Beauty, Bargains and Beyond

I was recently sent the SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit * to try out.  I have already tried the SensatioNail Polish to Gel Transformer Kit and reviewed it here .  I really liked the Polish to Gel Kit as it worked so well, so I was looking forward to trying out the Gel Starter Kit to see if it was as good.  I received the Scarlet Red colour which is just right for the Christmas period.   Source Sparkle PR It's very easy to apply this Gel Polish and when you take into account how long it takes your nails to dry when applying standard nail polish, I do think this is quicker.  Initially, you prepare your nails by filing and buffing them, then wiping them over with a Gel Cleanser that comes with the kit.  You  then apply one layer of the Gel Primer and air dry your nails.  Once your nails are dry you apply a thin layer of the Gel Base and Top Coat which again comes with the kit.  Then cure your nails for 15 seconds.  It's great that the Gel LED Lamp blinks at 15 seconds and

I have recently had the opportunity to try out the Footner Exfoliating Socks*.  They promise to reduce hard skin and cracked heels with one application, and remove unwanted dead skin from your feet.  Super, just what I need to get my feet ready to show to the world in strappy heels at Christmas parties.  I won't traumatise you with before photos (well they are not that bad, but you get the general idea), but suffice it to say that there is a lot of hard and dry skin around my heels and on the balls of my feet. Footner Exfoliating Socks are easy to use, simply remove any nail polish from your feet, cut the plastic socks open at the top and slip your feet into them.  The socks are coated on the inside with a gel like substance.  There is an adhesive patch at the top of the socks which you can use to hold the socks onto your feet, which I didn't think worked that well, but the instructions do tell you to slip on some socks over the exfoliating socks which helps to keep the

There's a great offer online at The Body Shop right now.  If you spend £10 (after discount) you will receive 40% off, free delivery and a free shea body butter (200ml worth £14).  Just enter the code 19807 at the checkout.   This is a great time to stock up on your favourite products or try something new.  I'm not sure when it ends, so be quick if you want to take advantage of this offer.  Not all products are included in the offer (usually the newer product lines aren't included). Let me know if you take advantage of this fab offer. Leighlee This is not a sponsored post.

Here is my last empties post of 2016 (well this is part 1 of 2 because there are so many).  I have done quite well this year and used up loads of products, but I am pretty sure I have probably bought just as many new products as I have used.  Here's what I have finished recently. I really love Bath & Body Works products and always stock up when I am in America.  I love the gentle foaming hand soaps and the hand sanitizers and would really recommend the Japanese Cheery Blossom, Hawaiian Pink Hibiscus and Fresh Watermelon Lemonade fragrances. I would definitely treat myself to any of these shower gels and foams as they were all lovely.  I have used up Molton Brown Eucalyptus Body Wash & Suma Ginseng Body Wash, Rituals Indian Rose & Sweet Almond Oil Foaming Shower Gel & the Organic Mandarin & Yuzu version and L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Bath & Shower Gel. When it's cold, I much prefer to use body oils and sprays instead of body butters and lo

I was recently sent the Optimum PhytoHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water Micellar Tonic & Day Cream SPF15* to try out. Source Superdrug Press Office This range is specially formulated to immediately comfort and replenish the skins moisture levels, which helps to improve the signs of aging caused by dehydration.  The products contain moisture intensive Nordic Birch Water sustainably tapped from Silver Birch Trees.  Birch water is recognised as a pure, potent anti-aging ingredient by Nordic women.  Optimum PhytoHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water Micellar Tonic leaves skin cleansed without feeling tight.  I really like this micellar tonic, I found it great for cleansing my skin even when I was wearing makeup (although I don't wear a lot of makeup.  You would probably need to double cleanse if you are wearing a full face of make up).  You can't use it on your eyes so you do need to use a make up remover/or other cleanser first if you are wearing eye makeup.  It

The winner of my giveaway to win an EOS Lip Balm Box Set has been announced.  Check the giveaway page here to find out if you have won.  Keep following because there will be more giveaways 2017. Have a great Christmas everyone. Leighlee

If you are struggling to find a present for the man in your life (be it partner, brother, father or son), then you really can't go wrong with Jaguar Pace Eau De Toilette*.  From the box down to the bottle inside it's been designed with the aesthetics of the famous car brand in mind.  It's cool, classic and classy and I think any man would love to open this on Christmas day.  Jaguar Pace's aroma is a stimulating trio of strong black pepper, fresh green apples and aromatic rosemary. The heady fragrance compound Cashmeran comes next.  It is a woody amber element with a spicy, almost peppery, fresh head note. The heart note of Jaguar Pace is rounded off with aromatic lavender and luxurious orris, which marry elegantly with the base note consisting of the classic woody aromas of amberwood, patchouli and Crystal Moss. This is a scent that would be great on any man and even women who prefer a masculine fragrance.  Men are so hard to buy for, but I think the Jaguar Pa

