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...

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 exfol...

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 bo...

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...

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 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 ch...