Elemis Skincare Buys

My usual skincare routine generally consists mostly of fairly cheap, drugstore products, and to be honest, for every day, I’m pretty happy with what I use. But sometimes it’s nice to splash out a little bit and have some more expensive products that you can treat yourself to. A while back now, I went to Champneys Forest Mere (one of my favourite places for total relaxation!) for a day of rest, relaxation and indulgent spa treatments, with a good friend before her wedding. As well as enjoying the use of the pool, hot tub, relaxation rooms and a cheeky treatment or two, we were also able to take part in a session with an Elemis therapist. She was absolutely brilliant, and led us through a skincare routine using different Elemis products, so we could try them out for ourselves and see what we thought. She also offered plenty of advice on the types of products that would suit us individually and answered any questions we had on any other products that took our fancy.

I had never had much opportunity to try any Elemis products before, so I really enjoyed being taught how to use different items and experiencing how they felt on my skin. I loved trying them out so much that, at the end of the session, I decided I wanted to treat myself to a couple of things. Something that we had used in the demonstration that I particularly loved was the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, which exfoliates and purifies tired, lacklustre skin. It is non-abrasive and leaves skin feeling soft, revitalised and radiant. Natural fruit enzymes of exfoliating Papaya and calming Pineapple smooth and clarify the complexion. The rinse-off cream also contains nourishing Milk Protein, anti-oxidant rich Vitamin E and Marine Algae to moisturise, repair and protect skin. 

This peel smells incredible and feels so smooth on your skin. It feels like a real treat when you use it – after applying to your face, you are meant to leave it for 10-15 minutes and then remove with lukewarm water, so you really feel like you’re giving your skin an indulgent spa treatment. I can often find that harsh exfoliators leave my skin feeling red and sensitive, but this peel felt gentle, leaving my skin glowing and radiant afterwards. 

The other product I wanted to buy was body oil. Originally, I really liked the idea of the Frangipani Monoi Body Oil because it smells incredible! But after talking to the Elemis therapist about the kinds of things I wanted to use it for, she suggested trying the Musclease Active Body Oil instead. It combines the richness of the sea with the power of aroma and with a powerful synergy of Maritime Pine, Sea Buckthorn, Sea Fennel extracts and Rosemary Essential Oil, it can be used to help ease muscle pain and stressed joints.

I must admit, it doesn’t smell the best (especially compared to the Frangipani!) but it really does seem to help with my aching muscles and joints. I get a lot of body pain from having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and although it’s not going to get rid of that pain, I think the act of moisturising it into my back, legs and shoulders really helps ease some of the tension associated with chronic pain. Now all I need is for someone else to do the massaging for me!

At the time I bought these products, the Elemis section in the spa were running an offer whereby you would receive a bag full of goodies if you bought two Elemis products. Not one to pass up on some freebies, I, of course, jumped at the chance to receive my free gift. It came presented in a gorgeous silver make-up bag with turquoise edging, which I am more than happy to use for make-up and toiletries when I go away. 

Inside were four Elemis miniatures – Rehydrating Ginseng Toner, Skin Nourishing Shower Cream, Dynamic Resurfacing Serum and Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash. I’m a sucker for a miniature product and think it’s a nice way to try out products for a while before you decide if you’re going to buy a full-size one.

The toner feels light and cooling on your skin and doesn’t feel harsh like some toners can. I love how refreshed my skin feels after I’ve used this product and as someone who can get slightly dry skin in places, this really seems to help add hydration.

The shower cream definitely feels like an extravagant treat for me, as I’m so used to using a £1.99 bottle of shower gel from Superdrug or Boots! But this Elemis one feels luxurious and moisturising, with a gentle comforting scent that I think is perfect for an evening shower before bed. Looking at other reviews of this, it seems it is really good for those with dry skin conditions, so I might have to recommend it to my sister to try.

Moving on to the serum, I’ll start by saying that this is something that would ordinarily be way out of my price range (at £88 for a bottle), so it was nice to have the opportunity to just give it a try. The serum feels light and fresh and absorbs quickly into the skin. You don’t need much per application, as a little will go a long way, which I guess will help the product to last a bit longer and give you better value for money. From the small amount I’ve used so far, it does seem to improve to look of my skin and has helped it feel smoother and brighter. Unfortunately I just couldn’t stretch to rebuying this particular product to continue trying it though.

