Arran Aromatics Just Grapefruit Reed Diffuser & Scented Candle

Arran Aromatics Just Grapefruit Reed Diffuser* / Arran Aromatics Just Grapefruit Scented Candle*

I've been doing lots of Spring cleaning lately in an attempt to clear out all the masses of junk around my house. 'Tidy house, tidy mind' and all that! Things are looking a lot better now but I've been after a fresh new scent to fragrance my home with as a nice finishing touch. Citrus scents are my absolute fave & Arran Aromatics must know me down to a T because they recently sent me some of their Perfumer Just Grapefruit products. The Perfumer range is formulated using the highest quality ingredients & the packaging is inspired by contemporary Scottish design. Just Grapefruit is a beautiful zingy fragrance made from a blend of pink grapefruit oil. The fruity fresh scent is incredibly uplifting & makes me feel more energised. It is sweet yet tangy & instantly brightens up the atmosphere of any room.




The Just Grapefruit Reed Diffuser is a fantastic product because it continually infuses your home with fragrance. Just pop the reeds into the glass jar & rotate them every few days to spread that grapefruity goodness. I've placed mine in the living room so that everyone can enjoy it's glorious aroma. It's a zesty olfactory treat that hits you whenever you re-enter the room. I find that it really helps to lift my spirits & motivates me to get on with my work. This gorgeous grapefruit scent is exactly what I've been craving & I can't get enough of it!



Equally as lovely is the Just Grapefruit Scented Candle which offers up to 35 hours of burn time. The fragrance is gentler than that of the reed diffuser but it's still very crisp & refreshing. I've mainly been burning this in the kitchen as it is best suited to smaller spaces. I like my kitchen to look & smell as clean as possible before I start making a new meal. This scented candle helps to freshen up the area and banishes old cooking smells too.



If you enjoy citrus scents as much as I do then either of these products would be the perfect way to freshen up your home this Spring. They are available for purchase directly from the Arran Aromatics website. The reed diffuser costs £22.50 & the scented candle is £20. You can also buy a small travel candle for just £5. As a grapefruit lover I can't think of anything I'd rather fragrance my living space with. Arran Aromatics really do make some of the best smelling products out there & they're luxurious yet affordable. Right I'm off to devour another one of these delicious fruits!

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Arran Aromatics Stargazer Valentine's Candle

Arran Aromatics Stargazer Valentine's Candle* - £20

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and if you're still on the lookout for something special for the one you love then you should definitely check out this gorgeous candle from Arran Aromatics. Packaged within a stunning heart shaped gift box, this candle would make the perfect Valentine's present. It's almost worth buying for the gift box alone! Everything about it is simply exquisite. The heavy glass jar is etched with an intricate floral pattern & comes with a metal lid. Opening it up is akin to being presented with a huge bouquet of fresh flowers because that's exactly what it smells like! There's nothing I love more than receiving flowers on any romantic occasion but more often then not you can't actually smell them once they're on display. Burning this candle authentically recreates the smell of a bouquet and gently disperses it around the room for everyone to enjoy.

This candle is scented with Arran Aromatics' limited edition Stargazer fragrance. It's a glorious blend of fresh white floral jasmine, orange flower & tuberose. Jasmine is one of my favourite scents so I'm completely enamoured with it's beautiful fragrance. It's a warm and delicately floral scent that will add an air of romance to any room. I've really enjoyed burning it in the bathroom & bedroom for it's wonderfully sensual aroma. The candle has a burn time of up to 25 hours so it'd be a lovely accompaniment to any romantic night in. Even if you don't have a special someone in your life right now, Valentine's Day is always a good excuse to treat yourself & this candle is one amazing treat!

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Getting Cosy For Autumn With Arran Aromatics

Autumn has to be my favourite time of year. It might be cold outside but that means plenty of nights in snuggled up on the sofa with a warm blanket. At the moment I can't say there's anything else I'd rather do in the evening than drink mugfuls of hot chocolate whilst wearing my Primark bunny twosie AKA the best pyjamas ever. As the nights are drawing in I feel like there's more time for a bit of pampering and that is one of my favourite ways to relax. Last month Arran Aromatics sent over this wonderful gift box filled with all sorts of Autumnal treats. I've been using these products as part of my evening pamper routine and there's nothing I look forward to more at the end of a long day.



