SOAP AND GLORY THE HAPPILY EVER LATHER BOOK CLUB

Soap and Glory have recently teamed up with My Kinda Book to create their
#happilyeverlather book club. The brand is giving away books and beauty goodies every month with a different title being featured each time. I was lucky enough to win a competition on Instagram this month. I won 4 signed books, book club merchandise including my very own Happily Ever Lather membership card and discussion booklet, plus lots of Soap and Glory goodies to share with my friends and get other people involved in the book club.
This month's book is Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell which I have never got around to reading but have heard so many good things about. Other books on their past reading list have been; Open: A Toolkit for How Magic and messed up Life can be by Gemma Cairney and A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard.

I could talk about Soap and Glory all day, they are a brand I never get bored of and there is always something new to try. The Soap and Glory products included were their new dry shampoo, The Rushower which I LOVE and am completely converted to! Their Love at First Blush Blusher which is my go-to everyday blush! Their Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss in Nude Star and a few different scents of their body lotions, my favourite being Smoothie Star Body Lotion. This really is my idea of heaven! Bathing and bookish things go together so well. I really wish this was a monthly subscription box where you get a book and a product each month, I would totally sign up! You can find out more about the Book Club here. Look out for more book club competitions on their Instagram feed. I'm off to enjoy my book in the bath!

What's your favourite Soap and Glory product? Will you be joining the #happilyeverlather book club?

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BIRCHBOX SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED MARCH 2017

I used to have so many beauty box subscriptions each month that I had so many samples building up that I decided to stop my subscriptions even though I really enjoyed receiving them each month. It’s been over a year since I last received a Birchbox. I saw that March’s box would include one of the new Benefit lip products, even better you could choose which shade you wanted, so I decided to purchase a box. This was the content of my box;
Benefit They’re Real! Double The Lip – I chose the colour Lusty Rose which is a lovely rosy nude shade. The feature of these lip products is that it’s a lip colour and lip liner in one and it really does work. This means you just need one product instead of two, which is great for on the go! The formula is semi matte but it's moisturising on the lips. I really liked the shade I picked, I would definitely look into some more shades of these.
Marcelle Gentle Make-up Remover for Sensitive Eyes – I had never heard of this brand before receiving it in my beauty box, but I was excited to use it as I tend to stick to Bioderma and it’s nice to try something new. I found this removed most of my make-up, I still cleansed my skin after using but the visible make-up had gone. This formula also helps to diminish dark circles and under eye puffiness using cucumber and green tea. It’s nice and gentle so it’s great for even sensitive eyes.
Balance Me Instant Lift Primer – I really like Balance Me body products, this was a little bit different from the range as it's verging on the make-up side of things. I liked the texture of this primer, it has a really nice citrus scent and my skin felt smooth before I applied the rest of my make-up. The primer contains hyaluronic acid and acacia gum to tighten and blur enlarged pores.
Model Co Highlighting Trio – This is a full-size product, which is quite impressive. But I’m not sure I would purchase this at £17.00. You get three colours in the palette; a peachy-pink blush, a pearlescent highlighter and a coppery bronzer. I like that these are cream products so you can put this palette in your handbag and top up on the go. The products are multi-purpose so you can use them on your cheekbones, brow bones and eyelids. The colours are pigmented and creamy in texture but they turn into a powder on your skin.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – This is a product I have received quite a few times in beauty boxes before but have never repurchased the full size. I really like the texture this product gives my hair for an effortless style. I love this product but I’m not convinced on the price when I can get a high street equivalent for a fraction of the price. This size is great for your handbag or travel though, so I might save this for a holiday.
I was really impressed with the contents of my box last month. Birchbox reverted back to the original kraft box in March to celebrate hitting 100,000 subscribers in the UK. Other products available last month include the Korres Santorini Shower Gel, Batiste Dry 2in1 Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner and the Bobbi Brown face masks.
As a little extra I added the promotion code MANI at the checkout and received a full size Smith & Cult Nail Polish. I have never tried anything from this brand before, so I’m excited to give it a go the next time I give myself a manicure or maybe a pedicure.
This month's box is a collaboration with Boden and the box is so pretty! I’m not saying I will keep my subscription every month, but it is nice to receive one every so often.

Which product is your favourite from last months Birchbox?

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FACE INC BY NAILS INC CAT NAP BRIGHTENING SHEET MASK

I have recently been really into using sheet masks, especially during the colder months. Sometimes your skin just need an instant hit of moisture. This is my first time using a Face Inc by Nails Inc Sheet Mask, I was a little surprised when I first saw these as I didn’t expect a skincare product from this sort of brand. These face masks have a unique selling point of using the idea of fun Snapchat like filters printed on them instead of just the usual plain white mask. There are four different variations of the mask; Cat Nap, Instant Detox, Flower Power and 40 Winks. I have used the Cat Nap Brightening Sheet Mask which revitalises normal to dry skin. This mask is enriched with Green Tea and Botanical Root Extracts to balance, restore, moisturise and cleanse. It also contains Chamomile, Propolis Wax & Rice Bran Extract to brighten, refresh and nourish the skin. This mask helps when you haven't had much sleep or your skin looks tired and needs an instant pick me up. Cat Nap is suitable if you've had a late night or a long day at work and just need to relax. The packaging says to leave it on for 15 minutes but I like to just leave it on for as long as possible until no moisture is left on the sheet. You gently massage any excess liquid into the skin. I also find that there is a lot of left over product inside the sachet which I also massage into my skin (trying to get my moneys worth). These Nails Inc masks are priced at £5.00 each which I guess is quite pricey when you think a Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask is around the £1.00 mark. I found the Cat Nap mask moisturising but not as hydrating as some sheet masks I have tried. I also found the crease in the middle of the mask was hard to work with, where as with a tissue mask I can get most of the creases out and cover the majority of my skin. I did see a difference in my skin after using it, it looked refreshed and glowy. My skin felt soft and plumped after using. These would be great to use with your friends as you could have so much fun laughing and joking around in your masks taking photos. 
I like to use a face mask at the weekends as a treat and to help renew my skin ready for the week ahead. I like that more and more brands are making sheet masks accessible to the high street market, as it can be expensive for a one time use item. Nails Inc are a brand who are creative with their products and follow trends, so I wonder where they will take the brand next. I would be interested in trying out the other masks in the range, especially the Instant Detox mask as it contains Hyaluronic Acid. I have also seen that they do Glove Masks for your hands, which I think is a great idea and would be interested in trying the next time I'm in Boots. I also want to try the Boots Ingredients Sheet Face Masks next.

What's your favourite face mask?

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LUSH CUPID BATH BOMB VALENTINE'S 2017

I recently hauled my Valentine's Lush Haul and I had to share my favourite item from the range as it was too beautiful not to demo. Cupid Bath Bomb had to be my favourite from this year’s offering. This two toned pink bath bomb is in the shape of a Cupid’s arrow and is a little bit smaller than a normal bath bomb but this is reflected in the price. I created a heart shape in the bubbles and dropped the bath bomb in. I was pleasantly surprised that the heart floated across the water and the inside colours escaped from the two ends of the arrow. Dark pink, light pink and white are the colours that seep out and leave a petal pink tint to the water. This bath bomb fizzed away slowly which is nice as you can get the full enjoyment of them as some bath bombs are over in seconds. This was as well probably my favourite scent from the new products I discovered. The mix of the rose and bergamot bring a sweet floral fragrance which is right up my street. It also contains violet leaf absolute and lime oil, the scent is subtle but it’s uplifting, fresh and calming as well. It shares its scent with the Razzle Dazzle bath oil, which is lovely and I can imagine using both at the same time would add to the softness of your skin! This bath bomb is reasonable priced at £2.95 each, I would definitely repurchase and they would make such a cute little present. I also used the Kiss Me Quick Business Wash Card which was nice to use in conjunction with the bath bomb. This was my first time using a wash card, I was hoping it would foam up a little more but I really like the citrus scent of this!

Which product is your favourite from this years Valentine's range?