The last product in the bag was the facial wash, which is currently on offer on the Elemis website. It’s a nice gentle cleanser, which feels luxurious to use. And like with the other Elemis products, it definitely seems to make my skin feel nourished and bright without being too harsh or drying. Again, it’s probably more than I would usually spend on a cleanser, but as a treat now and again it’s definitely something I would go back to.

So that’s all of the products I bought from Elemis when I went to Champneys. If you ever get the chance to take part in some sort of master class or session with an Elemis therapist (even if it’s just on one of their counters) I would definitely recommend it because I learnt so much and found some great new products to try out on my skin. I’m really enjoying using all of the products I came away with and Elemis is certainly a brand I will go back to if I’m ever looking for a bit of a treat for myself.

Are you a fan of Elemis products? Which ones would you recommend trying?

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Halloween at Lush

As it’s Halloween next week, today I thought I would share with you some of the spooky products on the shelves at Lush this October. Back at the beginning of the month, I organised a blogger event in collaboration with my local Lush store at Festival Place in Basingstoke. Unfortunately, when we arrived in Basingstoke, we found out they’d had to cancel due to a flood in their stock room, which was a real shame. But I managed to whizz round the store and get a few pictures of some of their Halloween products to share with you. So, without any further ado, here’s what I found!

The first thing that caught my eye (I wonder why!) was this ‘Bewitched’ Bubble Bar in the shape of a black cat. With a familiar blackberry scent, it also contains Bergamot Oil and Olbanum Oil for a spellbounding and comforting bath.

Next up is one of my favourites from last year, the Monster’s Ball Bath Bomb. Maybe it’s the Disney lover in me, but this one reminds me of a character from Monster’s Inc. It’s a mash-up of lime and neroli oils to uplift and tone your skin while you relax in a purple-y mixture of monster bubbles.

The next bath bomb to cross my path was an old favourite – Lord of Misrule. This is one that comes back year after year, and really signifies the changing seasons whenever I come to use it. A mischievous bath bomb, it features a spicy herbal blend of patchouli and black pepper oil to relax and warm you as the weather turns colder. The ruler of the pagan Feast of Fools inspires the name, and inside you might just find a surprise, but I won’t tell you what it is, as I don’t want to spoil the fun!

I don’t remember seeing the next product before (but I could be wrong – I don’t have a great memory!) The Pumpkin Bath Bomb looks just like those lanterns we carve and put on our front doorsteps every year. Sweet, comforting vanilla absolute and spicy cinnamon evokes the rich, biscuit fragrance of home baking. It’s just like having a bath in a bowl of sweet pumpkin pie (but without all the sticky mess!)

Another old favourite that always brings those festive feelings is the Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar. It includes balancing juniper berry oil, uplifting lime oil and refreshing grapefruit oil to really give your bath that zingy edge. And look at all that glitter! I think Lush really needs to bring out some sort of bath cleaner for products like this!

The next product is one I definitely haven’t seen before, and I believe the whole concept is new this year. The Ectoplasm Jelly Bomb is a lilac shade with little white ghosts on the outside (how cute!) But what’s different about this bomb is that, once you’ve launched it into your warm bath water, it lets out a gooey jelly, which oozes across the surface. With brown seaweed to soften your skin, it also contains uplifting notes of tangerine and grapefruit to keep you in high spirits.

Something that really caught my eye as I was whizzing around the shop were these pink, sparkly pumpkins! The Pink Pumpkin Bubble Bar is similar to its orange friends, but instead contains toning geranium oil, uplifting bergamot oil and floral notes of jasmine absolute. Another one that is likely to cover your bath in sparkles!

Much like the bath bomb version, Lord of Misrule Shower Cream is a feast for the senses. Containing a herbal blend of patchouli oil, black pepper oil and comforting vanilla, as you rub this on your skin, organic wheat germ oil will provide a rich and creamy lather to leave your skin with long lasting moisture.

