Sanctuary Spa Relax Cocooning Body Butter

"Blended with essential oils to help relax &calm the mind, providing a gentle unwind to a stressful day."

You may remember for Christmas I got one of the Sanctuary Spa Body Butter Gift Set with 3 of their body butters (Cocooning, Mandel Lular and their Original Body Butter). Today I will be reviewing their Cocooning Body Butter 100ml!
I had never tried any of Sanctuary Spa Products before so I was looking forward to it, especially as I heard that they were very good.

This particular one is meant to help calm and unwind after a long stressful as it contains:

"Vetivert - Helps to calm the mind,

Cederwood - Helps promote clarity, 

Labdanunm - Helps to provide relaxation "

 

It also contains Shea, illipe (a butter pressed from tree nuts) and sacred lotus so its meant to be incredibly moisturising and perfect for dry skin. As you can tell from the ingredients (illipe and sacred lotus) are considered mainly Asian (Malaysian and Chinese) so it is expected that the overall fragrance is very Oriental and deep. This is further reinforced as you see a Koi Fish shadow on the packaging which I thought was a cute touch.

However contrary to what its meant to do I did not find this relaxing at all, which was very disappointing to me as it states its meant to relax. The scent wasn't overly strong which I like, but it want exactly phenomenal either. It was intriguing though as its a very deep unusual scent, that honestly I can't place! (sorry I suck at describing scents!)

Now the consistency is lovely! Its nice and thick but not so stiff that its hard to use. So it's perfectly easy to massage it into the skin! It is actually very moisturising and leaves the skin feeling nice and soft.

Overall this is a lovely body cream but I don't think I'd be repurchasing this for myself as the scent just didn't quite match with me. I do recommend you try it as it is cheaper then other brands (i.e. Body Shops 200ml for £13). Lastly if you don't like strong scents this might just be perfect for you as it is very understated and muted scent.

You can get this from:

Boots: £9.50 for 200ml

Sanctuary Spa: £9.50 for 200ml

 

L.F.A. Xx

Mini Boots Haul.!.!

Now first of all I must I admit I have possibly been the worst blogger in the world but I've been busy & kind of having a writers block, and I didn't want to just write up anything that I wouldn't be proud off? Anyway from now on I shall be better.! Promise.!

Recently Boots had some lovely offers going on and I just couldn't stop myself, and decided to get myself some much needed skincare products. I know your wondering why on earth I bought 3 products for different skin types but don't worry I have my reasons.!

I think they may have changed their packaging since...?

First I got this Garnier - Pure Active - Anti Black Head Pore Wash 150ml, which was on offer from £2.65 down to £1.77 which I thought was pretty cheap. I am a big fan of exfoliation so when I saw that this has teeny-tiny beads in the formula I knew I should try it. Especially as I have tried other Garnier products before that were pretty good.!.

Secondly I purchased the L'Oréal Paris - Triple Active Day Moisturiser, for Normal to Combination Skin, on offer from £6.49 down to £4.33.!.! Total Bargain considering it Vitamin E in it.!. and don't worry a full post should be coming soon.!.

and Lastly I purchased another L'Oréal Paris - Triple Active Day Moisturiser, but this time instead the one that is catered for Dry to Sensitive Skin, also on offer from £6.49 down to £4.33. The reason for which I got this is to basically stock up for the winter; as it gets colder my skin becomes dryer and much more sensitive (in other words my skin is as complicated as its owner :) so I thought I might as well buy it since its cheap.


So have you guys tried these products?
Or what skincare products have you guys gotten or been loving recently?

L.F.A. Xx

Lush - Blackberry Bath Bomb

Now we all know that Lush never go wrong with their Bath Bombs and my gosh did the Blackberry Bath Bomb surprise me.

I wasn't really expecting much considering how plain looking it was. Though I do quite like how the word BOMB  is embedded into it as it reminds me of those cartoon bombs... (even if it isn't in the same colour..)


Please excuse my bare and boring nail!... but doesn't this remind you of a meteorite? Hehehehe

I must point out the utter value of it. It is huge! It's the same size as the Sex Bomb Bath Bomb and it's only £2.95.!.!. This is very cheap considering it contains "Frankincense Oil "and "Bergamot Oil" and its "Preservative Free" (according to Lush's website)

Also as soon as you place it in the bath it fizzes away brilliantly leaving this lovely purple bath water, which smells divine.!. And it doesn't leave any residue behind and did not stain my bath which is always lovely.

There was also a lovely little surprise inside the bath bomb which I had no idea about.! It had this cute little note that said Boom Boom, which just made me giggle.

(Being me at first I thought it was those transfer kiddie tattoos.....but it wasn't hehehehhe)

Overall this is very good value for money, and I definitely need to try other bath bombs, especially as they have seasonal ones out now.!.

Rituals - Ginko's Secret - Ginseng & Ginko Biloba - Handbalm

During the winter, much like many other people I am always in search for the perfect hand cream, and here is one I am thoroughly enjoying.