I normally start off my pamper routine by lighting a few candles. I'm pretty candle obsessed in general but when it starts getting dark at 5pm I always have at least one burning in my house. I love eating fresh figs & think they smell gorgeous so I was excited to see this Ultimate Fig Scented Candle* in the box. This is the travel candle version so I burned through this quite quickly but I liked it's subtle woody notes combined with the scent of honeyed fig & cassis. It has such a light fragrance that I think it is best suited to the bedroom so you can enjoy it's gentle ambience before you go to sleep.



Next I like to run a hot bath so I can have a long relaxing soak. Lavender is one of my favourite scents for bath products because it helps to induce sleep. This Sandalwood & Lavender Bath Oil* is the epitome of indulgence. It smells incredible and the aroma is so calming for both body & mind. It makes my skin feel super soft as it contains coconut & wheat germ oil and the delicate scent lingers on my body for hours. The label says it all really, it leaves me feeling totally relaxed and ready to dive into bed.



These soap bars are some of my favourite products from Arran Aromatics. Here I have the Honey & Oatmeal Vegetable Soap*. This soap has such a strong honey scent which I absolutely love. If you've ever tried the Honey Trap lip balm from Lush, it's exactly like that! This soap is a triple threat as not only will it cleanse your skin, it exfoliates & nourishes at the same time. Unlike most soaps on the market this one won't dry out your skin at all. After a bit of a soak I like to use this to scrub my body & it works wonders on any rough patches. I actually prefer these to Lush body soaps now as they're just such good value for money!



I'm pretty terrible when it comes to moisturising after a bath. I hate waiting around for products to sink in when I could be getting cosy in my fluffy PJs. My skin gets a lot drier at this time of year though & as an eczema sufferer I have to force myself to apply some. This Chamomile & Honey Barrier Cream* makes the moisturising process a lot less tiresome. The lightweight formula sinks in right away and makes my skin feel really protected. It features beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E, chamomile essential oil & pure honey extract to heal & soothe dry, chapped skin. The only thing I'm not too keen on is the smell. I wish it had the same honey scent as the soap because I'd probably like it a whole lot more.



As the weather turns colder my lips inevitably get very dry so I keep a lip balm with me at all times. My handbag is littered with lip products and this Honey & Lemon Lip Balm* is another welcome addition. It has a lovely scent that strongly reminds me of Honey & Lemon Halls Soothers. It feels very smooth on the lips & provides a glossy finish. This lip balm also features UV protection so it'd be a good choice if you're going anywhere snowy. After going through the rest of my skincare routine I finish off my lips with this and reapply it as soon as I've finished drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate & brushed my teeth for the night. By then I'm more than ready for bed & I always look forward to doing it all again the next day!

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British Summer Essentials

There's nothing quite as unpredictable as the Great British Summer. One day the sun will be shining brighter than ever before... then the next day we'll get non-stop wind & rain. If you're having a UK staycation this year then it's best to be prepared for every eventuality. I've teamed up with luxury accessories brand Folli Follie to give you a few ideas of which things to take with you, whatever the weather. Last month they sent me the most amazing selection of goodies & I'm over the moon with everything I received. Here are my British Summer Essentials...





First of all you'll need a bag to carry around all of your belongings. You'd be hard pressed to find a more beautiful one than the Heart4Heart Shoulder Bag*. I was so excited when this arrived in the post, this bag is just incredibly stunning! It is available in five different colours but I think the red looks best. It's so bright & Summery but will look stylish all year round. I love pairing monochrome outfits with colourful accessories like this. I adore the rose gold hardware, especially that clover shaped lock. Everything about the bag just screams quality. Not only does it look gorgeous but there is tons of room inside & plenty of compartments to keep everything organised. It feels sturdy yet lightweight so it's a brilliant choice for your travels.






I was also sent these awesome tortoiseshell effect wayfarer sunglasses. How cute is the little orange case they came with?! The attention to detail is phenomenal. I really like how the four leaf clover theme is carried through their designs. The glasses feel very comfortable to wear & the lenses offer 100% UV ray protection. The wayfarer style is a classic & again the quality is top notch. Something else I've loved wearing this Summer is my black straw fedora hat from River Island. It's helped to protect my bleached hair from the sun & provide some shade for my face. I think it finishes off an outfit rather nicely too!



