Wild Olive - Peony Bath Sundae

I bought this months ago after seeing it in one of my favourite shops in Holt. If you are ever in North Norfolk I would recommend having a browse, alternatively check out their site victoriagoss.co.uk.

After having a very stressful few weeks I decided to try this out. There is no real description on the product or instructions. I thought that this would be similar to some of the Lush bath products. I chucked the whole thing in a running bath and waited.

Nothing happened this didn't fizz, create any bubbles or even change the colour of the water. I was disappointed but this did smell amazing. When I tried to get in the bath I realised that this had in fact done something. It had turned into an oil and I nearly broke my neck as I literally slipped into the bath.

I can't say I am a fan of bath oils, I find they leave a lot of residue on the skin and on the bath and lets face it they make you and the bath very slippy. I would also prefer bubbles in my head the more bubbles the better.

The product isn't bad, but if I had realised it turned into an oil I wouldn't have picked it up. My skin did feel amazing and the whole of my upstairs smelt heavenly after this.

Unfortunately the downsides outweigh the positives for this and I wouldn't buy it. That said if you like bath oils I would definitely recommend this.

This is available for £2.25 from wild-olive.co.uk

Birchbox January 2014

My second Birchbox recently arrived and I thought I would share what was included. This month is all about making 'small daily changes that will make a big difference' 

So what was in my box

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer I have this in various sizes but yet never seem to use regularly. I know a lot of people who are massive fans of this and when I have bothered to use this my hair has felt gorgeous. My hair has been very dry recently so I really should start using this. It claims it 'strengthens, nourishes and prevent breakages.' You can pick up 150ml for £24.20 from feelunique.com.

Benefit The POREfessional this is my third sample of this. I have finished one and I do think that this helps minimise pores however I am not overly enamoured with the feel of this. This along with the Philip Kingsley I feel are common beauty box and magazine freebies fodder. I am not sure if there are many people who haven't tried them already. You can purchase the full size of this for £24.50 from birchbox.co.uk or feelunique.com.

Rodial Bee Venom Moisturiser Bee Venom seems to be everywhere at the moment and I am looking forward to trying this. It claims to 'improve skin tone and elasticity' I can say without a shadow of doubt, that however amazing this is I will not be purchasing the full size as 50ml retails at £150. I have high hopes for this based on the rrp. If you have a spare £150 you can pick this up from birchbox.co.uk or spacenk.com.

Lavera Basis Sensitive Hand Cream I haven't heard of this brand before but unlike the Rodial this has a very purse friendly price. It includes shea butter and almond oil and this will be a very welcome addition to my handbag.  You can pick up 50ml for £4.45 from birchbox.co.uk.

Moa The Green Balm first up this is a very small sample but I have heard good things about this from a couple of YouTubers, so looking forward to trying this out. It is a multi purpose balm which you can cleanse with.  I haven't tried a balm cleanser but this seems like a good one to try out first. The full size 50ml is £9.00 from feelunique.com.

The last item was a Birchbox Eye Mask this can be popped in the fridge and is reusable. This is something that I probably wouldn't buy but think that this will definitely come in handy. You can pick this up for £10 from birchbox.co.uk.

Again I am happy with my box. I was a bit disappointed with the Philip Kingsley and the Benefit products as they do seem to be included in everything. They are good products so I will keep for travel. I am just hoping that I don't fall in love with the Rodial as I could never justify spending that sort of money.

Birchbox December 2013

As featured in my last post, I received a subscription to Birchbox for Christmas. To see what else I got you can click here.

I was really pleased with what was in my first beauty box. I know it can be a bit hit and miss but this one was definitely a hit. The theme was a winter wonderland and is all about helping you sparkle and shine.

The first product was Nail Rock Glitter Red I am not sure how I feel about this as it looks messy, but the results look amazing. If I got this before Christmas I may have tried this out for the big day. This is available to purchase for £6.99 at birchbox.co.uk or feelunique.com.

Next up is a sample of Beauty Protector I have never heard of the brand but it promises to detangle, protect from heat and UV, seals, smooths, locks in colour and adds shine. I usually use drugstore heat protection on my hair, so I will be interested to see how this compares. You can purchase 236ml for £15 from birchbox.co.uk.

The one item that I am not sure about is the ModelCo Party Proof Matte Lipstick in the shade Get Naked. I haven't dabbled with nude lips since I was a teen and lets just say the results were horrendous. I will let you know how I get on with this. This is available as part of a trio for £15.50 from birchbox.co.uk.

