Tag Archives: liberty

A blemish rescue oil. Yes, really

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Votary Blemish Rescue OilThis year you haven’t heard it: oh how I love a facial oil. And this is a gem from a brand I got to know quite recently: Votary, which makes this post that little bit more exciting.

Now, my personal battle navigating between aggressive, drying blemish fighting and hydrating, nourishing age fighting products is known to an extent here (and I’ll publish a full piece on it soon), but this little hero addresses just that. Tamanu oil and salicylic acid, make it nourishing with blemish fighting properties.

Votary Blemish Rescue Oil’s 2% salicylic acid goes down deep in the pores dissolving dead skin cells and exfoliating all the way to the surface. This helps with the congestion that usually brings spots about.

And the blend of natural plant oils including rice, oat, tamanu and rosemary essential oil aids quicker recovery and promotes  balance.

Votary Blemish Rescue OilIt’s a great targeted, non-aggressive solution which is a bliss to use: it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, and even though it’s for use on the spot, I feel it works wonders on the whole face or areas, like the chin, to help prevent breakouts.

And for that, I really want to get the Votary Clarifying Facial Oil, as I think it would be a very powerful duo for problematic skin.

The Votary Blemish Rescue Oil costs £35 for 15ml (it goes a looooong way!) and you can find the gorgeous Votary products at Liberty – I mean, any excuse for a trip over there – or online on their site.

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Flirting with the light side: nude on my lips

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

laura-mercier-sheer-lip-review - 1Wait. Is that a nude-ish lipstick. Ok. You got me.

My eternal affair with red is undeniable but it turns out that in the past months I became less and less monogamous.

laura-mercier-sheer-lip-review - 2I feel nude-ish lipsticks are just easy to wear and uncomplicated. This might not be the “classic” nude, but we know the definition of nude is a bit skewed; it should be what comes close to your natural shade.

For me, the best “nudes” are the pinkish ones, which are – ahem – close to my natural lip colour, so it feels just like it’s amped up, shinier, softer and prettier.

Enter Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips, all the way from the gorgeous Liberty. This lipstick is super soft and glides beautifully on the lips. The smell is lightly sweet.

It is semi-matte and delivers a good colour for its “sheer” name; it also feels hydrating and has anti-ageing properties.

For being creamy and sheer, admittedly, it does not last forever on the lips, but does a good job fading evenly, not feathering, bleeding or drying lips.

Apart from this brand new addition to my unlikely growing selection of nudes, I love Sleek Private Booth and GOSH Matte in Rose.

Who would know?

The Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour is available at Liberty in six flattering colours and costs £19.50.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

So Many Lovely Things beauty retrospective 2015: hair and body

Posted in Beauty by
hair_body_somanylovelythingsToday we get to the final instalment of the So Many Lovely Things retrospective 2015. What a fantastic year it has been!
And to finish it off, see my favourite which products rocked my hair and body in 2015.

Hair

Multitasking

got2b_allstar_review - 1The Schwarzkopf Got2B All Star tends to 10 hair concerns. Although the volumising and texturising properties on this are my favourites, it delivers in all fronts.
revlon_professional_uniq_one_coconut_hair_treatment_review - 1With the coconut bonus, the Revlon Uniq One spray also delivers on its promises. Hair is soft, hydrated, easy to brush.

Serum/oil

got2b_oilicious - 4The Schwarzkopf Got2b Oil-licious styling oil is a little delight. Smells great, tames, gives shine and leaves hair feeling fantastic.
wella sp luxe oilThe Wella System Professional Luxe Oil is another little gem, with a great smell, leaving hair smooth and silky.
ultimate blends honey treasures reviewThe Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures Strength Restorer serum is great. De-frizzes, smooths and has the most amazing smell of honey.

Shampoo and conditioner

liz earle hair careA great duo: Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner. Smell fresh and leaves hair super clean.
ultimate blends honey treasures reviewI am in love with the whole Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasure range. It smells divine and leaves hair feeling soft and nourished. Plus, it is great value for money.
Swell is still part of my routine. It has been since before 2015, but it’s just too good to leave out!

Mask

The Taya Inner Core Hair Strong Anti-breakage mask is great. Feels supple and extra moisturising on the hair and smells delicious.

Dry shampoo

Swell Ultimate Volume Dry ShampooThis is undisputed: The Swell Ultimate Volume Dry Shampoo is the king of my tresses. All natural and with a powder spray, it is a must have. Last forever!

Styling tools

revlon_perfectionist_2in1_dryer_review - 1My styling tool discovery was the Revlon Perfectionist 2 in 1 Dryer. A hot air hair brush that works and delivers great blow dry results at home.
babyliss diamond waves wandThe Babyliss Diamond Waves Curling Wand was also well used this year. With the easy guide to creat lovely curls.
Also, a mention to my faithful GHDs, which never, ever let me down way pre 2015 to straighten, curl and wave.

Styling

Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing reviewBeen totally in love with Got2b Mind Blowing Express Styling range. All products are great and speedy.
Talking about Got2b, their Rise ‘n Shine hairspray is also amazing. Styles without stiffness and smells amazing, like all other Got2b products!

Vitamins

hairfinity2Definitely Hairfinity for me. Made a massive difference to my hair, I am still using it; have it on auto-order.

Extensions

irresistible_me_hair_extensions_review - 3Of course, the fabulous Irresistible Me. Just wow. Great quality, fabulous colours, friendly service. Never been so happy and intend to purchase more.

 

Body

Moisturiser

A tough call between a few favourites…
dover_derma_spa - 1The Dove DermaSpa range is just fantastic and the DermaSpa Goodness³ Body Lotion and cream are just great!
I am a fan of Bath & Body Works; Velvet Sugar is one of my favourites scents. Sweet Pea comes a close second. Rich and yum.
coconut_products_somanylovelythings - 6The Yes to Coconut Ultra Light Spray Body Lotion was also a fave this year. I love it is a spray lotion; it feels light and nourishing. And yes, it is coconutty!

Oil

thisworks_energy_bank body makeoverThis Works Energy Bank Body Makeover oil is fabulous. Great on the skin, an awakening smell and integral part of my gym bag.
The Spa Technologies Hydrating Laminaria Oil is one I’ve been using all year and is almost over.

Scrub

fake_bake_coconut_macaroon_scrub - 1I love a good scrub, especially pre-tan. The Fake Bake Dolce Dreams Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub works a treat and smell divine.

Tan

heshi_express - 1Hands down my favourite tan, the HeShi Rapid One Hour Liquid Tan. not only delivers a great tan, but doesn’t smell and works as fast as one hour. Sold!

Hands

crabtree_evelyn_hand - 3There is no competition: the Crabtree & Evelyn  60 Second Fix for Hands. The scrub is amazing and their hand moisturiser is just the best. Take note.

Deodorant

dove soft feel deodorantThe Dove Soft Feel is the deodorant of the year on my books. It has all the quality of a Dove deodorante and the fragrance is absolutely stunning. Love.
I am going to include the Halo deodorant wipes here. Just too handy!

Body wash

dove_empower_hour - 3Again, it’s a Dove item. I love their Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash. it is very gentle, but effective. Skin is left clean and moisturised after use.

Bath Oil

An awful lot. Too much. It is soothing for the body and the mind. A true moment of calm, so needed in everyday life.

Intimate wash

sass_intimate_refreshing_mist - 2Sass was a great discovery this year. Their Refreshing Mist and Intimate Wash are just amazing. They are very mild; gentle and effective.
What worked for you in 2015? What are your favourite hair and body products this year?
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This post mentions some press samples.

A step into mindfulness: Aromatherapy Associates for Liberty Clear Mind Bath & Shower Oil

Posted in Beauty by

aromatherapy_associates_for_liberty_clear_mind_oil_review - 1Mindfulness. Something that is so talked about nowadays but still not exercised enough by most of us.

Aromatherapy Associates and Liberty are here to give us a little helping hand with the gorgeous Clear Mind Bath & Shower Oil, which was born to help us “find peace in a frantic world”.

This fabulously thick and aromatic oil contains chamomile, frankincense, palmarosa and bergamot.

They went through 12 blends before perfecting this gem which aims to help free our thoughts, achieve stillness of mind, live the present moment, which are principles of mindfulness, as well as revitalising the mind and body.

aromatherapy_associates_for_liberty_clear_mind_oil_review - 1The smell is powerful, its texture silky. What I really like is that they teach you how to use it in the shower, which for me is perfect (my low blood pressure makes baths an unpleasant business).

Just drop a 50p size amount on you hand, rub and inhale twice or thrice, before rubbing it onto your torso and tummy.

It may sound weird, but just the first pat of the routine made me clear my mind completely and focus on the aromas. I felt revitalised, and happy. When showering, the aromas are still release, and sink deep into our tissue.

I really enjoy the whole ritual. It does make you step out and take time not to think about anything, and be present.

aromatherapy_associates_for_liberty_clear_mind_oil_review - 4Mindfulness is something really close to my heart, as an anxiety sufferer. I did struggle a lot to find it, and after a lot of hard work, it became easier. And this oils is a great nudge towards it; it gives you that daily dose, even if for a short period of time, of stillness. And this is great.

The oil comes in a handcrafted bottle; mine has my initials – nice touch, Liberty!

It sits in a beautiful box designed especially for the collaboration, using one of Liberty’s iconic floral prints, Genevieve, from AW03, which colours marry the ingredients quite well.

aromatherapy_associates_for_liberty_clear_mind_oil_review - 2Aromatherapy Associates has a personal connection to Liberty. Its founder, Geraldine Howard, bought her wedding in the store, which I thought I was quite a cute story to add to this collaboration.

At the launch, in one of Liberty’s amazing private rooms, all carved in beautiful wood, in line with the iconic store stunning interior, we were treated to a fantastic hand massage. I chose calming, and the soothing it brought me (added to a glass of bubbly) was quite overwhelming.

The Aromatherapy Associates for Liberty Clear Mind Bath & Shower Oil costs £48 for 55ml and has at least 20 uses, and it available exclusively at Liberty, in-store, I recommend a trip over any time, I just love the place, and online.

And if you want to read more about my obsession with oils, it’s all here!

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.