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LUSH VALENTINE'S DAY HAUL 2017

It feels like we've just had Christmas, but Lush are straight onto their next seasonal range. The Valentine's range is bigger and better than before! I like to try new things so I didn't buy any of the products I have already tried from previous years, although I was tempted by the Unicorn Horn and Rose Bombshell.
I have never tried a wash card before, but this affordable Kiss Me Quick Business Wash Card is a great way to try them out at £2 each. It's a different, fun way of washing yourself rather than just a normal shower gel. You can tear a section off and lather it up under the water or wash yourself as you normally would with the whole sheet. I think I prefer reusing the whole sheet as it seems to lather up more. The scent contains apple, lemon and lime so the fragrance is quite fruity. It also contains ylang-ylang so it's refreshing and uplifting in the bath or shower. This would be great for travelling as it would take up no room in your toiletries bag, I think you would have to use it all though as I wouldn't want to put it back into my bag soggy. I look forward to trying more of these out!
Another one of the products I was excited to use was the Cupid Bath Bomb, which is shaped like a cupid's arrow. This bath bomb contains calming rose, violet leaf absolute and bergamot which gives it a subtle sweet scent. This bath bomb melts slowly on top of your bath water and leaves a lovely petal pink hue. I think this is one of the most reasonably priced bath products from the range, I would definitely repurchase this one.
I have tried some other bath melts from Lush before, they are nice to add to a bath bomb or another product you are using in the bath to add some extra moisture. Two Hearts Beating As One Bath Melt is a little different as it comes in two parts which you can use together or separate and get the most out of two baths or more. The product contains ylang-ylang and rose oils so the scent is quite floral. The melt also has organic cocoa butter and almond oil so it softens the skin and conditions your body. I really like the colours of this one, the coral and magenta oils float on top of the bath.
The most fun design from the range is Love Struck Bubble Bar which is shaped as a heart eye emoji, so cute! I'm not sure of the scent on this one, the scent is filled with lemon and geranium but it's not my favourite. I love bubbles in my bath and you only need to crumble a small amount to create enough to be covered in them. I'm not sure I would repurchase this one, looking back at my Lush haul 2016, I need to repurchase the Rose Jam Bubbleroon!
The last item I picked up was the Over and Over Bath Bomb which reminds me of the Never Mind the Ballistics bath bomb (which I loved!) from the Christmas range or Roller Bath Bomb. These bath bombs are half normal bath bomb and half bath melt. This bath bomb contains cocoa butter, lime and fennel oil, so has a lovely sherbet, citrusy scent. This bath bomb has a surprise pink centre and I really like how the scent lingers around for a while after using.

Which product is your favourite from this years Valentine's range?

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WINTER READS AND POPPY LOVES BOOK CLUB

At the beginning of last year, I told myself I wanted to do something different, something outside of my comfort zone, find a new hobby. Poppy Loves runs a Book Club for women all over the world, who can join in online and discuss the book they have been reading that month with others and the Author. One day Poppy Loves commented on one of my Instagram photos, I had taken a photo of the book they were currently reading and she said I should join! I had read Poppy Loves blog before but didn’t realise there was a book club. I had never really considered joining a book club, I have always loved reading but there didn’t seem to be one out there for me. As there wasn’t a book club in my town she asked if I wanted to be the Captain Book for my club, this just means you organise where everyone meets and have the questions ready to go. Being part of a book club is great as it means I broaden my choice of books and pick up things I wouldn’t normally read. Not everyone is going to enjoy the same book so it’s good to discuss different opinions and also ask the Author questions about the book. The online book club has over 2700 members and has 70 book clubs over the world. Some of my favourite reads since joining Poppy Loves Book Club have been In a Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware and One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis. We are currently reading Paulina & Fran By Rachel B. Glaser, which I’m just about to start. I love looking back at all my photos, remembering where I was when I was reading a certain book. You can join Poppy Loves Book Club here.

I have set my Goodreads target of 25 books to read this year. I gave myself a target of reading two books a month, I try and read a little bit each day even if it is just a couple of pages. Hopefully I can reach this by the end of the year! As Winter has arrived it’s nice to cosy up with a hot drink and a book or run myself a Lush bath and read for hours in there. I have really been enjoying Thrillers at the moment. I have also really enjoyed listening to books via Audible, especially if I'm on the go. Some other books I want to get to this Winter are; The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Birald, The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin and The Women in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.

I have also really been enjoying watching Book Tube videos, some of my favourite channels have been Lauren and the books and Blabbering about books. I have also brought a book journal after seeing it on Lauren’s channel. I thought it would spare me on to read more and review my books so I don’t forget about them in months to come. This Busy B Book Journal is great as it has separate parts for book club, books read, books to read and books on loan. I have got a bit creative with mine and have really been enjoying it. I used to post some of my book reviews on here, I might start that up again.

Do you have any reading recommendations or any tips to read more?

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