SKIN SCHOOL: body shop

Body Shop Haul

Thursday, September 29, 2016

So, I wanted to go to the Body Shop to pick up another Camomile cleansing oil, I love it as a first cleanse to remove make up. I'm quite picky when it comes to the Body Shop products, I like their body products and some of their face products. Anyway, I ended up coming out with a few things.. so I thought I'd share what I got! The links to all the products are included.

The first couple of items I got was of course, the Camomile cleansing oil, and also the Camomile cleansing butter. These are both great at melting make up and giving a really deep cleanse, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. They are both inexpensive for the quality which is always a bonus.

I wanted to try the Pinita Colada range ever since it first came out this year. Every Summer, the Body Shop bring out a limited edition range of body products, that always sell out super quickly. Last year they did a Virgin Mojito range, which smelt so fresh, it was gorgeous!
This year, it was a Pina Colada scented range, including a body scrub, body butter, body sorbet and shower gel. I picked up the shower gel, and the body sorbet. This range has pretty much all sold out now, so I'll link the only product that is still available online in the range, here.
I like Pina Colada cocktails, so of course I want to walk around smelling like one! Anything that smells coconut-ty or fruity, I know I'll love it, and I wasn't disappointed...it smells like a perfect blend of pineapple and coconut.

I love the shower gel, it feels like a real treat using it in the morning, it's a nice creamy texture but not too heavy, and it lathers up really well with a body puff. The packaging is lovely too, looks really high end!
I'm not sure on the body sorbet, it has a texture that I've never come across in a body moisturiser before...I guess that's why it's called a sorbet! It says that you're meant to put it in the fridge before applying it for a really fresh feeling, but since the weather has been getting colder, I haven't been brave enough to do that yet! It is literally a like applying sorbet to your skin... it almost feels 'bitty' or slightly powdery, I can't put my finger on it! Maybe it's just me, but I don't like being able to 'feel' a body product sitting on my skin. I'm going to keep persevering with it though, as I love the scent and don't want it to go to waste.

I wanted a couple of bath products as I don't have many, so I picked up the Egyptian Milk & Honey bath from the 'Spa of the World' range. Image result for body shop egyptian milk and honey bath

Image result for body shop egyptian milk and honey bath

It comes in this cute little brown pouch with a little wooden scooper, it's a powder that you add to your bathwater to turn it into a silky, creamy milk. I've loved using this, it feels special and exciting when I add it in the bath! It smells really relaxing and not too strong, it leaves your skin feeling really smooth and moisturised. It makes me feel so Cleopatra-esque! I'd like to try some of the other 'Spa of the World' items.

I got the Wild Argan oil bubbling bath.

It smells really rich and luxurious, however I don't think I'd purchase this again as it didn't bubble up much, and my skin felt a bit tight and dry after using it, rather than moisturised.

I managed to pick up the Honeymania Bath Melt, although the assistant told me that the Honeymania range is discontinuing which is a shame. It's like a floral smell mixed with honey. It's a really creamy, rich texture, and bubbles up nicely, it feels like pure indulgence when I use this.

I also got the Banana shampoo & conditioner as I'd heard so much about it. Firstly, it smells delicious! I absolutely love the scent, I didn't think I'd like it as much as I do.

My opinion on these is slightly mixed. I'm not a fan of the shampoo, although I love the smell of it! When I first used it, it made my hands wrinkly instantly, as soon as I started lathering it into my hair, my hands went wrinkly, you know how they go when you've been in water for too long... I hate that feeling, it makes me cringe! My hair felt quite stripped afterwards too, looking at the ingredients, it's mainly water and sulfates which would explain why. On the other hand, I really like the conditioner. It makes my hair feel silky and soft, and the smell lingers in my hair afterwards.

The last few things I got are all travel/mini sizes that were next to the till, I thought these would be a good way of trying out some of their other products. I got the Coconut body milk, the Mango body whip, the Honeymania shower gel and the Honeymania lip butter.

