Aromatherapy Associates Limited Edition Renewing Rose Body Velvet

I am going to confess that I have a bit of a love thing going on with Aromatherapy Associates, to date there hasn't been a product I have disliked, only the opposite. Now as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary this year, a product has been created to celebrate and mark that occasion. That product is the Aromatherapy Associates Limited Edition Renewing Rose Body Velvet and the name alone screams luxury to me, so when it arrived, I couldn't wait to open it and loved it from the first time I smelt it.

 The body velvet combines the highest quality essential oils and plant extracts, to help rejuvenate the skin, for a noticeably firmer appearance and feel. Ingredients such as velvet flower extract which is rich in minerals ate designed to help your skin retain moisture levels for a younger, smoother looking skin. Add to that the inclusion of special peptides and gotu kola which on its own has some of the most amazing skin rejuvenating properties and assist a host of skin complaints and ailments such as cellulite, eczema, scarring as well as hosting the most amazing skin rejuvenating properties. Putting these together, not only is your left looking revitalised with improved tone and feeling softer for longer, you will see an improvement in your skins suppleness.  I have to say, it really does leave your skin velvety soft and smooth after using and is the perfect treat.

This cream as I said screams luxury and it really is a lovely thick and as soon as you apply it to your skin, it wants to absorb it as soon as it can, which it does realty well. Once it has been absorbed there is no greasy film or residue left behind, instead you get the lovely scent of rose, geranium and sandalwood, which makes it quite floral with a bit of a kick, that aroma you get when you walk into a spa is what it reminds me, something fresh and clean.

The tub costs £50 is huge at 200ml and for me, this is not a cream you would apply every day morning and night, it is something you would use as a treat, for a special occasion, a big night and so on, something to add a bit of luxury to your pamper session.

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker

I am totally new to Jo Malone, of course I know all about the brand and have been green with envy at some of the products people have bought or been given, some sound truly amazing and others I simply need in my life, but haven't quite got round to sorting it out.  Then the lovely Louise from LouLovesBeauty held a giveaway just before Christmas to win a Jo Malone Christmas Cracker, which I had looked at many times whilst in John Lewis, but I've never actually bought anything, so I am mighty glad to have won the giveaway!

The cracker itself is as you would expect it to be. Designed in the well known Jo Malone packaging with the cream background with black letters, it is hard not to like it just for that purpose.  Tied at either end with a red ribbon, it looks exactly like a cracker you would put on the dinner table to pull on Christmas Day (multiple versions of this would be amazing!).

Inside the candle it is filled with three gifts which comprise of. a mini 9ml perfume (Lime, Basil and Mandarin), 15ml body lotion (Nectarine Blossom and Honey), and 15ml body wash (Blackberry and Bay) which is a perfect introduction to just some of the products you can purchase from Jo Malone.  

As each product is a mini, you don't get much use out of the body lotion, there certainly isn't enough to cover your body once, but there is enough to moisturise both arms and hands which really lets you see how amazing the scent is, it is one I could easily get used to using.  

The shower gel again seems exactly as the name suggests it too and possibly not a scent I would personally purchase, but it is nice enough and is incredibly moisturising, the perfect size for a weekend away with a bit of luxury.

Finally the perfume, now for me 9ml is a brilliant introduction in the world of Jo Malone perfumes and there are a few I have my eye on, the main object of my obsession being Peony and Blush Suede which I personally think is the best scent.  That said Lime, Basil and Mandarin is both fragrant and refreshing, the combination of the citrusy limes and mandarins with the aromatic herby basil is one great scent and it lasts for hours and hours on the skin, for me becoming more stunning as it settles and fades slightly.

I am really pleased with this cracker and am so glad that I was lucky enough to win it, the downside for the Hubs is that I now desperately want to try a candle and get my mitts on another perfume! Well Valentines Day isn't that far away!

Are you a Jo Malone fan? do you have a favourite scent/product? Is there anything you really rate and recommend?

Nuxe Pamper Hamper - My Entry!

When I was emailed and told that Nuxe had launched their first UK blogger competition and would I be interested in entering to win a luxury hamper worth £250, I thought why not? The prize contains so many products that I would love to try and there are also prizes for two runners up.

All I needed to do to enter was create a spring inspired wishlist post using products from Nuxe and create a post on my blog. further details on how to enter can be found below if you fancy having a go yourself. But this is my entry and I would love to know your thoughts.

Nuxe wishlist by beautyqueenuk featuring Nuxe

Rêve de Miel Lip Balm - I have read SO many reviews on this product that I am begining to wonder why I don't actually own it. As a self-confessed lip balm addict everytime I read about it, i feel as though I need to add it to my collection because I am missing out. Described as "A repairing, nourishing lip balm with a rich, delicious texture to restore suppleness and comfort to dry and chapped lips" and apparently one is sold every 28 seconds somewhere throughout the world!

