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