Superdrug own brand loves

I recently posted this image on my instagram page (link here). I just love the variety of own branded products Superdrug have. They are not only cheaper but cruelty free, yay! I usually keep a back up of all the products shown in the above picture.

• Toothbrush - I don't understand why you would need to spend triple the price on a basic toothbrush so I usually buy these.
• Purifying mud mask (can't seem to find this one online) - this whole range of masks are great, brilliant price and last really well.
• Peel off cucumber mask
• Vitamin E Moisture mask
• Deep action pore cleansing nose strips - these have been my favourite nose strips for years now.
• Deep action blemish gel - this is the only spot treatment that actually reduces my spots.
• Manuka honey hand wash - this is on offer all the time and I love the smell.
• Vitamin E body lotion spray - I'm one of those people who hate moisturising my body, so this is a super quick method of giving my skin that moisture it needs.

What are your own brand favourites?

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Collated empties #9

• Schwarkopf got to be heat protection - I would repurchase this again as it is a lovely smell.
• Simple kind to skin refreshing shower gel x 2 - I go through unperfumed shower gels so quickly as I also use them as a bath foam, I really dont see the point in buying a seperate bath foam product as shower gel works fine for me.
• Superdrug micellar cleansing wipes - I got these when they were on the 3 for 2 offer so I have two more packets to use and as for face wipes I really like them.
• Loreal Elvive fibrology shampoo - This didn't work great with my hair as my hair is pretty dry so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Superdrug citrus anti-dandruff shampoo - this is half the price as it's branded rival and to be honest my husband didn't notice any difference, plus superdrug own products are cruelty free:)
• I was gifted this lovely mum to be set - Sanctuary mum to be collagen boosting body butter, Sanctuary mum to be shower cream, Sanctuary mum to be bath soak - these products were lovely and moisturising and the perfect gift for a mum to be.
• Aussie miracle moist shampoo, travel & full size - I will definetly repurchase this again, as the the name suggests it is a great moisturising shampoo.
• Boots cucumber facial wash  - I bought this as I was in a rush one lunch time and needed a new face wash, I wont be buying this again as I felt it was drying on my skin.
• Revlon photoready BB cream - I have to throw this out as it has seperated and went runny. The packaging has 24m symbol on it and I've probably had it 7 months at the most.
• The Body Shop aloe vera anti-perspirant deodorant  - this is my current favourite deodarant, it feels kinder on my skin and of course it's a body shop product so cruelty free:)
• Superdrug pro care gum protect toothpaste - Superdrug always has great offers and this was 98p when I bought it, I would buy this again as I love buying own brand products.

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Hand creams to the rescue!

• Lush dream cream - this is great as it's a hand and body lotion.
• The body shop vanilla bliss (I think this might have been discontinued)
• Palmers cocoa butter concentrated cream - this is great to use at night time as it's a thicker consistency.
• The body shop hand cream samples in; rose, hemp, absinthe & almond - so far I've used some of the rose hand cream and it sinks into the skin well.
• Beau Jardin hand cream in citrus grove - this would also be a night time cream a it is thicker and takes longer to sink into the skin.
• Neutrogena hand cream - this is probably one of the first hand creams I ever tried and is always one to go back to if all others fail to save chapped hands.
• No7 protect & perfect intense hand cream with spf 15 - this might be my favourite day time hand cream, not only does it moisturise my hands well but has the added bonus of having spf in it.

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Current skincare products...

