Skin Care Staples

If you're anything like me, you'll swap and change your skin care products like they're going out of fashion. I'm always in search of something better; that wonder product(s) that's going to change my life skin for the better. But for now at least I've settled on one 'routine'. And I'd like to share it with you...

From left to right: Lush's Mask of Magnaminty, Avene Gel Demaquillant Douceur* (cleanser to you and me!), Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Pore Refining Scrub*, Elemis Freshskin Daily Moisturiser*, Lush's Grease Lightning and Lush's Tea Tree Water, Karin Herzog Vit-a-Kombi cream

What do I think?

Mask of Magnaminty

I've had this generous sized tub of Lush's pepermint-scented mask for a good while. It only comes out on special occasions. By that I mean when I'm off for a big night out other such do. There is never a 'special occasion' bath. 'Deeply cleansing, toning and exfoliating', I also love the smell of this zingy mask. It tingles away like a good un and leaves my skin feeling as soft as a brush. Love it!

The Incredible Hulk of face masks. It really doesn't look too inviting but it definitely does the trick

Avene Gel Demaquillant Douceur Cleanser

I recently got sucked into the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish blogging hype. I'm not saying it isn't a good product; I'm sure plenty of people love it. It didn't do a jot for me, leaving my skin feeling er...well, exactly the same. I had very high hopes for the Cleanse and Polish but was left severely disappointed. This Avene gel cleanser, however, is just perfect. I've been using it with a muslin cloth and its light consistency makes it a joy to use. I don't get that horribly tight feeling after use and the good sized pump dispenser bottle has lasted me a few weeks already.

Burt's Bees Anti-Blemish Solutions Pore Refining Scrub

I received this product from the PR people behind the Burt's Bees brand, but after trying - and loving - this product I dashed out to stock up on some more. With an almost marzipan-y scent, this light exfoliating wash contains salicylic acid and willow bark. I've suffered from hormonal break outs since my teens - and despite now being in my late twenties, I'm still cursed with the odd blemish. This did a lot to curb oil product and made my skin feel super soft. I'd fully recommend it if you haven't yet tried anything by Burt's Bees.

Elemis Freshskin daily

Having slightly oily skin, I've never been too keen on moisturisers. But this light Elemis moisturiser has been formilated with 'teenage' skin in mind. It's light, soaks into the skin quickly and creates a beautiful base for applying foundation. And for Elemis, it really isn't too expensive either.

Grease Lightning

Thank God for beauty bloggers; if it wasn't for them I would never have discovered this little gem. It's bacially a tea tree blemish treatment gel, but it's undoubtedly one of the best things I've used to combat oily skin. It dries quickly, has a lovely light scent and really does dry up blemishes. At around the £5 mark, it's a decent price too.

Lush Tea Tree Water

Can you tell I love Lush? I don't often use a toner, but when I do I usually go for the cheap and cheerful Botanics one. This Lush one is just as great value. Containining tea tree, grapefruit and juniper, it's great at refreshing the skin. If I'm make-up free and it's a warm day, I spritz my face with this occasionally just to cool down.


Karin Herzog Vit-a-Kombi Cream

I'm not going to lie; this isn't cheap. But for me it's been a wonder product. I use it to zap zits before they fully come to the surface (eurgh). It's also great for marks and scars. Despite applying this to my face (and not my eyes), this stings my eyes like mad on application. I'm a contact lens wearer so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it, but it's worth a look if you suffer from the odd break out.

What are your skin care staples? And what products have disappointed you lately?

FTC Disclaimer: All products marked with an * have been sent to be for review consideration. I have not been paid by any brand to do this post. I have purchased most of the items with my own money and, as ever, all views expressed in this post are my own and 100% honest.

Guest Blog Post! This Month's Glossybox: Are You Kicking Yourself?!

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If you're a regular Tweeter, it won't have escaped your notice that GlossyBox - the much talked about luxury beauty subscription service - caused something of a stir recently. I was among one of the many bloggers who received the very first box - which contained over thirty quid's worth of goodies for just £10 including delivery - for free.

Featuring a full sized Nars Orgasm Illuminator, a red lippie worth £10 and three more beauty treats, it was clear from the off that GlossyBox would be popular. But then the second box arrived...and all hell seemed to break lose.

