Monthy Favourites - January

 

Nothing incredibly exciting here for the month of January. Just simple, effective products that I have used every single day of the month.  They are products I can rely on, day in, day out.  Actually, as I wrote that I realised that I'd missed the Oilatum Natural Repair face cream. But you can read about my experience with that here I have loved using that cream.  It really helped with the dry, sore skin on my cheeks.

• L'Occitane Shea Butter body lotion.  Hands down the best body moisturiser I've ever used. Holy Grail status - I think so!  I have it in the supersize 500ml pump version and I have another one as a back up. Intensely moisturising, yet non greasy.  I find this is easily absorbed into my skin. A winter staple for me.
• L'Occitane Shea Butter hand cream.  Another HG product for me.  I have quite a few of these on the go at the moment.  One in my handbag, one on my desk at work, one by the sofa and one on my bedside table. Like I said, I have a few... The one in the pic is the Shea Vanilla variant.  These sink into the skin and really get to work.  My hands feel amazing and I'm pretty sure it's helping my nails too. Particularly as I haven't worn any nail varnish since December.
• Tangle Teezer.  Nic recommended this hair brush to me.  She uses it on the girls and really rated it.  I got one and I can see why the little ones like it.  It glides through your hair without pulling and snagging.  You can use it on wet or dry hair.  I think it's fantastic.  Been telling everyone about it!
• Revlon Colourstay foundation in 110 Ivory.  I think I'm probably a bit late to the party on this one, but I got this foundation when they had a 3 for 2 offer in Superdrug.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but I really do.  Good coverage, perfect colour match and it's long lasting. What more could a lazy girl ask for?
• Sephora Professional Mineral Powder brush. I got this brush in New York on one of my many visits to Sephora.  When I returned home, everyone seemed to be raving about it and not just for the application of mineral make-up.  I remember many people saying what a flawless finish it provided when applying liquid foundation.  I can certainly agree with that. This is my foundation brush of choice and has been since June 2010.  I love it and it has worked perfectly with the Revlon Colourstay foundation this month, so that's why I included it here.
• Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer.  Delivers exactly as promised. Enough said.
• Avon Supershock Mascara.  Nice formulation and easy to use wand.  It's perfect for everyday make-up and can also be used to create a more dramatic look for evenings - not that I've been out anywhere since NYE!
• Lip Balm (Victoria Secret Balmy Days Vanilla pictured) I use a lip balm every day, numerous times.  But it feels like its been really necessary this month.  I've used the one pictured, EA 8 hour cream and By Terry Baume de Rose every single day without fail.  Roll on Spring!
• Bare Escentuals blusher in shade Irresistible.  A really lovely, fresh blusher in a soft pink colour. that seems to fool everyone into thinking I'm awake!  I've reached for this one almost every day.  Although MAC Stereo Rose has been getting a bit of love too.  The only problem for me with anything from Bare Escentuals, is that I'm clumsy and accident prone (Nic and The Boy can vouch for that!!) and I am perpetually terrified that I'll drop/spill this everywhere.  I know they are in the process of changing their packaging, but that doesn't help with the ones I already own.  On the plus side, I've had this for ages and the jar is still really full.

What products have you been relying on this month?

Haus of Gloi Haul - Part one

 

So after hearing many good things about Haus of Gloi from a plethora of bloggers, I thought it was about time I gave therm a whirl. As a 100% vegan independent producer of bath and body products, I was interested to give these products a go.  Hailing from Oregon in the good old US of A, I decided that I'd try out a few scents in their 2oz 'sample' size. This is a great idea if you are not sure if you will like a particular scent.  Delivery time was a reasonable 10 days.

So what did I pick?  I decided that the Bubbling Scrubs were the way to go. I needed a new body scrub, so I actually got 4 to try - don't judge me!

• Vice
• Honey Tree
• Snow Wolf
• Parkin

The box was both carefully and beautifully packaged.  It included a handwritten thank you card from Britton and Matt (the founders of HoG) and a sample of the new Litchi Milk Tea perfume oil. On first reaction with my skin, this smelled like some kind of air freshener from Glade. Honestly, it was vile on me.  But after a little while it had mellowed into something entirely more pleasant.  I can't say I'd be in a rush to buy some other products from this particular fragrance line.  It is a little too floral for my liking.

