Reviews Galore!

Ok so, I've accquired a lot of products and haven't reviewed very many, (some samples I've yet to use) but I've nothing better to do so I might aswell get stuck in or I'll never get it done! This will be a review of just random products from Love Lula. So... I shall begin!

Lavera Intense Volumising Mascara

I have quite sensitive eyes which can react easily to mascara so I was happy to try a natural one that would be more gentle on my eyes. Firstly, I LOVE the brush, (it reminds me of Benefit's Bad Gal mascara,) the fact it has bristles and is not made of rubber/plastic as so many mascaras are these days is a bonus as I hate them!

 

As far as how the product actually works, it did make my eyelashes longer and more defined, and quite a bit thicker. The only downside to this product is that it isn't available in a waterproof version, which I would like as my eyes water if I even smile never mind crying while I laugh, (don't ask!) Overall I think it's just your average mascara.

bare lashes

lashes curled, one coat of mascara

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol*, Stearic Acid, Besswax (Cera Alba)*, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Algin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Liquorice) Root Extract*, Silk (Serica), Shellac, Jojoba Esters , HippopHae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, TocopHerol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil (Olus Oil), Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract *, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract*, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Citronellol**, Geraniol**, Limonene**, Linalool**, [+/- Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Ultramarines (Ci 77007)]  (* ingredients from certified organic agriculture)

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF15

I was able to get a free "make under", as it is called in the world of bareMinerals, with a coupon from 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty last September, which I brought to my nearest bareMinerals counter and I fell in love! I've been looking this foundation ever since but as it is quite costly I kept putting it off. Love Lula had a £5 discount code which could be used in July, (as this month marks their 5th birthday!) So I decided to treat myself and I'm so glad I did! Although I'm still looking for the perfect brush, (the bareMinerals brushes are just as expensive as the foundation) the technique is easy with any face or powder brush and a little goes a long way. There are 11 shades available for all types of colourings with specific undertones; I chose the palest shade "Fair" which is for the lightest porcelain skin with cool neutral undertones, (my skin has more golden/yellow undertones but the next shade wasn't light enough in colour.) It worked wonders for evening out my skin tone, as any discolouration shows up quite easily because my skin is so light; it's just like having another layer of beautiful dewy, natural looking skin, and the best thing is... it doesn't look like you're wearing any makeup! (A key feature I think all foundation show achieve.) The added SPF of 15 is also an added bonus as my current moisturiser does not contain any SPF. My only critique is that the starter kits only have 4 shades available, which contain all you need to get introduced to the brand, leaving many people missing out on saving money if they want to buy all the products but have to do so separately. However, I'm looking forward to buying more mineral makeup, not just from this brand but from others that have caught my eye.

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Badger Unscented Healing Lip Balm

I managed to misplace my Badger Vanilla Madagascar Lip Balm while I was out, (either that or it's fallen down the side of my bed :/), so I bought a new one, this time the unscented version, and to be honest I'm not really sure why I did. To begin with I thought it was great, a lip balm that actually worked! But after repeated use I've found it's not working as well as I had originally hoped. This is the first Badger product that has disappointed me, which I'm quite sad about as I love the brands other products. (which you will see in a moment!) Again, like the other products in the brand, there's a herbal undertone although it is "unscented", but I think I shall have to return to my quest of finding the perfect lip balm for me.

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Beeswax, *Castor Oil, *Rosemary. (* = Certified Organic Ingredient)

Badger Cuticle Care & Foot Balm Duo

I....LOVE.....THIS!

Badger Balms have never failed to impress me, (apart from the lip balms.) This combo is a dream for hands and feet that need some TLC and are quickly outshining other lotions I have!

Badger Cuticle Care

As a piano/keyboard and guitar player, it's safe to say my nails get a lot of battering on a daily basis. They grow extremely fast but are very brittle so break and peel easily. I rub this into my cuticles, on the nail itself and the area around it on nights that I have removed polish so they are soothed and healthy after being in contact with acetone, (I'm soon to switch to a non acetone remover) and before being re-polished, giving them a chance to rest and repair. This balm is a lot thicker and most easily melted than the other balms. There are bubbles throughout the balm which are caused by the shea which gives it soothing and restorative properties. 