First and foremost the state of my hands. Naturally during the winter my hand becomes dry, however the state of my hands are unbelievable. I get dry flaky patches on my hands and if its really bad my hands will crack, get cuts all up on its own and then it looks as if its aged 10 years or so which for me is just terrifying.!.!.!
So particularly in winter I can immediately tell if a hand cream is good and if it will work for me.

I have tried many different hand-creams ranging from different price ranges and brands but amongst those, believe it or not I have yet to try any of Rituals' products.!. I know.!. The shame. But alas thanks to the Company Beauty Week Goodie Bag I can now try one.

So here I present Ginko's Secret - Ginseng and Ginko Biloba - Handbalm. It says on their website:

"This luxurious hand balsam was specially developed to soothe and calm dry hands
Leaves your hands feeling soft, Enriched with Ginseng, the symbol

of immortality, and Ginkgo Biloba, which in Japan represents life and strength"

Not sure about it's symbolism but I must absolutely agree with this as my hands feel very soft and having had several flaky patches on my hands before using it, after a couple of days it had disappeared and my hands have yet to crack.

At first glance it appears to be like any normal hand cream I'm used to so I was expecting my hands to have absorbed it quickly and to be dry in an instant. But Nope. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite thick in consistency, and that my hands felt as if they had a protective layer over them so perfect for this chilly weather. It does take a couple of minutes to soak in but it's not as if I was left with super greasy hands.

Another brilliant thing about this is the smell.!.  My gosh. As soon as I apply it this beautiful refreshing scent of cucumber and a hint of flowers (though I'm not exactly the best at giving descriptions). It isn't an overpowering scent but for those that may not like scented or perfumed creams, this porbably isn't the best cream for you.
I'm not sure if this an inteded side effect but I also feel that my nails have been strengthened so I guess its beneficial for my hands overall?!
  

You can get 75ml for £10 from:
John Lewis , Rituals or any other places with a Rituals Counter.

L.F.A. Xx

Summer/Holiday Essentials: Skincare

Are you planning on going on holiday or have these summery days left you confused on what products to use? Well here are my recommendations.!.!

 

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Moisturiser

This is my favourite face cream for the summer as it leaves my skin feeling cool and fresh! (Hallelujah) I love it. Its Light-weight, It doesn't break me out and I feel like its tones my face!

Boots:  £4.69 (2 for £5)

Superdrug: £3.12 (On Sale)

Malibu 15 SPF Bronzing Tanning Oil-

I'm not the biggest fan (At All!) of products that smell like coconuts as I think it's sometimes it's overpowering BUT Malibu got the formula just right! Not only does it actually smell nice but it leaves my legs (and body) feeling nourished and glowing. 

Plus it has UVA & UVB protection.!.!

Superdrug: £5.99

 

Nivea Kids SPF 50 -

 I assume that if its for kids it's perfect for sensitive skin but I only use this if its REALLY hot and sunny as it leaves a blu-ish/white-ish tinge on my skin (medium/tan...in the summer) If you have paler skin this wont affect you. 

Plus it's WATER RESISTANT.! So perfect for the beach/pool.!. 

AND it's got UVB &  UVB protection.!.!

Boots: £5.24 (On Sale the Baby one)

Holland & Barrett - Aloe Vera Gel

Now if you've been a little naughty and have forgotten to reaply your sun cream throughout the day, and you now find yourself burnt....well Barbadensis Aloe Vera Gel will become your best friend with its healing and cooling properties plus it prevents your skin from peeling!

You could use a after sun cream but when I went to Barbados for a holiday locals sold Aloe Vera Gel for sun burnt holidayers and it pretty much saved our vacation.! 

Plus this one is ORGANIC, Suitable for VEGETARIANS & VEGANS.!

200ml - £6.99 (2 for £7)

100ml - £3.99

Other Stories - Equatorial Dreams Body Scrub -

Scrubs for me are an essential item you must have no matter what especially in the summer as you get all sweaty and clammy and since sun creams are sooo heavy your gonna want to get that off. Plus crusty/flakey legs are a big No No..!

Other Stories (Regent Street) - £7

Soap & Glory - Return to Slender, Body Contouring Gel

This unfortunately is no longer available (T.T) and I literally stocked up when I last bought them. 

So of course I went on a search to find an alternative for you guys but the ones I found were extremely expensive (Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control 200ml - £36) BUT thanks to Beauty Angel recommended one she'd tried. (Nivea Q10 Cellulite Cream 75ml - £7.45) very affordable.!

Boots: £7.45 (Nivea Q10)

Debenhams: £36 (Clarins)

I love these gels because they are cooling (really cold) and so this helps tighten/clench  your muscles giving you slender looking legs.! (Of course if you want spectacular legs then obviously we're going to have to do excessive too! ;)

So what are your Skincare essentials? 

And have you tried any other body contouring gels?

L.F.A. Xx