LANEIGE Pink Lemonade Lip Sleeping Mask

Taking Instagram by storm right now are the Laneige Lip Masks and I have absolutely joined in with the hype with the Pink Lemonade Lip Sleeping Mask (£22).

The final part of my evening skincare routine, now involves applying this mask and the reason I bought it because several influencer friends said it is an absolute life saver if you suffer with dry lips, something I have had an issue with for the past few years and whilst during the daytime I can re-apply balms and creams as often as I feel the need, I felt I needed something else at night.

The Laneige Pink Lemonade Lip Sleeping Mask is described as being an ultra-nourishing formula that encourages soft, luscious lips. Arriving in a mouth-watering Pink Lemonade flavour, the lip mask plumps the lips with intense moisture, helping to minimise roughness and cracking due to dryness. If you have never come across the brand Laneige before, they are renowned for their rich understanding of H2O and have, over the last 25 years spent time delving deep into the depths of water science, dreaming up its very own 'Advanced Water Complexes' and creating products to target concerns such as dryness and excess oil, the idea is to bring your skin back to a state of equilibrium

This mask is designed to cloak the lips with innovative Moisture Wrap™ technology and it is infused with minerals and hyaluronic acid. When used, it forms a protective film over the lips to help deliver hydration and lock in active ingredients which includes:

• Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that retains moisture to hydrate the skin
• Shea Butter: A moisturising nut butter that possesses emollient properties

Then there is a Berry Mix Complex™ of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry and blueberry extracts that offers antioxidant protection, as shea butter helps to soften and condition lips.

To use, you simply apply the mask before bedtime to help replenish the lips as you sleep and the mask comes complete with it's very own cute little applicator. 

Priced around £22 , the Laneige Lip Sleep Mask is also available in other varieties such as Vanilla and Gummy Bear.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aldi Lacura launches Laneige Dupe range

Aldi are well known for their dupes and over recent months I have featured quite a few of the from a Miracle Cream which is an Elizabeth Arden Dupe to a Collagen Serum which has been likened to Pixi.  Just recently, Aldi has expanded its Lacura range even further to include dupes of a K-beauty brand you might know called Glow Recipe, annoyingly I didn't manage to get my hands on, but just this week there is another addition to that K-Beauty line-up and it  could be said they are dupes for the much loved Laneige brand! 

Aldi's Lacura brand has introduced two new products, which I have got to share with you.  The first is the Dewy Lip Balm range following on with a H2O Sleep Mask!

Firstly we have the Dewy Lip balm, which is available in three varieties - Berry, Pear and Grapefruit, Laneige for reference have their Lip Balms in berry, grapefruit and peach flavours. Like many of you, I have an obsession with lip balm, always have had and perhaps more so because a lip balm doesn't smear all over my face under a facemask.

These balms are said to give your lips a moisturising and nourishing coating whilst Aldi claim they leave a hint of colour, what I have found so far, from the Pear and Grapefruit selection I have, is that they don't leave any hint or trace of colour on the lips at all.

Impressively, the list of ingredients within these balms states that there is a combination of shea butter, coffee seed oil and aloe leaf extract which together work on to provide that moisture-boost and they can be worn on bare lips or over make up. 

The formula is fairly thick but it isn't sticky nor is it tacky when applied, what there is however is a delightful scent of either Pear or Grapefruit.

The Lacura Dewy Lip Balm, which costs £14 less than Laneige’s version at just £1.99 and they are definitely worth picking up if you come across them!

The second product within the Aldi Lacura Laneige Dupe range is a product that you use to complete your evening skincare routine - the Aldi Lacura H2Overnight Face Sleeping Mask. This cream, which comes with its own spatula for application is really lightweight and is said to hydrate and condition the skin with its fast-absorbing gel texture.  On the skin, I love how cooling and soothing the cream feels when applied and again, it is neither sticky or tacky.