Vice - Steam billows rolling off a vessel of fresh made Turkish coffee, marshmallow goo tainted by graham cracker crumbs, toasted hazelnuts and blanketed in black chocolate. 

This is quite an intense smell, and whilst I thought that I couldn't smell chocolate, the more I return to sniff this, the more I realise that it reminds me of the slight bitterness you get with a really good quality chocolate.  It is a bit of an odd mix, but it certainly works.  Foodie, but not overly so.  I think this would be quite a unisex scent..

 

Honey Tree - Quite rich! Right from the bee hive - honey amplified by seductive essence of resinous vanilla, darkened by a passing waft of mild rare wood smoke.

This is another perfect scent for me.  It's gorgeous and if you like Lush Honey I washed the Kids then I think you'll like this. Smells exactly as the description suggests. Well, I'm not sure I can smell the wood smoke.  But who am I to argue. 

Snow Wolf - Bristling and prowling, lonesome and haunting. Three howling firs, whitened frankincense, vanilla bean husk, tainted by droplets of blood cedar.

I have to say when I had a sniff of this one, I was a little disappointed.  This is not the kind of scent that I usually go for. It's more herbal than foodie and initially that put me off.  However, I've gone back to sniff this a few times and its really beginning to grow on me.  It's quite a masculine scent, which is no bad thing. Who doesn't love a nice smelling man?  It also has a sort of medical freshness that I quite like.  I'm a bit of a fan of Wintergreen Life Savers, which people have told me reminds them of TCP. I don't know. I just like that kind of smell. Yes, its a bit weird, but give me a break!  Perhaps The Boy and I will be arguing over this one after all.  

 Parkin - Glorious ginger cakes celebrating Guy Fawkes Day! Brown sugar, black treacle, oats, a peculiar blend of white spices tossed with chopped roasted chestnuts and coated with the lightest of icings

This is most certainly a foodie scent and therefore right up my street. initially it reminded me of a cross between Philosophy Cinnamon Buns and a cup of Starbucks Gingerbread Latte.  It has such a warm, comforting smell.  I'm certainly attracted to the spicy yet sweet heady scent of Parkin.  It's a shame this was a limited edition from the Yule collection. I'd have certainly bought a full size of this one!

  I used this last night and can report that I had a blissful bath-time experience.  I was left with beautifully soft, clean skin. Although the scent didn't last on my skin for as long as I would have hoped.  As I don't have any of the Pumpkin Butter's (yet!) I slathered myself in L'Occitane Shea Butter body lotion, which has got to be my all time favourite body moisturiser.  I'm impressed.

The day after I'd placed my initial order, they reduced the price of a number of items from their Yule time collection. So I might have accidentally bought a few more bits and pieces.  I honestly cannot remember what I ordered, so it will be a pleasant surprise when it arrives.

Haus of Gloi are launching their Valentine inspired products today. Why not check them out? I know I will be!

Time for a Diet Coke break! Anyone got a Vodka to go with that??

As with every part of my life, there is a story. I've always been the kind of person that people say "that could only happen to you" I can't help it. That's just me! I am who I am.

Last Friday I ran into town at lunchtime to complete 2 missions. 1 - Collect new Radley bag from the Radley shop (Thanks Parental Units for Christmas money x) 2 - Run into Boots and see if any/all of the Nails Inc/Diet Coke varnishes were around.  Sounds simple enough?! You don't know me and my luck.

  Radley was a DISASTER!  The bag they had on hold for me was damaged, no others in stock.  And the crazy SA thought I was still going to buy it - think again love! When she could feel the thrill of the sale heading for the door she tried to up sell to one 3 times the price - I've got to give it to you lady. That was quick thinking! But no, not for me. Thus I departed, miffed to say the least.

I stomped round to Boots muttering expletives under my breath.  Upon arrival, I realised that a little old lady had just fallen down the escalators (poor thing!).  Luckily she had people seeing to her and providing medical assistance, so I pottered off in search of my prize.  At this point I'll introduce Heather Grey (pictured above)

And here is Denim.  Now, you can tell from the get-go, these aren't in my usual realm of desirable colours.  But who am I to look a little free gift horse in the mouth. Not I, I tell you. After the trauma of Radley, it numbed the pain...well, slightly.  And i'll certainly use them once my self imposed nail varnish ban is lifted and normal service is resumed.  But that's another set of rambling.

You thought this story was over - think again!  So, I go to the till and try and pay for my items with quite possibly the rudest SA ever.  She was annoyed that I'd disturbed her conversation and couldn't perform a simple request (can I pay for the meal deal in a separate transaction please? Its for a work colleague.  No, ok then, just ignore me so you can get rid of me as soon as poss and resume your chat!!).  In the process of paying I realised that I had LOST MY ADVANTAGE CARD!!!!!!!  *cue frantic scrambling around purse and handbag - both Radley, natch*  Rude SA kept asking for my Advantage card, even though she could quite clearly see that I didn't have it.  Not that I was worried about missing out on a few points - that didn't worry me in the slightest. It was the £57.00 on the card that I was flapping over!

Now, late for work I ran back to the office to search my handbag and purse yet again.  There was nothing else but to call Boots and ask for a new card.  While the little automated women talked me through the process, I held my breath when she said "the current balance of...... 5730 points will be transferred to your new card" - Thank god for that! It means that if someone did find it, they didn't spend all the points. Something going right for a change!

Anyway, here are Heather Grey (which isn't grey at all!!!!) and Denim again for your perusal.  What colours did you get from this promotion and what lengths did you go to get them?  I hope your shopping trip was less stressful than mine. Now where is that vodka....

Philosophy 'Have a Cherry Christmas'

 

I am loving using Philosophy Have a Cherry Christmas at the moment.  I adore anything cherry scented so this was the perfect gift for me (Thank You Nic!x) and how cute is the little girl on the box? I've been using this in the bath and it makes the whole house cherry scented. Gorgeous.  

The Philosophy Lip Shines are amazing and this one is no exception.  They last a long time on my lips, they aren't sticky (although you know I dont mind that) and they have the most fabulous smell and taste.  Yes, I know you're not supposed to eat them!  I've got quite a collection of these, although the Have a Cherry Christmas lip shine has been coming to work with me each day.

Have you got a favourite Philosophy scent?

Elemis Sparkling Beauty Collection

So, if anyone follows me on Twitter (@LeanneOCD) they will know that I was literally chomping at the bit to recieve my very first order from ASOS.  And this is what I was waiting for.  Elemis introduced the limited edition 'Sparkling Beauty' collection in support of Breast Cancer Care.  Nic and I were in John Lewis and noticed it had been reduced in their post Christmas sale to £37 - which to be fair was a bargain.  But then I came home and foud it for £30 on ASOS. Result!



The collection includes;

• Elemis Eau de Parfum (4ml)
• Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (30ml)
• Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules (14 caps)
• Pro-Collagen Lifiting Treatment Neck and Bust (15ml)
• Visable Brilliance (10ml)

I've previously used and loved Pro-Collagen Marine Cream but the one thing I am really excited about using is the Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules. I think January is the perfect time to try these out. You use the pink Rose capsules in the morning and the green Lavender ones before bed. and this will provide you with a 7 day course of treatment.

  Elemis state that the capsules contain Moringa Oil, which has 1700% more anti-oxidant power than Evening Primrose Oil.  These little pearls are supposed to help reduce the signs of ageing and counteract the damaging effects of pollution.  I'm not sure about all that. But I can tell you that I have found my skin to be incredibly soft and nourished after use.  It's been a real indulgence for me to use the oil for a bit of facial massage each day.

The 7 day's worth of capsules in this kit is going to be a bit of a tester for me, as the full size of the capsules cost in the region of £58 (60caps). Although they are not meant to be used constantly, they are the perfect boost for stressed Winter skin, or perhaps in the run up to a special occassion.  I'll see if I can see any dramatic difference before I part with that kind of money though.

I'm also interested to see how the Visable Brilliance serum works out.  Elemis says that it will energise dull, fatigued and stressed skin.  Who doesn't need this in January!?!

Do you have any favourite products from Elemis?

QVC's January 2011 Beauty TSV's

Saturday 1st January - New CID Cosmetics

Sunday 2nd January - In the Salon with SBC

Friday 7th January - NV Perricone

Friday 14th January - Ojon

Sunday 23rd January - In the Salon with Decleor
Friday 28th January - Prai Beauty

Happy Shopping!