BRONZE
Although the UK weather is capable of doling out some wicked sunburn, we often don't see enough sun to develop a real tan. Even if you want to catch some rays you still need to wear some form of protection. Shiseido make some truly lovely sun protection products. I really like their Protective Tanning Cream N SPF 10*. It offers light protection & imparts a beautiful glow to the skin. The formula is very lightweight so it absorbs quickly & the tanner gives you a healthy looking natural golden colour. In a similar vein the Nivea Sun Protect & Bronze Spray SPF 10 contains a natural plant extract which helps support the production of melanin. Using this spray lotion will help to protect your skin & boost your ability to get a tan. If you're too busy for sunbathing then you can't beat a bit of fake tan. Admittedly I'm not a self tanning connoisseur but I've been very impressed with Lauren's Way Glam Tan*. The thought of tanning my whole body is quite scary to me but I've been using it on my legs to give them a bit of colour. The spray makes it very easy to apply & the colour is deep yet natural looking - not orange!



PROTECT
If you're incredibly pale like me then you should probably stick to using products with a high SPF. Most people seem to forget that your lips can actually get sunburned so it's important to use a lip balm that can protect your lips. I love this strawberry lip balm from EOS*. This flavour doesn't have sun protection but their lemon drop lip balm boasts SPF 15 so make sure you get that one! The formula is deeply hydrating & feels lovely on the lips. My favourite facial sunscreen is Soap & Glory's Sunshield Superfluid SPF 50. I use chemical exfoliants all year round so I always wear SPF 50 but it's especially important to protect your face during the Summer. I like this one because it doesn't leave a white cast, it doesn't feel greasy & it doesn't break me out. Check out my full review here. I always use this Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh Spray on my body. It offers SPF 50 & the spray is invisible so it won't leave horrid marks all over your clothes. It's easy to apply & feels cooling on the skin. I highly recommend it!



REFRESH
I love spending time in the sun but sometimes the heat can make you feel gross & uncomfortable. To make things a little more bearable during the recent heatwave I relied on these few products. The most important thing to carry with you is a bottle of water. It'll keep you hydrated and stocking up on them at home will save you a few pennies when you're out & about. It's a good idea to carry a dry shampoo with you during the Summer months. Sweaty hair is never a good look. I always buy Batiste products because they're cheap & get the job done. I hadn't tried their Pretty & Delicate Floral Dry Shampoo* before but the scent is really sweet & feminine - a new fave! I love the packaging too. I couldn't live without a bottle of Caudalie Beauty Elixir in my handbag. It's the perfect facial refresher with an addictive herbal scent. I use it throughout the day to perk up my skin & clear my mind. After a few hours in the sun my body starts to feel overly hot & sticky. Arran Aromatics have come up with the best solution for this short of taking a cold shower. Their Aloe Vera Energising Gel* is a wonderful quick reinvigorator for the body. It instantly cools down the skin & works well on sunburn. I always carry a bottle of hand sanitiser with me. If you're eating on the go or having a picnic then you don't want mucky hands. I really like the ones from The Body Shop. They come in loads of different scents but I'm currently using the Pink Grapefruit Hand Cleanse Gel. It smells so nice! A little pocket fan like this one can feel terrific when you're getting hot & bothered. Spray the Beauty Elixir or rub on some of the body gel first then use the fan on those areas. Say hello to instantly cooler skin.



Of course if everything goes wrong & the rest of the Summer is a washout then you'll need a good umbrella. I really like cute bubble ones like this as they seem to keep the rain out much better than your average brolly. Even if it doesn't rain then an umbrella can double up as a parasol so you can chill out in the shade no matter where you are.

What are your British Summer essentials?

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Cool Down This Summer With Arran Aromatics

It's pretty much a fact that us Brits can't cope with the heat. At first everyone loves the sunshine but soon the muggy weather makes it impossible to sleep. For once I'm not one of those complaining. I've been making the most of it this year & have spent plenty of time basking in the sun. I still feel pretty exhausted & sweaty by the end of the day though so I'm always on the look out for products that can act as a quick pick me up. Last month I received an amazing care package courtesy of Arran Aromatics filled with various goodies & skincare products to help keep cool during the Summer. The gin was an instant hit for obvious reasons but since then I've been testing out these products from their Feel Good Formulas range. After long days on the beach & in the park this lovely collection of products have kept me feeling fresh as a daisy. If you need some help chillaxing during a heatwave then Arran Aromatics have got you covered.



I first tried the Green Tea Eye Cooler Gel* quite a while ago & was immediately impressed with it's cooling properties. I was in need of a new tub so this couldn't have come at a better time. I prefer gels to eye creams especially during the Summer. They feel so refreshing if you keep them in the fridge overnight. Used first thing in the morning this gel perks up my peepers & firms up the eye area. I find it really helps to reduce puffiness & smooth out any fine lines. It features extracts of green tea & witch hazel which are not only great for your eyes but they smell really lovely too. It's a great choice if your eyes are easily irritated or if, like me, you suffer from hayfever. I kinda wish it was in a tube rather than tub though as I end up using way too much product.



My favourite item I received has to be the Aloe Vera Energising Body Gel*. I mentioned in my July Favourites post that this product has barely left my side this Summer. I really love this as an after-sun product. This lightweight gel feels instantly cooling & soothing on the skin without any stickiness. The combination of aloe vera & witch hazel help to nourish and cool the skin. Much like the eye gel, this stuff smells incredible! It absorbs very quickly too so I've been reaching for this product instead of my regular moisturiser after a shower. This energising gel really is the perfect pick me up for tired legs & bodies.



Arran Aromatics' exfoliating products are some of my faves so I was excited to use their Mint & Coriander Foot Exfoliant Bar*. Wearing sandals always makes my heels look a little worse for wear which ironically is when you need your feet to look their best. Giving your feet a quick scrub with this bar will help to slough off dead skin & make them smell super fresh. It features essential oils of coriander & mint to stimulate circulation as well as easing any aches & pains. I have really sensitive soles, they're the only part of me that's remotely ticklish so I can only use the bar in short bursts. The ridges on the soap feel amazing, especially under the arches of your feet. If you've ever had a proper reflexology session then you'll know what I mean. Although this bar is intended for your feet, you can use it anywhere on your body. Those apricot seeds will give you one heck of a scrub!



After giving my feet a good scrub with the exfoliant bar I've been smothering them in the Peppermint & Lavender Foot Rub*. The peppermint makes your feet feel tingly fresh & the lavender helps to soothe away tiredness. I always walk everywhere so my feet get pretty knackered after a day out. They feel much better after a quick massage with this foot rub. This product is really moisturising but to supercharge the effects you can pop some socks on after the cream & leave them on overnight. This locks in the moisture so you'll awaken with gorgeously soft, smooth feet.

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July Favourites

Lush D'Fluff Strawberry Shaving Soap
I went to Lush a few weeks ago to buy thank you presents for Chloe's preschool teachers & felt like treating myself at the same time. One of the things I picked up is their new D'Fluff Strawberry Shaving Soap. This is such a fantastic shaving product! First of all it has the most incredible strawberry scent, I could quite happily sniff the pot all day long. It has a light mousse texture as it features whipped egg whites. It doesn't really lather up like normal soap, it melts into the skin instead. This is due to the cocoa butter which adds a lot of moisture to the skin & allows you to get a very close shave with even the cheapest of razors. The soap also contains organic rosehip oil & coconut oil which help to reduce irritation & redness. It doubles up as a regular body wash if you fancy smelling like a delicious fresh strawberry. It's such a delight to use & leaves my whole body feeling silky soft for days.

Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Aloe Vera Energising Body Gel*
This cooling body gel from Arran Aromatics has barely left my side this Summer. After a few hours outside in the hot sun I'm always ready for a cool drink in the shade. To refresh my skin after piling on the sun protection all day I've been rubbing this gel all over my arms, back & legs. It immediately cools my body down & absorbs well without leaving me feeling sticky. The gel contains aloe vera extract to soothe & nourish and witch hazel to cool & tone the skin. It has a lovely fresh floral scent too. This gel is the perfect solution for when you're feeling a bit hot & bothered. It works even better if you keep it in the fridge!

Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash
After I had a bad reaction to Soap & Glory's Breakfast Scrub I've been quite wary of buying their body products. I'm such a sucker for citrus scented shower gels though so I couldn't resist trying this one out. Orangeasm has such a strong masculine scent which is quite different to the sweeter citrus scents I'm used to. It features fresh green mandarin, Sicilian lemon & sweet orange peel oils. It's very refreshing first thing in the morning & does a good job of hydrating my skin. What I like most about this product is that it seems to have a welcome side effect of getting rid of my keratosis pilaris (bumpy upper arms). I think it must be from all the natural citrus oils & acids it contains. This body wash makes my skin feel so smooth & as long as it keeps my arms bump free then I'll keep on repurchasing it.

Avene Cleanance K
Y'all know I love me some hardcore chemical exfoliants so when I heard that Avene's Cleanance K contains glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid I had to give it a go. It's basically a spot treatment as it helps to minimise blemishes & pores. This is a hydrating creamy gel formula which makes it suitable for daily use without drying out the skin. You can use it to target individual spots or you can apply it all over your face. I've been using this in place of a serum in my evening skincare routine & I'm really impressed with the results. As the acid percentages are quite high you do have to expect quite a lot of skin purging when you start using this product. My chin & forehead have been purging like crazy for the past couple of weeks! I always get closed comedones on my forehead & this has really helped to smooth out all those horrible bumps under the skin. If you have blemish-prone skin that can tolerate high acid percentages then I would definitely recommend buying this spot treatment.

Hydraluron Moisture Jelly
Hydraluron used to be a must-have product for me. The original formula is the perfect serum to combat dehydration. After repurchasing it several times I came to realise that I prefer using a moisturiser that already contains hyaluronic acid. This allows me to skip out a step in my skincare routine & save money at the same time. The idea of a Hydraluron moisturiser had me very excited & I bought it as soon as it launched. This cooling gel has fast become one of my favourite ever moisturisers. It works best as part of a daytime routine & is especially nice to use in hot weather. Like the original Hydraluron, the Moisture Jelly is instantly hydrating & feels amazing on the skin. It's a moisturiser that is truly suitable for all skin types. The product absorbs quickly without any stickiness. It's a great base for makeup & doesn't pill under primers, sunscreen or foundation. I find that because it's not your traditional creamy moisturiser, my makeup lasts longer without any primer underneath anyway. Also the packaging is totally awesome! You simply press down on the top disc & a small blob of the product appears. It's so hygienic & delivers exactly the right amount for my face. Can this become the standard packaging for all products housed in pots please?

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The Eye Care Edit

Eye products are a funny old thing. With other types of skincare products you can normally tell within a few weeks if something is making your skin better or worse. Eye creams are more of a guessing game. How do you know whether something will stop you from getting wrinkles in the future when time travel isn't an option? I think that's why so many people don't actually bother with them. It's an easy step to miss out when doing your skincare routine but it only takes two seconds & can make all the difference when you do get older. Genetics & your overall health will dictate the natural appearance of your eye area but using a separate eye product can help to reduce puffiness, dryness, irritation, dark circles & fine lines. This product roundup is aimed towards us young'uns. We might not have huge puffy bags & crows feet just yet but it's so important to start looking after your eyes in your twenties. The eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing & prevention is always better than cure.



THE GELS: Personally I greatly prefer eye gels over eye creams. If dark circles & puffiness concern you then I would recommend using a gel. My eyes get easily irritated especially during the Summer so a calming eye gel is exactly what I need. Organic Surge Eye Gel* is the one I always reach for when my eyes feel really sore. It contains aloe vera, green tea, witch hazel & menthol which can help to naturally reduce inflammation, puffiness, sagging & dehydration. I think gels work best with a pump otherwise you can end up with far too much product on your finger. If the Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Green Tea Eye Gel* came with a pump it would be much better. This gel has a really thick texture so you only need a tiny bit. It has an amazing scent & feels so cooling, especially if you pop it in the fridge first. As it's so thick I like to layer it on as a refreshing eye mask, leave it for five minutes & then blot off the excess product with a tissue. It's a great pick me up after a day of hayfever hell. I also like the REN Active 7 Eye Gel. The texture is very lightweight, almost watery but I find it takes a while to absorb properly. When it does absorb it effectively smooths away any fine lines & really tightens the skin. It's not so great at hydrating the area though which is why gels containing hyaluronic acid, like the next two, are more worthy of an investment.

