to instantly smooth, nourish and revitalise skin. This lightweight dry oil delivers an irresistible ritual that will leave you divinely scented and silky soft' and with the key ingredients being Cranberry seed oil which has the nourishing Omegas 3,6 and 9 making it super moistursiing, Borage Oil which is one of the richest sources of the essential fatty acid GLA (gamma linolenic acid), which helps to lock moisture onto the skin and Rosehip Oil, which I absolutely love, is a good source of essential fatty acids which help lock moisture onto the skin.

This new body formula is a spray and be applied directly onto skin. Housed inside a stunning glass bottle, the pump when pressed dispenses a fine mist which doesn't soak you through, but there is enough to massage onto and into the skin. One spritz does distrbute a large amount of oil, so be care how many times you need to press it. Once on the body, you smooth in using large circular movements in an upwards direction and as it is a dry oil, it is fast-absorbing so you don’t have to hang around for half an hour waiting for it to sink in, you simply spray, massage and get dressed.

At £35 for 100ml, I actually this it is amazing value for money and because it is so easy to use, it is a spray and it leaves my skin feeling and smelling just incredible, I am all ready to purchase a second bottle.  You can find this product in stores such as John Lewis, QVC, Liz Earle Flagship stores and Boots.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Eye creams for Winter!

Tired eyes are not the best look when you have that presentation of your career to give, that appraisal at work where you are hoping for a pay rise or promotion or even for date night with the hubby/boyfriend and so on.  There are times when no matte how much concealer you slap on, those suitcases under your eyes just will not go into hiding. It might not even be a lack of sleep that could be the issue, indeed for me, it is often dry eyes or even dehydrated skin under my eyes that is an issue.  In the winter, I always ensure I up my skincare regime and that includes more moisture, more protection, I continue to use an SPF, I exfoliate more and I also power through facial mists in an bid to ensure my skin remains moisturised as I go from a heated home or office out into the cold.

Eye-creams are for me, a big part of my skincare routine and whilst I am currently obsessed with eye masks (that is another post) I do use an eye cream and the two that I am currently using are:

Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado £20.  Now I love Avocados and I love Kiehls, so a combination of the two is quite possibly dreamy. The texture of the cream is really lovely. It is rich, thick, luxurious and incredibly hydrating and soothing. You only need a really small amount for the under eye area. 

I use my index finger to gently apply and pat the cream in. Having said it is rich and thick textured, if you find it is quite solidified, then run your finger across the top of the pot, it melts with the heat from your fingers to allow you to apply it.  Once applied to the skin, it feels incredibly smooth and it is hydrating and I have really enjoyed trying it and wouldn't rule out a repurchase.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Sync Complex II £40 (I have the mini version) - I absolutely love that this sample is an exact replica of the full sized version making it uber cute. The gel creme has a formula which is rich, luxurious and just disappears into the skin. Said to maximize the power of night to re-ignite the vital, youthful-looking light that can fade due to fatigue, pollution and age. Using the advanced formula with the exclusive ChronoluxCB technology, it helps significantly inhibit the appearance of visible damage: fine lines, crow's feet, dark circles, puffiness, dryness and uneven texture. 

What I love about this eye cream is how luxurious it feels on the skin and it is one of those products that just absorbs on contact so there is no need to really pat the under eye area too much.

Alongside Kiehls and Estee Lauder, I have my eye (no pun intended) on other creams that have had really good reviews.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue £40 - I have read so many reviews and comments on Charlotte Tilbury skincare that I am itching to give it a try.  One item that has caught my attention is the Magic Eye rescue. Said to be a new formula which will help to reduce the appearance of eye bags and dark circles, smooth crow`s feet, minimise fine lines and re-energise the delicate under eye area where the first signs of ageing often occur. This miracle Magic Eye Rescue is described as being 'a revitalising and reinvigorating, anti-ageing rescue remedy that gets to work to slow down the ticking time bomb of ageing'. Which sounds too good to be true but one I feel I have to try.

La Prairie Essence Of Skin Caviar Eye Complex 15ml (£107) - I have always been intrigued by La Prairie because firstly the price is usually a wow factor and secondly do you really get value for money?  The La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar eye complex caviar extract is described as being the perfect pick-me-up for the sensitive skin surrounding your eyes, this lightweight, rapidly penetrating gel acts like a mini eyelift. Add to that it is said to be instantly firming, nourishing and re-energizing the eye zone, it also improves its tone and texture, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles while brightening and hydrating the delicate tissue and soothing away signs of stress and fatigue. One thing that did grab my attention is that is also claims to help increase the staying power of eye makeup.