The are less than 2 days left to enter my giveaway to win a set of 3 EOS Lip Balms.  Good luck everyone. Leighlee

I just wanted to highlight a couple of posts from other bloggers just in case they have passed you by.  First up is Give and Makeup from Caroline Hirons.  Caroline is currently running the Shoebox Campaign 2016 where you fill a box with gifts suitable for children which will be given to children who probably won't be expecting to receive much on Christmas day.  You can read full details about the campaign here .  You needn't spend much you could pick up lots of little items from the poundshop if you don't have a lot of spare cash, but every little helps. Give and Makeup is there to help women and children who have been the victims of domestic violence and throughout the year they welcome donations of new or lightly used makeup, toiletries and clothes.  Further details can be found at the bottom of the page here . I also want to highlight a post from British Beauty Blogger concerning what to do in the event of you choking, or witnessing someone else choking.  It&#

I recently received Instant Whites 7 Day Whitening System Kit * to try out.  It's a peroxide free home teeth whitening kit.  The packaging states that you will see immediate results after the first 5 minutes, and up to 9 shades whiter in just 7 days.  Instant Whites 7 Day Whitening System also works on all tooth surfaces including natural teeth, caps, crowns, veneers, dentures and bonding. It's really easy to use, you take one of the swaps and gently push the swab down into the liquid filled base, until a small amount of the product comes through the tip of the swab.  You then apply a small amount of the liquid onto the surface of all the teeth to be whitened and gently rub each tooth in a circular motion for 10-20 seconds with the swab.  Once you have done this on all the teeth you want to whiten you rinse out your mouth with warm water.  I found this product really easy to use and I did not get any sensitivity with my teeth.  The product does not have a bad taste

I went into Leeds city centre on Black Friday to check out if there were any beauty bargains to be had and I was very happy with my purchases.  Hopefully they will still be available this weekend if you want to pick them up for yourselves.  They would make great Christmas presents, but I have to admit that I bought them all for me.  Here's what I bought: Victoria's Secret Scandalous Dare Eau de Parfum - 50ml.  This was £48 down to £25.  All the 50ml perfumes where reduced to £25 instore on Black Friday, so it's definitely a great time to pick one up if there are any on your wish list. Pixi Gift of Glow - was £72 now £30 at Marks & Spencer.  I had this on my wish list , so I was thrilled that there was such a great discount on this box set (I bought one for my sister as well).  There are 4 full size products included - Glow Tonic (250ml), Makeup Melting Cleansing Cloths (40 cloths), Glow Mud Cleanser (135ml) & Rose Oil Blend (30ml). REN Instant Beauty

I came across Barefoot SOS Repair + Renew Nourishing Cleansing Cream in one of the beauty boxes that I subscribe to.  The Barefoot SOS range has been developed by natural healthcare experts using the science of skincare and the natural power of botanical extracts.  Barefoot SOS Nourishing Cleansing Cream is a gentle cleanser which contains Rosa Mosqueta Oil, Calendula Extract, Cocoa Butter and Rosewater and is suitable for all skin types.  This product is not tested on animals and is 98% natural origin.  Simply apply morning and evening with a cotton pad or muslin cloth dampened in warm water. This is a nice light cream that has a natural fragrance and I found that it removes most makeup (although it does not remove all traces of mascara) and leaves my face feeling clean, without leaving it feeling tight and dry. Barefoot SOS products are free from paraffin, parabens, SLS, artificial colours and fragrances.  They are also suitable for vegans.  Barefoot SOS Nourishing Cleansin

I thought I would just do a little Christmas Wish List of all the goodies I wouldn't mind seeing under my tree on Christmas day. Elemis The Gift of Great Skin - This is a wonderful Elemis Christmas gift set from QVC.  This is a great gift as it comes in a lovely box and contains 6 great products. There are 2 variations to choose  - Frangipani Monoi or White Lotus & Lime. This set is £72 plus P&P.   UPDATE - As at 28/11/2016 the Frangipani Manoi is £49.92 plus postage and packing here. Elizabeth and James Rollerball Set - This is available at Sephora for $28 and contains 4 different mini rollerballs.  I already have the black and white rollerballs, but I would love to try the bourbon and rose scents so this little set would be perfect.  Sadly Sephora won't deliver this set to the UK and I can't find any other place that sells it, so I will have to wait until I visit America again and hope that it is still available. The Charlotte Tilbury Pocket Pout