While some subscribers were thrilled to bits with their beauty loot, others quickly unsubscribed after receiving products they didn't consider 'high end' and 'luxury'.

But now the third box has dropped through GlossyBox subscribers' letter boxes - and those who ditched the service may be regretting it.

Here, the lovely Emma from the excellent blog Computergirl tells all about her personal experience with GlossyBox.

Take it away, Emma.....

Emma says:


" Glossy Box costs £10 per month including delivery. This will be increasing to £12.95 in September.

"I signed up from the start and have received 3 boxes so far. They have started to personalise the last two so you will see lots of different boxes in various posts.

"The first box obviously caused a stir and contained a full sized NARS illuminator. Box two caused a split of opinions, as some people received Rouge Bunny Rouge gloss while others received Batiste dry shampoo - not exactly a 'high end' product, but I like Batiste so I forgave them.

"On to box three. I received four.. yes FOUR full sized products.

* A Ciate nail polish in Kitten Heels - Red with gold shimmer, free of nasty chemicals and a nail polish that is kind to your nails.

* Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - Smells lush, and I'll use it tonight and after my shower tomorrow. Hopefully it will soften and replenish my dry legs. Cruelty free (Woop!)

* Nouveau Strip Lashes - These look full and natural- just the way I like my lashes. I'll use them tomorrow night!

* Illamasqua sheer gloss in Explode - Similar packaging to Jemma Kidd glosses. Smells and tastes like vanilla, looks while but has an iridescent blue sheen - great for making yellowy teeth look whiter (that'll be perfect for me then!)

I also received a sample size of Xen-Tan.

"All in all, a good box. I will use or try foue of the products. Unfortunately, I have pale as paley pale skin and Xen-Tan DARK is just going to make me look as stupid as someone who tries to pay for food with spoons and chocolate money. Even if I did brave a DARK tanning lotion, there isn't enough in the tube to do my whole body. Maybe I could start a trend of one pale arm and leg and one tanned arm and leg?! Or just dye my legs and cover the rest of my body? It's just not going to happen. I wish Glossy Box had thought about my skin colour before sending me the tan - I would have gone for light. Glossy Fail!

"There have been a few things in each box I have been unable to use - e.g one product was for dyed hair - which I don't have. Plus, the Batiste was the original version which is light /transulcent, but shows up on my dark brown hair (I need dark brown Batiste!).

"I am a bit dissappointed that Glossy Box haven't looked at my form or perhaps not asked the right sorts of questions on the registration form as these are basic errors. More Glossy Fails!

"That said, the boxes have contained some great gems (which I will be mentioning on my blog!). It's like Christmas every month.

"They package and wrap it so beautifully that I love carefully taking the lid off and undoing the ribbon! The boxes make great storage containers and normally smell of gorgeous products.

"I like discovering new products, and I like the fact that the box is unbiased - no pushy sales person telling you you must use the entire range (hurrah!!).

" I also like the fact that smaller brands can be marketed to me - just because a brand isn't in major national stores doesnt mean it is worth turning your nose up at. Lots (if not all) the companies give out a discount code for Glossy box customers. Worth googling if you want to take advantage of a discount!

"Call me skeptical but I think the next box will contain some good products, too. Glossy Box are increasing the price after the next box - this has caused a backlash, so they'll want to hint at the £12.95 boxes being worth the extra money. As much as I like the service the next box will probably be my last for a while. I can't quite justify spending £155.40 a year on 60 samples which I may or may not be able to use.

"Now that Glossy box has lead the way in the UK, there are other similar services planned for launch shortly. I might try them out depending on how I feel when they launch. However, at the end of the day I only have one body and there are only so many products you can use at one time! (No, contrary to popular blogging Computergirl myths, I only have one head!)

"Have you used Glossy box or another subscription service? What products have you liked? Have you had a Glossy Fail?!"

A big thank you to the lovely Emma for taking the time to write this rather spiffing guest post. Don't forget to follow Emma's blog: www.computergirl2007.blogspot.com and you can also find her to say hello onTwitter.


I would love to hear your thoughts, too. Did you unsubscribe from the service and now you're kicking yourself? Or perhaps your beaming with glee because you've bagged a box of beauty delights. Do let me (and Emma) know....

Embarrassing Handbag 'Essentials'?