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Serum Light-Pearl 20ml (£46) - Lancome is a brand that is everywhere right now, whether it is with its skincare products or cushion makeup products and as a brand, it is one which has caught my attention.  This Eye serum is said to be a new and improved formula for our best-selling eye serum. Reduces the appearance of eye bags, whilst targeting the look of wrinkles and lines around the skin of your eye contour to look fresher and younger. This cooling serum massages the eye area to revive your eyes` youthful and radiant appearance.

Benefit Firm It Up Eye Serum (£28.50). Firm it up! eye serum helps to visibly tighten & brighten the delicate skin around your eyes. The lightweight texture absorbs in seconds, leaving skin feeling refreshed, smooth and silky-soft. Feel the firmness, see the brightness. Having seen a preview of this at a Benefit Press Day I cannot wait to give it a try. One thing people tend not to think about when it comes to Benefit is their skincare which happens to be pretty darn good!

Do you find that you up your skincare routine in the winter?

*this post contains PR samples/affiliate links unless indicated otherwise

Makeup for Halloween with Superdrug

Halloween is a time of year that I wish we celebrated like they do in America. A friend of mine is heading to Salem for the event and I am inanely jealous.  That said, here in the UK some of us do make more of an effort than we used too and if you look hard enough there are events happening where you live.

Once you have chosen your outfit, next comes the makeup and Superdrug also have an amazing range from across the brands sold in store and one stand out brand right now is Freedom, the sister brand of Make Up Revolution.

Freedom Pro Black Swan Makeup kit is an absolute bargain at £8 and it is also on a 3 for 2 offer. Comprising of a White Foundation, a Black Gel Eyeliner, a White Liquid Eyeliner, a Quad Eyeshadow and a Black Liquid Lipstick. 

Designed to allow you to create the perfect Black Swan look, you have everything you need in one kit and you can find it here.

This is such a fantastic kit and the black liquid lipstick is just stunning. Of course you might feel the need to add to your make up and items such as these, which are all again on a 3 for 2 offer might just capture your attention.

Freedom Pro SFX Fake Blood again is on a 3 for 2 offer and is just £2. A Halloween must, this tube of liquid fake blood is designed to give a realistic splash or smear of blood to add some horror to any outfit. Available right here.

Freedom Pro SFX Ghost Whitener and as before, it is on a 3 for 2 offer and is priced at £3. An easy to use pure white liquid foundation that blends well to ensure a high coverage pure white finish ideal for the perfect base to the rest of your makeup. Available right here.

Aside from Freedom, Superdrug have their own brands and I have three other products right here to complete your Halloween look

Superdrug Colour Hairspray Black: Designed to be a spray in and wash out product, this black hairspray gives an instant hit of colour. Available in a wide array of colours such as blue and red, it adds that finishing touch to your look and a bit of fun.  Priced at £2.99 it is also on a 3 for 2 deal and available right here.

Lash Halloween are a limited edition pair of Halloween eyelashes which add dramatic length and volume.  Suitable for those who wear contact lenses, they are also cruelty free and are exclusive to Superdrug.

Gosh Giant Pro Eyeliner: From the AW16 Copenhagen range (see my post here) this Giant Pro Eyeliner is an intense black colour and pointed nib make it incredibly easy to apply either a thin or stronger line with accuracy, it is water based so incredibly easy to remove and is easy to hold. Priced at just £6.99 it is brilliant value for money.

So now you have found everything you need for Halloween to create that scary look! 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Gatineau Discovery Collection

Gatineau is a skincare brand that I know very little about, other than it is French of course and to date I have never used it, until the chance to try it came my way. The Discovery Collection is currently on offer at Marks and Spencers for just £20 and for that money you get a 6 piece collection, worth £107. Not only is this the perfect way for someone new to Gatineau to experience the benefits of premium Parisian skincare but if you happen to be a Gatineau fan, then this is one to snap up.

The products in the box are perfect travel size items, perfectly designed for long weekends away, a holiday or just because you want to try them. I am going off to Paris next months to Disneyland and what better a brand to take with me and try. 