HealGel Eye* is my current product of choice. If you can afford it then you should definitely buy this one. It sinks in immediately & firms up the skin. The problem with most other eye products is that you can't tell if it's making a difference or not. HealGel Eye has had a visible impact upon my under eye area and has actually reduced the discolouration of my dark circles. The effects are cumulative rather than just being a temporary fix. Arnica is a wonderful thing. Like I mentioned previously, it also contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture to the area & plump up any fine lines. Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex is very similar to HealGel Eye but it's dark shadow correcting properties don't quite match up. Otherwise, it's pretty damn good.



THE CREAMS: Creams are the better choice if you need something really hydrating. I don't find them as effective for dark circles unless you want something that works as a temporary solution. Origins GinZing Eye Cream is brilliant at perking up tired eyes. It contains caffeine to tighten & depuff the area. I love the shimmery light reflecting particles. They help to brighten up dark circles meaning that you don't need to use as much concealer. Some of the best eye creams I've come across are from Lierac. They're a French pharmacy brand so their products are tricky to get hold of but I found mine in TK Maxx. Lierac Diopticalm is an instantly refreshing eye balm. It is incredibly soothing & gets rid of any dryness. You can use this as an eye mask too. Lierac Diopticerne is one of the few creams that works well on dark circles whilst also adding plenty of moisture. The only good thing about Clinique All About Eyes is it's moisturising properties. It does nothing for fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness or dark circles. However it does keep the eye contours well hydrated & gives the area a smooth base for makeup.



THE TREATMENTS: There's loads of home remedies out there for eye problems such as teabags, cucumbers & backs of spoons so you don't have to spend a lot for an effective treatment. One of the cheapest but most helpful things to carry around with you is a bottle of eye drops. I'm using Optrex Refreshing Eyes Drops to wash out any dirt & calm irritation. I get really bad hayfever so eye drops & baths are a must have for me come Summertime. I want to give one of their eye sprays a go as they claim to not smudge your makeup but they are a lot pricier. Something I cannot live without is Liz Earle Eyebright. It is my favourite ever Liz Earle product & it is a miracle worker on tired eyes. If I'm struggling to get out of bed in the morning I pop some on a couple of cotton pads and leave them on my eyes for a few minutes. I instantly feel more awake & ready to face the day. I've also used this to clear a mild eye infection when I couldn't get to a pharmacy. It's so cooling & refreshing - perfect for hayfever season too.

I first discovered Talika when I tried their amazing Lipocils which is brilliant at growing back eyelashes & eyebrows. They have loads of amazing eye products including these unique Eye Decompress masks. You simply pop the white tablet into the blue fluid. The tablet absorbs the liquid so that you can then unfold it into a soothing eye mask. It really helps to reduce swelling & detox the eye area. It'd be great to take on a plane for some inflight pampering. I also like the Jamela 24k Gold Under Eye Masks*. They use pure gold leaf, hyaluronic acid and plant collagen to brighten & tighten the skin. They feel a bit weird & make you look a bit crazy. You have to leave them on for half an hour so I would suggest lying down in bed with them on so they don't slip off. Despite the weirdness, they do actually work quite well. Save these for a special occasion when you need to look your best.

What's your favourite eye product?

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Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Lavender & Black Pepper Mineral Muscle Soak

Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Lavender & Black Pepper Mineral Muscle Soak* - £9

I've been doing Jillian Michaels proud lately. Her infamous exercise DVDs have become a part of my daily routine and they've got me feeling pretty fantastic. Well, apart from the DOMS that is. When an intense combo of planks, pushups, squats & burpees begins to work muscles you didn't even know you had, delayed onset muscle soreness becomes an unpleasant inevitability. There's nothing quite like a nice long soak in the bath to sort out all your aches & pains. In the past I've mainly stuck to cosy bubble baths & luxurious baths oils but right now it’s all about the salts. Having fallen in love with Arran Aromatics' wonderful Sea Salt Scrub, their Lavender & Black Pepper Mineral Muscle Soak sounded far too heavenly to resist.