It uses a combination of Aloe Vera Leaf Juice which helps to hydrate the skin, Rosa Centifolia which has astringent, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties whilst Sodium Hyaluronate helps to keep the skin moisturised and together the ingredients come together to hydrate and condition overnight to help improve the appearance of tired-looking skin.   Aldi recommend using this overnight mask once or twice a week depending on your personal preference and obviously how dry and dehydrated you feel your skin might be.  It is priced at just £4.99 and as far as I am concerned an absolute bargain and well worth trying!

As with all Aldi Lacura products, these all tick the cruelty-free box!  I would love to know what you think to them!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

ARK Skincare Plumping Lip Cream

I am one of those people who is always applying lip balm, part habit (a good one) and part I don't want my lips to look or feel dry because it isn't a good look. If you think about it, your lips do so many things be it eating, talking, kissing and so on.  One of the first things people look at when you meet them is your face and there is nothing worse than having dry flaking lips -  as someone who suffers with coldsores, having dry lips is just not nice.  So I do everything I can to prevent this - scrub, balm etc...the newest addition comes from ARK Skincare with the Plumping Lip Cream.

Ark Skincare is no stranger to my blog, in recent years I have featured them a few times, the last product being the Age Defend Regenerating Night Treatment. If you haven' come across ARK Skincare before, their formulations are split into three age intelligent families within the range; the first is age protect which is for teens & 20s; then we have age defend which is for those in their 30s & 40s and finally we have age defy which is for those who are over 50. These ranges are supported by skin perfectors which are highly effective treatment products to target any specific skin concerns, and skin essentials which are chosen according to lifestyle.

The Plumping Lip Cream, which is packaged inside a glass bottle, helpfully features a a pump applicator, is described as being an intensive treatment cream that hydrates, firms and protects the entire lip area for smoother lips with reduced vertical lines.  I am at the age where the lines are going to appear any day now, so anything that helps is a bonus. 

The Cream, which is enriched with clinically proven plumping Peptides which visibly increase lip volume through intense hydration, Macadamia Lipids which help to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic, promoting softness and preventing dryness and Allantoin which works to deeply moisturise and soothe sensitive lips. 

The cream itself is a fairly thick texture, so you need the smallest amount to cover both lips. You can use it as a primer which is great before applying lipstick, especially if your lips are feeling dehydrated.  For a more intensive treatment, this lip cream can be applied to your lips before bed and left to work its magic overnight.

As well as using on the lips, you can also use it around the lips too, this is something I do as my last skincare action before bed. I have always applied a balm of sorts to my lips. I just swapped a balm for this cream.

What I love about this cream is just how easy it is to apply. It isn't sticky, tacky or greasy, once applied you don't even know it is there, which for a fairly thick textured cream is really quite good. I can't currently say whether or not it lives up to its claims on fine lines around the mouth as I don't have any, but on the lips, it does an incredible job at moisturising and hydrating the skin on my lips.

You can find this Plumping Lip Cream via ARK, Feelunique* or Lookfantastic and it is priced at £32.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

ByBi | Natural Skincare - Buffer and Plumper for the Lips

BYBI Beauty, which stands for By Beauty Insiders is a 100% natural skincare from the founders of Clean Beauty Co and not only are they Cruelty-free and vegan but they are also microbead-free too. Having tried a few products from the range already (review here), I have also been lucky enough to try two lip products, which happen to be pretty fantastic too.

Buffer and Plumper come together as such a great little kit, enclosed inside a linen bag and priced at £16, they are described as follows:

Let your lips do the talking with the BYBI Lip Kit - the adorable duo Buffer lip scrub and Plumper lip balm, packaged up in an exclusive BYBI pucker pouch. If that don't say I love you, then we don't know what does.

I am one of those people who exfoliates their lips a few times a week to ensure they are as smooth as can be and I am also a lip balm addict too.

Buffer is described as being ideal for lips that suffer from severe dehydration and with the constant change in weather, I find my lips need as much protection from the elements as the rest of my face.

This scrub uses sugar and strawberry extract which work to slough away dead, dry skin and as it does so, you can really feel the small particles work their magic. It isn't overly abrasive but with a little bit of pressure, it can help to loosen and then remove those stubborn bits of dry skin. Adding to those ingredients is Sweet Almond Oil which helps to restore moisture as well as priming the lips ready for the application of balms, glosses and lipsticks. Finally, there is the addition of Cinnamon works to perk up the lips.

