Lush Giveaway! *Closed*

Hey all! Giveaway time.. 

Ready for Manchester Arndale's Great Student Giveaway? I did a post about it here. Lush have kindly offered these prizes for the lucky winner.. 

Lush has a brand new hair care range in-stores Manchester Arndale are giving you the chance to win a set of this beautiful new shampoo and conditioner so you're stocked up for the new term! 

Blousey shampoo (£18.00 for 240g) ... a gentle shampoo for treated, dyed or damaged hair that will revitalise and put some life back into it. Nourishing bananas are emollient to hold moisture on the hair, making them extremely softening and conditioning. There are also spices like pimento and anise to stimulate the scalp and hair growth and cocoa and cupuacu butter (from Brazil) moisturise and add shine. Hair is left feeling incredibly loved and looked after as well as gorgeously scented with rose oil, blackcurrant absolute and juniperberry oil, with a little stimulating thyme oil and rosemary oil thrown in to look after the scalp. Vegan 

 Happy Happy Joy Joy conditioning hair perfume (£9.00 for 100g ; £18.00 for 250g) … your hair will be feeling happy, happy, joy, joy after being treated with this beautiful conditioner which is the perfect accompaniment to Blousey shampoo!  There’s almond milk to moisturise and strengthen hair; jojoba oil to add shine; and grapefruit and lime oils to refresh and provide even more shine.  But what really sets this conditioner apart is the fragrance, it’s based around neroli and grapefruit as these oils bring the happy feeling.  The joy joy is what you spread as you float through your day!  

All you have to do, is simple leave a comment. Make sure your following me on GFC. Leave your GFC name, a way to get in contact if you win and your location e.g Manchester or Birmingham! 
(Giveaway ends on Tuesday 2nd October at 8pm GMT) 

Simples.

Good Luck... 

*CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIELLE WHO WON THESE LOVELY PRODUCTS!*

Samples Galore: Lush, Inika & YSL! (review)

Hello! Thought i'd show you some of the samples i've got recently and let you know what i think - because that's what i do best ;) There is two Lush samples, which the lovely Jayne gave us at the event because we really wanted to try these products. I got a sample of the new YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation because i couldn't not try it out! I also ordered an Inika Mineral Foundation sample off Cute Cosmetics for £1.99 so i could try it and see if i liked it before forking out for the full size.

l-r:   YSL Foundation- BR60     Inika Mineral Foundation - Trust     Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask    Lush Fairtrade foot lotion.

YSL Le Teint Touch Eclat Foundation - I have used this about 3 times and there is still a load left - so it's a good size - go get yours!! I was matched to shade BR60 which is actually pink toned yet i am not pink toned atall? If i was to get this foundation i'd definitely see what the yellow toned shade looked like. Although, this does look okay and the shade is actually a pretty good match i just don't love it. It does a brilliant job at brightening the skin, making you look luminous and glowy whilst providing medium coverage (enough to cover most imperfections and even the skin tone). I have really oily skin and unfortunately i find this melts of my skin and leaves me with no foundation after about 4 hours. It's such a shame, i wanted to love it but it doesn't last long atall. It'll be great for dry/normal skin though.

Will i purchase full size? No.

Inika Mineral Foundation - I bought this sample as i had planned to just buy it in London but thought it was obviously best to try it before buying! I was looking for a mineral foundation as powder lasts longer on my oily skin but, i still wanted medium coverage that looked natural and less matte than liquid foundations. This foundation takes quite a few layers to build up to a medium coverage and at first looks very matte and dull. At first i really hated this so didn't buy the full size (i got the Laura Mercier one instead) but, now i have found the perfect way to use it. It works far better applied over a thin layer of liquid foundation to set it and add a bit more coverage. When the powder settles in it looks far more natural and less matte and lasts pretty well (5/6hours) on the skin!

Will i purchase full size? Maybe in the future. 

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask - I've been dying to try this for a long while as i've heard it's good for battling breakouts. The mask has quite a thick consistency making it hard to spread so i just applied it onto my problem area's (any spots/t-zone). It doesn't take long to dry really about 10minutes before it starts to flake off. It comes off really, really easily with warm water which is definitely a positive in my eyes (who wants hassle?!). In terms of doing what it says on the tin: the first time i use it i didn't see any differences, i was so dissapointed. But, i have used it a few more times since on some breakouts of my forehead (angry, painful, under the skin spots) and it has really helped to get rid of them. I applied it directly on the spot, rinsed off then when i woke up in the morning it had literally halved in size and was less painful. Amazing. 

Will i purchase full size? Yes! Soon hopefully. 

