Superdrug Aloe Vera Mud Mask

Aloha you beautiful bunch, hope you are all well and feeling pretty happy now the suns showing itself a little bit more.

Todays post is all about a little pamper product I treated myself to about a month or 2 ago in Superdrug. Its their Aloe Vera De-Stressing Mud Mask, now I love a face mask and most of mine usually range from about £7-£10 however this little guy was super cheap so I have started to use it as my go to mask and use my more pricey ones if I have a bit of a breakout.

The packaging of this product is a lovely light green (representing the colour of the aloe vera perhaps?) 75ml tube. The writing on the tube is in white standing out from the green, it also has a cute little sketch of an aloe vera plant on the front with a little run down about the product. This one is all about De-Stressing containing Aloe Vera extract. And it aims to give you a soft radiant complexion and can be used on Normal to Combination Skin type.

The Aloe Vera helps to calm the skin and replenish moisture while the Dead Sea Mud cleanses and purifies pores.

As I mentioned in this post this item has become my go to mask at the moment, I mask once during the week (usually a Wednesday) and once on a weekend (normally a Sunday). I mostly use this on an evening after removing any make up. I squeeze an amount about the size of a grape, the product's colour is a light green, its thick in consistency and smells clean and fresh is the best way to describe it. I use my Oriflame mask brush and brush it on my face covering everywhere apart form my eyes and lips. I find using a brush a lot easier and saves getting mask all over your fingers and then on the tube if you need to any more product. I usually go off and tidy things up, make a cup of tea and watch a bit of tv leaving the mask on for about 15-20 minutes. It says on the tube to leave it on for 10-15 but I always end up leaving it on an extra 5-10 minutes. Once my times up I then go remove the mask rinsing 2 small round sponges and going round in circular motions round my face loosening the mask then use a face cloth in warm water removing any excess product, patting my face dry with a towel. After that I continue through my skincare routine by cleansing, toning and then moisturising leaving my skin feeling lovely and pampered.

This product is perfect for your weekly mask there is a variety of different types you can choose from and at such a reasonable price there's no question to not give it a try.

Superdrug Aloe Vera Mud Mask De-stressing Mask £2.59



Have you guys tried any of Superdrugs Mud Masks? any recommendations? let me know please.

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxxxx

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Micro Polish

Hellooooo! How are we all doing? Hope you are all well and enjoying the lighter days, spring is here Wooooo!

Todays post is all about a lovely product from Superdrugs Naturally Radiant range, as its coming up to spring summer times its time to change up a little of the skincare routine and get it all prepared for seeing the actual sun. With that in mind I went for the ranges Brightening Micro Polish.

Start off I find the packaging lovely with its pale green background and dark green font . I also love the little like mirror lines that go across the front which to me reminds me of the suns rays. On the front it mentions how this lovely little product is infused with plant extracts, Awakening your skins natural glow and refines and smooth's. The product is in a squeezy tube which helps you get the right amount you need.

On the back of product it gives some information on it being formulated with a unique energising complex and its infused with kiwi fruit and mulberry extract, it is also enriched with blueberry seeds and fruit acids. The polish itself exfoliates the dead skin helping to refine your skins texture and improve any discolouration leaving a smooth, luminous complexion.

The Kiwi Fruit is rich in vitamin C, which help brighten and even out skin tone. Mulberry Fruit has naturally strong brightening properties in it which helps with discoloration and also evens out skin tone. Now your Fruit Acids they help by naturally exfoliating the skin refining your skins texture and surface.

I have been using this little baby for over a month now and I love it. It recommends to only use it once or twice a week so with that in mind I usually use it once during the week and once on a weekend day. I normally use it on an evening after removing any make up and have cleansed my face. I squeeze out some of the product about the size of a 5p (smallest penny we have over here in the uk) and massage it in circular motions round my face. Its hard to explain the smell but I'm sure you can guess with all those plant extracts it smells amazing. I then splash my face with a little water going round in circular motions again getting the scrub into a nice lather, then simply rinse off. Leaving my skin feeling pampered.
 
I love this product, from its packaging, its fruity smell, all the good ingredients that are in it and to top it all off its at such a good price I would defiantly recommend it.