Bath salts are fairly akin to bath oils in that neither one will fill your bath with foam or bubbles. They both offer heady aromas which are sure to leave you feeling tranquil & ready for bed. However salts are the better option if you're looking to detox your body instead of hydrating it. Presented in another lovely kilner jar, this glorious pot of bath salts will instantly transform your regular bedtime bath into a truly indulgent soak. The jar contains a soothing blend of sea salt, lavender essential oil, dried lavender & black pepper. These ingredients work together to naturally boost your circulation, draw out toxins & warm up any aching muscles. It is the ultimate relaxation blend. It makes my whole body feel completely de-stressed & well rested. There's nothing better if you're looking for twenty-odd minutes of peace at the end of a long day.

This dreamy Lavender & Black Pepper combo is one of the loveliest bath products I've ever tried. I cannot even begin to tell you how incredible it smells! When you pop open the lid the lavender fragrance hits you immediately. It becomes even more potent once added to your bath. A small handful of this salty mixture dissolved in a hot bath is all you need for an unrivalled aromatherapeutic experience. It's such a rich & full scent that will soon set you on the path to the land of nod. It completely fills your bathroom & the scent stays on your body for such a long time. I don't think I've ever come across another bath product that I can still smell on my skin several hours later. I know I'm always in for a good night's sleep after soaking in these salts. My muscles & joints feel thoroughly at ease & I wake up feeling ready for another date with Jillian. The only trouble is actually getting out of the bath & into my bed!

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January Favourites

Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Sea Salt Scrub*
I do love a good body scrub! I feel like a shower isn't complete without some hardcore exfoliation. I've tried so many that just did nothing at all. It seems like many brands are afraid to put some real grit in their scrubs. So I was amazed when I tried this one from Arran Aromatics. This is a lovely sea salt scrub packed full of seaweed, mint and plenty of moisturising oils. It's exfoliating & moisturising at the same time. It leaves my whole body feeling soft & fresh. I wish it had a bit more fragrance to it but otherwise it does it's job incredibly well. Full review here.

Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
Oh Oribe, your products are so damn expensive. Sadly for my bank account, they are well worth the money. If your locks are on the thin or fine side then this thickening spray could be the answer to all your hair woes. A few spritzes of this heat-activated body builder before blowdrying is all you need for thicker, fuller, more voluminous hair. It's so light you can use it all over your hair to plump up your ends as well as your roots. This product also acts as a heat protectant spray which is a bit of a Brucey bonus! The effects seem to last in my hair for about two days. It adds so much volume & you can see a huge difference in thickness after using it. I like to combine it with a smoothing creme for big, bouncy hair that still looks sleek & healthy.

Bleach London Silver Shampoo
After my total hair disaster with one of the Bleach London dyes, the brand lost a whole lotta respect from me. I didn't really want to give them another penny of my money. I was in need of a new bottle of purple shampoo though & as I had enough Boots points for it, I figured that I may as well try out their Silver Shampoo. It is a surprisingly good shampoo that manages to knock out all the yellow tones without being too drying. All too often when I use purple shampoos I end up with purple, grey, blue or pink tones left in my hair. This one doesn't leave any kind of tint. It just gives me really bright pure white hair. My roots end up a bit yellow again after about a week so I find that I need to use it every time I wash my hair instead of every other time. There's plenty of product in the bottle though so I'd say it's very good value for money. I've tried a LOT of purple shampoos in my time as a blondie & as much as I am loath to say it, this ranks as one of the best.