Having buffed the lips it is time to add some balm and I love that these two products work so well together.  Plumper is described as being a balm which is not only a hydrating lip balm but one which both restores and protects, whilst adding a touch of plump and shine.

Using Peppermint and Blood Orange essential oils which come together and work to stimulate circulation in the lips. The first thing you notice when squeezing some of this out of the tube is the peppermint scent, as it is applied, the lips feel instantly cool. There is also the addition of Shea Butter and Grape Seed Oil which together seal in moisture and add a smooth, subtle gloss.

Together this duo are the perfect combination to look after and condition your lips and because the tubes are 10ml, they are perfect to having in your bag, taking on holiday and having on the bedside table.  You can find them and the rest of the ByBi range right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Argan+ Moroccan Rose Mini Treats Gift Set

If you are still looking for those last minute gifts, today I am sharing the lovely Argan+ Moroccan Rose Mini Treats gift set which contains four products and costs less than £10. 

The description reads:

Indulge your skin and your senses with this top to toe pampering collection of Moroccan Rose treats. Infused with Rose Otto Oil and unique Argan+ Synergy, rich in nutrients and vitamins. The beautifully rich oil blend, exquisite Rose scent and indulgent formulations will leave you and your skin cleansed, comforted and renewed. Argan+ Synergy is an all-natural 100% blend of precious Moroccan Argan Oil with 4 other amazing oils: Baobab, Kukui, Moringa and Sacha Inchi, all selected for their restorative, regenerating and nourishing properties.

If you are a fan of the scent of roses, then you will just absolutely love this set, it is simply beautiful.  Inside the set you will find:

Moroccan Rose Calm & Sooth Bath Soak - This is my favourite product from this set and t combines both Avocado and delicately fragrant Rose Otto oil which comes together to create an incredibly nourishing, hydrating and indulgent bathing experience. As soon as the Rose Otto oil comes into contact with both hot water and the steam, the scent comes to live and it is just divine.  Alongside Rose Otto you will also find Baobab, Kukui, Moringa and Sacha Inci oils which have all been selected for their restorative, regenerating and nourishing properties.

Moroccan Rose Nourish & Renew Body Wash - This Body Wash combines precious Moroccan Argan Oil with soothing Aloe Vera which gently cleanses and comforts to leave skin calm, nourished and renewed. Again, alongside the Rose Otto you will again find four other amazing oils: Baobab, Kukui, Moringa and Sacha Inci, all selected for their restorative, regenerating and nourishing properties. Again on the skin, the Rose Otto fragrance is the most dominant and it smells just divine.

Moroccan Rose Nourish & Soften Body Butter - This Body Butter uses precious Rose Otto Oil and moisturising Coconut with Argan+'s vitamin rich Argan+ Synergy and they come together to give your skin the ultimate nourishment. Enriched with soothing Hibiscus, it helps leave the skin deeply hydrated, supple and delicately scented.

The final product is the Moroccan Rose Soothing Lip Balm - With this cold weather spell right now, keeping my lips from becoming chapped is a bit of an ongoing battle. This Lip Balms using Argan Oil and soothing Rose Otto to not only nourish and smooth but to also protect.

You can find this amazing little gift set in Waitrose for just £9.50.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Pixi by Petra Lip Balms and Lipsticks

There is one way to grab my attention, other than making your product bright pink in every way and that is lipstick and Lip Balms, two products I am obsessed with.  Imagine my glee when this beauty turned up from Pixi by Petra a few weeks ago!

Pixi is a brand I have got to know over the last 18 months and one I have enjoyed getting to know.  There isn't a single product which has disliked me or my skin and there are a few products which have become firm favourites within my stash.  This box contains a micture of Shea Butter Lip Balm's and Mattelustre Lipsticks and the one thing I can tell you is that I love them all,  just can't choose a favourite.