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Micro Polish £4.99
^This product is on offer at the moment where its only £2.48^

Have you guys tried any of the Naturally Radiant range from Superdrug? What did you think of it and would you recommend any to try out?

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

My Evening Skincare Routine!

So I have already shared with you wonderful lot my morning skincare routine that I figured I best show you what products I use on an evening. Evening skincare has to be my favourite as I always feel like Im giving my skin a mini pamper. So lets get started!!

If its a day where I have quite a bit of eye make up on I use The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Remover £8.00 I just shake it up and down so the 2 liquids mix in together then get a cotton pad using just a small amount of the liquid  I place the pad on my eyes then wipe away the make up. After this I use The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter £12.00 to remove the rest of my make up, I love this stuff. You just apply it on a dry face apply the product to your fingers then massage round the face seeing the make up melt away I then rinse off with a muslin cloth and warm water. After removing my make up I take my Cetaphil cleanser £8.99 use 2 pumps on a cotton pad and work it into my skin.

Once I have done all my cleansing I use Superdrugs Optimum Swiss Apple Overnight Skin Renewal Serum £14.99  by just applying 2 pumps on to my fingers then using circular motions massaging in to my face and neck. I then apply my Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream £2.99 this is a lovely thick luxurious cream perfect for bed time. Then I use my eye cream, I am currently using 2 so I decide on the night which one I use, during the day I use Boots Vitamin E Gentle Eye Cream £2.54 so sometimes I will use it again at night. My other option is Superdrugs Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape Ultra Protecting Eye Cream £9.99. I just use a small amount dotting the product around my eye area then massaging it in. After I have done all that I use a lip balm or butter to help keep the lips moisturised, I am currently using an nspa one in coconut ice which I received in a Christmas present.

Hope you guys enjoyed this post, these are the items I am currently using and that seem to be doing the trick to helping keep my skin healthy. Which products do you swear by for your evening routine?

That's all from me

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My Morning Skincare Routine!

  

Hello you beautiful lot

I thought I would show you guys my morning skincare routine, I have pretty temperamental skin that can be oily, sensitive and dry but these products I have been using recently as part of my routine have sure done my skin some good. I haven't had any random patches of dry skin lately or had any recent break outs including allergic reactions. At the moment I have some pretty happy skin which makes a very happy SJ!! So I figured why not share with you beauty's what I use.
 
So to start off when I'm in the shower I use Soap and Glory's Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 deep purifying cleanser £8.00 to waken up my skin I use just one pump and work it into my face using circular motions and then wash off. Once I'm finished in the shower I use my Cetaphil cleanser £8.99, Yes I use 2 cleansers but I like the soap and glory one to waken my face up in the morning and then I use Cetaphil for cleansing properly, you don't need to cleanse twice this has just worked for me. For the Cetaphil I either use one pump and work it into my skin then rinse off or I use one pump on a cotton pad massaging it into my face.

Once I have double cleansed I then tone using The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner £8.00 using just a small amount on a cotton pad working round my face. For the eyes to keep them hydrated and fighting away those pesky wrinkles I use Boots Vitamin E Gentle Eye Cream £2.54 where I use just a small amount dotting it around the eye area massaging it in. I finish off with my Superdrug Vitamin E Day Cream £2.99 I dot this cream on my chin, forehead and cheeks then working it into my skin, this stuff smells lovely and is super moisturising I love this range its so cheap and great to my skin.

Hope you guys enjoyed this post.

Catch you all soon

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Whats in my MakeUp Bag!!

I used to store all my make up in a drawer and I would spend ages rummaging around looking for a certain product, so I decided to invest in a good sized organised make up bag and keep in it the products I use all the time. I will be changing it up every now and then but for now I thought I would show you wonderful lot what is in my bag at this current time.

The make up bag zips open all the way round and inside is a organiser clip that holds 2 other little make up bags one is mesh type material and the other is in the same material as the main bag. There is another section on the right which has pockets to hold make up brushes and another big pocket then on the left is one main pocket.

 The pocket on the right is where I am keeping my current favourite eye shadows, my little bottle of Benefit highbeam and a pot of soap and glory lip balm.

 

 

 In the clear mesh material bag I keep my 2 go to foundations which are my No7 Beautifully matte and the Rimmel Match Perfection which I really must do a review on as its so good. I also keep 4 concealers!!! 2 are from the collection lasting perfection range just one lighter shade than the other. I have my No7 one that has been colour matched along with my foundation and Seventeens Phwoarr Paint which is awesome for tired eyes!