Lush Fairtrade Foot Lotion - First of all the scent of this is just bloody amazing (peppermint!) Can't stop sniffing it. The scent is strong but it isn't too overpowering or in your face. The pink coloured lotion is pretty nice too. The lotion is very lightweight - not thick or too creamy so you slip when you try and walk yet it's very moisturising. I did the whole 'socks and moisturiser' thing with this and it left my feet feeling very soft and any dry skin feeling less rough after one use. It is a really effective foot lotion however i don't think you need this unless you can't stand thick creams that make feet slippery. Its really good though and absorbs fast so, if you're looking specifically for a foot lotion i definitely recommend this! 

Will i purchase full size? I might in the future, not at the moment though, regular moisturiser will do for the time being! 

Have you tried any of these products? Any you think you'll buy the full version of?

Lush 'Emotional Brilliance' Event - Manchester!

So, on Friday i went along to Lush in Manchester Arndale for the launch of their new makeup range called 'Emotional Brilliance'. It is all now available in stores to buy! I went with the lovely Anastasia from Dainty Desires - as beauty bloggers we obviously couldn't wait to have a look look around and test the new products! 

I personally love Lush as a brand and have tried/use a lot of their products. I'm happy to see they are expanding their range to include lots of lovely, versatile makeup items. You can now literally get all things beauty from there in one quick stop! 

Anastasia having her colours read!

The idea of the range is that certain colours represent certain emotions. They had this lovely colourful wheel where you had to close your eyes whilst it was spun then pick the first three colours that caught your eye. It was a little bit of fun and the idea that each colour told us something about ourselves.

I chose 'Perspective' - my strength - which meant when decision making i liked to mull it over and try to make the best decision based on my options (which i actually think is pretty correct - i take ages making decisions). My subconscious desire was 'Drive' apparently this was something i may be lacking at the moment and i need it to move something forward that may not be going anywhere. And the third colour i chose was 'Vibrance'. I was told i may be seen as a vibrant, bubbly person to others - that's the persona i put off. Overall i was pretty happy with my choices and picking 'Drive' is giving me a kick up the bum to get things done ;)

Now onto the new items..

Above are all the colour pigments available in the range. Some are lipsticks some are eyeliners but, the idea is that they can be used in all different ways - on the cheeks, as eyeshadow - however you like! You can also mix the shades to make your own custom shade. Each little pot is £14.50 which seems slightly over priced for Lush but i guess they are multi-tasking products and seemed good quality when i tested them out (the eyeliner literally wouldn't budge!). There are very bold colours colours - bright purple, lime green, royal blue and a few natural shades which is nice too!

The second part of the range is the part of the range that appeals to me most! Oily skin + translucent powder = love! This is your more 'typical' makeup range - powder, mascara, highlighter, bronzer.
I didn't get to test the mascara unfortunately but i tried the powder and the 'Feeling younger' skin tint which is a highlighter and wow - i may have feel slightly in love. Again the products are multi-tasking the skin tint can be used a highlight (cheekbones, nose etc) or mixed in with foundation/moisturiser for a healthy glow. Both products i need in my life. The 'Charisma' skin tint was nice too - that can be used as bronzer or mixed in with foundation/moisturiser for a bronze glow.

So enough rambling, as you can tell i did rather enjoy the products despite the prices! Here are my favourite products:

Feeling Younger Skin Tint - to make you look healthy, young and glow! Use as highlighter or mix with moisturiser.

Perspective - a natural mauvey pink lip colour with shimmer - so beautiful.

Translucent powder for setting foundation into place! Great for oily skinned people like me!

Believe - the most amazing pinky, coral lip colour!! So bright too.

What do you think of the 'Emotional Brilliance' range? Will you be buying anything?

Empty Beauty Products #1

So, today i have my first ever 'empties' post. During the #bbloggers chat i asked if people liked them as i wasn't too sure about them myself but, you all seem to like them and i had quite a few empty products so i thought, why the hell not?!

Most of these products would never get a full in-depth review on my blog, partly 'cause some of them are slightly on the boring side (shampoo being one) so, i have mini reviews here instead :) 

Skincare

Skin System Young Skin Foaming Faciel Scrub - Available from Asda (here) - I bought this on a whim, literally just because i needed a face scrub and it was a £1. I've used all this up in about 2 months but i do use a lot 4/5 times a week. It's actually a pretty food face scrub, it has a nice amount of beads (not too little or too many) and they aren't too harsh. They exfoliate without hurting the skin and does a pretty good job of removing build up on my oily skin. I'm not going to re-purchase just because i want to try a different one!