The Shea Butter Lip Balms have eight shades in total and I have got three of them which are - Ripe Raspberry, Sweet Peach and Pixi Pink. These lip balms use a unique formula is rich but lightweight and gives a gorgeous wash of colour to lips and they are packed with lip loving ingredients to hug and comfort them in times of need.  The use of both Shea Butter to nourish the skin and Vitamin E to protect make for what is three incredible balms

What I love about these balms is how they feel on the lips.  When it comes to Lip Balms, I am not a fan of sticky and tacky formulas or the kind which make your lips feel as though you have just rubbed them in some duck fat.  I like an almost nothing there feel and this is what I get from Pixi, once applied there is a lovely lightweight texture on the lips. Both Pixi Pink and Ripe Raspberry have a Pink hue and Sweet Peach is a lovely peach shade and whilst the transfer of colour is noticeable it does not give you that lipstick transference of colour.

The MatteLustre Lipsticks are described as being multi-tasking demi-matte lipstick which has a long lasting formula that conditions, plumps, and protects while depositing a vivid colour onto the lips.  I have three shades again from the collection - Rose Naturelle which is a beautiful nude shade and it has brown undertones, Plum Berry has a subtle pink undertone and whilst it isn't a deep berry shade, it is still a beautiful shade and finally Bitten Rose which is a warm rose pink and just stunning.

I adore these lipsticks and they are packed full of ingredients such as Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E help to create that smoother and fuller looking lip. When applying they do so like a dream, no dragging or pulling across the lip and I adore the creamy texture.  All three lipsticks are demi-matte, so if you are not a matte lipstick fan but also don't like the overly glossy lip, these do sit somewhere in the middle.   Rose Naturelle has been in my collection for some time now as the lovely Amanda said it would look fab, she was of course right (she is also amazing) and it I love it.

So there you have my little box of lip loving Pixi treats and again, I have been wowed by just how good they are.

I would love to know if you have tried any of these products from Pixi or whether or not you have a favourite Pixi product.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Burt's Bees Limited Edition Peppermint Lip Balm

I do love my Burt's Bees lip balms and they have featured on this blog many times (here, here and here) and this Winter Burt's Bees have released a Limited Edition festive Peppermint Lip Balm.

I use a lot of lip balm, I always have one or two in my handbag, one on my bedside table, on my desk and in my drawer at work and I use them constantly.  What I love about Burt's Bees Lip Balms is how incredible they feel on the lips.

This Limited Edition Lip Balm is infused with peppermint oil and beeswax which not only moisturises and softens the lips but also nourishes and leaves your lips feeling incredibly hydrated.  There is also the inclusion of Coconut Oil, Vitamin E and Community Sourced Beeswax which you can read more about here.

Packaged inside some red festive packaging which is adorned with candy canes, it retails for £3.99 and you can find it right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Lipcare and the products I use!

With the colder months having now arrived and the heating back on, I find that my lips are drier than ever and that I need to take much more notice an much more care of them. I am also prone to cold sores which is the bane of my life, they are unsightly, they are sore and they are irritating. 

The lips and mouth are one of the most important features on the face. No one really needs to be greeted by lips which are dry, chapped, cracked and flaking. Given we use them to eat, speak, kiss and express ourselves, we really should tak good care of them. In order to ensure I keep my lips soft, supple and smooth rather than dry, cracked, chapped and sore, I am sharing with you some of my favourite and most reached for products.

I am never without a lip scrub, for me it is a fundamental part of my lip care routine and nine times out of ten, it will be from Lush - either Mint Julips or Bubblegum. The idea with these scrubs is that they are soft enough not to scratch and irritate your lips but are abrasive enough to remove any dead and dry skin cells. Easy to use you simply wet your lips slightly (well I do) and then using your index finger, which again needs to be wet, you dab it into your lip scrub pot and then gently rub it across your lips in a circular motion. As you do this, you will find that it does remove all that horrid skin that is just sitting there. I also use my lip scrub before applying any lipstick which clings to the smallest piece of dry skin too!