 

 

The little material bag is where I keep my eye make up, I have my eye pencil sharpener, 2 mascaras my beloved Avon SuperShock and another one I love for my less make up days the L'Oreal False Lash Flutter. Eyeliner wise I have in pencil form the Benefit BadGAL waterproof pencil in black and the Rimmel Exaggerate eye liner in liquid form also in black. For the brows we have my Rimmel pencil and the Maybelline master shape pencil.

 

 

Finally in the left pocket I am keeping my Oriflame Studio Artist Loose Powder which is a white powder that you place on top of your make up to set your foundation. Avon Calming Effects powder foundation and the Avon Kabuki brush this stuff is my current fave at the moment which I am going to do a review on as its that good!!! For a good pink cheek I have my Maybelline dream mousse blush in dolly pink for a healthy flushed cheek.

 

 

I hope you guys have enjoyed this post, I would love to read your comments and I will reply to them.

 

That's all from me today hope your all well and happy :)

 

Lots of Lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxxxx



Coconut Oil

Hi Guys!

So I mentioned on my check in Tuesday the other week which you can check out here that I had recently been suffering from bit of a bad scalp that it had been rather dry and flaky. It was driving me mad. So one Sunday on bbloggers chat on twitter I asked for any advice and tips on what can help treat dry scalp. So many bloggers replied to me which I was super happy about so thanks for that if any of you are reading this. The product that was mentioned the most was Coconut Oil! So it being the most popular product I had to go try it out.

 The next day I took a little visit to Superdrug and spied the cutest little pot of Coconut Oil and it was only priced at £2.29. This natural product is solid but it melts at a warmer temperature. I read the back of the tub for instructions on what to do for treating the scalp and it says to massage the product into your scalp cover with a towel and keep it in hair for a maximum of 2 hours then rinse off.

That night I decided to have a bit of a pamper night and try out the oil. When you open up the pot the smell of the coconut is strong and lovely, it reminds me of summer holidays. The product is rock solid I had to use my thumb nail to scrap it out and then I would rub the shavings in between the palms of my hands and then massaged it into my scalp I done this quite a few times just making sure I had got it through majority of my scalp. I then wrapped my hair up in a towel and let it do its magic. Within the 2 hours I had a face mask then a face scrub, tided up my eyebrows, bleached the upper lip tash (beautiful I know but I cant stand the pain of waxing) tided up my nails shaping them and putting more clear polish on. I also squeezed in an episode of Vampire Diaries and had a cup of Green Tea with lemon. When it was time to rinse off the instructions say just to shampoo no conditioner. So I jumped into the shower massaging my scalp getting rid of any oil I used my shampoo twice just making sure I got majority of the oil out.

I then used some colour protecting serum and a heat protect spray just to dry my fringe with my hairdryer. I only loosely dry the rest of my hair so its not soaking wet, when its just a little damp I let it dry by itself.

I been using this product at least once a week, usually a Sunday as that's when I pamper. And I have been noticing quite the improvement on my scalp, its not nearly as dry and flaky. It hasn't gone completely but it is slowly going so I am very happy with this. I would thoroughly recommend this product and there are many more uses for it other than scalp treatment.

That's all from me hope you lot are all well and happy.

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxxx

Check In Tuesday #4

Aloha!!

Hope you guys are all happy and positive, it's that time again where I "Check In" with you and just ramble on to you about what I have been up to and stuff.