I'm loving using all of these, I already have the coconut body mist, so the body milk is a really nice extra addition. The mango one smells incredible, I think I'm going to invest in some more of the mango products. The honeymania shower gel is really nice, it actually doesn't smell much like honey, just a soft, almost floral smell! The lip butter is okay, not amazing but it feels nice when you apply it. I prefer my Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm.

I'm really pleased with what I got - I have a few more things on my list! What are your favourite products from the Body Shop?

beauty

Eyes

Sunday, November 01, 2015

Lots of women tell me that they are concerned with dark circles/puffiness/lines & wrinkles around their eyes, and it usually turns out that they are not using any eye products to target that specific area.
Many people do not use eye creams/serums, and it's usually because they are thought to be unnecessary.
The eyes show everything that is going on internally, all of your internal organs are reflected in them. Everything can affect the eye area; diet, smoking, medication, alcohol, sun damage, lack of sleep, liver problems, etc. Eye products won't fix any of these problems, but they can help temporarily reduce the appearance of them.
Eye products offer protection and hydration, as well as keeping lines & wrinkles at bay. The eye area is one of the first areas to show signs of ageing, which is why I apply them.

A few tips:

Do not use mineral oil around the eyes, it doesn't absorb, it just sits on top of the skin and blocks the pores. (More on mineral oil in a future post.)

Eye products should be applied after cleansing & toning, before your face serums/oils/moisturisers. If you apply them afterwards, they are not able to target the eye area and can end up being moved around your face.
Do not overload the eye area with too much product, this causes puffiness, and can also cause milia. Milia are tiny white, solid bumps under the skin, most common around the eye area. They are basically mini cysts, caused by not cleansing/exfoliating the skin adequately & using products that are too heavy.
Eye products should be applied above and below the eyes, on the eye bone/socket, not directly under the eyes or on the eyelids. Again, this can cause puffiness. Your eye products disperse to where they are needed.
You can apply your eye products morning and night if you wish. I generally only apply mine in the morning, to keep my eyes hydrated and protected for the day, but if my eyes are feeling particularly dehydrated, I will also use something around my eyes at night.

Below are some recommendations:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal £63, available here.

This is one of the best, higher-end options for your eyes. This has gone through clinical trials, and has been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles in 3 weeks! The main ingredients are padina pavonica (within all the Elemis pro collagen range), mimosa and rose. It has a lovely creamy, light texture and absorbs into the skin really well. I'd use this morning & night for best results.

Suitable for: anyone concerned with lines & wrinkles around the eye contour.

To use: Dot above and below the eyes, on the eye bone, and then use sweeping movements to rub in. The sweeping action helps to drain any excess puffiness.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Eye Cream, £38 available here.

This is a great one if you are concerned with lines around the eyes, and loss of elasticity. It's really hydrating, with a lovely light texture, and sinks in really quickly. It's also really good under make-up.
Suitable for: anyone who has dryness around the eyes, and moderate wrinkles.
To use: same as above.

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, £33 available here.

This is a really nourishing, hydrating eye cream. It's consistency is very creamy (as the name suggests), and rather thick, which is great for tired, dry and dehydrated eyes. It also helps strengthen the skin around the eyes.
Suitable for: everyone really! Especially dry/dehydrated and tired eyes. This one isn't the best for targeting lines & wrinkles.
To use: same as above.

Body Shop Drops of Youth Eye Concentrate £19, available here.

This is a lovely cooling, refreshing eye cream. It's a very thin consistency, and it comes with a rollerball applicator. This one is great for puffiness, and tired eyes, it really helps wake you up in the morning.
Suitable for: tired, puffy, dehydrated eyes. Again this one isn't the best for targeting lines & wrinkles.
To use: same as above.

Boots Botanics Organic Hydrating Eye Cream, £9.99 available at Boots.

This is the most basic of the bunch, hence the price. It's mineral oil free and is generally hydrating and moisturising.
Suitable for: anyone who doesn't really have any particular concerns, but just wants to keep the eye area hydrated and smooth. This is a great starter, I'd say it's most suited to anyone in their 20's.
To use: same as above.

beauty

Recommended Cleansers

Sunday, October 25, 2015

I thought this post would work well with my last post where I banged on about cleansing.

Below are some options for cleansers that I have used, that I thought would be worth recommending. If you are looking for a new cleanser, or don't have a proper routine yet, keep reading!

All of these cleansers are balm, oil, or cream/milk consistencies, no foaming gels or bubbles. I much prefer balm or oil cleansers as I find they are much more effective at removing grime and make-up (when removed with a cloth).

I am a big fan of 'double cleansing'. This basically means your first cleanse is to remove make-up & surface dirt, and your second cleanse is to clean your skin, and remove impurities not visible to the naked eye.
As a general rule, I use my more 'expensive' product for my second cleanse, as they generally contain ingredients that I want to be working directly on my skin, rather than on top of my make up. So I use a micellar water first on cotton pads all over my face, and then use my proper cleanser second. But if you prefer, you can use just one cleanser (not micellar water) as your first and second cleanse.
Note: The only time I don't double cleanse is in the mornings, or if I've been home all day and not wearing any make-up.

I've said it before, but cleansing is the most important step in your skincare routine. If you are 'cleansing' using wipes or just water alone, and then slapping a really expensive serum/moisturiser on, it won't be working properly.

First up:

CLEANSING BALMS

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm £39.50, available here.

I talked about this product in my PM cleansing routine post. This is one of my favourite cleansers ever. For me, this is a skin cleanser rather than a make up remover, however it can be used for both. It's a gorgeous balm consistency, that isn't too solid like some other balms can be. It melts impurities and grime, there is also a cleansing cloth included in the box.
Skin types: all, particularly dry and mature skin. Not great for those with sensitivity to essential oils.
To use: massage a small amount into your skin whilst it's dry, it then turns into an oil consistency. You can then remove it at this point, using your flannel/cloth, which is what I do, or add a little water onto the skin to emulsify it, and then remove with your cloth. I would never try to remove any balm cleanser by rinsing with water, you always should remove with a cloth.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm £38 available here.

Moringa Cleansing Balm with Cleansing Cloth

This is another of my favourites, on par with the Elemis one above they are also around the same price point, and this also includes a cleansing cloth. I love the smell of this, it's impossible not to like it! It's really plumping and softening, and reconditioning which is great for dull, dry, dehydrated skin, however, this one is also suitable for all skin types. Moringa is also a powerful anti-oxidant.
Skin types: all, particularly dry and mature skin. Not great for those with sensitivity to essential oils.
To use: same way as above.

Clinique 'Take The Day Off' Cleansing Balm £22 available here.

This balm is a similar consistency to the two above, however I found it slightly thicker, but it still transforms into a silky oil consistency on the skin. It is almost a 'dupe' for the two above, however it is free of essential oils, so it doesn't smell as luxurious and lovely as the others.
To use: same as the two above.
Skin types: all, especially great for sensitive skin, and those who suffer with acne.
As a side note: this is the only Clinique product I would actually recommend. I am not a fan of their 3-step system.

Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter £13 available here.

Although this is called a cleansing butter, I still consider it a cleansing balm. The consistency is what it says on the tin - like butter. A little goes a long way, and the camomile is really great for redness, and soothing the skin.
To use: same way as the ones above, massage into dry skin, and thoroughly remove with a warm, damp flannel.
Skin types: This one is more suited to dry/very dry skin and sensitive skin, but not suitable for acne/breakout prone skin, as it does contain synthetic waxes and shea butter.

Lush Ultrabland £7.50 available here.

This is the most affordable cleansing balm I have come across, you won't find a decent one for a lower price. It's main ingredients are beeswax, honey and rosewater.
To use: same as the ones above.
Skin types: suitable for all skin types, but you have to really make sure this is removed properly as it is quite thick.

CLEANSING OILS

Super Facialist Skin Renew Cleansing Oil by Una Brennan, £10.99 available here.

I talked about this in my PM cleansing routine, it's what I've been using for the last few weeks. It's really brightening and softening, it smells really citrus-y and fresh. The only thing that annoys me about this, is the packaging. You have to pour it out into your hand and try to flip the lid back on whilst you're balancing the oil in the other hand...only a very minor detail, it doesn't actually effect the product itself!
To use: massage this onto dry skin, don't wet it first, and then remove with a warm, damp flannel. Always, always remove oils and balms with flannels, don't try to rinse them off.
Skin types: All, especially dry skin.

Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, £11.00 available here.

This is a really lovely product, it's really softening and silky, and feels gorgeous on the skin. On the plus side; this has a pump, yay! Much easier to use than having to pour it into your hand.
To use: same as above.
Skin types: all, especially dry skin.

CLEANSING MILKS/CREAMS

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel £28.00 available here.

I'm not sure where to place this one, it's consistency is almost like a mixture of a balm, milk and oil all in one, even though it's called a 'gel'. It has amazing ingredients in it which are really brightening, including vitamins A, C & E, starflower oil, and pumpkin enzymes, which are known to gently exfoliate, eating away at dead skin cells. It's a difficult scent to describe, but it smells nice, my boyfriend used it once and said it smelt like turkish delight. This is really nice to use as a second cleanse in the evenings, and also as a morning cleanser.
To use: massage into dry skin, and remove with a cloth, same as all of the above.
Skin types: all, particularly dull, oily skin. Not the best for very sensitive skin, as the pumpkin enzymes are quite 'active'.

ESPA Balancing Foam Cleanser, £24.00 available here.

I love this cleanser. I know I advise against using foam cleansers, and I still do, however with this one, it's the pump that makes it foamy, not the actual product itself, there are no stripping sulphates in this. It's main ingredients are coconut, and organic mandarin which helps to balance the skins natural oils. This smells gorgeous, it's a really soft orange scent.

I used this one in the morning, mainly because the consistency isn't thick enough to remove make up properly.

To use: massage into dry skin, and rinse off with water.

Skin types: oily/combination, but suitable for all skin types.

Elemis Cleansers £22.50, available here.

I have put 'cleansers' here because there are three different formulations of this cleanser, based on your skin type. They are all the same price, and in the same packaging, just the ingredients differ in each one. They are all a lovely creamy, milky consistency, and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, not stripped. The one pictured is the 'Rehydrating Rose Petal Cleanser' which is great for dry & dehydrated skin. There is also a 'Soothing Chamomile' version, for sensitive and hormonal skin, and a 'Balancing Lime Blossom' version, for oily/combination skin.
To use: same way as the ones above, massage into dry skin, and thoroughly remove with a warm, damp flannel.
Skin types: They are all suitable for all skin types, however there are different ones suited for different skin concerns.

REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk £16.00, available here.

This is a really lovely product, it's really gentle and refreshing. This would be a nice one to use if you don't like using balm or oils, as milks are not as 'greasy' feeling.
To use: same as the above.
Skin types: all, especially sensitive

Soap and Glory 'The Ultimelt' Hot Cloth Cleanser £10.00 available here and at Boots.

This is a great cleanser, it's really refreshing and invigorating to use, and is almost a clay like consistency. It smells nice too. I used this as either a second cleanse in the evenings, or as my morning cleanse. I really like the packaging, there's something satisfying about it! It's like a giant toothpaste tube.
To use: Same as the above, massage onto dry skin, and remove with a warm, damp cloth.
Skin types: all, especially oily/combination. Not the best for those with sensitivity to essential oils.

I hope this post has been helpful, if you have any questions just pop them in the box below.

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