The Jojoba Company 100% Natural Makeup Remover* gently dissolves hard to remove makeup and is alcohol free.  I don't know about you, but usually when I use a makeup remover I always find that there is some mascara left behind, that I can't seem to remove without scrubbing at my eyes.  The Jojoba Company 100% Natural Makeup Remover removes every scrap of mascara without any scrubbing required.  It's a 100% natural jojoba based product, which also includes a blend of natural fruit oils including kiwi, passionfruit, blood orange, musk melon, cranberry and pink grapefruit which create a gentle product that removes all makeup including waterproof mascara. Simply apply 2 pumps to a cotton pad and gently wipe downwards over the face and eye area.  This product can also be used on it's own as a cleansing oil, which I have tried and again it is a lovely product to use in this way.  My skin is left feeling clean and wonderfully hydrated after using this product.  The J

I have just received my 2nd Love Lula Beauty Box and I love it (you can read about the first box I received here ).  Most other beauty boxes seem to contain the same brands, but the Love Lula boxes include brands that I have not come across before which is great.  Here's what was in the November 2016 box. Madara Hydra Mask - 12.5ml (worth £15) - Instant Moisture+ Radiance Hydra Mask. Humble Natural Beauty Sweet Pea & Verbena Hand Cream - 75ml (worth £8) - This is a beauty range from TV presenter Kate Humble. Ooh! - Oils Of Heaven Argan Oil - 15ml (worth £9.50) - Admittedly, I have received this exact same product already from You Beauty Box, but it's a new brand so I don't mind about that. PHB Skin Repair Gel Aloe & Lavender - 120ml (worth £13.75) - This helps to soothe and relieve irritated skin. MOA Fortifying Green Bath Potion - 10ml (worth £2.75) - This is an invigorating herbal blend which helps to de-stress the mind and soothe aches and pa

The Hero Project is a relatively new British company whose mission is to find out what skincare lovers really want from products and to produce products that fit that need.  They want to give us consumers products that really work and do what we need them to do, enabling us to reduce our mega stashes of beauty products that we have built up whilst we search for our Holy Grail products.  So far they have only released 5 products and I have been lucky enough to try out 3 of them (you can read my review of Hyasoft Instant Moisture Boost here ).  One of the most recent releases is the Vit C-30 Ultra Brightening Serum * which I have been testing out for well over a month now.  This product contains a powerful 30% Ethylated Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) which helps to restore clarity to skin and provide evenness and brightness.  It helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and also protects the skin from further damage. Is it any good?  Well I would say that my ski

I have never been happy with my hair, it's naturally curly and frizzy and as curly haired girls will know it takes a lot of effort to get shiny frizz free curls. So I am always on the look out for the perfect hair treatments to try and make my hair look and feel good. These are 3 treatments I have tried out recently. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Brighter In-Shower Hair Treatment -  £9.99 for 34ml This is a treatment that you apply to your hair (this product is just for 1 use) and then rinse out after 5 minutes.  It is a lightening treatment so you should see a lighter shade of brunette after use.  I tried this for the first time and found it easy to use although it did have a strong fragrance much like a hair colourant as it does contain hydrogen peroxide.  Once my hair was dry I definitely noticed it was a lighter shade and I had some  golden highlights.   This product can be used on natural, highlighted or coloured hair, but don't use if you have permed

I'm having a bit of a declutter at the moment so check out my updated Blog Sale here.  There are some Colourpop, MAC & Charlotte Tilbury items as well as loads of other stuff.  Keep checking back as I've loads more to list. Leighlee

There are some great freebies in this months Magazines (November 2016): Harper's Bazaar – The Organic Pharmacy Lip & Eye Cream (10ml) worth £26.95.  Harper's Bazaar  costs £4.50. Tatler– Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (15ml) worth £28.  Tatler costs £4.50.   Glamour – Nails Inc Nail Polish available in 4 different shades (worth £11 each). Glamour costs £2. There is also Marie Claire –  This Works Deep Sleep Spray  (5ml) worth £1.06.  Marie Claire costs £3.99. Let me know if I have missed any other magazine freebies this month. Leighlee I bought the magazines with my own money