• So I have been feeling a bit meh this past week, I think its to do with the weather getting me a bit down. I'm fed up of being cold and it doesn't help that this flats heating hardly makes a difference. However I have been feeling happier and positive noticing that the light mornings are coming and the days are stretching. Our flat has lots of bunches of daffodils and it makes me happy knowing that spring is coming.
• I am still on The Vampire Diaries binge now on Season 4! Half way through and I have no idea what I'm going to do when I finish it. I will have to start watching The Originals as they are my favourites! I really want to watch Game of Thrones too, I got Gordee the box set for part of his Christmas and still haven't watched it yet.
• Still haven't got stuck in to my book :( its kinda frustrating as I really want to get into reading more but I'm being sucked in to Netflix haha 
• The reason I have been a tad on the lazy side is that I have been home hunting and I may have possibly found our new home. It's not 100% yet but its very possible and I am super super excited about it.
• Ooo my new make up bag from Paul&Joe came and it is super cute. I have just about organised it so I will do a post about that soon.
• I think my laptop has a bit of a virus which is why I haven't been blogging so much, so it might be going away from me for a bit :( but Gordee says I can use his which is a scary mac laptop.
• I have been having quite a few minimal make up days and I have to say my skin is really appreciating it.
• My love for Superdrugs Vitamin E's range is growing fast, I recently purchased the Day and the Night cream and wow my skin is loving me right now.
• My poor nails are having a horrendous time right now breaking and peeling but I will keep on treating them.

That's all from me today guys I hope you enjoyed this post feel free to comment and I will try to comment back however my laptop doesn't let me but I can try on Gordees laptop.

Lots of Lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Check in Tuesday #2

Hi guys and Happy Tuesday

How are you guys? Hope your all well and happy feeling positive.

How cute is this pic from weheartit.com

So we are at another Check In Tuesday Wow that's come round quick. 

• This week its Valentines and Gordee and myself will get it spend it together this year, Yay!! We never got to spend it together last year so I'm looking forward to it this year. Even just a nice cosy night in with a movie and I'm happy.
• I have been obsessing over the film Frozen recently, seriously guys its awesome. I actually ended up buying the soundtrack and been listening to it in the morning getting ready for work, call me sad but I love a Disney film.
• Another thing I'm a bit late to is Vampire Diaries, I was pretty bored and I needed something to watch so I went on to Netflix and thought I would see what its all about, I am hooked!! That's me on season 3 and wow its so so good.
• Gordee and I are currently looking into finding a new place to live so I have been seeing some lovely pieces of furniture and bits and bobs for the new home, its all very exciting. Might do a homey stuff post.
• Also have you guys noticed that its slowly getting lighter in the mornings?! Which means Spring is coming Yay!!
• I have been trying out a few beauty treats from The Body Shop I will do a review soon.
• Also been trying out a new face mask by Superdrug and its so lovely I will also be reviewing it in the near future.
• I am drinking a lot of green tea lately especially twinings with lemon and another with pomegranate have been my favourites.
• That's all really from me tonight, sometimes I feel I live a rather boring life but I do love a good ramble and chit chat.

Let me know what you guys have been up to, I love reading comments and replying to them.

Lasts all from me 

Lots of Lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape Eye Cream

Hallooooo!!

So in my last post I mentioned how I will be turning 25yrs old this year (march) and how Im starting to take better care of my skin on the anti ageing side of things. I recently went to Superdrug and bought from Optimum their anti-ageing range as it was on buy 1 get 2nd 1/2 price, which is still on by the way. I posted that I got the Overnight Swiss Apple Skin Renew Serum which you can check out here. So that means that this post is going to be all about the eyes.

Optimum Super Antioxidant Grape Ultra Protecting Eye Cream £9.99

Now this range with the super antioxidant grape is aimed at any early signs of ageing from the ages of 25+ to help skin keep that youthful look. That's right I will soon be in the 25+ category! (Yikes!)

"With PhytoCellTec Solar Vitis extract from a rare grape, which helps to strengthen the skin's cells" little bit of product information from the front of the box.

What is PhytoCellTec Solar Viris? it is a very powerful antioxidant that has a strong UV resistance which helps to protect the skins cells and regenerate them for a more radiant and youthful complexion. Now the benefits of using this cream is that it hydrates and protects the delicate area that is around your eyes. It helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines and puffiness. And that's not all it stimulates collagen production for firmer younger looking skin what a perk! There is also Vitamin E which I have raved on about before being another popular antioxidant protecting against free radicals,environmental pollutants and of course ageing affects of the sun. There is even Pro-vitamin B5 for it's moisturising and conditioning effects. Results can be expected in just 4 weeks with this bad boy. Its just what I'm looking for.

Packaging again is a winner for me with the purple ombre box and a grape on the front, the print is nice and bold in white with the purple in the back and some of the print is also in lilac. 

The tube itself is a 15ml tube with a screw top silver plastic lid, on the front is print in purple and lilac with the name of the product. The back gives a little bit of info on PhytoCellTec Solar Vitis, directions for use, care and safety (avoid contact with eyes), also mentioning that this product is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. And that Superdug is against testing on animals.

As it says on the box for the directions you apply this after applying your day or night cream. So after I have cleansed, toned and moisturised I squeeze a very small amount on to my middle finger I then take a little from that on to my other middle finger and then I dab it on both eye areas and massage it round. The cream itself is a white colour and it very light in texture.

Only a small amount is needed

The eye area is one of the main areas I wouldn't mind keeping a little young looking for as long as I can so I'm hoping for some good results from this. Only been using it for almost 3 weeks, I am however noticing my eyes are less puffy which I am happy about.

I have linked up at the top with the price to take you to Superdrugs website if you are interested and wanting to read a bit about it yourself's. 

Have you tried anything from this range? whats your thoughts on it? Leave a comment below or you can just say Hi and leave your thoughts on this post.

That's all for now you beautiful people

Lots of Lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Optimum Swiss Apple Skin Renewal Serum

Aloha!!

So few weeks ago I had a moment of realisation when someone asked me how old I was, I simply just smiled and said I'm 25yr in March. As I said those words I thought wait a minute is that right? Am I going to be 25!! The answer is yes I am! Now I'm not blowing my own trumpet but I have been told many many times I do not look my age, suppose the fact that I'm pretty small and petite I do look about 12 years old sometimes.

Now age itself does not scare me, I look at age as just a number. You are as young as you feel they say and I think that's pretty spot on! I don't feel like I'm 25 whatever its ment to feel like I'm not sure, I still feel like I am in my late teens!! Anyway the number doesn't scare me but my skin ageing does! I would hate to be in my 30's and folk to think I am in my late 40's!!! I don't smoke and I don't drink, I do however like a little bit of uv exposure to the skin, not too much though I'm not a sun worshiper or anything like that. With this in mind I thought I would try out some anti ageing products so I nipped along to Superdrug for a change to see what they had to offer. I was in for a treat as their Optimum range which is all about fighting age just happened to be on buy 1 get 2nd 1/2 price. I picked up 2 products 1 was the Swiss Apple Overnight Serum and the other was an eye cream. This post is aaaaall about the serum.

Superdrug Optimum Swiss Apple Overnight Skin Renewal Serum £14.99

Now to start off this is more aimed for woman ages 35+ but I thought why the heck not I want my skin to look fresh and stay as young looking as possible. Plus I do know someone who works in Superdrug that's younger than me and she swears by this stuff, her skin looks fab!

" Revolutionary anti-ageing serum with PhytoCellTec extract from the Swiss Apple to promote a fresher and younger-looking complexion"  is the little run down of info on the front of the box. Sounds alright doesnt it?!

Its suggested to use this serum as part of your evening routine and significant results can be expected in just 4 weeks. This is due to the PhytoCellTec which is from the apple cells working its way to protect and regenerate the skins cells. I know I don't have any wrinkles or lines just yet but there is other ingredients in this too to improve the skin. This little beauty also contains Vitamin E which protects the skin against free radicals, environmental pollutants and any ageing affects of the sun. Argan Oil which is rich in vitamin E it helps protect nourish and hydrate the skin. And it also contains Pro-Vitamin B5 which conditions and moisturises.

Now I am a sucker for packaging and this does not fail. I love the box that its in with its sort of ombre green colour with the apple shape on the front and the white font on top makes it more eye catching.

The bottle itself is a 30ml smooth glass pump bottle. Again it has the green writing on the front of the product and on the back is directions for use and little bit to say it has been dermatologically tested and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, good to know. Also has advice to avoid contact with eyes (obviously) and that Superdrug is against animal testing which is also very good to know.

Now when I use this as part of my night time routine after cleansing and toning its time for all the lotions and potions so first I use my hydraluron then I give it 5 minutes to make sure thats all soaked into my skin. Then I just use one pump of the Renewal Serum, its all you need the serum is almost like off white colour just like a serum normally is and its light in consistency. A little does go a long way with this. The smell is lovely clean fresh, I don't think it smells like apples but its a good scent whatever it is. Once that's absorbed in I apply my eye cream (coming up next) then my moisturiser. 

The serum looks like this 

I have been using this for few weeks now and already I'm noticing in the mornings how soft and smooth my skin is. This is the first product I have used that is aimed for anti ageing so once I try out a few different ones it will be good to see which ones I prefer. I do think its something I will be adding to my skin care routine as I do want to be taking more care in my skin. I am looking more down the serum route just now as well as eye creams. But for my first one I am really liking this product. 

I have linked on the price at the top to take you to Superdrugs website on to this product where there are plenty reviews on it and you can see yourself just how much it is loved.

Is there any products you like that has anti-ageing in it? Let me know or you can leave a comment on your thoughts on this post. I love reading them and commenting back :)

That's all for now you lovely lot.

Lots of lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Favorites of 2013!!

Heylo!!

I cant believe that we are so close to the end of 2013 and closer to starting 2014! I don't know about you but I feel that this past year has just gone flying by. So with that in mind I thought I would do a post about my favorite products I used and loved this year! As I only started blogging at the end of October there will be products that I wont have mentioned before so this gives me the chance too let you know on what other lovely things I have enjoyed this year.

 So to start we have my bathroom items:

For body lotions I have enjoyed many Soap and Glory items, mainly the Sugar Crush Body Butter £10.50 I love the thick luxurious consistency of this body butter and the smell is so lovely and zesty. Another popular lotion was my Body Shop Mango Whip Body Lotion £3.00 this stuff is not only super moisturizing it smells amazing!! I bought this the body spray and the little bottle of perfume so i could layer the smell and it lasted all day, whenever I smell it now it reminds me of summer adventures with Gordee.

At Cleansers we have the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish £14.75 the is jammed pack full of natural ingredients its gentle to the skin and removes stubborn make up perfectly. My everyday cleanser has to be my Cetaphil £8.35 I just love this stuff, its fragrance free and does not irritate my skin.

I had to add the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub £5.50 for perfectly soft smooth lips plus it tastes yummy.

On to the skin 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Reviver £14.00 is still very much a staple in my morning routine, I love that it wakes my skin up in the morning, prepping me up for another day. I done a full blog post on this here. For my moisturiser I have tried a few different ones however I always go back to Superdrugs Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream £2.99 its thick and creamy, smells beautiful and is packed of healthy vitamins which I feel has really helped heal my skin from scarring and keeping it healthy looking. For a full review on this I blogged about it here. My night time moisturiser has to be the Soap & Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator £13.00 to start it smells of peaches! and its super moisturising to the skin. Since using this my skin has felt a lot more plump and looks a lot healthier. I featured this in one of my first blog posts and go a bit more in to detail about it here. And lastly where would I be without the Origins Super Spot Remover £14.00 I would be a spotty stressed out mess that's where I would be! This stuff has well and truly impressed me and without a doubt I will continue to purchase. For a full review I blogged about here.

Lastly hair!

I cannot live without a can of Batiste Dry Shampoo £1.48 my hair can get terribly greasy so in the days between washing this stuff is a savior. Making my hair feeling fresh and lasting another day. This year I have really cut back on drying my hair with a hair dryer and letting it dry natural when it dries naturally it tends to go wavy at the ends. I used to find this frustrating but this year I decided to embrace it, I spray a little bit of Toni & Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray £6.50  to the ends to add a little bit of texture. Before I wash my hair I like to treat it once or twice a month with a VO5 Hot Oil £4.29  just to give it a bit of a boost with moisture, it always feels silky soft and shiny after I use one.

So that's the end of my favorites of 2013 part 1 hope you wonderful lot have enjoyed it, part 2 will be shortly with my fave make up and nail treats. Whats been your favorite products you have used this year?

Lovies 
SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxx

My Winter Skin Care

Hellooooo!

When it comes to Winter I don't know about you but my skincare routine changes quite a bit. My poor skin gets all dry and sometimes from all the Christmas shopping stress I can suffer from the odd breakout. So with that in mind todays post I will be sharing with you lovely lot is which products I use to combat these problems.

Here we have my Cetaphil Cleanser, Aloe Vera Gel, Balance Me Facial Oil and Superdrug Vitamin E Moisturiser!! All my holy grail winter skincare.

 
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser £8.99, this stuff has to be one of my top favourite cleansers. Its a perfect daily cleanser for dry, sensitive skin. I love the fact its soap free and fragrance free which is fab for the rather sensitive skin types. You can use this on a cotton pad and just wipe away the excess or you can massage it into your skin then rinse off with water. I use mine to remove my make up with a cotton pad and then rinse away. It leaves my skin feeling lovely soft and clean.

Aloe Vera Gel £3.99, this product can help soothe, moisturise, soften dry skin, can be applied to stretch marks, dry or chapped skin and skin irritations. With all these aims of a product why wouldn't I use it! I find it especially helps with my skin being sensitive or after I have had any skin allergies this stuff seems to do the trick. After cleansing my skin I apply a thin layer all over my face to help soothe any irritations and moisturise. I have been using this for few months now and I can now not live without it. 

 

 

Balance Me extra care facial oil £15.00, this is a new edition to my winter skin care. This little miracle worker was in the Latest in Beauty Glamour Edit Box which was filled with lovely and amazing treats I got last month. Its packed with 100% natural oils and its aim is to bring back radiance to skin that's looking rather dull. Now I have oily to combination skin so the thought of putting oil on oily skin seems really odd but it can actually help the skin as oil is a fab way to combat those congested areas. It smells heavenly and leaves the skin feeling lovely and soft. I use this every night after applying my Aloe Vera Gel I roll it onto my face and neck let it soak in a bit then I apply my moisturiser.

 

Superdrug Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream £2.99, as a sufferer of rather dry skin I like my moisturiser to be quite thick in the winter times. Now this moisturiser aims to give 24hours moisturisation. Its rich in natural vitamin e, high in antioxidants and defends the skin against environmental damage and aging. Also included is a skin conditioning multivitamin complex of a variety of vitamins combined with horse chestnut extract which is created to help care for dry skin. The smell is amazing it reminds me of holidays (suntan cream) and my skin is always soft and smooth, I use this every morning and at night just before bed.

 

That's all my wonderful treats I have been using over the past month or 2 to help prevent my skin from going crazy with the winter weather. Saying that the temperature up here in Scotland the past few days has been weird and warm, how crazy is that?! Considering its December we usually have snow by now.

 

If any one is interested in the Latest in Beauty Glamour Edit Box which contained the Balance Me facial oil here is the link :)

 

What's your winter weather skin care routine? 

 

Hope you guys have enjoyed this post comment below, I would love to read them.

 

Lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxx

 



Elemis FreshSkin Skin Clear Overnight Serum

Hi Guys

Skincare can be an absolute nightmare, especially when it comes to what skin type you have and what products can help. I know for a fact that my skin is sensitive, and oily/combination and I thought I would share with you lovely bunch some of the products I swear by. Todays little treat is on a serum I use when I suffer from a bad skin breakout.

Elemis FreshSkin Skin Clear Overnight Serum £17.99

 

A while back I was suffering with a pretty bad breakout and I was desperate to try anything that would help. I was browsing through Superdrug and came across the Elemis FreshSkin range and the Skin Clear Overnight Serum was just calling out to me. The products aim is to de-clog those pores, shrink those nasty spots, reduces the swelling and the redness. All without causing any sensitivity (always a big plus for me). Not only does it do all that its packed with anti-oxidants properties that aid skin repair and help minimise post blemish imperfections! Well that was me sucked right in, I had to buy it and see if it would help.

 

It is save to say that this is now in my range of items that I go to when I'm going through a breakout, I love it that much. I notice that the redness calms down a lot, my skin always feels really soft and looks lot more radiant. Now you can use this in the morning as well as at night, on its own or under moisturiser. I use mine at night time after I have cleansed my face, I apply a thin layer all over my skin then once that's soaked in I apply my moisturiser.

 

I do notice such a difference when I use this product and I would recommend anyone who was going through a bad break out to give it a try. To some £17.99 might be a tad pricy you can always look online to see if can be found cheaper, I got mine on a 3 for 2 skincare offer in Superdrug. The amount you get in a bottle is 30ml however you do only need the one pump of serum each time you use it and I only use this when my skins at its worst so I can defiantly say that it is worth the money and lasts a good long time.

 

Is there any skincare serums that you cant live without? leave me a comment if you like, or even just say hi, I do love replying to them and discovering new blogs.