Gentle Exfoliating Gel with Rose Petals - with the weather ever changing from being windy, to raining back to windy not to mention very cold, my skin is always in need of some TLC and a facial exfoliator is a product I use a lot of in the colder in the months.  I love the sound of this which is described as follows "A gel texture with gentle exfoliating granules to give the skin a refined appearance. Skin is purified, soft and smooth, and more radiant than ever".

Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Mask - I am a lover of face masks and try to ensure that at least once a week I have a pamper evening and use a face mask on my skin.  As with above, the weather playing havoc with my skin means that after exfoliating I also want to nourish and add moistuise to my skin and I always find a facemask does just the job for me and this one sounds amazing - "A fresh moisturising mask and source of well being to hydrate and soothe the skin reducing instantly any discomforts (tingling, redness, burning sensations, etc.)".

Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals - I am yet to board the Micellar water bandwagon and it is a product I really want to try and this is one I have not read much about but intrigues me quite a lot.  Described as "In a single step, this alcohol-free Micellar Cleansing Water cleanses, removes make-up and eliminates all the impurities from your face, eyes and lips." all of which sounds wonderful and amazing but the fact it is made with Rose Petals is what draws me to it, the same as the exfoliating gel I can only imagine how wonderful this must smell.

Nuxe 24 hour body moisturising lotion - said to give a satin feel and leave your skin feeling soft, I am yet to find a body lotion that I like enough to continue using, makes a difference and smells amazing. This I like the sound of because of this description "This body lotion provides immediate and long-lasting moisturization (Wheat Extracts and Wood) and corrects skin dryness (Sweet Almond and Sunflower Oils). The skin is soothed and soft (Almond and Orange Flower Petals)" and I have no doubt it would smell amazing with those ingredients.

So, if you like the look of my wishlist but want to do your own, all you have to do is complete the steps below:

1) Create a spring inspired wishlist style post using products from uk.nuxe.com on your blog
2) Tweet the link to your post to @NuxeUK along with the hashtag #NuxePamperHamper
3) If you don’t have twitter you can send your entry link to us at onlinepr@nuxe.com

The competition closes 10th March 2014 but please let me know if you have entered or when you do enter by leaving a comment below so I can come and see your entry.

Beat the Winter Skin Blues with Palmer’s Intensive Relief Range + Giveaway!

The cold weather is still with us and if reports are to be believed, if is going nowhere soon, so taking care of your skin is still really important and probably like me you are going through a lot of products to lock in that moisture and keep your skin feeling soft, smooth and supple. 

Palmers, famous for their Cocoa Butter brand, have a new Intensive Relief Range that has just hit the shelves and it is described as follows:

If you are looking for a solution to super sensitive and extra dry skin look no further than Palmer’s new Intensive Relief range. The UK’s favourite Cocoa Butter brand has used its years of expertise in skin softening and smoothing to develop two new products to give even more intense moisturisation, helping those suffering from extra dry and sensitive skin. A unique blend of anti-itch, soothing and deeply hydrating natural ingredients that leaves skin soft to the touch.

The new range is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, paraben free and dermatologist tested – and will provide long lasting moisturisation for up to 24 hours.

Within this range you will find a body lotion and a hand cream which are shown below.  To promote these products, there is a giveaway at the bottom!






Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Body Lotion £4.89 / 200ml

Perfect for those looking for an all over solution to combat tight, parched skin, this quick absorbing formula will help soothe, calm and leave your skin feeling perfectly soft and smooth. Alpha hydroxy acids gently exfoliate dry, scaly patches, whilst key ingredients Soy and Oat help to alleviate itchiness and natural moisturising factor Urea locks in moisture to maintain radiant skin. Start the day with an instant boost of intensive moisture and relief by adding Palmer’s Intense Relief Body Lotion to your everyday body care regime!

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Intensive Relief Hand Cream £2.99 / 60g

Palmer’s Intensive Relief Hand Cream is ideal for those suffering from ultra dry, itchy and chapped hands that need some extra attention. This luxuriously creamy formula gives long lasting hydration, whilst calming Soy and Oat provide comfort for irritated hands leaving them soft and smooth. The fast absorbing texture makes it an every day essential for keeping hands moisturised on the go!

These products are available from Boots, Boots.com, Superdrug, Superdrug.com, Amazon.co.uk and Asda.

Now for the fun part, as part of the campaign to highlight the importance of Palmers are giving one of you lucky people the chance to win a pair of Cashmere Fingerless wristwarmers which you can see HERE. All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter entry form below to be in with a chance of winning and it is open for just ONE Week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway