SOAP & GLORY - ONE HECK OF A BLOT PRIMER & FOUNDATION

With a lot of brands, I have to try the newest products available as soon as possible. Anyone who has read my blog before will know I’m a massive fan of Soap & Glory and I constantly have one of their Shower gels on the go and have a never ending Blusher which doesn’t seem to be ending for an empties post any time soon even though I use it most days. Soap & Glory have recently added to their make-up line One Heck of a Blot. I have been using the powder of this range for a while now as I loved the Kick Ass Powder from the brand so much. They have added a primer and a foundation to the One Heck of a Blot range and I grabbed them at my local Boots when they were on a 3 for 2 offer.

I always use a primer before applying my make-up as I have quite an oily forehead and I try and hold on to my make-up for as long as possible throughout the day. The Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Instant-Perfecting Power Primer claims to instantly shrink pores and perfect the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, but it’s most suited for people with Oily/Combination skin who are looking to keep the shine controlled and hide imperfections. It evens out your skin tone and reduces the appearance of redness, which I definitely like about it. The primer reminds me of the Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer which I have really enjoyed in the past. I find that my make-up does stay around for longer when using this product, instead of using a foundation straight onto my skin. You can also use it over make-up similarly to the Benefit Porefessional where you can touch up throughout the day. I don’t tend to do this, but I guess it’s a great pro if you’re out for the whole day. I really like the tube design it looks a lot more expensive than it actually is and you get a good 30ml size for £10.00, I would definitely repurchase this.

I also purchased the Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot All Day Liquid-to-Powder Foundation. This foundation claims to give a full coverage flawless finish, It contains Shine-Bloc 12hr Long wear Technology so the base stays around all day whatever you may be doing. It also has Super-Blur Powders which help to blur away the appearance of pores, imperfections and redness. I find this foundation is more of a cream than a liquid, I’m not used to such a thick base so I found it hard to work with at first. It comes in four shades; Fair Enough, Cool Sand, Happy Medium and Caramel. So not the widest range of shades, but I’m the shade Fair Enough which is a little too dark for my skin tone. Again, this foundation is suited for oily skin and it does look great once you have buffed it in. I did find during the day the foundation was collecting in certain areas especially on my forehead where I am most oily. It was like the foundation was just sitting on the surface and needed to be buffed in some more. It does feel nice on the skin, really lightweight even though it’s such a full coverage. I still do set my make-up with the One Heck of a Blot Powder. I think I need to try the foundation in a few other ways, maybe applying with my fingers or just top up my powder throughout the day. It’s priced at £12.00 for 30ml, so at the high end of the High Street foundations but you can always find some sort of offer.

I have to say the powder is still my favourite product from the One Heck of a Blot line. It’s velvety, translucent and absorbs oil from my skin straight away for a matte finish. Soap & Glory are currently offering a great gift with purchase when you spend £15 on make-up including; a mascara, my favourite everyday blusher and a gloss stick! Have you tried Soap & Glory make-up?

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BOOTS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2015

The Boots Christmas gift guide came out last week, I’m always excited as it’s the first thing of the year that makes me feel Christmassy. I’ve looked through the gift guide and online and collated my favourite offerings from this year! Boots have definitely upped their game with their guide this year, it definitely looks more of a glossy magazine. Most of these gift sets are in the mix and match 3 for 2 offer so you can pick up some great bargains for your friends, family or even treat yourself!

Champneys Relaxation Hamper, £60.00 – I’m hoping this one will be on star gift offer one week! Champneys have recently updated their range and packaging and I love the new look. Inside the hamper you get lots of pampering treats including; Heavenly Days Relaxing Bubble Heaven, Butter Souffle, Shower Cream and a candle. The Harmonious Hands Restoring Hand and Nail Cream SPF 15, Barefoot Beauty Restoring Foot Butter and a pair of cosy socks. The hamper is great to use after all the products have gone, I would definitely use it for my Lush bath bombs.

Soap & Glory Belle of the Ball, £12.00 – I normally wait for the Soap & Glory star gift to go on offer. But this year this gift set has caught my eye. I love the massive bauble packaging and the range inside is my favourite scent from Soap & Glory - Smoothie Star. The set includes; a body wash, the Breakfast Scrub body smoother, a body buttercream and Hand Food hand cream. I love the pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla scent.