SoreFix is another product I like to have around. Using a unique Zinc formulation, SoreFix not only treat scold sore symptoms, but also prevent cold sore outbreaks. The zinc salts encapsulates herpes virus infected cells, preventing them from affecting healthy cells. This allows SoreFix lip balm to effectively treat the symptoms and reduce the severity before the virus spreads. Discreet and invisible, the last time I had a coldsore, the tingling sensation on my top lip was a sign a cold sore was on its way, usually once it has arrived it stays around for up to 2 weeks, with Sorefix it was gone within 5 days. It also has SPF30 which really impressed me and this is a product I would highly recommend to anyone who is, like me, a sufferer.

Lip Balms come in all different shapes and sizes and I keep them everywhere - on my desk, in every handbag, my desk drawer, my make up bag, the bed side table and even in the bathroom. I am never without 2 or 3 at any one time and am constantly using them. Today I am sharing some of my favourites which reach across a wide price bracket and are all superb.

Balmi Lip Balms. I am quite obsessed with the Baby Balmi Balms which you can find in Primark for around £2. They have a unique formula which uses a special blend of Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E to help keep your lips moisturised, soft and smooth. I have Fresh Mint and Summer Berry flavours.

Burt's Bees.  I adore Burt's Bees and I love the lip balms which comes in a variety of flavours and my current obsession is this new Ginger Spice balm which smells just like freshly cooked Gingerbread. It is 100% natural and contains no parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum. 

EOS Smooth Stick Balm.  As well as the round Balms I also like the stick balms which I pick up in my local Pharmacy and they are just brilliant.  I adore the mint shade which gives you a sharp blast of peppermint and when applied to the lips it is instantly cooling and soothing. This balms is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil.  Priced around £4.99 they are good value for money.

Lanolips is a brand that if you haven't yet tried, then you need too. Lanolin is 100% natural & animal cruelty free. It’s found on the wool of sheep that helps keep their coat protected and dry throughout the year. I am a huge fan of the original 101 Ointment which is a bit of a superbalm and as the name suggests, has 101 uses! For the purpose of using it on my lips, it delivers extreme hydration and is quick to soothe and smooth. All you need to do is smooth it between your fingers and then apply to your lips. It also makes a perfect base before the application of lipstick! You can find Lanolips in a variety of stores such as Boots and online for around £10.99.

Rodial STEMCELL Super-food Glam Balm Multi. This is one product from Rodial that I always grab if it is a freebie on any magazine. Some have described the texture as being similar to that of Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Once it is released from the tube onto your finger, the texture melts slightly and becomes almost an oil and on the lips it moisturises, hydrates and soothes. It uses High tech Alp Rose Stem Cells which is highly resistant to UV rays and can preserve the skin as well as 3D Hyaluronic Filling Spheres which help to increase cell vitality and quickly reduce the look of fine lines. As well as being used on the lips, this balm can be used as a moisturiser, eye mask, cuticle balm and for many other areas. You can find this product for around £12 here at ASOS.

Dr Lipp's Original Nipple Balm. Another multiuse product and one that I find myself repurchasing time and time again. Whenever I have a cold or the flu, my lips feel dehydrated and really quite gross and the one product that helps relieve that without question is this one and I absolutely love it. As the name might suggest Dr.Lipp was originally developed as a nipple balm for breastfeeding women because of its ultra hydrating & hypoallergenic multipurpose properties. Dr.Lipp has many benefits both medical and for beauty and is ideal for dry cuticles, dry skin patches, burns and abrasions, severely chapped lips, sore nipples, split ends, eczema, babies’ bottoms, and much much more. It costs just £12 per tube and in my opinion is worth every penny. I get mine from LookFantastic.

ByTerry Baume de Rose. This balm is delicately scented with Rose and smells just absolutely incredible. The most expensive of all my lip products, it is designed to Repair, nourish and revitalise your lips (and can be used on your cuticles). Using Shea butter for soothing and healing it does leave your lips feeling deliciously smooth, there is also the use of ceramides and vitamin E help to protect and fortify this delicate area against the signs of ageing. At £39 it isn't cheap but it is amazing.

So that is my ultimate lip care product guide and what I use to ensure my lips are kept in tip top condition rather than dry, sore, chapped and unsightly!  Can you spot a favourite of yours among my list?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise