For a Beautiful Body – The Body Shop Body Polish

 

What is it?

A body polish available in a wide range of scents containing small round beads for getting rid of flaky skin/dry patches gently but effectively.

 

 

The Review

This is great for before self tanning as it’s more like a shower gel polish. It doesn’t leave any kind of residue on the skin so ideal for fake tanners! It contains small round beads that when buffed into damp skin, exfoliate away dead skin cells and flaky patches gently but effectively whilst the the liquid foams up beautifully leaving you clean, smelling gorgeous and smooth. This product is affordable and available in lots of other fruity OR floral scents so there’s something for everyone. I went for fruity and got the Satsuma scent 🙂

 

Worth the Money?

Yep. As usual, The Body Shop hits the mark with this product. Affordable, works and smells yummy. What’s not to like?

£10 for a big tube – 200ml – available here:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/bath-body-care/body-scrubs/satsuma-body-polish.aspx

 

The Body Shop Beautifying Oil

 

What is it?

An all purpose moisturising beauty oil that can be used on the face, body and hair.

 

The Review:

This oil comes in lots of different smells varying from fruity ones to floral ones. It’s a really deeply nourishing mixture of nut oils that are all responsibly sourced and can be used on the face, body and hair.

I personally have not used it on my face for two reasons – the first being that anything that is fairly strongly scented I get nervous about putting on my face and the second is that I have combination skin so I don’t want or need to be putting anything that’s oily on it. If I had dry skin then I would definitely give it a go though as this oil sinks in beautifully and doesn’t just sit on the skin and leave you feeling sticky.

This product is amazing on the body, it moisturises the skin without leaving that annoying greasiness that I hate so much! I can apply the oil and put my clothes straight on without it being uncomfortable or staining my clothes and for once they don’t get stuck to me either yay! It sinks in so quickly and smells AMAZING! There is definitely a scent for everyone.

This oil also works on the hair really nicely too, helping to nourish and protect it from frizz. I like to put a really small amount in towel dried hair, focusing on the ends and find that this really helps it look smooth and frizz free. You can also use this on dry hair but be VERY careful with this. The first time I did this, I used too much and the ends just looked greasy 😦 You need a TINY amount on dry hair which you should rub between your hands first and spread evenly through the ends. I have discovered you can use this oil as a hair treatment by putting it into dry hair and sleeping it and washing it out in the morning, or just leave it in for 30/45 mins and wash out the same evening. This achieves super healthy, shiny, smooth looking hair.

 

 

Worth the Money?

100ml is £9.00 and this product has so many uses! I feel like it is absolutely worth the money and a little goes a very long way so the bottle will last you a long time. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Cannot fault.

Available online and in The Body Shop stores :

I have the Satsuma one – http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/bath-body-care/body-moisturisers/satsuma-beautifying-oil.aspx

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

 

 

What is it?

A pale green tea tree face mask with a thick consistency that is suitable for blemished skin. It claims to be a deep cleansing mask that helps fight blemishes and reduce dirt and oil on the skin.

 

The Review:

This mask has a creamy thick consistency and is a pale green colour. It comes in a tub rather than a squeezy tube which can be troublesome as we all know that tubs of products can mean a less hygienic product. Other than the packaging though, this product is lovely.

The smell is fresh, clean and as you would expect, this mask overall, is tea tree scented.

The mask glides on in a smooth layer when applied to the skin and does give a slight cooling and tingling sensation, something that I like as it makes me feel like it’s doing something.

I left it on for about 12 minutes and although I felt it get slightly harder, I still didn’t feel it get uncomfortably tight on my face like many other deep cleansing masks. It was also fairly easy to remove and came away nicely with some warm water and a muslin cloth. I generally find masks easier to remove by using a cloth.

Once I’d finished patting my skin dry I noticed my face looked both cleaner, brighter and oil free. Any redness on recent blemishes was also slightly diminished and after  a few weeks of using this I found my skin was overall less oily.

 

Worth the money?

The mask will set you back £10 and last you a long time. If you have oily or acne prone skin, this product is absolutely worth every penny. Tea tree soothes and cools whilst improving the appearance of and helping to prevent break out.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask is available from their shops or via their online website:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree/tea-tree-face-mask.aspx

 

 

To BB or not to BB? The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream

What is it?

A BB cream that comes out white and blends into the skin when rubbed in. Light coverage base used in place of a foundation and similar to a tinted moisturiser.

The Review:

I have to say I was disappointed with this product. For starters it only comes in 3 shades and although it apparently adjusts to your skin tone I’m not convinced everyone would find the right shade for them.

Now, I got the fairest shade, have warmer undertones to my skin and tan really well in summer. I’m not deathly pale by any means but I’m certainly not the colour this came out on my skin!

I like the way it feels on my skin, it’s light, non-oily, minimal coverage (which I don’t mind as my skin is pretty good) and doesn’t make me shiny. However, I am NOT orange! This is supposed to adjust to your skin colour and having worn it several times now, I would say it really doesn’t work for me colour wise.

It does adjust slightly but bearing in mind this is the fairest shade they do I resent having to bronze up my neck a bit to get it matched enough to leave the house. This is just too orangey to me, I don’t think anyone, unless they fake tan is really similar to this colour, it’s not a natural tone for anyone’s skin.

The only time I found I didn’t really have to work with it to get it to match was in the height of summer when I was really tanned. This is the one and only time I can get this to work for me and so I will be saving for then.

Worth the Money?

Personally I won’t be repurchasing this which is a shame as I normally love The Body Shop products. If you have lighter skin tones I definitely don’t recommend this. It’s £12 for a tube which isn’t awful but I’ve heard some amazing things about the BB creams from Dr.Jart so I would suggest trying one of those instead as there are several different type and the colours are a better match for most skin tones.

If you are interested then here is the link to purchase The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/face/all-in-one-bb-cream.aspx

PS. If anyone else has tried this product and had a different experience with it please do comment below!

Hannah xxx

Favourite Perfumes

Intro:

Just thought I would do a post on my favourite perfumes. These are the ones that I wear a lot and always come back to. I’m not usually a really floral perfume kind of girl as I tend to prefer softer musky scents.

 

 

Elie Saab, Le Parfum:

This is the first ever perfume from Lebanese designer Elie Saab, a sweet but spicy floral mix that focuses on both jasmine and orange blossom but surprises with a warm patchouli and honey base.

 

 

Viktor and Rolf, Flowerbomb:

This yummy scent has top notes of green tea and bergamot, middle notes of jasmine, african orange flower, freesia, rose and orchid, and base notes of musk and patchouli. It’s not one of those sickly sweet fragrances, it’s a rich, expensive sweetness complimented by the musk.

Calvin Klein, Eternity Summer:

When I first tried this perfume I immediately picked up on the orange blossom first and then the musk, it’s a warm, feminine fragrance and lovely and light – as the name says, it really is perfect for summer.

If you like the original ‘Eternity’ then this is the perfect scent for a little something different, its more fruity and floral and the balance between the two is perfect. I have never been a fan of overly floral scents and like the fact that this one has just a hint. I’m completely in love with it!

 

 

The Body Shop, White Musk:

White Musk is a comfortable and velvety female fragrance. It opens with notes of ylang-ylang, galbanum and basil, followed by jasmine, rose, musk and lily,and finally settling with a base of musk along with jasmine, rose, iris, amber, patchouli, vetiver, peach, oakmoss and vanilla. It’s a beautiful, soft, musky, feminine scent.

 

 

The Body Shop, White Musk Libertine:

This has a turkish delight kind of scent with a lovely waft of orchid. It’s a fairly sweet but not sickly, slightly floral, musky fragrance that’s more girly than the original.

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these yummy fragrances I suggest you take a look on amazon as there are usually some amazing deals!

http://www.amazon.com/

The Body Shop Big and Curvy Mascara

What is it?

A mascara that promises to lift and curl your lashes while increasing volume.

The Review

I love The Body Shop and have never tried something from the brand that I haven’t loved but this mascara just does not do it for me.

The brush is fairly small, the formula is very ‘wet’, application is messy due to this and although it does hold a curl brilliantly, I just cannot be bothered with the hassle of scraping off the huge amount of product that is dispensed on the tiny brush every time I decide to give it another try.

I did go on The Body Shop website to see the reviews and was surprised to see some absolute rave reviews of this mascara, however, the review section was also littered with negative ones saying similar things to me.

If you’re prepared to wipe off excessive amounts of product from the mascara wand every time you want to use it and can deal with carefully combing out the clumps it leaves on your lashes then be my guest because the curl does last all day.

To me, however, you’d be far better off not wasting your time or the £10 this mascara costs and just using an eyelash curler before applying a different mascara.

Worth the Money?

Unfortunately not in this case. I love The Body Shop products in general and normally am a huge fan but in this case, it’s a waste of time and money. I want a product that does what it says on packaging and doesn’t involve a ridiculous amount of effort getting it to look nice. At £10 you’d be better off going into Superdrug and buying far better cheaper one.

If you are still interested in trying this product out then here the link to website where you can purchase it:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/eyes/big-and-curvy-mascara.aspx#

I do however, thoroughly recommend you scroll through at least a couple of pages of reviews before you buy it to give you a wider view of what you’re getting yourself into!

Favourite Nail Products!

Favourite Nail Products:

Hi guys, so I thought I would just do a quick post on what nail products I use on a regular basis regardless of what colour I’m painting them. Here is a round up of the base, quick dry, top coats and any other sort of nail care products that I always have to hand. I don’t pretend to be hugely qualified in nail knowledge but for photoshoots I do like to keep mine in good condition and a nice length.

 

 

Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat:

 

 

This is just a really nice, inexpensive, quick drying base coat. Works really well, doesn’t let any of the colour i’m wearing stain my nails and dries really quickly. This is available on the highstreet in Superdrug/Boots and larger supermarkets with a make up section. It’s also under £10 yay!

 

 

Essie No Chips Ahead Top Coat:

I absolutely love this stuff, leaves my nails nice and shiny and the colour lasts so much longer without chipping. Typically this lets my polish last a good 4/5 day without a single chip and that’s pretty good going for me! This is more expensive than my other recommendations but to me, if it works well then it’s worth the money. I believe this one is around £14 and available from Essie’s website or Boots.

 

 

Revlon Liquid Quick Dry:

 

 

I’ve done a full review on this product and it’s definitely a staple for me now. If you’re impatient like me and often find you smudge your nail polish having not waited long enough for it to dry this is AMAZING. This dries your nails in about 90 seconds and is only £6.49. It’s available on the highstreet from Superdrug, Boots or larger chain supermarkets with a make up section.

 

The Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil:

 

 

I don’t have particularly dry or problematic cuticles but I regularly use this oil as it’s hassle free thanks to the pen/brush applicator. Keeps your nail area looking healthy and moisturised, plus there’s a gentle rubber cuticle pusher on the lid. Two in one yay! This is available from The Body Shop for £7.

 

The Body Shop – Haul and Initial Thoughts

What I Purchased:

FYI:

If you’re a Body Shop fan like me then I strongly suggest you go and get a members card if you haven’t already. This entitles you too free gifts every now then, a birthday gift and lots of discounts. It’s very easy to get one, just head to your nearest shop and ask, takes less than 5mins! This little haul would have been fairly expensive but I saved a packet because of my members card so I have listed the full prices below but certainly didn’t pay the full amount 🙂

The Body Shop is also always a great one for deals, they often have a huge selection of different products in varying sizes in there ‘3 for £20’ section on their website.

Madagascan Vanilla Flower Shower Gel: £8

Tea Tree Face Mask: £9

Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream: £4

Sweet Lemon Lip Butter: £4

All-in-One BB Cream: £12

Green Tea and Lemon Scented Candle: £10

Madagascan Vanilla Flower Show Gel:

Gorgeous musky vanilla smell, not too sweet and lathers beautifully. This scent just feels really indulgent.

Tea Tree Face Mask:

I already use the tea tree mattifying moisturiser from this range so I thought I’d give the mask a go. This has a thick creamy consistency and is a pale green colour, it feels cool and tingly on the skin but not uncomfortable and is perfect for problematic skin as tea tree is a great spot treatment. Even if you have fairly good skin this is a good preventative measure.

Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream:

I actually got this for free, if you spent over a certain amount you got a free gift. I have used it a couple of times under my make up as just like my usual tea tree moisturiser it’s great for day time because its mattifying so its perfect if you have oily skin.

Sweet Lemon Lip Butter:

I love The Body Shop’s wide range of lip balms and butters, there’s definitely something for everyone and these screw top ones last aaaages! I got the sweet lemon scent and it tastes like it smells – yummy. I’m not a huge fan of mint lip balms or butters but this deliciously fruity one is lovely and the packaging is cute too!

All-in-One BB Cream

Just like the L’oreal BB cream, this comes out white and blends to a skin colour as applied. I’ve only worn it once and thought it was very nice, the only thing is that I would say even the lightest shade is fairly dark for a supposedly light shade. It’s also very warm so this isn’t great if you have very fair skin. For the moment I have a bit of a tan so the colour is good but unless they bring out more shades this will be a ‘when I have a tan’ only product. I will be trying this out more and doing a full review in a few weeks.

Green Tea and Lemon Scented Candle

I love candles and prefer fresh fruity scents rather than super sweet ones. This green tea and lemon one is gorgeous, the packaging is beautiful and I will definitely be checking out the other scents available from The Body Shop.