 

Hope your all having a lush weekend

 

Lovies

SparklySJ

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 



Highend Vs HighStreet TAG

So earlier on this evening I received a tweet from the lovely Heather at http://b3autyjournal.blogspot.co.uk/  asking if I would take part in a new TAG she created over on her blog . I was really happy she asked me to do one, my first TAG!!! So here it is

 

I have chosen to do my Highend Vs Highstreet on Skincare, Heather done hers on MakeUp however my skincare collection overtakes my make up these days :)

1. What is your favourite high end item?
Oooo this has to be my Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser, I got this stuff last year at Gatwick airport, I had about 4 hours to kill for my next flight so Duty Free was just heaven. I had a really bad break out at the time so I went to the Demalogica counter, the staff was so helpful and really analysed my skin. They came to the conclusion my skin is oily to combination with areas of congestion. I use this when my skin isn't at its best in the morning and at bedtime, the cucumber and sage really help soothe away the redness and my skin always feels refreshed and soft. It also doubles as a face mask which is a lovely extra treat. I had the 250ml bottle at £27 but I have to say its well worth the money, I have only just finished it and I will most defiantly be purchasing it again.

2. What is your favourite high street item?
This has to be my favourite everyday cleanser Cetaphil, this stuff is just amazing!! My skin has over the past few months been super sensitive, I have taken a few allergic reactions where the skin on my face has dried up, swelled, itchiness and red. So I needed a cleanser that was really gentle to the skin I also heard this was good for acne which was a bonus for any bad breakouts I had. It doesn't strip the skin, doesn't have much a smell, can be used on most skin types, removes make up and moisturises it is my holy grail product. Its only £8.99 for a 236ml bottle.

3. Name one high end item that was a disappointment/wasn't worth the hype
For me this has to be Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions 3 Step System £30, this set is aimed to give fast and effective treatment to blemished skin. You get a cleansing foam, a clarifying lotion and a clearer moisturiser. For a while I suffered with acne, I'm not going to lie I was so self conscious of it I tried so many different products to treat it when I seen this 3 step system I thought I found the cure to all my problems. The first few weeks it seemed to be working a treat, however after a month or 2 of using it my breakouts were getting worse and my skin just seemed pretty angry at me I had to stop using it. I read so many reviews on how good it was so I was rather disappointed that it didn't work for me :( but hopefully it really has worked for others.

4. Name one high street item that surprised you in terms of how much you love it.
This is a rather odd one, its Aloe Vera Gel 100ml for £3.99 from Holland and Barrett. From having a previous allergic reaction that left my skin so dry I was recommended to give Aloe vera gel a try and my god is this stuff amazing. So amazing that I use it every night after cleansing and before moisturising. It soothes and moisturises the skin, helps dry, chapped skin, stretch marks and skin irritations. It is another must have item I need in the bathroom cupboards at all times.

5. If you could only buy high end or high street for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
This is a tough one as I would normally say high end from the quality of the product however I am finding the high street is catching on and doing many alternatives to the high end products, for that I'm going to choose High street :D

6. What are your best dupes?
The No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Make Up Remover at £8.50 I'm pretty sure this is a dupe of the Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover £17.00 in the sense that you shake it to mix both parts of the lotion. You just shake it then tab it on cotton wool pad hold it on the eye area for about 10 seconds then wipe away the days make up. I love this stuff, for my dry sensitive skin it works a treat and doesn't irritate my skin!

7. If all of your skincare disappeared, what would be the first 5 products you repurchased (high end or high street)?
Oh gosh well my Dermalogica Cleanser would be the one high end product, Cetaphil, Aloe Vera Gel, Sudocream and my Boots own Simple Sensitive Moisturiser would be my high street products so mostly high street.

8. What is your favourite brand overall (high end or high street)?
Its actually the Superdrug Vitamin E range, my skin always feels pampered using these products and they smell amazing, my mum loves this range and got me into it. Their moisturisers are so lovely to the skin I always have a pot in my bathroom cupboard for when I'm needing that extra boost.

So there you have it, you can tell I'm quite the beauty product junkie haha!
I hope you guys have enjoyed this, feel free to do your own and then comment with your link so I can read them :)

SparklySJ
xxxxxxxxxxx


images used from weheartit.com