Clean & Clear Deep Action Oil Free Cream Wash - Available Boots (here), Superdrug (here) or Home Bargains (£1) etc. - I had such a love/hate relationship with this cleanser. For short periods on time it would work so well at removing makeup and keeping my skin clear then at other times my skin was a spotty mess and they just wouldn't clear. Just so unsure about this product. My favourite thing about this was how refreshing it was - you could feel when your face was clean (handy!) it felt tingly and cold (like when you inhale after a minty chewing gum). I won't re-purchase as my skin was so up and down when using this.

Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner - Available from Lush (here) - This is one product i can safely say i did enjoy. It was so refreshing, was great at removing excess cleanser/makeup and lasted a long time. This is actually my second bottle of this so it's definitely a winner. I use it in so many ways: toner, skin refresher, makeup setter etc. But, i'm going to purchase to Lush Tea Tree toner instead next time (supposed to be better for oily skin).

Hand/Body Care

Avon Naturals Renewing Body Cream - They actually don't sell this anymore. What am i going to do?! I am assuming this will be similar though. I've had this cream for so long and not used it until recently but it's truly amazing. It absorbs so fast, smells lovely and leaves my skin feeling moisturised and soo soft! I love this so much but won't be re-purchasing because, i can't.

Refan Melon and Apricot Hand Butter - Available here and here in different scents - This one is for my european readers as you can get your hands on Refan more easily! I got this last year on a holiday to Bulgaria, Refan is basically like their version of The Body Shop, it was amazing i bought quite a few things (regret not buying more). This cream was actually my nanna's but i stole it because it's just so moisturising. It's more of a butter so it's nice and thick - a little goes a long way and it smells delicious! I will most likely re-purchase this in a different scent off a website or in this scent if i ever find another Refan shop ;)

Hair Care

VO5 Gloss Me Smoothly Conditioner - Available from Superdrug (here) - I'll start by saying; this is my favourite conditioner ever. Yes is said it, it's my fave! It leaves my hair super soft, de-tangled and so smooth instantly. You need the tiniest bit and it seriously makes the hugest different. I use this after the hair mask i'm going to talk about next and it's the perfect combo. Although i don't think this conditioner has any long-term effects, i don't care, i am definitely re-buying it!

Rose of Bulgaria Nourishing Hair Mask - Available here - Another item that's hard to get hold of in the UK (sorry guys) but, if you go to Bulgaria you know what to get ;) Again, i love this product for my hair. I put this on in-between the shampoo and conditioner in the photo above and my hair just feels smooth, soft, tangle free and hydrated. Bye bye dry, knotty hair. Hello luscious locks. Not re-buying this just because i'd like to try some brands that are easier to get hold of!

Medipure Hair & Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - Available from PoundLand (£1) or here - This is my go-to shampoo, i've been using it for about 6/7months now (many bottles not just the one!) and i couldn't love it more. It's basically a copy of Head and Shoulders - well i think so anyway. I was so mad when i went to wash my hair and my boyfriend had used it all up and not told me because i hate washing my hair without it. As it says, it leaves the scalp flake free (my scalp has been terrible ever since i reacted to hair dye) and also gives it a really good wash. You need this if you have a dry scalp prone to flaking. Definitely re-purchasing without a doubt.

Anyhow let me know what you think, i love using up products so would you like to see more empties posts?

Lipcare: How i keep them silky smooth!

Hello me lovelies! How are you all this miserable friday? I don't know what the weather is like everywhere else but it's been chucking it down all day in Manchester. If you follow me on twitter you may have read my big moan about the horrid rain and my stupid hayfever that won't go away :(

Anyway enough of the moaning! My lips are always pretty dry and cracked throughout the year but recently this little combo has been making my lips pretty smooth. It's nothing special, two products everyone can get their hands on, but it's made the world of difference.

First up, i use the 'Bubblegum' lip scrub from Lush for £4.95. This is basically a lip exfoliator that tastes really yummy too (i end up eating more of this than i use). I basically put a little bit on my finger and rub in little circular motions on my lips 2 or 3 times - give them a proper good scrub! I do this about 3 times a week to get rid of any dry skin building up.

If you can't get hold of this or think it's too pricey for what it is then you can make one yourself. 

Just mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Taadah! Saves you a fiver doesn't it. I know i'll be doing this next.

I then slap on lots of Carmex. 

Carmex is my favourite lip balm it really does keep my lips hydrated for a long time. I tried to use the Blistex Relief Cream but that just didn't work out. I have returned to my beloved Carmex and my lips have been loving it! I prefer the tub version of these lip balms they just seem to work better for some reason and last so long! The cherry one smells delicious too.  

See i told you this was simple. The combination of these mean i have perfect soft lips. I tend to do this before bed at night and really let my lips take in all the Carmex and it works so well. I also use the Carmex daily to keep my lips moisturised constantly. 

What are your favourite lip treats?