The best item in my opinion is 25g of Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Souffle Body Creme. I have heard so much about Laura Mercier bath and body products but never tried any. First up this smells amazing, the whole box smells of this and I haven't even opened it yet. I am going to save this for when I want a real treat. This is available from johnlewis.com for an eye watering £43.50 for 300g.

The last product is 15ml of Delarom Acquaconfort Mask which is another product I have never heard of but it promises to hydrate your skin, and right now my skin could do with some serious hydration. This should be available from birchbox.co.uk for £24.

Also included was a Twistband and $20 voucher for baublebar.com. I am not that fussed about the Twistband as I never really wear my hair up but might give to one of my sisters.

This box has seriously impressed me, the lipstick is the only product that I wouldn't have picked but the rest are all items I can't wait to try.

What I got for Christmas 2013

These are my favourite posts and videos, so I thought I would share what I got for Christmas. I just want to say that I know I am exceptionally lucky to have received such lovely gifts.

I got a Ted Baker Sitting Pretty set which includes Body Souffle, Body Wash, Bath Foam, Hand Cream, Body Lotion and Body Scrub. I haven't tried any Ted Baker products but the packaging is gorgeous, very feminine and pretty. I also love the case, and am thinking about using it for storing my nail polishes.

Next up I got the Top to Toe Glow Pamper Tin from Sanctuary which includes Body Lotion, Radiance Exfoliator, Pumice Foot Scrub, Moisture Rich Foot Butter, Fresh-Faced Purifying Wash, Body Wash, a foot file, head band and a shower puff.  I have tried and loved all the body products, and look forward to trying the facial products in here.

My family know I am constantly on a mission to get some volume in my hair so they got me the Extra Body Gift Set from Paul Mitchell. 

It has Extra-Body Daily Shampoo, Extra Body Daily Rinser and Extra-Body Daily Boost. I have never tried anything from Paul Mitchell and must say that I am a bit concerned that my scalp might not like the products but if they work I may save them for nights out. Has anyone tried this range?

Sticking with the hair theme I was lucky enough to be given the Babyliss New Big Hair, I have wanted this for ages but never got round to picking it up for myself. I am useless with my hair and am hoping that this might be a quick and easy too.

I have been lusting after a Paul and Joe makeup bag for ages after I saw it over on viviannadoesmakeup.com however my mum couldn't get her hands on one so instead picked me up this cute little set. It includes a Creamy Facial Foam, a tiny sample of Treatment Serum and a cute little kitten makeup bag. 

My best friend got me loads of lovely gifts including two L'Occitane products the Fleur Cherie Bath and Shower Gel and the Gentle Body Wash in Honey. I have tried a couple of bits from the brand and have found them to be lovely but perhaps a tad over priced. So I am very happy to have received some.

I also received a Marc Jacobs Dot set which includes 50ml of Eau de Parfum, 75ml of shower gel and body lotion. I love receiving fragrance gift sets as they are a great way of trying out scents you wouldn't normally buy. Plus you also get the matching shower gel and body lotion.

My sisters clubbed together and got me the Mac Stroke of Midnight Brush Set.

The set includes 227SE Large Fluffy Brush, 214SE Short Shader Brush, 219SE Pencil Brush, 266SE Small Angle Brush and a 211SE Liner Brush. If I had to pick I would say that this is favourite gift, I have wanted to try some Mac brushes but lets face it they are expensive, so to get this is amazing.

My older sister also got me Mac Stroke of Midnight Eyes in Smoky. I am going to do a full post on the set, but waiting for better lighting. This has five eyeshadows, Chillproof, Retrospeck, Gaelic Gold, Well Put Together and Carbon. I can't believe how generous my sister was and I can't wait to try this out with my new brushes.

My younger sister also got me this cute set of owl bath fizz trio. They are so cute I almost don't want to use them.

The last hair item I got was some Argania Hair Oil Light I am not sure about oil for my hair but my poor ends are very dry so hopefully this will help.

The last present I got was a subscription to Birchbox. I have wanted to get a beauty box subscription for ages but could never justify the the monthly cost, for unknown products. I think that this makes a perfect gift as you get to unwrap something every month.

I am going to do a full post on what was in my Birchbox so keep your eyes peeled.

What did you all get for Christmas

Nails - Orly Star Spangled

For Christmas I wanted to wear something festive on my nails, so decided to go for Star Spangled from Orly which I got free with Cosmopolitan in the December 2013 edition.