Benefit You’re so Party Set, £39.50 – Benefit always do fun Christmas gift sets, this year they have quite a bright Pop Art theme packaging and there are three different designs of tins to choose from. My favourite is the pink tin which includes the they’re real mascara, the hoola bronzing powder, a mini size of the POREfessional primer and a mini ultra plush lip gloss mini in the shade hoola.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Xmas Edition, Sweet Orange & Mint, £9.75 – Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser has to be one of my favourite cleansers to use and I have tried a lot of the different limited edition scents. I was eager to try this limited edition version when it first came out last year but never got the chance. This bottle is a smaller size than the normal sized tube, so it’s great as a try me gift or to travel with. The cleanser also comes with one pure muslin cloth with a gold trim. The fragrance is a combination of zesty sweet orange oil with the refreshing aroma of mint which is energising and great to use in the mornings to wake you up.

So Snug Gingerbread PJ Set, £18.00 – Anyone who knows me knows I’m obsessed with anything Gingerbread related when Christmas comes around. I managed to pick up a pair of pyjama’s from Sainsbury’s last Christmas, but these are just so cute! I also love the Gingerbread house packaging that they come in. This brand always do some great things at Christmas, I remember one year I received some socks in a bauble. The vest top and trousers are made from single jersey so they’re comfortable and snuggly to wear.

So Snug Gingerbread Socks, £5.00 – Also with the Gingerbread theme are these matching socks. This would be a really great present as a stocking filler or a secret Santa!

Bareminerals Precious Gen Lip Oil-Balm Trio, £25.00 – These balms are formulated with passion fruit seed oil with Vitamin E, they’re moisturising, shiny and leave a tint of colour on the lips. This set contains Blueberry Pop, Pink Passion and Nude Passion. I have been wanting to try these since they came out, so this is a great way of trying them.

Malibu Kilner Jar, £10.00 – Not beauty related, but something that caught my eye are these Kilner Jars. I have been after some Kilner Jars for a while and these ones have been teamed with your favourite alcoholic drinks. Another present which would be great as a stocking filler, they also do a Smirnoff Vodka version in a red shade instead of the green.
Boots Star Gift this week is the Smashbox #Shapematters 3 in 1 Contouring Palette, which is half price at £30.00. I will be popping one of those in my basket, looks like a great palette!

What's on your Christmas wish list from Boots?

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ST TROPEZ IN SHOWER GRADUAL TAN

As I am naturally quite pale I’m always looking for new products to perk up my colour. I’m not a big self-tanner as I'm always scared of going orange, but when I do I seem to stick to gradual tanners or wash off formulas which are going to give me a natural colour. I also stick to brands I know like St Tropez, Make Believe, Soap & Glory and St Moriz. St Tropez have recently introduced a new innovation which is an In Shower Gradual Tan. When I first heard about it I was very excited to try something new as there isn't a similar product on the market. You use this product by washing in the shower as usual, then turning the shower off and applying St Tropez all over, remembering to wash your hands after applying. You leave this on for 3 minutes and then wash it off and towel dry yourself as normal.

The formula smells lovely, not like the normal overpowering biscuit scent. The product is thick and moisturising on the skin and foams up a little when you are wet. As the product goes on white you don't see an instant change in colour straight away and it doesn't transfer onto your towel which is good. I decided to take photos to see how well the gradual tan got on and to see if I could see any difference myself. As you can see from the photo I saw a difference the day after applying it for the first time. It is definitely a subtle gradual tan and one you have to build up over time. But after applying it for the second time I got a colour I was happy with. If you are looking for an instant tan or have a darker skin tone maybe this product isn't for you, but it has definitely become one of my new shower favourites. Hopefully they will bring out a medium/dark version in the future. It’s so convenient to use self-tan in the shower, it means there’s no mess, you don't smell horrible for hours and it’s quick enough to use every day. The tan provides 24 hour moisturisation, it’s streak-free and it hasn’t clung to any dry patches. It’s ideal to use if you're a first time tanner or to top-up your tan post-holiday. The formula contains Sweet Almond Oil which makes my body feel so soft after use, meaning I can skip moisturising after my shower if I don't have time. The only annoying thing about it is deciding how to spend the long, cold three minutes. St Tropez suggest to apply a hair mask or brush your teeth. I have read some very mixed reviews on the Boots website with people not happy with the gradual colour this product gave them. Other people have praised St Tropez stating they were sceptical before using it but were seriously impressed with the results.