Ingredients: *Wild African Shea Butter, *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Castor Oil, *Golden Yellow Beeswax, *Seabuckthorn Berry Extract, and Essential Oils of *Geranium, *Ginger, *Cardamom, *Rosemary, *Litsea Cubeba, *Mandarin & *Lemongrass. (* = Certified Organic Ingredient)

Badger Foot Balm

I walk around in my bare feet more than I wear shoes or socks, it's just so natural for me. Unfortunately this means the bottom of my feet are more like a hobbit's than those from a sandal add :( (I don't know how people cared for there feet before shoes were invented?!) Before trying this balm I was using Boots Gorgeous Feet Cracked Heel Repair which was AMAZING! I was stunned at how soft the skin on my feet was over night, never mind "visible results in just 3 days", it is a miracle product. I thought to myself wouldn't it be great if I could get something that was as good as this but was natural... and voila! Badger Foot Balm just happens to exist. Firstly, the smell doesn't do it justice; it's not THAT off putting but it's not the nicest of smells, (I love the smell of the Boots moisturiser) however, it works just as well which is what I was hoping for. I put it on after getting out of the shower or bath, then put on some cuddly bed socks to lock in the effects and I wake up in the morning with lovely soft soles!

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Castor Oil, *Jojoba Oil, *Golden Yellow Beeswax, and Essential Oils of *Rosemary, *Peppermint *Balsam Fir, *Eucalyptus, *Tea Tree & *Cardamom. (* = Certified Organic Ingredient)

More buys!

After a few days of no postal service, I received two packages this morning :D One from Love Lula and one from Lena White.

Love Lula; Clockwise from far left: Bare Escentuals barMinerals Orginal Foundation SPF 15 (Fair), Sample of Alquimia Anti Cellulite Body Oil, Sample of John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler, Badger Unscented Healing Lip Balm & Sample of Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream.

Lena White; L-R: OPI Ink, Royal Rajah Ruby & You Don't Know Jacques!

In the next few days I'll be doing a review of the Pai skincare samples which I have been using a lot recently, as well as my first posts of the ten days of tea series. I'll also post "nails of the day" to give swatches of the newest colours to my nail polish collection, as well as a few oldies I'm sure. Blessed Be! xx

John Masters Organics Review

I think I am in love... with hair products! My hair has grown so much in the past few years, (and is far longer than I think it is), so it needs all the care it can get. I've tried a few samples of the John Masters Organics hair products and have to say they are great! The full sized products are quite expensive but are definitely worth their price.

John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair

I'm not one to use products for dry hair, when I was younger anything for dry hair would leave mine greasy, so I was wary about adding this sample but there were not other samples I wanted to try so I gave it a go, and boy am I glad I did! I used it with the lavender & avocado conditioner and it left my hair so moisturised, but not greasy. The quality of my hair has changed as it has grown, (it's about waist length now), the ends can be very dry so I wash my hair less often and let it air dry, but this doesn't make it greasy. The smell was quite overwhelming at first but it wasn't over unbearable,  if you don't mind floral and herbal scents that is. All in all I think this is another trustworthy product from a brilliant company!

John Masters Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Shampoo & Hair Reconstructor

I used these products together, (as intended) and was very impressed by the results! Again I was cautious about whether they would leave my hair greasy, but the following day even my roots were fine! Like the primrose shampoo the smell is quite strong, but not unpleasant. My hair was in need of some TLC and these delivered. Like all the products I have tried, the quality is evident across the brand. This is one brand that I will come back to time and time again! Blessed Be! xx

It's Summer!!!!!

So my exams have ended, hurrah! I've got quite a lot of plans for the coming months, midsummer solstice celebrations, craft ideas, places to go, as well as some ideas for posts and (hopefully) getting my youtube channel up and running with some videos, but I will see how I feel about that closer to the time. For now I'll just be focusing on my blog. Speaking of which I've noticed I've become a bit of a Love Lula freak!

As you can see I have acquired quite a collection of boxes, (definately a sign I should stop buying everything in online sales), but I don't mind, I'm a bit of a trying new things out junky, and I've many plans to try new things, both products and activities which I am looking forward to :)

I also made another Love Lula purchase:

Left to Right: Trial Size Pai Organic Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream, John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner. (I also got another free John Masters Organics bodycare set, and forgot to add some free samples.)

Love Lula have also included something to brighten everyone's day with their packages; angel cards. They always make me smile, and as you can see from the box they have taken time to think about the packaging.

Here's some close ups:

courage: "you gain confidence & strength by every experience in which you do the thing which you think you cannot do"

beauty: "there came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"

magic: "fairies are invisible & inaudible like angels, but their magic sparkles in nature" (This one's my favourite!!)

I'm hoping this will be a summer worth remembering, as my last few haven't been great, but I'm keeping a positive attitude, Blessed Be! xx

New Order

My most recent purchases from The Body Shop and Love Lula have arrived! Here they are:

The Body Shop, clockwise from bottom: Lightening Touch (under eye concealer), Ultra Fine Bath Lily Olive Green, Divine Calm Serenity Milk Bath Powder.

Love Lula, clockwise from top: Lavera Intense Volumising Mascara, Sample of John Masters Organics Evening Primrose Shampoo for Dry Hair, Sample of John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Shampoo, Sample of John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor.

Can't wait to get using and reviewing my newest products, Blessed Be! xx

I'm Meltingggg!

Ok, so, yesterday's plan of a productive day didn't turn out so well. Northern Ireland decided to have a heat wave, so I could either lie outside and do some yoga (which I did), or sit inside in the cool air and do nothing (which I also did), but I managed to try out two of my latest Love Lula purchases and gifts, before deciding what to do for the rest of the day. Here they are:

 John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner

 I love this! I've only used one of the samples and am already contemplating buying the full sized product. The smell is divine! And it definitely helped to moisturise my damaged tresses. It has a very thick consistency, and you can feel how smooth it leaves your hair when you've rinsed it out. A much needed treat for dry or damaged hair, I would recommend this any day!

For now I'm not writing out all the ingredients... there's too many!

John Masters Organics Sea Mist Sea Salt Spray with Lavender

 I'm one of those people who's natural hair can't really be defined; when I was young I had extremely long hair that was poker straight. When I got it cut shorter and layered for the first time it became wavy, and now it's a mixture between wavy, curly and straight. I usually scrunch my hair when it's drying to give it a bit more of a curl, and have used so many curling/ products for wavy hair in previous years when my hair was in a bob, but now that it's long I find they don't help, so I was eager to try out this sea mist (I've been looking to try Bumble & Bumble's Surf Spray for years.) I had read some reviews of this product saying it could leave hair greasy due to the oils it contains, but I found it to do the exact opposite. My hair felt like it would when I've been in the sea, slighty on the drier side, however I had kept my hair pinned up all day as it was so warm but when I took it down to go out last night I had the most textured beach waves I've ever had! This will definately be a staple hair product for summer.

Ingredients: Water, Sea Salt, *Lavender Oil. ( * = NOP Certified Organic)

Mail's Here!

Don't you just love getting packages in the post? I know I do, and today my most recent order from Love Lula has arrived! :) I ordered (to no surprise) more Badger Balm products as well as a John Masters Organics hair product and a trial sized Pai product, as well as 3 free samples. So without further ado, here is my purchase:

Clockwise from top: Sample of Suki Exfoliate Foaming Body Cleanser, Trial Size Pai Camellia & Rose Organic Cleanser, John Masters Organics Sea Mist Sea Salt Spray with Lavender, Free John Masters Organics Bodycare Set; Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash and Body Milk (free gift with John Masters Organics purchase), Sample of John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner, Badger Cuticle Care and Foot Balm Duo.

 I've been loving all my organic products so far, so hope to swap as many of my everyday products as possible to those that are organically manufactured. I find the option to include 3 free samples of products highly beneficial, as we all know trying out new things can be expensive and that's no exception for natural products, so what better way is there than to sample products you otherwise might not buy for free? Definitely a thumbs up from me!

On another note in my upcoming posts I'm hoping to show my crystal collection as well as more natural product reviews, (I've ordered some things of The Body Shop website today, 30% off, woohoo!) and I'm also hoping to include a more serious post on some topics that catch my attention, so until then, Blessed Be! xx

Badger Balm Review!

I realised that I left out one of the Badger Balm products that I own from the previous post, which is their Vanilla Madagascar Lip Balm, but I will include it in this review. These are the products that I have used for a few weeks so can give my opinion of them, the others I haven't yet used so I will include them when I have given them a go. Below is the products I will review in this post:

Clockwise from top: Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands, Badger Sleep Balm, Badger Vanilla Madagascar Lip Balm, Badger Cheerful Mind Balm, Badger Clear Mind Balm

Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands

 This stuff works! The smell reminds me of the oils that physiotherapists, osteopaths and accupressurists use, (I've been to all several times due to back and neck problems) and it's definitely a smell I love! The balm does leave hands greasy for a while, so I usually apply it at night before bed, but I wake up with the softest hands imaginable!

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Beeswax, *Castor Oil, *Aloe Extract, Essential Oils of Birch & *Wintergreen. (* = Certified Organic)

Badger Sleep Balm

The sleep balm was the first thing I added to my shopping basket on the Love Lula website, I mean, who could resist the cute packaging? Packaging plays a big role when choosing products and I love the pictures across the brand (It reminds me of the time there was a badger in back garden sitting like a person eating a scone...random I know, but it was so funny!) As I was beginning my exams, and my sleeping pattern isn't the best, I knew I would need all the sleep I could get, and this balm definitely delivers! I rub some on my temples, forehead, lips and under my nose before turning off the light and it puts me to sleep much quicker than I would drift off otherwise. The smell isn't for everyone, I wasn't that fond at the beginning (I was expecting the scent of lavender oil and earl grey tea), the other oils definitely shine through, particularly the ginger, but as I have become accustomed to the scent it doesn't put me off. It's definitely been a life saver!

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Castor Oil, *Beeswax, Essential Oils of *Bergamot, *Lavender, *Rosemary Verbenone, *Ginger, *Balsam Fir and CO2 Extract of *Ginger. (* = Certified Organic)

Badger Vanilla Madagascar Lip Balm

 I'm one of those people that has tried every lip balm under the moon to find one that actually lives up to it's description but with no luck so far. The closest I had come was Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturising Lip Balm but it would sting my lips. I've even tried E45 lip balm to no success, so I was happy to try out Badger's lip balm and it actually works! It's the only lip balm I've tried that actually keeps my lips moisturised and stops them from cracking (they're very sensitive to the cold and wind). It has a deep vanilla smell, but there is definitely a herbal undertone, but it s not unpleasant. All in all this is a product I will be stocking up on!

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Beeswax, *Castor Oil, *Aloe Extract, CO2 Extracts of *Vanilla, *Rosemary, *Seabuckthorn Berry & *Rosehip. (* = Certified Organic)

Badger Cheerful Mind Balm

What could make you more cheerful than just looking at the packaging?! But on a serious note, the fragrance definitely lifts your mood, I wasn't sure how a combination of orange and mint would work, (flash back to the not so pleasant experience of brushing your teeth then drinking orange juice), but I was pleasantly surprised, the spearmint gives it a fresh smell while the sweet orange gives it a bit of a zing. It most certainly made me cheerful :)

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Beeswax, *Sweet Orange Oil, *Lemon Oil, *Spearmint Oil, *Rosemary Verbenone Oil, *Rosehip CO2 Extract, *Calendula CO2 Extract, *Cinnamon Oil, *Bitter Orange Oil, *Ylang Ylang Oil. (* = Certified Oragnic)

Badger Clear Mind Balm

This was another purchase I made close to exam time, and I've used it almost every day I've studied/ had an exam. The ginger scent really wakes you up, and I've found that using this balm has indeed helped my concentration and capacity of thought, (I also wish I could trade places with the badger, looks like a lovely place to study!)

Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Beeswax, *Lemon Oil, *Rosemary Verbenone Oil, *Grapefruit Oil, *Calendula CO2 Extract, *Rosehip CO2 Extract, *Ginger CO2 Extract and *Cardamom Oil. (* = Certified Organic)

I will have more reviews of the other Badger products once I have used them, but with exams and studying to do I've had no time to do any yoga or meditation, but I reckon I'll have used the tension soother before my exams are done. Blessed Be! xx

Organic Goodness!

I've been really into swapping my everyday skincare and beauty products to those with natural and organic ingredients lately, and have made several purchases from the website Love Lula, (one of which I purchased today.)

It's a UK site that is passionate about selling only pure and natural skincare and beauty products from many different brands. Below is my collection, consisting mainly of Badger Balm products, but not only that, with every purchase over £5 you can add 3 sample products to your shopping basket to try out!

L-R from top row: Sample of Green People OY! Face the Sun SPF15 Moisturiser, Sample of Green People OY! Cleanser and Moisturiser, Sample of Green People OY! Cover and Clear Spot It, Sample of Egyptian Magic Cream, Sample of Trilogy Cleansing Cream, Sample of Suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser. L-R middle row: Badger Hardworking Hand Balm and Muscle Rub Duo, Badger Sleep Balm, Bagder Yoga & Meditation Balm, Badger Tension Soother. L-R bottom row: Badger Cheerful Mind Balm, Badger Clear Mind Balm, Badger Aromatic Chest Rub Balm.

If you're familiar with the Boots Advantage Card system, Love Lula also have a Reward Point's scheme in which you earn 5 points (to the value of 5p) for every £1 you spend, which you can use to buy products as your points mount up!

I intend to do a review of each of these products as well as the samples, and the new order which I will receive in a few days, so until then, Blessed Be! xx