Again my photography skills does not do this justice, but the below is slightly better.

I would describe this as the perfect Santa red, as the name suggests this does have some glitter in it, but it is fine and smooth. I love glitter but hate feeling like I have sand paper at the end of my nails.

I have never tried anything from the brand before but was impressed with this. I used two coats with my normal base and top coat, although I think you could get away with one. It was easy to apply with no streaks and dried quickly. It did chip but I don't think anything lasts long on Christmas day, well not what I am like with opening presents, and chocolates anyway.

I would definitely like to try out more from the brand but never seen them stocked anywhere. Does anyone know any UK stores that stock the brand?

The full size 18ml is available for £10.25 from graftonsbeauty.co.uk.

What polish did you rock for the big day?

What I got for Christmas - Stocking Edition 2013

Last year I shared what I got in my stocking, and you can read that post here. I thought I would share again, as I love seeing what everyone else got. Like last year I was lucky enough to get two stockings, one from my mum and one of my boyfriend. I must say that my boyfriend did a great job with my stocking, as he wrapped everything individually but also kept the original packaging so I could get some good photos.

In my boyfriends stocking there was the contents of Soap & Glory Bright and Bubbly which includes The Scrub of Your Life, Hand Food, The Righteous Butter, Clean on Me and a shower puff. I love Soap and Glory and don't think you can go wrong with a set for someone at Christmas.

He also gave me the Clarins All About Lips Collection which includes Rouge Eclat Satin Finish Age-Defying Lipstick in shade 13 Woodrose, Colour Quench Lip Balm, Instant Light Lip Perfector and some Gloss. I was over the moon to get this as I have wanted to try the Lip Perfector for ages. The packaging on the lipstick is also gorgeous, I think it might be the prettiest lipstick I own.

Lastly from my boyfriend was the Essie Winter 2013 Collection, which includes three mini bottles of Shearling Darling, Parka Perfect and Toggle to the Top. I actually nearly bought this for myself the weekend before Christmas, I guess it just proves that my boyfriend knows what I like.

I think he did a great job with my stocking and I really appreciated that he wrapped every single product individually. He also put loads of chocolate coins in it. Maybe next year I better do him a better stocking although he seemed to like his, which had a few golf bits and bobs, chocolate, sweets and some of his favourite cider in it.

My mum got me a set from Sugarlips including Strawberry Shortcake Lip Scrub and Forest Fruits Lip Balm. I will be interested to see how this compares to the Lush Lip Scrub as I must say I am not a huge fan of that. Lip Balm however is a product that you just can't have enough of.

I also got this Bath Fizzer my mum knows I love nothing more then a hot bath to chill me out so look forward to trying this one out.

I also got a festive shower gel which I seem to get every year, I don't think I used up the one I got last year so must try harder this year.

One of the cutest gifts I got was this gorgeous mini nail file for Cancer Research UK which is a charity close to my heart at the moment. I have recently had a much loved family member diagnosed with terminal cancer and like many have lost loved ones to cancer.

I also got a shower comb and hairband which will come in very handy. Due to a very rough couple of weeks my poor skin and hair have been very neglected so I will definitely be using these bad boys.

Lastly I got a Chanel nail polish in shade 503 Inattendu and who doesn't love a bit of Chanel for Christmas.

Does anyone else 28 still get a stocking?

Mini Monday - TRESemme 24 Hour Body Weightless Volume & Shine Conditioner

I bought this months ago for my travel bag, but after using up my last conditioner and never really travelling I decided to give this a go.

I can't say that this made my hair any more voluminous but then I am not sure much can. This didn't seem to hydrate my ends enough either. I felt like my ends were getting drier and drier however long I left this on. I do find my ends gets very dry when my hair is longer - my hair is about an inch and half below my shoulders. It doesn't really get much longer as it just seems to get really dry, split and snap.

I feel a bit bad for this product as I know this isn't a glowing review but my hair is a real pain in the backside. It is very fine with a very sensitive scalp, it also doesn't like being styled or growing. To put this review in context I felt exactly the same about Philip Kingsley Body Building Conditioner which is £15.30 for 250ml from feelunique.com.

This is on the other hand £1.49 for 100ml from boots.com or £4.50 for 500ml for the full size available here.

If your hair isn't as problematic I would definitely recommend picking this up over the Philip Kingsley as to me they are pretty much the same.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good conditioner?