Boots are currently exclusively selling this on their 3 for 2 deal so I picked one up for my mum and sister to try too. A bottle is priced at £14.50 which is St Tropez normally rate, but with the deal it works out around £9.50 which I think is a bargain! You get 200ml in a tube and I did feel I was using a lot at first but I didn't use as much product as a normal tan. I can see this tube lasting me a while. I have even had to send my friend a bottle who is currently teaching abroad as she was so excited to try it for herself. I posted this image on Instagram and there was a lot of talk and excitement surrounding it. I would definitely give it a go if you are naturally pale and looking for a golden glow ready for summer. It’s ideal for busy people and mums who just haven't got the time to stand around in tan! 

Will you be trying St Tropez's In Shower formula?

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BENEFIT BOLD IS BEAUTIFUL - RAISING BROWS FOR CHARITY

Benefit Cosmetics have launched the Bold is Beautiful project. I had never been to Benefit before to get my eyebrows done, but when I heard they were offering such a great deal, I had try out the service out for myself. During the month of May, Benefit Cosmetics are donating 100% of Benefit's profits of the Brow Wax to Look Good Feel Better who support women with cancer & Refuge who support women and children against domestic violence! I decided to go for the Arch and Tint priced at £19.50 for both, which a really good deal just on it's own. But I think just a brow wax is £11.50. You can get this done at any of the Benefit brow bars across the country in shops such as Boots, Debenhams and Harvey Nichols. As well as that in May, Benefit are giving away a free full-size Gimme Brow brow-volumizing fiber gel worth £18.50 with each transaction while stocks last. My current Gimme Brow was running very low so this was the ideal opportunity to get myself a back up. It's such great value as really you are only paying £1.00 for the Arch and Tint service. My friend also visited the Brow bar during her Birthday week and also got her wax free too! which is a great deal ontop of the free brow product. I love the results of my brow wax and tint and will definitely be going back again as the experience made me feel so much better about myself. I got my brows tinted a shade darker than my original colour so the shade light/medium Gimme Brow is a perfect match. I really like this product it's so easy to work into the brows and makes them stay in place. It makes my brows look fuller but still keeps them looking natural at the same time. I think it's a really great cause, and I'm sure it has created a lot of awareness as well as money. It would be great if Benefit donated a small amount of the service every month as I'm sure more and more women would like to support other women than just getting their brows done every so often as a treat. If you don't want to book in for a brow wax you can also donate to both charities by texting REFU43 (for Refuge) or BOLD15 (for Look Good Feel Better) followed by the amount you want to donate to 70070. You can also share your photos/experiences on social media with the hashtag #boldisbeautiful. Also, If you pre-book your brow arch for June you will receive a free mirror and deluxe eye cream, which is one of my favourites! As of this moment while I'm writing this post an amazing 23,744 brows have been waxed in the month of May! Us girls really know how to stick together!

Have you visited your Benefit counter for a brow wax?

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BOOTS STAR GIFT - CHAMPNEYS COMPLETE HOME SPA KIT

Boots have been on fire with their star gifts this year, some of my favourites so far have been the Ciate Big Beauty Bus which I featured in a past blog post here, a Nails Inc Ultimate Accessory Alexa Set, an Origins Mask Marvels Gift Set and the Sanctuary Spa Box of Delights. This week the big Star Gift is the Champneys Complete Home Spa Kit which was £50.00 and is down to £24.00, that's more than 50% off. I am a big fan of Champneys products and like how they use the same products at their Spas. This means you can indulge yourself in a Spa like experience at home. The set includes; Hand and Nail cream 40ml, Distant Shores Body Scrub 50ml, Distant Shores Body Butter 50ml, Skin Comforting Bathing Milk 300ml, Citrus Blush Body Lotion 200ml, Citrus Blush Shower Gel 200ml, Body Polisher and Vanity Case. This set is excellent value for money for seven products and gives you the chance to try a number of Champneys bestselling products all in a useful Vanity Bag which you could use to hold toiletries in after using the Champneys ones. The case this year is a lovely pale pink and feel very sturdy so great for travel. My favourite product in the set has to be the Skin Comforting Bathing Milk, but my favourite scent is the Distant Shores which smells like a blend of Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange Peel and Cedarwood Oils with Mango and Passionfruit. Hurry this offer is only available until Thursday! This is perfect for any busy friends in need of a little pamper or even for yourself. With Black Friday coming up I'm sure Boots are going to bring out an even better star gift and obviously we are still waiting for the Soap & Glory gift set to go on offer. Too much excitement!! There are more and more offers coming available before Christmas, you can find out the last days that stores will deliver before Christmas here.

Have you picked up any Boots Star Gifts?

NO7 BOOTS ADVENT CALENDAR 2014 - 25 DAYS OF BEAUTY

I know what your thinking, yes I know it's only November, but it's important to get your advent ready for the 1st of December. Last year, Boots did their own Advent Calendar, which was a huge success and contained lots of different brands and products available in-store. I was a little disappointed they didn't bring it back this year, but they have just released a N07 Advent Calendar (be warned the contents is shown on the website). The N07 beauty calendar is priced at £35.00 and has a value of £135.00. It contains N07's Bestselling products behind every one of it's 25 doors. That's even a present for Christmas Day! The products range from make-up to skincare to bodycare, so there is something for everyone. Some of the products are full-sized and some of them are minatures. I won't spoil the whole contents, but my favourite products have to be the high shine lip crayons and the skin illuminator radiance boosting beauty fluid and I don't think there is a product I wouldn't use! It's perfect to try products you haven't tried before and minis are also great for travelling. The calendar also includes a beauty quote behind every door, which is also a nice touch. I also really like the packaging as it opens like a book and the pink and gold colours looks really luxe together. I am very impressed with the contents of this Advent and I feel like it's one of the more affordable ones this year. I feel advent calendars have definitely shot up in price and I'd be more happy to have more choice around the £30.00 mark. This would make a great early Christmas present or even a gift to yourself to make you feel more festive! I'm sure a whole range of women will be eager to get their hands on this, bring on December! No7 also have some gorgeous gifts this year, including their Christmas Cracker Collection and their Best of the Best Beauty Collection.

Which advent calendar will you be buying this year?

BOOTS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2014

For me, the Boots Christmas Catalogue is kind of a big thing, sad I know. When the 3 for 2 gift sets hit the shops, I feel it's the start of that christmassy feeling and getting my hands on the catalogue is the next best thing. This year the catalogue includes brands that we know and love and are featured every year and a couple of brand new ones to get excited about.

One gift that is on everyones wish list is the Soap & Glory £60.00 gift which is always reduced in the star gift promotion a few weeks before Christmas. This year it's called The Next Big Thing and contains 10 full-size products and some of my favourites including the Orangeasm body wash and the Whipped Clean shower butter. I'm very excited about this, it's such great value!

Next up is the Nails Inc Alexa Hearts Collection which features six of the new Alexa range nail polishes, a nail file and a make-up bag. I am most excited about the stars and hearts polishes. I recently brought one of the new polishes in the new bottles and was really impressed with the new brush shape and the bottles are so luxe, read more about my views here. This set is priced at £45.00.

All of the Benefit sets are so pretty and last year I received one of the cute tins with the Benefit girls on them. This year they've stepped up the game, they have these lovely gingerbread shop tins filled with make-up and skincare, I have my eye on the skincare set called Complexion Confections which is £39.50 and includes the Triple Performing Facial Emulsion, It's Potent Eye Cream, a mini The POREfessional and a mini Instant Comeback Facial Serum.

A bit of a pricey gift which is now available at Boots is the Foreo Luna Mini Skincare Device which is similar to the Clarisonic. The facial device directs T-Sonic pulsations through the silicone brush. It's compact, gently cleanses deep into the skin and there is no need for replacement brush heads, I've heard good things. These come in lots of different colours and are priced at £99.00 each.

Another cute nail polish set is the Ciate Candy Cane House, this contains four polishes which are glittery, scented and perfect for the holiday season. I love the packaging and these shades would look great on Christmas day. For £25.00, this is a little cheaper than the Nails Inc version.

A brand that I love to lust over when they release their Christmas sets is Smashbox. This year Smashbox Christmas sets are part of the On The Rocks Collection. Their biggest set is this gorgeous On The Rocks Eye Shadow Palette with 28 party perfect eye shadows which you could create so many looks with. Smashbox eyeshadows are super blendable, highly pigmented and long lasting, so this is ideal for any palette lovers. This is priced at £49.00.

A great stocking filler is the Soap & Glory Santa Gloss for £6.00. This would look great coming out of a stocking and the Sexy Mother Pucker lip shine lacquers are lovely! The shade is called Charm Offensive and there are so many other great Soap & Glory gift sets at different price points.

There are so many Gifts I could of chose for my wish list, but those are a few of my favourite picks. You can view the Christmas catalogue online or pick up one now from your local store. Boots are also doing a No7 Advent Calendar which is coming later this month. It's a shame that they aren't doing there own Advent Calendar like last year, as I loved opening that every day. I now have my eye on The Body Shop one.

If your looking for the lastest offers from Boots, vouchercloud have some great online discounts which can help you save money whilst Christmas shopping. What is on your Christmas wish list from Boots?

NEW LIP FAVOURITE - REVLON COLORSTAY MOISTURE STAINS

Revlon create some of my favourite lip products from the High Street, Lip Butters being one of the best products I've tried. Revlon's most recent offering are these Colorstay Moisture Lip Stains. They come in 12 different shades inspired by the most fashionable global destinations. Not disappointed by Revlon's lip products before, I decided to pick up three shades, Milan Moment, Parisian Passion and London Posh. I love the names, very clever and it gives the consumer the chance to enjoy a slice of beauty from their favourite places around the world. Milan Moment is a peachy orange, Parisian Passion a dark plum and London Posh a shimmery nude, Parisian Passion has to be my favourite. I have posted a picture on Instagram of me wearing it here.
This formulation applies like a lipgloss, looks glossy but are not sticky at all. They are pigmented, lightweight, moisturising and build-able  The wide doe foot applicator means its easy to apply the formula and re-apply when needed throughout the day. I really like to work the formula into my lips and reapply to build the colour and create a shiny finish. The stains come in a great range of bright colours as well as nudes, so there is something for everyone. They last for ages on the lips, the stain remains but I do like to top up the gloss. The concept reminds me of the YSL glossy stains (which I haven't tried) but at a much more affordable price point. The packaging is really sleek, stylish and makes the product look more expensive than it actually is. Boots currently have a 2 for £10 offer on selected Revlon Cosmetics, priced at £7.99 each. No doubt I will be picking up more of these, I have my eye on Cannes Crush next. 
Asos are currently giving you the chance to win the whole collection, all you have to do is create a city look on Pinterest inspired by your favourite shade, see my board here.

Have you tried Revlon's newest lip product?

N07 INTENSIVE RADIANCE BODY SCRUB & BODY BUTTER

No7 have a couple of new bath and body products which have caught my eye recently. The one I’m most excited about is the Intensive Radiance Body Scrub. I have to admit Soap & Glory make some of my favourite body scrubs, but this one looked really luxurious, so I thought I would give it a try. My mum also works on a No7 counter, so I do get to see the latest products that she is trialling and she recommended I give this one a try. The formulation is enriched with sweet almond oil, argan oil and rosehip seeds, so as you can imagine the pot smells heavenly. This intensive scrub removes dead skin cells to leave skin silky and glowing. This product is also hypo-allergenic which is great for even the most sensitive skins. It’s a rich exfoliator which leaves me with radiant looking skin, I especially like to use this on my legs and feet. It may look a soft formula, but it's actually quite a hard sugar scrub which creates a milky texture when added to water. This would be a great product to use before self tanning or on any drier areas. This 180ml is priced at £10.50 which is around the same price as I would normally pay for my usual high-street scrub. I think the packaging makes the product seem more luxurious and a lot more high-end than it is.

Also new, which sits alongside the scrub is the Intensive Body Butter, both products work great together. This indulgent body butter is enriched with shea butter, sweet almond oil and argan oil and leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. I like to use this straight out of the bath as I feel it sinks in nicely and it's great for any dry areas. It claims to leave skin feeling intensively moisturised for up to 48 hours. The formulation is thick and creamy and the scent is fresh and comforting. This is the more expensive product out of the two at £13.50 for 180ml, but Boot No7 are currently offering their £5.00 off voucher, so it's worth a try if you're looking for some new bath and body products.

Have you tried No7's Bath & Body range?

ESSIE NEONS - GLOW GET 'EM NAIL POLISH SET

Essie has to be one of my favourite nail polish brands to use lately. Since they have become easier to get hold of in drugstores, my collection has built up quite nicely. For Summer 2014, Essie have introduced a Neon Range which contains six bright, stylish shades which look awesome on every nail. I have bought a few nail polish sets in the past and have found a use for every shade. Essie have brought out two sets of four nail polishes, this one which is called Glow Get 'Em and Paradise is Calling, both perfect for summer! 
The Glow Get 'Em contains four shades; Blanc, Sittin' Pretty, Vices Versa and Serial Shopper. Essie's Top Tip is to use the shade Blanc which is the white one, underneath your neon shades to make the colour pop. Sittin' Pretty is a vivid lavender, Vices Versa is a juicy neon lime and Serial Shopper is a florescent fire coral. I think Sittin' Pretty has to be my favourite, I will definitely be taken these shades on holiday with me.
In the photos I have used Essie's Top Tip and the colour appeared a lot more intense and colourful, than when I just used them alone. The first time I used them, I made the mistake of layering up too many coats so that the formula took ages to dry, but with practice I have found that one coat of Blanc underneath your neon shade is just enough. The formulations are glossy, long lasting and the shades are so pretty!
Essie polishes are normally priced at £7.99 per bottle, so at £24.99 for the set you are saving yourself £6.97, which is nearly one bottle free! I might have to go back for the other set. Boots are currently offering £5.00 off when you spend £25.00 or more online on selected items. I might have to go back for the other set. 

Will you be picking up any Essie polishes this Summer?

SOAP & GLORY - SIT TIGHT SADDLEBAGS+ STUBBORN AREA SERUM

I’m all for trying new product that claim to improve the appearance of your body. I know there is nothing that’s going to be a miracle worker except for exercise and healthy eating, but if I can see an improvement with continuous use with a product I’m pleased with that. Sit Tight Saddlebags+ Serum claims to fight stubborn problem areas, help to visibly firm and tighten skin, rehydrate and reduce skin roughness and make skin look smoother in 14 days as it says on the bottle. Soap & Glory has to be one of my favourite bath and body brands from the drugstore. They introduced this product earlier this year alongside the new Sit Tight Super-Intense 4-D.

This product is skin smoothing, stimulating and firming all in one. You use this by shaking the pack a couple of times before use, unlocking the rollerhead, squeezing gently a few times, then holding the pack at a right angle to skin, roll/massage intensely across areas, letting the serum absorb into your skin and then getting dressed. The microcellu-roller is designed to stimulate and you may feel it micropinch your skin, but I really like the feel of the massage roller head. You can apply this twice daily, but I like to apply this in the evenings after showering. I like the heating/cooling sensation the formula gives as it starts to activate. The instructions tell you to store upside down until next use.

I have used this most days for a couple of months now and I can honestly say it has firmed and tightened my skin around my tights, arms and stomach, with the help of exercise of course. I like the serum as a moisturiser as well as it absorbs nicely and my skin is left feeling silky smooth. I really like the formula, it contains sweet almond, sweet orange peel and olive oils, these also help to reduce skin roughness. The scent is a mix of eucalyptus, rosemary, yang yang, orange, amyris, petitgrain, geranium and palmarosa. I have read a few reviews about the roller pinching skin, but I didn’t find this the case with me, not to the point of hurting anyway. I have also read reviews where people haven't seen much of a difference with use, but I feel you have to use this continuously to see real improvements. The firming products sit higher up in the price scale of Soap & Glory's collection, but with the built in technology and research I think you get what you pay for at £16.50 for 85ml. It a great product to use weeks running up to an important event/holiday. If you are bothered by cellulite that never seems to move, there is no harm in giving this a go.

Have you tried any Soap & Glory firming products?

SOAP AND GLORY A GREAT KISSER LIP MOISTURE BALM - JUICY PEACH

At the bottom of my handbag you will find around 5 lip balms, lipsticks and general lip products. I never finish a lip balm before moving on to the next one, but I think I’ve found a high street alternative that may have to be a keeper. A Great Kisser Lip Moisture Balm is the most recent Soap and Glory product I have tried. The scent is just like the name ‘juicy peach’ it’s fruity and sweet. The shade is a gorgeous coral inside the pot but translates to a sheer pink which looks lovely on the lips. The lip balm also comes in different shades which are; sweet coconut, chocolate cherry and vanilla bean priced at £5.00.

I bought this while I had a £2 off voucher and thought why not give it a go. The balm is really moisturising, not sticky and the tint really enhances any every-day make-up look. I feel like this product really conditions the lips, it's formulated with mango butter and apricot butter to moisturise and lingonberry oil and pomegranate extract to boost repair. It really does melt onto your lips, for best results apply regularly. I love the packaging; the only downside is that a pot isn’t as hygienic as a stick of balm.

I really can’t fault Soap & Glory make-up; I haven’t found a product I haven’t liked. This product is a good drugstore dupe if you don’t want to spend £20 on a high-end lip balm. I really want to try the sweet coconut one next. Make-up is currently 3 for 2 at Boots.

