Pampering at the W with Bliss Spa products

While I was in California for my best friends wedding in Carlsbad, I stayed at the W Hotel San Diego. The W's are known for being luxury boutique hotels, generally marketed towards a younger crowd. They have a common theme of minimalist modern decor and hip, informal names for categories of rooms and public areas. For example the lobbies of all their hotels are known as the "Living Room." W Hotels attempt to include the letter W wherever possible - the swimming pool is known as "Wet", the concierge is known as "Whatever Whenever", the laundry bag is known as "Wash" and so on.

 

However what I loved the most about my stay at the W was their bathroom products! They stock your bathroom daily with lovely mini products from the brand 'Bliss'

 

I'd personally never tried any Bliss Spa products before but apparently Bliss has 22 spas located around the globe. "From Hollywood to Hong Kong, Boston to Barcelona and Dallas to Doha, they aim to bring the latest and most effective spa treatments and products, challenging convention along the way and infusing everything with our signature Bliss touch - all to make you look and feel absolutely 'spa'-tacular."

 

So let's have a look at the lovely goodies they treated me with at the W!

Love the modern, fresh packaging of these products!

 

For in the shower there was:

Lemon + Sage Conditioning Rinse (link)

Lemon + Sage Supershine Shampoo (link)

Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash (link)

 

And for some further pampering there was:

Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (link)

Lemon + Sage Body Butter (link)
Bliss Body Bar (link)

 

My absolutely favourite was definitely the Fabulous Foaming Face Wash. This 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator with rose hips, chamomile and passion flower is one of their best selling products.

You get some light foaming action after rubbing the product between your hands and the small, soft, round exfoliator beads gently cleanse your skin without leaving your face feeling soapy or dried out. The smell is probably the best part; it’s so refreshing and sweet at the same time I couldn’t get enough of it! I would recommend this face wash to anyone that is looking for a simple, soothing, exfoliating cleanser. I am definitely hooked and am going to purchase this for my bathroom at home after using it for a few days at the W Hotel. They sell it in a travel in a travel size (60ml at £6.50), regular size (197ml at £18.40) or even a super-sized version (460ml at £25.60). Think I might go super-sized because it gives you 30% savings and comes with a handy pump!

 

Have you tried any Bliss products before? xoxo

VICHY Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Stick

One of the items that was in my June GlossyBox was a small starter kit for the VICHY Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream stick.  The handy little kit contained 6 sample shades so you could find out what shade would provide you with perfect coverage.

The VICHY Dermablend stick is marketed as a ‘corrective foundation’ to provide the most complete, natural looking coverage for face and body imperfections. It contains 40% pigment concentration which makes it ideal for camouflage of skin concerns such as dark circles, acne marks, scarring, bruising, redness and dark spots. It promises to be long lasting (up to eight hours) and it is fragrance-free, waterproof and smudge resistant.

I think this would be a great foundation for someone with problem skin or if you prefer quite heavy coverage to block out any redness or pigmentation on your face. However for my complexion it seemed a little too heavy and creamy to apply all over my face so I decided to start using it as a concealer instead. And boy am I glad I did, this immediately became my favourite concealer! After trying a few of the shades I found that Nude (14) and Light (13) were most suited for me as a concealer to cover under eyes dark circles, spots and pigmentation; which I (unfortunately) get a lot more of during summer time.

So once my sample kit started running low I decided to buy the full VICHY Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream stick in Nude. It retails for £19 which is a bit more expensive than my usual MAC Studio Finish concealer (£14.50) but the Vichy stick is 12grams in comparison to 7grams for the MAC one so it will last me a lot longer!

It retails for £19 which is a bit more expensive than my usual MAC Studio Finish concealer (£14.50) but the Vichy stick is 12grams in comparison to 7grams for the MAC one so it will last me a lot longer!

Swatched and below blended out on my hand...

I normally just glide the stick under my eye and dab it in gently with my finger (you should never rub too much on the delicate skin area under your eyes) plus I apply it to any other small spots I might have and around the side of my nostrils. I am really happy I found this product so this does show the benefit of beauty box subscriptions like GlossyBox because otherwise I probably would never have tried the VICHY Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Stick.

VICHY products are available online here or you can find it at your local Boots store or Boots.com.
If you want to try the sample kit first to play with the product and to find your perfect shade you can actually buy the little starter kit for £4.99 online, which I think is super handy! (link).

Have you ever tried any other VICHY products that you'd recommend?

Your top five beauty investments by Veronika

Hi! I’m Veronika and I write the style, beauty and home décor blog, Veronika’s Blushing.  I’m delighted that Roz has asked me to guest blog for her while she’s on holiday and I’m here today to share what I think are your best “beauty investments.”

When you’re a style and beauty blogger, it’s tempting to try a lot of different looks and products. Over the years, I’ve had different hair colors and makeup routines, but I’ve noticed that as I get older, I’m more focused on creating a signature look and enhancing my appearance in the areas where I’ll get the most return on my efforts, both in the short and long term.

Sometimes, it’s tough to evaluate what you should spend your time (and money) on when it comes to beauty products and regimens. Here’s what I think are your best beauty investments:

Full, polished hair- Maybe you can’t afford to get a blowout like the lovely Duchess of Cambridge three times a week, but what you can do is learn how to give yourself a fantastic blowout. There are plenty of great tutorials on YouTube or, if you feel comfortable, ask your stylist to show you how to blow out your hair or go to a blow dry bar and observe the techniques that they use. The best part? A well-done blowout gives you incredible return on your investment---those 20 to 25 minutes you spend styling your hair make it bouncy for days---meaning you can skip daily washes and touch up your hair with some dry shampoo.

Kerastase Cristaliste Lumiere Liquide, one of my favorite blowout products!

Smile- The days of overly-bleached, Hollywood-perfect teeth are over---but a great smile has never gone out of style. Maintain your oral health by flossing nightly, using a whitening or stain-removing toothpaste (I like Crest Vivid White or Colgate Whitening) and if you can, invest in an electric toothbrush. I love my Sonicare toothbrush so much that I even travel with it! I also whiten my teeth once a year to maintain brightness and remove stains. I use professional trays I had made at my dentist’s office, however Crest Whitestrips Professional are also a wonderful an effective option.

Skin- Everyone wants clear, glowing, even-toned skin. For some of us, it comes naturally and for others (like me) who struggle with acne or other skin issues, keeping your skin clear can be quite the challenge. Investing in great skincare products is important---but so is prevention. In your early to mid 20’s is when you should start thinking about using eye creams and moisturizers that will help prevent premature aging, including sunscreen, which you should wear every time you’ll spend any significant amount of time in the sun. Establishing a preventative skincare routine now will be an investment that you’re still patting yourself on the back about 10 and 20 years from now. I used tanning beds a lot when I was in college and once I became aware of not only the increased risk of melanoma but also how much it prematurely ages you, my skin never touched a tanning bed again. Ten years later, I’m still reaping the benefits---at 29, I’m pretty happy with my skin and don’t have a lot of wrinkles.

Probably my most “glowing” day---at our 2009 wedding

Bright-eyed- They say that the eyes are the windows into the soul and I think they’re also one of your most important features to highlight. Bright, defined eyes can make your entire face look balanced and awake. I always use concealer on my lids as a base to even out my eye area and then I use Maybelline’s Eraser Dark Circles in the light pink “brightener” color under my eyes to perk up and lighten the entire under-eye area. I also use Benefit’s Eye Bright on my lower lash line and in the inner corner of my eye. I have a tutorial of my entire eye makeup routine here. By far the most impactful part of brightening up your eyes is curling your lashes. I feel like it instantly makes you look youthful and rested. I heat my eyelash curler with a hair dryer for a few seconds and it locks the curl in all day (and, if you want it to last extra-long, always use waterproof mascara because the formulas are drier and help lock in the curl).

Using light pink under your eyes really brightens your entire face!

Trim and Toned- By far one of the best beauty investments of all is keeping your body strong and toned. From a physiological perspective you’ll have more energy, sleep better, be stronger, more flexible and have more endurance---and from a mental perspective you’ll feel balanced, happier and more satisfied with your overall appearance. My favorite toning workings include The Bar Method, Ballet Beautiful and Pilates. I find that these types of workouts really target such a wide array of muscle groups and they work muscles you didn’t even know you had! There are also fantastic workouts available on YouTube (for free!) by the girls from Tone It Up and BodyRockTV.

On my way to the gym! All gear by Lululemon

What are your best beauty investments?

Leave a comment below or come visit me over at Veronika’s Blushing.
Thank you for having me!

(No Thank YOU Veronika - what a great post. It's easy to see why I love her blog right? xoxo Roz)

Cor Silver Soap

The lovely people at COR recently sent me a sample of their Silver Soap to try. I’d read bits and pieces about this soap because many celebs like Jessica Biel, Nicole Sherzinger, Sarah Jessica Parker and Reese Witherspoon have raved about it and it sold out in the US when it launched last year.
Until recently it wasn't available in the UK but now it is here for all of us to enjoy!

But what is this soap and what’s so special about it?

“Cor's silver soap is a great multi-taker product because it can be used to transform stressed out skin suffering from acne, eczema, pigmentation and even fine lines and wrinkles to leave you with a glowing, clear and youthful complexion at the same time!”

The star ingredient of this soap is that it contains the patented formula of nano-silver with silica and they are derived from natural sources.

Silver: is one of the best antibacterial agents. It blocks the bactera’s ability to transfer oxygen through its cell walls. Silver also has healing properties and has been used by doctors to speed cell repair.
Silica: prepares the skin to accept the ingredients of Cor. The sponge-like nature of Silica draws the Silver and other active ingredients into its particles so that it can richly nourish the skin.

Other ingredients include:
Glycerin: derived from natural palm oil which is a renewable source of glycerin most often used in high end soaps.
Marine Collagen from Japan: Cor’s collagen can add a more youthful apperance to one’s face.
Sericin: is a natural, soluble protein made from silk. Highly moisture-binding and film-forming.
Chitosan: is a natural fibre that acts to even out skin tone, and helps to balance out the skin’s oil levels.
Pomegranate Extract: helps to reduce the effect of aging and fight free radicals.
The soap is amber coloured and comes in cased in a stylish box to preserve the soap and has a fresh slightly citrusy fragrance.

I have been using this soap for a few weeks now and my skin is certainly not complaining. I have to say I am blessed with pretty good skin so I am not someone that suffers from a lot of breakouts or anything so I can’t really judge that aspect of the soap. The soap lathers and foams with use and leaves my skin ‘squeeky’ clean – I am serious, my skin actually makes that noise with this soap! It removes all my make up without stripping any natural oils and thereore and my skin feels fresh and glowing. I like that Cor Silver Soap contains no parabens or preservatives and that it is suitable for sensitive skin.
Cor Silver Soap’s are available now from Corsilver.co.uk with prices starting from £15.

So are you keen to try this product? Well you can!! I am giving away FIVE Silver Soap starter packs, which include a 15g soap plus samples of the their Anytime Moisturiser, Wrinkle Serum and Eye Cream, worth £24 each.

To enter, simply complete the following steps:
♥ Like my DutchessRoz FaceBook Fanpage (link)
♥ Leave a comment and your email address on the Cor Silver Soap photo as posted on my Facebook FanPage timeline (link)
♥ And for an extra entry RT the following on twitter 'Enter to #win 1 of 5 amazing Cor Silver Soaps with @dutchess_roz here http://t.co/aaOXpLQE'

Also I am able to offer you all a unique 10% discount on any orders via Cor’s Facebook Social Store (link) by entering the unique code ROZ4.

The competition is open until the 30th of April, when I will pick 5x lucky winners. Good luck! xoxo

UPDATE: This competition has now closed. Winners have been notified.

Indulgent bath time: cranberry & chocolate waffle

This Easter N-SPA has released a collection of chocolate inspired luxury bath syrups!

"N-SPA is a range of indulgent bath & body products, brought to you by Nirvana Spa. Inspired by over 20 years of spa experience, their exquisite ranges have been designed especially to treat, care for and de-stress even the busiest people. Created and used by professionals, N-spa will bring you affordably luxurious bathing products to enjoy every single day."

N-SPA is all about making everyday bathing that bit more special. I think that with the hectic lifestyles we all lead it’s important to take some time out of each day to just stop for a moment, breathe, relax, and do something positive to nurture your mind, body and soul! 

Now what better way to do this than with a bubble bath? 

♥ Indulgent Cranberry Chocolate bath syrup!

 ♥ Indulgent Chocolate Waffle bath syrup!

This is definitely my favourite of the two. It smells just like......

YUM right?!  Oh and just incase you might get an instant craving for chocolate waffles while bathing, the bottle comes with this nifty little warning....

DO NOT EAT! ;) haha

All you need to do is drizzle these deliciously moisturizing sweet smelling bath syrups into warm running water to create a bath filled with bubbles! The bath syrups are only £4 each for a 500ml bottle and are available at ASDA stores nationwide. Alternatively buy online at the N-SPA website.

Now don't mind me, I am off for some therapeutic 'me' time....candles, bubbles...ahhh  bliss! xoxo

DIY waxing with Parissa wax strips

OK whether I like it or not,  I admit that just like a large number of women out there I have a whisker or two that needs regular attention. Luckily, being a natural blonde does mean that I am blessed with blonde and pretty light facial hair growth.  When I was younger I only used to pluck my eyebrows but by the time I reached my early 20's I became increasingly annoyed with small bits of 'fuzz' on my upper lip; so I decided to start waxing.

Many years ago I tried some DIY (do-it-yourself) waxing at home which left me with lumps of wax stuck to my face and me painfully and slowly trying to remove it! Yes I know you are supposed to do it quickly but this just didn't work which made it like pulling off a plaster slowly and the whole ordeal left my skin red and sore..auwwwchh. So ever since that traumatising experience I had sworn off home waxing and this means that every 2-3 months I go to the beauty salon to get my eyebrows and upper lip waxed to super smoothness!

However, this was until I discovered Parissa Wax Strips!

From left to right:

♥ 2 in 1 Roll on Sugar (£20.45 here)

♥ Wax Strips for underarm, bikini and face (£10.99 here)

♥ Brow Shaper Wax Strips (£8.69 here)

My favourite Parissa product is definitely their assorted sized wax strips pack. Lined with a sensitive formula cream wax, these strips offer quick, mess free & easy to use hair removal virtually anytime, anywhere. 

You can actually zip away unwanted hair on your upper lip, jaw, cheeks & bikini line instantly - keeping skin smooth up to 6 weeks. 

The pack contains: 24 ready to use, pre-waxed strips (12 double sided strips in 3 different sizes), 8 ml vial of Azulene Oil aftercare and an easy to follow photo instruction sheet in 5 languages.
The strips on the right are from the Mini Brow wax pack which ideal for touching up your brows!

So how to use these strips? Don't fear, it's easy peasy lemon squeezy...

1) Warm the product by rubbing a double strip between your hands (or holding it against a warm radiator really quickly works wonders too!)

2) Slowly separate into 2 strips as seen in picture above

3) Press on. Smooth down sticky side of the wax strip firmly onto skin in direction of hair growth.

4) Hold skin taut below strip with one hand and use other hand to grasp lower end of strip & quickly zip-off in opposite direction of hair growth.  Keep strip/hand as close & parallel to the skin as possible.

5) Repeat; the same strip may be used several times.

You can download the full instructional guide here

I also love that the pack includes a vial of Azulene Oil to soothe & soften the skin and prevent ingrown hair. I apply this with some cotton wool after I have pulled off the strips which removes any wax residue, soothes my skin and prevents any redness or irritation.

Since I discovering these strips I have not been back to the beauty salon once, saving me quite a bit of dosh; and all the little bits help right? :) I have recommended the Parissa waxing strips to a few friends and they all agree that these strips are so easy and (relatively) pain-free to use.

Containing only natural ingredients, Parissa products are free from harsh chemicals that can often cause nasty irritations and are therefore ideal for people with sensitive skin. The products are easy on your conscience too; the natural, PETA approved ingredients are biodegradable and pollutant free whilst the packaging is recyclable and also made from recycled materials.

I honestly can't rave about these strips enough; love them! Bye bye fear of DIY waxing, thanks Parissa! :)
Parissa products are available from Boots and Sainsbury’s stores nationwide in the UK or for world wide stockists information, check out their website.

Do you ever DIY wax and if so what product do you swear by? xoxo

My tan truth for wintertime...

In the cold winter months I hate looking white and pasty so my secret to getting some ‘sun’ during these months is using a daily gradual tan moisturiser. I have tried a few brands over time with some of my favourites being He-Shi, St Tropez and Garnier Summer Body.

Recently I got introduced to a brand called TanTruth  which have a lovely daily Gradual Tan called Secret Sun!

“Secret Sun is a luxurious body moisturiser containing just a hint of their dual tanning agents. Applied daily, it enhances your natural skin colour to leave a gorgeous sun kissed glow that can be achieve all year round. Enriched with Avocado and Shea butter, Secret Sun leaves skin soft, moisturised and hydrated. Excellent for daily use or after a holiday to help prolong your natural tan. Be gorgeous and glow all year round.”

Secret Sun is £5.19 per bottle (250ml) and can be purchased online here 

If I compare it to other daily gradual tan moisturisers I have used I found that the colour develops a bit deeper and stronger with Secret Sun but without looking a (dreaded) orange shade. The smell is very light and refreshing (not that horrible biscuity smelt that some fake tans can have!) and it actually is great as a moisturiser leaving your skin soft, hydrated and glowing.

The last few months I have just applied this lotion in the morning after my shower mainly to my chest, neck, arms and legs to give me a nice sun-kissed glow opposed to white vampire skin! Definitely liking this product :)

Do you use a gradual tan moisturiser in winter to get some ‘Secret Sun’; and if so, what products do you recommend? xoxo

December Glossy Box =

Only one week until Christmas! I however felt like it was Christmas already when my December GlossyBox arrived at my desk a few days ago! Seems the Glossy Box team are feeling the Christmas cheer because their last box of 2011 is a beautiful red instead of the usual soft pink and is packed full with lovely Christmas goodies. Think this is my favourite box so far!

This month everyone received a Rituals foaming shower gel, a Deborah Lippmann nail polish (plus nail polish remover mits) and a lipgloss by Cargo. The remaining two items were different in everyone’s box. I got the Blink+Go Hi Definition mascara and the MeMeMe Seventh Heaven FaceBase.

Here is an outline of the products I got:
♥ Rituals – Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel, 200ml £6.50
♥ Deborah Lippman "Razzle Dazzle" Mini (8ml) Nail Varnish
♥ Stripped To Go nail polish remover mitt (retails at £14 for pack of six)
♥ Blink + Go Hi-Definition Mascara
♥ Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss (mini)
♥ MeMeMe Seventh Heaven Moisturising Facebase

I was very excited to find the Rituals foaming shower gel in this box because my brother and his fiancé seem to be addicted to the stuff. They’ve raved to me about it many times and every year when one of the big department stores in Holland has their annual sale, they stock up on buying the Rituals foaming gels in bulk! So I was very keen to give this product a go and see what the fuss was all about. Now having tried it, I completely understand their love for this product. The foaming gel is just delicious!

It has a gel-to-soft foam formula which makes it feel like you are having a bubble bath in the shower. Very soft and creamy plus the Yogi Flow smells amazing. It has ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil and Indian rose which not only make your skin smell divine but also make it feel moisturised and luxurious.

Once this bottle runs out I am definitely buying more because am keen to try the other varieties. My brother seems to swear by the Hammam Delight!

I also love the Cargo Cosmetics Lipgloss. I hadn't really heard of this brand before so that does show the advantage of the GlossyBox concept, exposing you to great products you might otherwise not find.

The classic lipgloss (travel size) I got was in the shade 'Serengiti' which is a iridescent peach colour. It has a lovely shiny, sheer non-sticky formula and the colour is so pretttty!

The Razzle Dazzle raspberry glittery nail polish by Deborah Lippman also looks perfect for the festive season, cant wait to have a play with it :)

Did you get your December GlossyBox or do you spot some products in here you'd like to have??
A GlossyBox subscription is £10 per month (plus V.A.T and p&p) from Glossybox.co.uk.
You find my previous review of the Glossy Box Experience here.

Product Love: Wish Wash

Hey everyone,

First off I am sorry, I can't believe it's been a week since I have blogged! Life has just been a little busy the last few days with work, life and travel. I love blogging so it's not that I have lost the 'passion' but sometimes the days just fly by and recently just haven't had the time!

Now onto a product I have been loving recently: Wish Wash by FIX Malibu!

Wish Wash is a exfoliant cleanser but nothing like a traditional cleanser! It's actually a finely milled powder that is activated by water into a light foaming cleanser that exfoliates and deep-cleans pores gently without stripping your skin. A powder cleanser was a totally new concept to me so was very intrigued to see how it would work & feel. The powder comes in a cardboard container that looks a bit like a pepper or seasoning shaker because it features the same type of lid.



All you need to do is tip a pea-sized pile of powder into the palm of your hand and mix in a little water. I was expecting the powder to turn into paste like consistency when mixed with water but instead it turns the powder into a lovely soft 'foaming' cleanser.

As well as naturally abrasive cellulose powders, it contains citric, salicylic and ferulic acids which are natural skin smoothers said to draw extract the dirt from your pores. Done this way, exfoliation allows any toner or moisturiser applied afterward to penetrate maximally, without irritating sensitive skin.

The idea behind the product is to gently but effectively exfoliate with every single wash, rather than just saving a harsher exfoliation for once or twice a month. I have been using this in the shower daily and love how it leaves my skin feeling refreshed, super-clean, soft and not stripped 'raw' like some other exfoliating products can do.

Wish Wash is available online at Cult Beauty here for £27.50

And seeing it's Wednesday again.....
Think a lot of us are feeling a bit like this at the moment….Happy Hump Day :) xoxo

Vanilla & Ice cream and Coconut & Cream

Don’t those combinations just sound delicious? To eat yes but also to treat your body :)
I love using ‘I love’ cosmetics’ range of amazing smelling body and hand lotions to lather up my skin to keep them smooth, soft and hydrated whilst smelling luxuriously yummy!The only downside? Every time I lather up in the body lotion it leaves me CRAVING vanilla or cookies &cream ice cream ;) Click here for ‘I Love’ stockist information.

I hope you are all having a fabulous week? The cold weather is really hitting London now, this morning it was only 5 degrees when I left home for work!! Brrrr. Last Friday I went to the musical ‘the Lion King’ with a friend and have to say I LOVED it! The stage, the costumes, the music…FANTASTIC. If you ever have the opportunity to go to this anywhere in the world then I’d definitely recommend it. So because it’s Hump Day, this week’s message is little inspired by The Lion King!

Very well said Pumbaa and Timon!!! Happy Hump Day xoxo

Discovering BB Creams!

For the last few months I started noticing the term ‘BB cream’ popping up everywhere in the media; from blogs to magazines. To be honest I’d never really heard of this product before and when my flatmate pointed out to me that she’d read about it and bought one, I thought to myself, Roz you are supposed to be a beauty blogger, how can you not know about this! So I decided to do a little research. If you are, like me, a bit clueless on the whole concept of BB creams then read on….

BB cream stands for ‘Blemish Balm’. Now you might think I am talking about some kind of spot cream but that’s not the case. It’s generally marketed as both a cosmetics and skincare product. BB cream was originally formulated in Germany and used by dermatologists to help laser surgery patients protect, soothe and refine highly sensitive skin while providing light coverage for post-laser scars, acne and other blemishes. BB cream became very popular in South Korea and soon, it exploded all over Asia and now it’s the new beauty hype of 2011 all over the world.

These days BB creams come in a variety of different formulations and qualities. Some are said to have skin whitening or brightening properties. Others are anti-acne, some are anti-wrinkle, some are intended to even out skin tone, and yet others to lighten blemish scars. BB creams are sometimes used like a primer under foundation, and if tinted may even replace foundation and some newer ones will have functions of primer, foundation, moisturizer, sun block, pore minimization and skin refining all together which can save time and money in make-up. Basically BB cream is billed as the answer to all your skincare woes in a single product! Sounds like heaven right?

So after doing this research I was quite keen to get experimenting to see if the hype lives up to it’s reputation! The first BB cream I decided to play with was UNE's Intuitive Touch BB-Cream foundation. UNE is the natural beauty sister company to Bourjois that promises a high performance range of products that are paraben-free, made from bio ingredients and almost totally natural. Most BB creams seem to come as a liquid form so it was quite interesting to see that UNE has launched their BB cream as a solid compact. But I have to say I like the look of its stylish simple mirrored packaging. UNE says their BB-cream foundation is a 7 in 1 product that will smooth, correct, moisturise, enhance, mattify, nourish and protect your skin at the same time! Being a creamy compact I was expecting it to feel quite oily and heavy but was pleasantly surprised that the UNE BB cream felt light, smooth and silky! It seems to almost melt into your skin and blends really naturally. It’s a cream to powder formulation and you can control the coverage you want. Apply as a concealer with the small brush provided or use your fingers or regular foundation brush (in my case my stippling brush) to apply all over your face for a light to medium coverage foundation. Final thoughts? I am enjoying using this product and it’s been a positive first experiment with BB Creams. UNE’s Intuitive Touch BB-Cream would be great for people that like a natural finish that feels gorgeously creamy and smooth on your skin, that provides that little bit extra to say a tinted moisturiser. After this I'm definitely keen to try some more BB creams to compare…..watch this space!

UNE BB cream comes in 7 shades @ RRP £14.49/€19.99.
Available from Boots, Superdrug & Lovelula.com

Has anyone tried this yet or any other B.B. Creams? Would love to hear your thoughts :) xoxo

Celebrate Chocolate Week the guilt free way!

It's officially National Chocolate Week this week, hoorah! However, do we ever actually need an excuse to indulge in chocolate? Anyways instead of tempting you with lots of amazing chocolaty things I will tell you about a delicious guilt free treat you can spoil yourself with this week, or any other week for that matter…. :)

Treat yourself to a “Hot Chocolate Face Mask"!
When a sample of this mask arrived at my desk earlier this week, my friend the Bright Blonde was keen as (cocoa) beans to pamper herself with a bit of hot chocolate fun! This is her little review…
”Well it is exactly what it says on the pack! It’s hot, its chocolate and it orange :)

It’s gorgeous to apply, it smells delicious and it’s difficult not to lick it. So much so that I did have a little lick and I would say that people should refrain from licking it. It doesn’t taste as good as it smells or looks. I luckily applied it with a ‘chocolate orange’ to hand and nibbled on that whilst I had the mask on. It’s messy but it’s really rather decadent.” The self heating (yes it’s an actual HOT chocolate mask) cleanses dirt and oils from deep within pores and will leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed. 

As you can see she was well and truly in chocolate heaven :)

     

All products by Montagne Jeunesse are are suitable for vegetarians and they always prefer to use natural ingredients. The hot chocolate mask (£1.09) and complete range of their luscious skin treats can be found in all major retailers including Asda, Boots, Claires, Morrison, Sainsburys, Superdrug, Tesco or online via their website.

PS: for a great giggle read the Bright Blonde’s latest blog post about the joys of online dating; it had me in tears of laughter :)