You know the horror of reaching into your handbag for your purse and a sanitary towel accidental comes with it. Yep, we've all been there. And it always happens in the most embarrassing of scenarios - at work standing in line for the sandwich van with colleagues, or when you're stood chatting flirting with the office fittie.

Tampons get pulled out of the depths of your bag in place of your favourite lippie and you mistake that embarrassing tube-shaped lotion or potion from the doctors for your Carmex lip balm.

Seriously, tell me I'm not the only one....

But however we like to conceal life's little essentials (anyone seen those tins for sanitary towels? Surely they just draw attention to them...), we all carry them around.

So when I received a tube of Lansinoh Lanolin from a PR company to use in place of a lip balm, I wondered just how I'd hide this in my make-up bag. After all, this handy little product's primary purpose is for sore, cracked nipples.

Now I wasn't using this for sore nips, but who's to know that. Rich in Lanolin (found in most lip treatments), this little beauty is (to me, anyway) like a much cheaper Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Used on dry skin and lips, it works wonders - and it really is a handbag must-have.

Sudocrem - primarily used for nappy rash - has made something of a comeback lately. Not only is it used by mothers, it's also a hit with spot-prone teens and women. I was a fan of the product myself during my teenage years and I for one would've been thrilled to hear that Sudocrem had undergone a make-over to make it that little bit more handbag friendly.

Who wants to carry around a huge, chemist-sized tub of Sudocrem anyway...

To celebrate the launch of the new Sudocrem - which is now in a dinky, handbag sized tube - I'm giving some away here on my blog. The first 3 people to comment below will bag one of these new Sudocrems. Go, go, go!

Oh and there's even a Sudocrem app - go here to get it.

What's the most embarrassing/weird thing you've ever pulled out of your bag?

FTC Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by Sudocrem, neither am I affiliated with the brand. Just giving you the chance to own your very own embarrassing handbag essential. My opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.

After a Ridiculously Long Week...

...nothing was more welcome than this unexpected surprise from the folk at Elemis.

I got the wrong end of the stick with this product. I assumed Elemis had put together a special 'At Home Spa Kit', when instead they'd sent me some individual products from a new at home spa  range. While a kit would've been a great idea, it's no good receiving a pre-selected pick of products. This way, spa fans can choose from over 40 products to create their very own spa experience.

We'd all love to treat ourselves to regular spa days, but funds just don't always allow. So Elemis have created this more 'affordable' at home spa range, with five categories - Body Exotics, Body Soothing, Body Performance, Body Awaken and Body Anti-ageing.

 I'm not saying Elemis is cheap - it's a luxury, high end brand after all - but hopefully this new line goes someway to make pampering that little bit more affordable.

I've yet to try the products in this box - Quiet Mild Temple Balm (15ml) Treat Your Feet Foot Cream (75ml) Tranquil Touch Body Polish (150ml) and Cellutix Active Body Oil (100ml) - but I'll definitely let you know how I get on.

What would be your utimate at-home spa products?
And what has made you smile this week?

Fabulous Magazine Lives On!

I'm not defending the actions of those involved in the recent News of the World scandal, but I am genuinely chuffed that the newspaper's weekly Fabulous magazine will live on.

I attended a bloggers' event a couple of months ago, hosted by the magazine's editor Rachel Richardson and the Fabulous team.  Since then I was gutted to hear news that some of the company's staff - many of whom had nothing to do with recent affairs - might lose their jobs.

Thankfully, that's looking unlikely - as the lovely folk behind the magazine have announced that Fabulous now has a new home and will be a permanent part of The Saturday Sun, as of this Saturday (July 16).

I was a big fan of Fabulous and was pleased to learn (at the aforementioned event) that the magazine's staff were keen to get bloggers involved in its editorial content.

Are you a fan of Fabulous? Will you be picking up this weekend's edition, featuring Denise Van Outen?

FTC Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Fabulous magazine and have not been paid to do this post. My opinions are 100% honest and my own, as always.

In Need of a New Hair Dryer?

EDIT: STOP PRESS! Due to recent circumstances,  this offer is no longer available and this Sunday's issue will be the last News of the World.

Simply look out for next week's (July 10) Fabulous magazine - free with News of the World - to collect two of only three tokens.

Once you've got your hands on the third token (available in the magazine the following week), simply trot along to Tesco's to pick up your FREE hot pink hair dryer, worth £15.

Not bad for a freebie, eh?