Maybelline Color Show Brocades Nail Polish in Knitted Gold
I never used to be a huge fan of glitter polishes but they're such a foolproof way of creating some cool nail art. Who doesn't like to spend hours staring at their sparkly nails?! I recently fell in love with the amazing range of top coats from the Maybelline Color Show collection. Brocades was the name of their limited edition Christmas polishes & I'm obsessed with this beautiful glittery colour. Knitted Gold is a clear base packed full of golden shimmer particles. It also contains two sizes of pink hex glitter. It looks incredible as it shines in the light. The combination of gold & pink gives a gorgeous glittery rose gold glow to your nails. Full review here.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Rose Shimmer
There's been tons of blogger hype about these lip balms for years & I am probably the last person to jump on the bandwagon. I finally got round to buying one of them a couple of months ago & I ended up with a beautiful baby pink shade called Rose Shimmer. This Lip Perfector is very moisturising & isn't sticky at all. It contains shea butter, wild mango & vitamin E to nourish and repair the lips. The gel formula makes your lips look plumper & feel kissably soft. I absolutely love it! Full review here.

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Love Me Beauty Box January 2014

Love Me Beauty Box* - £10 + £2.95 Delivery

Another month, another Love Me Beauty box & it sure is a good'un! Love Me Beauty launched last year as the beauty box with a choice. Every month you get to choose between three boxes, each with a slightly different menu of products. Only you know what kind of products you want to try so this method is much better than getting sent loads of stuff you'll never use. I personally love having a few options & it's always exciting to check out the new menus. This month I went for menu three because I'm a big fan of Arran Aromatics & this box had the least scary shade of eyeshadow in it! It contains four full sized products & one sample. It's rare to find a beauty box that consistently sends out so many proper products. That's just one of the many reasons why Love Me Beauty is such a fab service. Here's what I received:

Anatomicals Rose & Jasmine Body Cleanser
I'm kinda bored of Anatomicals products popping up in beauty boxes. Apart from the colourful packaging & witty product names I don't feel like they have much to offer. You can never have too many shower gels though & I do really like the scent of this product. Rose & jasmine are two of my faves!

Pureology Colour Stylist Silk Bodifier
I've heard a lot of hype about Pureology products so I was excited to finally try one of them out. This is a volumising mousse for coloured hair. A lot of the mousses I've tried in the past would make my hair feel sticky & horrible. This one is much nicer. My hair felt really soft after using this & had a lovely shine to it. It didn't add that much volume to my hair but it did make it feel a lot thicker & fuller. I'd really recommend trying this if you have fine hair.

Arran Aromatics Apothecary Wheatgerm & Vitamin E Soap
I've been using a few different products from Arran Aromatics recently & they make some great quality stuff. I used to always buy the Lush body soaps but they ended up being quite pricey for what they were. This soap is a lot cheaper but just as lovely. I tend to think that soap is more drying than shower gels however this one is actually quite moisturising. The bar has got oatmeal particles inside which are fairly gentle yet exfoliate effectively. The wheatgerm & vitamin E ensure that your skin stays soft. I love trying out new body scrubs & I highly rate the Arran Aromatics ones. They're some of the best around with both exfoliating & moisturising properties.




Cosmetics À La Carte Divine Lash Mascara
I'd only vaguely heard of Cosmetics À La Carte before but the product that really piqued my interest in this box was their Divine Lash Mascara. This mascara alone costs £23 so January's box is excellent value for money. I'm wearing it in the above photo and as you can see it provides your lashes with lots of length, separation & definition. The slim brush easily fits into the corners to coat every tiny little lash. It's not as volumising as I would like but that means that it's not clumpy either. My lashes stayed well curled with this mascara & I've not experienced any flaking or smudging with it. Pretty impressive I'd say!

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Toffee Shimmer
On the menu it said that NYX Sahara eyeshadow was supposed to be in this box but instead I received Toffee Shimmer. I really like this colour though as it's just a very pretty sheer white gold shimmery shade. You can use it as a regular eyeshadow but I think it works really well as a highlight colour - both on the eyes & the face. In the above photo I packed it onto my eyelids & then blended it right up to my brow bone. I have a couple of NYX eyeshadow palettes & generally I think they're pretty good quality. You can expect lots of fallout though. Luckily that doesn't matter with a light colour like this. The texture is a little bit chalky but the colour is really nice.

All in all I think this was a brilliant box with a great selection of hair, body & makeup products. It was nice to see some different brands included as well. The contents are valued at nearly £40 so this box is well worth paying a tenner for. You can subscribe to Love Me Beauty for £10 a month plus £2.95 delivery with no minimum subscription term. Visit the Love Me Beauty website to find out more.

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