After a very (very) lean Christmas, I decided it was about time to stock up on a few little essentials. Which, of course, turned into an offensively large amount of shopping. Standard.
I thought I'd do a little blog post and let you guys know what I thought was worth it, and what i should have left on the shelf! (Surely the fact that my splurging doubles as a blog post means it halves in price right...right?!) I'll be doing skin care, hair care, and body products in this post and following with a make-up haul very soon.
Hair
Tigi 'Serious' Conditioner - worth it.
This smells like strawberries, cream and Calpol (for those of you who lived a sad and deprived childhood; Calpol is the tits). The conditioner actually really worked, I left mine on for just over 24 hours and my lord, silk, water, cashmere, bunnies tails and babies bums, my hair felt damn good. This is a little pricey, but if you're after something that isn't quite as hardcore as the Moroccanoil or Kerastase treatments (and a little cheaper), then this is a really good alternative. It's more for softness, shine and perfecting hair, sealing split ends and just giving hair the moisture boost of a lifetime.
http://www.feelunique.com/p/TIGI-S-Factor-Serious-Conditioner-750ml
Organix renewing argan oil of morocco - worth it (as a cheaper substitute)
This was actually a bit of a lazy purchase, I have so much love for my Moroccanoil treatment oil, that I thought I should probably branch out and try something a bit different (AKA a bit cheaper). The Organix oil smells really nice, and adds an incredible amount of shine to my hair, does a great job at de-frizzing, and makes hair super soft. But honestly in relation to the Moroccanoil, it just isn't as good. But I'll still be repurchasing this and using it everyday, and keep my little Moroccanoil for a weekly display of hair love or as a treat.
http://www.feelunique.com/p/Organix-Renewing-Moroccan-Argan-Oil-Penetrating-Oil-100ml
****
That was it for haircare! I'd splashed out pretty recently on some hair treats so didn't go too OTT (*self applause*)
New year, new bod! And as i'm far to lazy to even contemplate the idea of actually exercising *shudder*, I decided i could get the same sense of renewed youth and improvement with a few tactfully purchased items!
Body
Laura Mercier Creme de pistache scrub - SO worth it.
This is something I've wanted to get for quite a while now, every time I come anywhere near a Laura Mercier, it's always a b-line to the scrub for a good long whiff of wonder. It smells like Pistachio ice-cream, love, hugs, luxury and thick creamy cream (its pretty creamy). Smell aside, this scrub has really tiny exfoliating particles which i LOVE, usually it seems as though once an exfoliator is on, the granules seem so spread out that it doesn't feel like anything's happening, BUT fret no more oh seekers of the soft, Laura Mercier scrub boarders on microdermabraision, it's completely stuffed full of scrubby-bits and definitely does the job, PLUS you'll smell like sweet pistachio ice-cream for houuursss after you've used it. In love with this product! And I didn't even mention the best bit! It comes with it's own mini spatula. I mean come on now. It comes with a MINI spatula. #totesaborbs #sorry #ihashtaginappropriatethingswhenimexcited
http://www.lauramercier.co.uk/store/shop/Body%20Scrubs_Cr%C3%A8me%20de%20Pistache%20Scrub_prod80038
Burt's Bees Vitamin E Body & Bath Oil - Desert island essential - worth it!
This might actually be my favourite purchase so far (I bet i'll be saying that about aaall the products #suchacharmer) The only downside to this product, is that it's far too small, I want to be able to buy this in litre bottles and fill baths with it and it alone like a modern day Cleopatra. It spreads really easily when applied straight to the skin, sometimes oils can be quite tough to get moving, but a tiny drop of this one goes a really long way. The smell lasts all day/night but isn't overpowering and doesn't interfere with any perfumes or other nicey-smelly things you put on. It smells like lemon oil, but not as intense, just fresh and delicious. Used in the bath, again, it's a story of a little going a long way. I'm still a dedicated lover of my Lush bath bombs, but I love to add a few drops of this in too. I've been using it all over my body every single day (this never happens, when it comes to full body exfoliation, moisturisation, anything really, I'm beyond lazy) but it's so quick to do and sinks in enough to be able to get dressed pretty much straight away, but is still there enough to still feel crazy soft 12 hours later. In case you haven't noticed, I love this. It's also an absolute steal at under £10!
http://www.feelunique.com/p/Burts-Bees-Lemon-Vitamin-E-Bath-Body-Oil-115ml
Lush Dreamwash Shower Smoothie - should have stayed on the shelf
I won't mess about, don't love it. Smells awesome, feels pretty good to touch, easy and quick to use, does the job. But personally, I can't stand the soapy-squeak that comes with proper 'soap-soap', so this didn't do it for me. Sorry Lush!
https://www.lush.co.uk/product/138/Dreamwash-Shower-Smoothie
****
Face
Origins GinZing moisturiser - worth it
I feel a fool, this moisturiser shamed me hideously. It was my first venture into the land of Origins cosmetics, I've been missing out something crazy. It was the gorgeous Lily Pebbles that inspired me to give Origins a go (If you haven't checked her out yet then I would definitely recommend it, she knows what she's talking about! http://www.lilypebbles.co.uk/). I'm now a little obsessed and plan to get myself a new Origins goody once a month (we'll see how long that lasts...) This moisturiser smells like sweet oranges, feels more gel-like than creamy, it's super light and doesn't feel greasy or heavy or slimy, you need the smallest amount and it sinks in really quickly, great under make up or to reapply throughout make-up less days to keep your skin looking 4-shots-of espresso-just-slept-for-100-years-wide-awake.
http://www.origins.co.uk/product/10950/26237/Skincare/Range/GinZing/GinZing/Energy-boosting-moisturizer/index.tmpl
Origins Drink Up Intensive - worth it
This was a bit of a guilty purchase, I went in to get myself a new Clarins HydraQuench (If you're interested in HydraQuench I've put a link at the bottom of this review), but after splashing out quite drastically on make-up, I decided that I have enough moisturising masks and I was just being silly. AND THEN, I started playing at the Origins counter, saw this and INNOCENTLY ENQUIRED as to the price. Was slightly taken aback and ended up buying it.. and i'm so glad i did! It smells like apricots and peaches and love, super hydrating, really moisturising and soothing, doesn't feel too heavy, and in the morning you can see a genuinely visible difference. I prefer this to the HydraQuench now and will be repurchasing as soon as i'm out!
http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3857/11647/Skincare/Category/Masks/Drink-Up-Intensive/Overnight-mask-to-quench-skins-thirst/index.tmpl
http://www.clarins.co.uk/Cream-Mask-specially-designed-for-dehydrated-skin/C010202010,en_GB,pd.html?start=10
Origins Clear Improvement Mask - shelf
After the success of Drink Up Intensive, I was pretty excited to try this mask (highly necessary as my skin loves throwing tantrums and blemishing all over the face (face.. place.. see what i did there?) Admittedly I didn't purchase this mask on its own, it came as part of a set with my GinZing moisturiser. Firstly, it comes in little wee pods, which actually is really helpful, it's much easier to get out and you don't waste any because it's sort of finger-scoop-shaped. I wasn't totally sold on it, although it was a really nice alternative to Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic, I don't think i'd use it AS much as the Lush mask, but it would definitely make a nice change, perhaps a monthly mask rather than a weekly. Overall, a good mask, I could see results, perhaps I hyped it up too much beforehand, but I wasn't blown away.
http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3857/11588/Skincare/Category/Masks/Clear-Improvement/Active-charcoal-mask-to-clear-pores/index.tmpl
(and for those of you interested, here's a link to the Lush mask) https://www.lush.co.uk/product/79/catastrophe-cosmetic-fresh-face-mask
Lush Ocean Salt - shelf
speaking of Lush.. I'd tried this product before and wasn't enamoured, but re-discovered it after Christmas and used it just as a body scrub, I still don't think its amazing, but it's always nice to have a handy pot of this laying around! (Also makes the bath go milky blue - bonus) Word to the wise: KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED. Salt. just, salt.
https://www.lush.co.uk/product/306/120g-SMALL-Ocean-Salt-Facial-Scrub
(special mention: Dr. Weil Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Serum, I was given a few sachets of this serum to try and, although I don't really have sensitive skin at all, it was amazing! So nice to use under make-up, and make my skin overall less red, smoother and softer, only downside is the less than glamorous smell, which actually isn't awful, just not hugely pleasant. Dr. Weil Mega-Bright skin tone correcting serum, again, freebie love. This made my skin so much brighter and more even and just smooth, glowing goodness, love this as a primer. Kiehl's ultra light daily defence SPF 50. 50! as a natural ginger, I was already sold. But so often it pretty much feels like mushing wax into your skin, followed by a breakout to break all breakouts. But this felt just like a 'normal' night cream type of texture. Screw you wrinkles and sun damage, you can't have me!! Will be purchasing the full size of this the second my freebies run out)
And that's it! That was part one of my January beauty haul! If you've tried and loved any new products this new year then I'd love to know about them! :)
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