• Simple age regeneration face wash - this is my favourite face wash as it doesn't dry my skin.
• Nip + Fab glycolic fox exfoliating facial pads - I only use these maybe twice a week and I really do see a difference in my skin when I've used them.
• Simple age regeneration night cream - I've been using this for probably a year now and I can't fault it.
• B.O.N natural oils liquid gold pure tissue oil* - Back in April I attended the Irish Bloggers Conference (link here) and received this in a goodie bag.  I use this every night after I've cleansed my face and it just sinks into my skin and clears up my dry patches.
• Olay regenerist 3 point cleansing system - I've read mixed reviews about this as I think people were hoping it was exactly like the famous clarisonic system. I've never tried it but this olay system does leave my skin feeling smooth, I use it in conjunction with my simple face wash.
• Superdrug pore cleansing nose strips - these are my 'holy grail' drugstore nose strips, they are the only ones I've found that actually work and they are always on offer which is a bonus.
• The body shop pomegranate firming day lotion spf 15 - this is a lovely creamy consistency with a subtle scent.
• Botanics all bright radiance balm - this really does give your skin an amazing radiant glow and I will always repurchase this.
• The body shop vitamin c skin reviver sample - I was gifted lots of samples back in April when I was invited to The Body Shop store in Dublin to try out their brow bar (link here) and I'm slowly getting through them.  All I can say so far is how much I love to use this in the morning as the smell makes you feel revitalised.  Plus the product itself is great, I like to use a small drop of it below my makeup.
• Superdrug deep action anti-blemish gel -this is my all time favourite spot treatment as it really does shrink those horrible huge spots overnight. 
• Maple Holistics vitamin c anti-ageing serum* - I was gifted this amazing product by Maple Holistics, I've only been using it for a week and so far I am very pleased with it.  It leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and refined.
• Simple age regeneration eye cream - I always buy the Simple age regeneration products when they are on offer as they give my skin the right amount of moisture.  I like this eye cream as it doesn't irritate my eye area which has happened with other products I've used.
• The body shop seaweed ionic clay mask - I only use this when my skin has broken out as this helps clear the spots by drawing them to the surface which means they clear up quicker.

Have you tried any of these products?

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Collated empties #5

• Vo5 nourish my shine shampoo & Vo5 nourish my shine conditioner - I don't think I would repurchase this as I felt it left my hair heavy and it didn't feel properly cleansed.
• Boots botanics all bright purifying face scrub - I felt that this was too harsh for my skin so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Sanex derma moisturising shower gel - sanex do great shower gels and I will always repurchase them.
• Lee Stafford dry shampoo in dark - this is my favourite dry shampoo, when I ran out of this I bought the batiste in dark brown but it doesn't feel as nice as this one.
• Garnier ultimate blends honey treasures 1 minute treatment - I didn't see any difference to my hair when I used this so I wont be buying it again.
• Juicy water lemons & limes - I could drink this stuff every day, it really quenches your thirst!
• Original source extreme deep clean liquorice body scrub - this body scrub didn't last very long as it is quite watery, it did leave my skin feeling cleansed but I don't think I will buy it again.

SHARE:

0 comments

Recent Body Shop buys

Amazonian Wild Lily Mini Eau De Toilette 10ml - £5

White Musk Mini Eau De Toilette 10ml - £5 - This is for my granny

Sweet Almond Oil Nail Varnish Remover 100ml - £6

Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make Up Remover 150ml - £8 - I've only used this twice and already think it might be my new favourite eye makeup remover.

All-In-One BB Cream 00 Fair Skin Tones - 25ml - £12

Satsuma Shower Gel 250ml £0  - when you spent over £10 and you could pick a free shower gel and as it's summer I picked this gorgeous satsuma one which smells divine!

There was also 40% off online so I got all these goodies for £21.60

The all in one bb cream has pigment-filled capsules that burst when applied to the skin, releasing the colour inside.

This is the lightest shade 00 and when I blended it on my arm it turned into an orange shade, so I'm not quite sure how this will look when applied to my face. Have I actually found one body shop product that I don't like?! Fingers crossed it blends better on my face as I've watched the video that is on the body shop website for this product and it doesn't look orange at all.

Have you tried any of these products?

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Recent beauty buys

Vichy Purete thermale 3 in 1 one step cleanser for sensitive skin 

Lush seanik shampoo bar

Meacher, Higgins & Thomas Rosehip All Purpose salve from Marks & Spencers - I cannot find this online anywhere:(La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ 

Lush Gay is OK soap

Not only is this a beautiful looking and smelling soap (bergamot mixed with lemon) it is all in aid of a great cause. Here's a little bit from the LUSH website to explain:

'We are selling a soap and giving the profit away - we’ve made enough Love Soap to raise £250,000, if all the bars are sold! The money will be put into a fund to help LGBT organisations fighting for rights, equality and acceptance around the world. We want to attract applications from groups working in areas where anti-LGBT laws are harsh and extreme and where funding is in short supply.'