Within this collection you will find a handpicked selection of Gatineau's best-loved products wit everything you need to restore a smooth, radiant and youthful complexion and they come packaged so beautifully within this box that it would make an amazing Christmas gift too, so grab it quick - HERE.

Within the box you will find the following:

• Gentle eye make-up remover 50ml: Using extracts of cucumber, green tea & aloe vera, this eye makeup remover is not only lightweight, it is described as being wonderfully cooling and refreshing as it gently removes the remnants of the day and all traces of water-proof eye make-up. 
• Melatogenine cleanser 50ml: This is a triple-action formula refreshing cleansing cream which is an anti-ageing cleanser, toner and micro-exfoliator in one. This soap-free solution removes all traces of make-up. The youth activating molecule, Mélatogénine, encourages cellular renewal. With a rich and velvety texture, this cleanser nourishes the skin with added anti-oxidants and sweet almond oil to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed and with fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced.
• Radiance enhancing gommage 15ml: Said to be perfect for sensitive skin, this mild enzymatic exfoliant is packed with fruit enzymes which remove dead cells for a radiant and energised complexion. Free from grains and beads, this gel formula is so gentle it can even be used around the eyes. It is enriched with vitamin C and helps to boost skin's natural defence. Radiance and luminosity are immediately increased and the complexion is brightened and toned.
• Melatogenine futur plus anti-wrinkle radiance mask 15ml:  Described as being a powerful anti-ageing mask designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the signs of fatigue and leave skin youthfully radiant. It is luxuriously rich and creamy packed with Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to instantly transform the skin.
• Melatogenine AOX Advanced Rejuvenating Cream 15ml: Gatineau state that this is their most powerful anti-wrinkle formula within a luxurious rich cream and it is designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles brighten the complexion and eliminate signs of fatigue.
• Age Benefit Integral Regenerating Cream 30ml: this cream fights all signs of advanced ageing whilst providing skin with essential moisture. Using Artichoke leaf and hibiscus extracts smooth lines and wrinkles whilst calcium extracts strengthen thinning skin. Restorative and nourishing, this rich and creamy moisturiser tackles fine lines and wrinkles, skin slackening, pigmentation and brown spots. Complete anti-ageing, in one simple step.

This is one amazing kit with great sized products and again it is just £20 for £107 worth of products and basically you just need one!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Sainsbury's Boutique Make Up Collection

I love discovering new make up brands and I love that you can walk in Boots, Superdrug and even your local supermarket and leave with a basketful of makeup products you might not have ever used before.

Sainsbury’s Boutique collection has everything you could ever want. Sainsbury's themselves state that "Boutique is set to transform the way women shop for their make-up bag essentials" and within the range you will find everything you need from nail polishes, lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeshadows to accessories, all of which Boutique has been created, trialled and had rigorously tested by a collective of professional make-up artists.

Each products comes packaged in sleek black matte packaging, finished with the Sainsbury’s Boutique wording which is also the logo. I have very kindly been sent a few products from the range to try out and I have been left feeling really impressed with what I have.

The way to my heart right now is lipsticks (and cake, do not forget the cake) I am obsessed with them and have an ever growing collection.  The Boutique range is a delight to use and In The Buff is a beautiful nude shade which gives amazing colour pay off and wouldn't usually be a shade I would go for, but I actually really like it and it works well alongside the lip pencil Chinese Whispers which is a creamy nude and perfect for outlining the lips. The second lipstick is called Lip In the Bud and it a pink which is really pretty and not too pink that I find it hard to wear.  Both lipsticks are priced at £7 and the lop pencil is £2

One item I tend to wear much less than anything else is lipgloss, I really don't anything that is sticky or tacky but I was surprised to find that the two offerings from Boutique are neither of those.  Lip Lip Hooray is a soft peach shade which give exceptional coverage, good enough to be worn alone or on top of Lip In The Bud. Dusk Till Dawn is my favourite of the two and the one I have worn a lot of recently. Again it is perfect to be worn on its own and is creamy and not at all drying and as a shade it is a deep plum rose and I adore it.  Both lipglosses are priced at £6.

The final item is a cream blush in shade C'est La Vie (£6) which is a beautiful shade of pink, possibly too pink for my complexion but it is stunning and very pigmented.  As it is a cream blush it blends really easily and is perfect to give a pop of colour on the apples of your cheeks.

I am really impressed with Boutique and it is definitely a brand to be on the look out for in your local store, the pricing is pretty impressive and the colour pay off on each item is superb.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise