LUSH VALENTINE'S DAY COLLECTION 2016

I rarely buy anything from Lush’s main range, but when it comes to their seasonal collections I have to try everything! It seems like their Christmas collection has just left the shops but the Valentines range has been available for a few weeks now. My bathroom is still stocked up on Lush Christmas items, but it’s nice to treat yourself to the Valentines items if you haven’t got someone to treat you. Soon the Mother’s Day and Easter ranges will be hitting the stores, I have seen a few photos and they excite me a lot, but I should really use what I’ve got before treating myself to any more.

The first thing that caught my eye from the collection was the Kiss a few frogs Knot Wrap (£4.50). I must admit I don’t have too many knot wraps, I missed out on the Christmas Snow Angel one but they’re great to store loose Lush items in as online items don’t come in packaging. I love the cute design and the bright neon colours. This knot wrap has been created in partnership with Arthouse Meath and re-wrap. Arthouse Meath is a social enterprise showcasing the talents of those living with severe epilepsy, learning difficulties and physical difficulties, drew the charming design then re-wrap – a women’s co-operative from Mysore, India – provided the fabric.

A release that I tried last year is the Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar (£4.25). This year it has come back slightly different, with added lustre and without the stars. This bubble bar has a relaxing lavender and neroli scent and creates lots of fragrant pink bubbles. I prefer the appearance of last year’s unicorn horn but that bath water is definitely a nicer pastel unicorn colour. I can get about two-three baths out of one unicorn horn.

A new Valentines Bath Bomb is the Lover Lamp Bath Bomb (£3.95). This bath bomb contains fair trade organic cocoa butter so it’s really moisturising on the skin. It has butter hearts which slowly melt and soften you to leave you with silky skin. The scent combines fair trade vanilla absolute and Brazilian orange oil so it smells just like a chocolate orange. The bath turns a milky colour and the scent lingers on your skin which I really like.

Not a Valentine’s Day exclusive, but one I’ve wanted to try for a while now is the Rose Jam Bubbleroon (3.75). I love the Rose Jam shower gel and I’ve seen a few demonstrations of the giant pink bubbles this product creates so I wanted to try it for myself. I think this is the first bubbleroon I’ve tried, but the design is really cute! This bubbleroon contains; lemon, rose and geranium oil so it will help perk you up as well as containing Fair Trade cocoa and shea butter which leaves your skin feeling and smelling lovely. This is definitely a new favourite and one I will be repurchasing, I will have to try out the other bubbleroons.

I also picked up a 250g bottle of Prince Charming Shower Cream (£9.75) which I haven’t tried before. I really like the scent of this, it contains fresh pomegranate juice and grapefruit oil. It also contains marshmallow root, Fair Trade vanilla pod and Fair Trade organic cocoa butter which softens the skin. I was a bit worried the texture would be as thin as the Lord of Misrule Shower Cream, but this scent is much thicker which is great when you want to foam up the product.
Also in the Valentine's Day collection is a gorgeous looking soap which I didn't pick up called Roses all the way, which is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. They also have The Kiss lip gloss and lip scrub and of course a few lovely looking gift sets, the Lots of Love gift set is just stunning!

What’s your favourite Valentine’s Day Lush product?

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MITONIA - BEAUTE MEDITERRANEA COSMECEUTICALS SKINCARE

Mitonia is not a company that I had heard of before, but when I started doing my research I was excited to try them out for myself. Mitonia is a new company, devoted to cosmetics and perfumes and has a number of brands they have selected for their consumer. Mitonia is the distribution link between the brand and the consumer, taking into account trends and what the consumer has to say. Beaute Mediterranea is one of the brands and the only brand products I have tried from Mitonia. Beaute Mediterranea is a Spanish laboratory led skincare brand which products are formulated with active ingredients to get the best out of your skin. The brand has paraben-free cosmetics and are new to the UK market.

 I picked out some products based on my oily skin tone, the Regenerative line seemed to be most suited to me. I was really excited to try the Beaute Mediterranea Micellar Cleansing Water (200ml £20.00). I am a big fan of Bioderma and use a micellar water as my first cleanse before I go in with a full cleanser most evenings. I’m always looking for an alternative and trying what else is out there in the market. The cleansing water is formulated with marigold and elder floral water and snail secretion extract, which leaves the face free from impurities and can be used in the morning as well as the evening. The snail secretion part put be off a little, but I know it is used in quite a few beauty products for its collagen, glycolic acid properties and other compounds that regenerate skin cells. I’m really enjoying using this product so far, I normally just use it in the evenings before my evening cleanse and just put a small amount on a cotton wool pad and sweep it over my face. The micellar water gets rid of most of my make-up and feels refreshing on my skin. The cleansing water seems to make my skin look a lot clearer, as well as calming down any redness I have. I like the floral scent, but it's not too overpowering on my skin.

The other product I got to try out was the Beaute Mediterranea Snail Cream (50ml £34.00).  This cream is formulated with organic certified snail slime extract rich in allantoin, collagen, elastin and other micronutrients to help moisturise, soothe and attenuate skin blemishes. It combines aloe vera and marigold extracts with UV filters that ensure an active skincare. I also apply this one in the evenings after cleansing my skin and gently massage in it until it’s all absorbed. I like that it comes in a pump bottle as it dispenses just enough product for my face. I find this cream to be really moisturising, not too heavy on my skin and sinks in nicely. I have seen a difference in my skin since I started using the products every evening and I'm looking forward to seeing the continual results over time. I really like the packaging, it reminds me of the brand Korres. I really liked trying something new, the ingredients are of high quality and I look forward to trying more from the range. Also in the regenerative range is; Dragon’s Blood Regenerative cream, Snail Body Cream, Snail Concentrate Serum and Snail Eye Contour Cream. But they also have other ranges to suit other skin types like the moisturising, anti-aging and expression lines collections.

Will you be adding Beaute Mediterranea into your skincare routine?

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*PR Samples

NEW YEAR BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES

It's a new year and I think most people feel the need to declutter and get rid of things they don't need. Whether this is downsizing your wardrobe or finishing half used beauty products that have been hanging around your bathroom. These are some of the products I have finished recently.
The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, 90ml £13.00 - This has to be one of the stand out products from The Body Shop for a while. I really enjoyed using this up, it’s super moisturising on the skin and takes every little bit of make-up off. It’s not harsh around the eye area and you only need a little piece to clean your whole face. It's really gentle on my skin and has quite a subtle scent, so it's not overpowering at all. Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m currently using the cleansing oil in my shower from the same range.

Liz Earle Limited Edition Orange Flower & Chamomile Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, 150ml  - Cleanse and Polish is my go to cleanser, if my skin is playing up I know I can rely on this to help it get back to normal. I try and purchase the limited edition scents to mix up my usual skincare routine. I use this most days as it’s moisturising on the skin and dissolves make-up straight away. It's suitable for all skin types and age ranges, so I can see myself using this product for a while. Would I repurchase? Always, I have to have a backup in my stash. See my full review on the scent here.

John Frieda Beach Blonde Cool Dip Purifying Shampoo & Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner, 250ml £5.89 each  - I was excited to see a hair care duo suited to my hair type in Boots. I liked the minty fresh scent which felt cooling on my scalp. I wouldn’t say these did something special for my hair, but they’re great to use for everyday use. The shampoo is lightweight, adds texture and increases manageability and shine. Would I repurchase? Yes, if the products were on offer like they are now.

Batiste Stylist Texture Me Texturizing Spray, 200ml £4.49 – I’m really into using a texturizing spray when styling my hair, so when I saw the new styling products from Batiste I had to give this one a try. I like using this to add a bit more volume and grit into the lengths of my hair. You can build it up in the hair to create different styles for different occasions. It doesn’t feel sticky at all, but I do have to top it up to make it last in my hair to separate my layers. The product is infused with Keratin & Inca Inchi oil to help strengthen your hair. Would I repurchase? Yes, I wish they did a mini size so I could fit it in my handbag.

Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 – This is one of my favourite shower gels, saying that I’m a big fan of all Soap & Glory shower gels. I like the fresh green mandarin, sicilian lemon and sweet orange peel oils, as it’s so refreshing and wakes you up in the morning. It’s moisturising on my skin and foams up nicely. You can also layer the scent with the other Orange scented products in the range. I've said it before, I love the large pump bottles, I wish Lush products came in these. Would I repurchase? Yes, I always have a Soap & Glory body wash in my shower. See my full review on the Orangeasm range here.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Butter 50ml, Irrisistibubble Gift Set £5.00 – I received this deluxe sample sized product in a gift set, another one of the delicious scents from Soap & Glory. I like the texture of this moisturiser, it sinks into my skin as it’s nice and light and great to use in the Summer months. The moisturiser contains Shea butter and Cocoa Nut Balm so it's really soothing on the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes, love this scent in Summer.

Dove Compressed Original Anti-Perspirant, 75ml £2.99 – I normally use Mitchum deodorant, but these compressed deodorants are great to take on holiday with me. Dove have re-engineered the spray system thus reducing the amount of gas needed to deliver the same level of antiperspirant ingredient with each spray. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would buy again if I was taking it away with me.

Colab Sheer & Invisible Dry Shampoo in Rio, 50ml £2.00 – I think I received this product in a beauty box. I really like the Batiste dry shampoo in the tropical scent so I knew I was going to like this Rio scent, it has notes of papaya, pineapple and a heart of cassis. It really helps to absorb oil and refreshes roots, it feels lightweight in my hair and I like that it leaves no residue. Would I repurchase? Yes, I need to try some of the other scents.

This Works Clean Skin 5 in 1 Water, 200ml £21.00 - I haven't tried many products from This Works, but the ones I have I've really enjoyed. I like to use a micellar water to take the bulk of my make-up off before cleansing with a hot cloth. This rosewater cleanser removes make-up, decongests and brightens the skin. I would say it's not great around the eye area, but it doesn't dry my skin out as it's refreshing and boosts elasticity. Would I repurchase? Maybe, it is quite pricey compared to Bioderma which does practically the same job.

Aussie Shower Smoothie Shower Gel, 250ml £2.99 – I’m a huge fan of the Aussie hair line, so when I saw they were releasing body washes I knew I wanted to give one a try. This scent is super sweet, similar to their Miracle Moist hair care line which I love. It contains Australian Macadamia nut oil which leaves skin smooth and silky. I would prefer a pump bottle as it's so much easier to use in the shower, but I can't fault the product. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would like to try the other scents.

Have you tried any of these products?

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LUSH BUTTERBEAR TIN & BOXING DAY SALE

My love for Lush has grown over the years and it's nice to pick up a gift set every year which I can keep and store all my sweet smelling goodies inside. My favourite set this Christmas had to be the Butterbear Tin. I was drawn to this set straight away, the festive red and green packaging with the giant bear on the front was just too cute not to buy. The tin contains six butterbear bath bombs, so it's a great set if you like your skin to be smooth and moisturised without the hassle of applying body butter after you have got out of the bath. The Butterbear is just like the Butterball from the main range, but in a cute bear form which appeals to kids as well as adults. I must admit I like Butterbear for it's smoothing benefits, but it's not going to create a beautiful pattern in your bath. As the bath bomb fizzes away, you see a white foam on top of the water before it just dissolves into moisturising Cocoa Butter. Butterbear has a gorgeous creamy vanilla scent which is heavenly but not sickly sweet. You can still purchase the Butterbean Tin on the Lush website at half price, so it's a really great deal not to be missed!

I managed to bag a few gift sets in the Boxing Day sales after a lot of hassle on their website (it's the same every year). I was so impressed on how fast my order came though, it was despatched on the same day! I picked up the Christmas Bathtime Favourites gift set, the Merry Christmas gift set, It's Christmas Deer gift set and Snow Fairy's Castle gift set, as well as a tub of Santa's Belly which I haven't tried before but have wanted to for a while now. You can't go wrong with half price bath bombs! Hopefully these will last me until next Christmas when (fingers crossed) the Butterbear reappears in the shops again. I decided to use my new Champneys Hamper which I got for Christmas to store all my Lush goodies in my bathroom, I think it looks great!

What was your favourite product from the Lush Christmas collection this year?

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