BENEFIT GROOVY KIND-A LOVE! CHRISTMAS GIFT SET MAKE-UP KIT

Every year I look forward to the Christmas Beauty gift sets hitting the shelves and flicking through the Boots Christmas catalogue to find the perfect presents for my friends and family. Benefit offer a broad range of limited-edition gifts at different price points featuring your Benefit favourites to stock up on. Currently available are cute tin's featuring four of their bestselling products, skincare and lipgloss sets and travel minis offering great value for money.  Benefit's packaging is gorgeous! the make-up is great quality and the sets even come with handy tips on how to create the perfect Christmas make-up look.
Groovy Kind-A Love £29.50 has to be my favourite set from this year's collection which includes, the POREfessional mini, they're real mini, benetint medium, dandelion & gimme fever cheek powder duo with brush and limited edition eyeshadow palette with double-ended sponge applicator, which together can create a complete kit for eyes, lips, cheeks & face. You can instantly transform your look from am to pm, as it's great as a travel set for people who are always on-the-go.
They're real has to be one of my favourite mascara's that I've used in a long time, it really does lengthen the lashes and separates them fully. The eyeshadow palette is really pigmented and would make a lovely smokey neutral look for the Christmas parties! and the cheek duo is great for illuminating your high points. The only thing missing in this kit is a good base for flawless skin! I think any beauty lover would be happy to receive this for Christmas and even someone who hasn't tried Benefit cosmetics before, as it's a great starter set to try a range of different products from the brand.

What are your Christmas gift recommendations?

SOAP & GLORY ACCESSORIES - JUMBO MASSAGE GLOVE AND A BRUSH WITH GREATNESS

Soap and Glory has to be my favourite brand to find in Boots. My collection of S&G products is out of control, (it's even won a competition!) I can't help buying the latest products to hit the shelves and trying them out for myself, as I know I won't be disappointed. I'm no stranger to their accessories line and a couple of weeks ago I found a couple of new products to add to my hoard. 
Jumbo Massage Glove - £8.50 can be used on damp skin in the shower with shower gel or body scrub, or on dry skin with body butter or lotion. I believe this product has just been repackaged, but it has definitely become a firm favourite come bath time. It also claims to help with tight muscles and cellulite.

A Brush With Greatness - £6.50 can be used on damp skin, ideally with a little cleanser. Surface-sweep first with the bristles and rinse. Then gently massage with the reverse side to stimulate circulation. Before I bought this I used the S&G face massage mini mitt on days that I didn't want to use my Clarisonic. I feel using a DIY facial mitt can really help to boost my circulation and makes my skin feel super soft after use. A Brush With Greatness is a step up from this with bristles for an even deeper clean and a handle for easy use.

What are your favourite S&G accessories?

VERA WANG - LOVESTRUCK FLORAL RUSH EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY

Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush perfume is the newest fragrance in my ever growing collection. The scent is light, floral and youthful - with a sparkling floral bouquet that attracts with its juicy notes. The notes include; Champagne, Pink Pepper, Apricot Blossom, Pink Passion Flower, Marigold, White Freesie, Ambergris, Musk and Cashmere Wood. I think the scent is a very easy to wear, romantic fragrance. I would say the scent is still sweet like Lovestruck's little sister fragrance 'Princess' but a little more floral and mature.
I must admit I was drawn in by the packaging, it is a lovely addition to my dressing table and definitely stands out from other more simple perfume bottles that I own. I much prefer the lilac bottle and bow over the original pink Lovestruck design. The bouquet and bow means it's not very practical to carry in your handbag on-the-go but you can always carry it without the lid or transfer some into a Travalo.
The 30ml bottle is currently on offer at Boots for an absolute bargain £19.99 (normally priced at £35.00). I would definitely recommend picking this up whilst it's on offer if you are after a girly, everyday fragrance.

What is your favourite Spring/Summer fragrance?

SOAP & GLORY - SHOWER TRIP TRAVEL CHRISTMAS GIFT SET

Soap & Glory is one of my favourite brands to be stocked in Boots and Harvey Nichols in the UK. I am a big fan of all the different scents that they offer and I always have one of their famous shower gels or body butters on the go. At Christmas, Soap & Glory offer a great variety of gift sets at a wide range of price points. Including their big star gift set 'The Best of All', which went better than half price last week and sold out online. I have seen that they are still available in some stores if you want to get your hand on one, as they are such great value!

This set is called 'Shower Trip' and contains six flight-sized products in the Original Pink fragrance. Including Clean on me shower gel, The righteous butter body butter, The scrub of your life body scrub, Hand food hand cream, Calm one, calm all body wash, Girligo body moisturising mist and a shower puff. All of the products included are under 100ml or less so they are great for travel and come in a very handy soft wash bag. This gift set is perfect for jet-setters, students or people who have never tried Soap & Glory products before, as they can try them before buying the full-size products. It's such a nice pamper set to keep in your bathroom!

This set is priced at £18.00* and Boots also offer all their Christmas sets on a 3 for 2 deal, so you can really get a lot of value for your money. My mum even went out and bought one for a relative as she was so impressed! If you are looking for any last minute presents and are stuck for ideas, I would give Soap & Glory a try. I can guarantee the receiver would not be disappointed ;) 

Are you hoping for a Soap & Glory gift set this Christmas?

*PR Sample

RECENT AUGUST/SEPTEMBER BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES 2012

These are the most recent products that I have used up, some I have loved, others I wouldn't want to repurchase...
Soap & Glory Glad Pits Anti-Perspirant, 150ml £4.50 - I always go back to this deodorant as I really love the scent. The protection does last for hours, and Soap & Glory can really do no wrong. I have seen that people have had trouble finding it in stores recently, so I hope it's not being discontinued. Would I repurchase? Yes
Mark Hill Pure Indulgence Shampoo and Conditioner - I received these products in a gift set last christmas (Girls Night In Set) and have finally used them up. I didn't find that they did anything special to my hair, they did there job but I didn't find my hair 'shined' as stated on the bottle. Would I repurchase? Not really.
Mitchum Deodorant, 200ml £2.99 - This is a deodorant I have recently discovered and have found it really effective. It leaves under arms feeling fresh all day and no white marks. Would I repurchase? Yes, I love the Waterlily scent.
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner, 400ml £3.49 - This is probably my favourite line that Herbal Essences do. The scent is Orchid and Coconut and is suited for dry/damaged hair. My hair is left feeling so silky soft, which is amazing for the price of the product. Would I repurchase? Yes, I always make sure I have a tub of the intensive treatment on the go.
V05 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, 200ml £3.49 - This product was in my favourites back in July and is still my go to Dry Shampoo. I love the scent it reminds me of a Tigi Bed Head product. It definitely leaves my hair refreshed and doesn't leave any white powdery marks. Would I repurchase? Yes, I have repurchased in both scents. 

Clynol Colour & Care Shampoo, Fullsize 300ml £7.45 - I received this sample in a past Glossybox. I loved using this sample up! The shampoo contains liquid jewel extract and UV filters to protect rich tones from fading. I really believe that it worked on my hair, my hair was left feeling super clean and smelt lovely. Would I repurchase? I would definitely consider buying the full size version of this shampoo.

Soap & Glory Face Soap and Clarity, 150ml £7.00 - This face wash was a product I also received in a christmas gift set. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but I found this product really gentle on the skin and left my skin a lot brighter after use. I could see a big difference to my skin and it also helped with any blemishes as well. You only need a tiny amount, so the product lasts for ages. Would I repurchase? Yes, maybe after I have tried a few others out.

Nip + Fab Coconut Latte Body Butter, 200ml £8.49 - This product has got to be my favourite body butter of the moment. Read my full review of the product here. The scent is lovely and the formulation is not too thick, so it just melts into the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes I have repurchased in the Cherry and Pistachio scents, but need the Coconut one back in my collection.

Monu Revitalising Moisturiser, Fullsize 50ml £11.87 - This moisturiser is another product which I received in a Glossybox. I was using this up as my night time moisturiser. I felt it did the job and left my skin feeling soft and hydrated. Would I repurchase? I haven't really been interested into looking into repurchasing this product.

Burt's Bees Body Wash, Fullsize 350ml £9.99 - I really liked using this little sample up. I found it really refreshing to use on tired mornings. I would love to try some other products from the range. Would I repurchase? Maybe, after I have used all my other shower gels up.

Simple Soothing Eye Balm, 15ml £3.99 - I love Simple products in general. This eye cream is so gentle and moisturising. I use it at night time to reduce puffiness. The product sinks in so fast and really softens and smoothes the area. Would I repurchase? Yes, I love Simple products.

Queen of... Ta-da! Shaving Gel, 150ml £3.39 - I know any normal shower gel would probably do the same job, but I always repurchase this product for some reason. I love how it foams up and protects your skin from the shaver. I think it's great value for money and the packaging is so cute. Would I repurchase? Yes I have repurchased in the Pina Colada scent.

N07 Face Wipes, £7.00 - I normally go for my trustee Soap & Glory face wipes, but when I have a £5 off No7 voucher I can't resist stocking up on these face wipes. They leave my skin feeling clean and fresh, and even remove waterproof mascara. Would I repurchase? Yes, especially when they are on offer.

Boots Cosmetic Buds, £1.40 - Not a very exciting product, but I always have a tub of these on the go for make-up touch ups. I also use them most evenings with my Origins spot remover. Would I repurchase? Yes they are a must.

Have you tried any of these products?