I have only tried the squeaky green shampoo bar (which is great) and it lasted at least 4 months so I wanted to repurchase another one.  When I read that this has lemon, seaweed & sea salt I was hooked as I love the Lush Ocean salt scrub which is a similar scent. 

Mark & Spencers is a place that I would have never of thought to go into for skincare but recently I've found myself enjoying a little wander in there to test all the beauty products they have to offer (Nuxe, Ren, Korres, Rituals). I spotted this Meacher, Higgins & Thomas Rosehip All Purpose salve which is all-purpose for lips, face, cuticles, elbows, knees and other areas prone to chapping. I thought this would be a great little tin to put into my handbag and it was really affordable at £4.50 (50g).

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Collated empties #4

• Sanex hypo-allergenic - I love this brand of shower gels and I will always repurchase them as The Body Shop no longer make their earth lovers range which used to be my favourite.
• Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Water Spray - this is a great product to have if you suffer from allergies as it calms your skin and is also great for the warmer weather to feel refreshed.
• Superdrug tea tree nose strips  - these work amazingly well and leave my skin feeling moisturised afterwords whereas previous kinds I've used left my nose area really dry.
• Garnier micellar cleansing water - another product that I will always repurchase as it's a great price and works well.
• Pure age defiance wipes - these are the only thing on this empties list that I will not be repurchasing. Wipes in general are not great for your skin but if I was to buy wipes again I would prefer a more natural alternitive.
• VO5 Bedazzling Oil Heat Protect Spray  - this is the only heat protector I use now as the infused oil helps to tame my frizz.

SHARE:

2 comments

Collated empties #3

• Original Source mint and tea tree shower gel - always a favourite
• Frizz-ease 3 day straight - repurchased already, brilliant product.
• Gosh long lasting brow pen in 004 wheat - I wouldn't repurchase this as it didn't blend well into my eyebrows.
• Maybelline illuminating concealer - I don't think there's much product in this but I would repurchase.
• Soap&Glory sexy mother pucker plumping lip gloss in punch bowl - this definitely tingles your lips but it went gloopy quickly so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Halle Berry Reveal miniature eau de toilette (this reminds me of the soap&glory scent which I love).
• Garnier 2 in 1 eye makeup remover - I've already repurchased, best at taking my eye makeup off.
• The Body Shop Seaweed clay face mask - I've already repurchased this as well, I use this only on my breakout areas as it helps bring the spots to the surface.

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

Irish Blogger Conference day out & goodie bag...

On the 30th of April I travelled to Dublin to attend the Irish Bloggers conference which took place in the Radisson on Golden Lane Dublin. It was such a great day full of amazing inspirational speakers. The main message of the day was to be yourself, do what you love and follow your dreams:)

As well as a brilliant day full of infulential speakers we all received a goodie bag filled with delightful beauty and skincare items.

This is a fuschia Dramatise eyeshadow palette, I've swatched a few colours and they have really good pigment.

The following are from Wet n wild: coloricon eyeliner in sky blue, Mega Slicks lipgloss called in a tutu, balm stain moisturizing lip colour in E129, Idol eyes cream shadow pencil in graphite and mega rocks glitter nail colour.

Burt's Bees lip gloss in 233 rosy dawn

Physicians formula BB concealer & mineral powder creamy natural

Vichy liftactiv supreme sample in dry and normal skin

Delare samples: tonifying lotion, cleansing milk, anti-wrinkle cream, skin meditation and spf 30 anti-wrinkle sun lotion.

B.O.N natural oils liquid gold - very excited to use this as I've just run out of my trilogy rosehip oil.

Welda Oat replenishing shampoo and conditioner sample

Bewley's special collection - fresh coffee - 100% Arabica coffee

Other things included were:

Propercorn coconut and vanilla popcorn, delicious (already repurchased)

A evoke nail file which always come in handy

A natural pomegrante drink (which I drunk before I took the pic)

A few vouchers for money off in shopping centres etc.

As you can see we were spoilt, have you tried any of these products?

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

The Body Shop & Brow Bar experience....

I received a very exciting email recently which asked me if I wanted to go to The Body Shop store on Grafton street Dublin to experience their brow bar treatment of threading and tinting. Of course I had to say yes, if you've read my blog for a while now you will have seen my obsession with The Body Shop. I had already planned to go to Dublin for the Irish Bloggers Conference on the 30th of April so was pleased that I was able to fit this in as well.

As I live in Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) my local Body Shop doesn't provide this eyebrow service so I was thoroughly excited to be invited, I was intrigued to see how they incorporate this service within the store.   I went to the Grafton Street store on Saturday  and was booked in to get the dye patch test behind my ear which is necessary in case of any allergic reactions. I was then booked in for the Sunday to get my threading and tinting, so while I was in the store a lovely Body Shop lady (I think her name was Jess... sorry if I'm wrong) showed me around the products. She was great and knew the products very well, I loved finding out about products I hadn't used before and also smelling all the new wonderful ranges like the mojito and green tea ones.  I was lucky enough to be given a lot of samples to try out (very excited/thankful).  I can't wait to try all these samples, especially the mango sugar scrub and the mojito scrub as they just smell insanely good. 

Just before leaving the store (on the Saturday) Jess pointed out the charity that The Body Shop are currently supporting, Front Line Defenders they are currently doing a raffle in store to raise money for this cause and there's a chance to win an amazing Body Shop hamper (I've got my raffle tickets). 

When I returned to the store the next day for my threading and tinting the lady double checked my patch test to make sure I didn't have a reaction (thankfully I didn't). This was the first time I've ever had my eyebrows threaded never mind being tinted. The ladies in the brow bar were really nice and gave their expert knowledge.

                                 

I was made feel at ease and relaxed in one of these super comfy chairs, firstly came the eyebrow tinting. I went for medium brown, the dye is only left on for a few minutes then removed. Once the dye has been done the threading begins. Once this process was complete I was shown my new brows in a hand mirror, I was so surprised at how thick my brows now look just by having them tinted. I did find it slightly more painful than waxing but the end results to me out way the pain involved.   My eyebrows honestly now look the best they've ever looked. I now don't have to try and shape my eyebrows every morning, yay!

Finally before leaving the store I spotted the Vitamin E Eyes Cube that I have been wanting to try for a while now, of course I couldn't resist it and ended up buying it.  I've only been using it the past two days and so far I'm really liking it. It is nice and cooling which feels divine when you've only woke up. Not only does it have the lovely cooling effect but it has a iridescent sheen (last pic) to it, big bonus! 

Thanks again to The Body Shop for my lovely experience and my wonderful new brows, just wish Dublin was closer:(

Has anyone else tried this brow service?

~Laura~

SHARE:

0 comments

NUXE love...

(The above picture is from Google images)

In this beautiful set you will find:

•50ml Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil which can be used on your face, body and hair

•Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil Golden Shimmer, this can be used on your face, neck and can also be applied to your hair

•40ml Prodigieuse Cream Antioxidant Facial Moisturiser - I have dry/combination skin, this cream is really rich and sinks straight into my skin

•Candle Bougie Prodigieuse - this candle is not only nice to look at but also has a spa like smell to it.

I got this amazing set during the boxing day sale for £20 on the Marks and Spencers website.  You all need to go and check out the Marks & Spencers beauty section as they are selling a lot of the 'cult' beauty products. This NUXE set was such an amazing deal as the 50ml oil to buy is £17 and the face cream is £21.  I wish I has bought two of these now:(

I have been using the face oil every night and the face cream every morning and I am in love with them, they feel so luxurious.  I have really dry skin around my nose and this has been the only thing that has helped with this. I haven't tried the oils on my hair or body yet but so far I can say I will definitely be repurchasing this once its all used up:)

Have you tried any NUXE products, if so what are your favourites?

SHARE:

0 comments