Another old favourite is the Magic Wand Soap, which looks magical in its full form, so definitely pop into a store if you get a chance. Bubbles of orange and tangerine will magic away any dirt, while pomegranate molasses will help you feel refreshed and leave you smelling sweet. The wand also contains extra virgin coconut oil to soften and soothe winter skin.

This little character will definitely brighten up your Halloween. Goth Fairy Shimmer Bar has a multitude of iridescent lustres in gold, green, purple and silver, to cover your skin in shimmer ready for those Halloween parties. Illipe and cupuaçu butters gradually melt to soften your skin and leave a fresh and fruity scent of almond, grapefruit and bergamot. I can imagine kids absolutely loving this one!

This Black Rose Naked Lip Scrub is another one I don’t think I’ve seen before. Rather than being in a tub, this one comes naked, so you can prep your lips for that red lip with illipe butter and extra virgin coconut oil. The caster sugar gently buffs your lips to keep them smooth and organic jojoba oil moisturises, leaving your lips kissably soft. Also containing Sicillian Mandarian Oil and Ylang Ylang Oil, the scent will uplift you, ready for some Trick or Treating.

There’s nothing like a good gift at this time of year, and Lush won’t disappoint you. Like it’s little bubble bar friend, this large Bewitched Wrap is something you should really get your paws on. Inside you will find some Lord of Misrule Shower Cream, Secret Arts Jelly Bomb and, of course, a Bewitched Bubble Bar.

And what would Halloween be without a Little Pumpkin? This spooky shell cracks open to reveal a cute Pumpkin Bath Bomb and a funky Pink Pumpkin Bubble Bar. Perfect for bringing those spooky feels over the next week.

I hope you’ve enjoyed finding out a bit more about this year’s Halloween offerings from Lush. Keep an eye on my blog and YouTube channel because in a couple of weeks I’m off back to Lush for our rescheduled event! So there will be another blog post coming up soon about their Christmas range, and hopefully a vlog about the event.

Have you picked up any products from the Lush Halloween range this year? What is your favourite one?

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Lush Christmas Products

You may remember the post I put up back in October about the autumn and Halloween products in Lush. Well, now I’m back to talk you through some of their Christmas range, just in time for starting your Christmas shopping! So, back in October I organised a South East Bloggers Circle Basingstoke, which was such a fun evening. The ladies there were absolute gems, and took us through pretty much every product in their range. They’ve really pushed the boat out this year with what seems like even more products than last year, so grab yourself a cup of tea and piece of cake – this is going to be a long one!

First up is the Snowie Bubble Bar, which was made in memory of David Bowie. As you crumble it under running water, you’re hit with the fragrances of tangy grapefruit and neroli, while rose oil provides delicate, floral sophistication.

Next is a particular favourite of mine, who seems to pop up year after year – The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar. He’s almost too cute to use, but his citrusy scent and the way he turns your water blue and white is too much to resist! Sicilian lemon and mandarin oils combine with sweet bergamot to give your mood a boost, especially great when you’re suffering from Christmas shopping fatigue.

Peeping Santa Bubble Bar was the next product to be shown to us – another one that makes an appearance every year. I particularly love his sweet fragrance, but those dairy-free chocolate eyes are also pretty adorable. His insides consist of a rich chocolatey shea butter, which is sandwiched between fragrant bergamot and geranium oils. All in all, this little fella will leave your skin feeling smooth and silky.

If you’re looking for a bit of glitter this Christmas, then look no further than the Ruby Red Slippers Bubble Bar. Embrace your inner Dorothy and immerse yourself in the spicy, floral fragrance of carnation absolute. With tangerine oil’s hypnotic effect and rose absolute’s soothing properties, you’ll be in the bubbly land of Oz in no time! Just be prepared to be cleaning the bath for days afterwards!

You can’t possibly have Christmas without a Mistletoe Bath Bomb. This sweet surprise brings you heady jasmine and sultry vetivert to begin your festive romance. Turning your bath beautiful shades of pink and purple, the last thing you’ll be thinking about is who gets that first kiss.

Another of my festive favourites, the Candy Mountain Bubble Bar will be right up your street if you’re a fan of the sweet scents. Vanilla absolute and creamy candy will take you back to childhood, and the snowflake lustre gives it that extra bit of magic.

If you’re looking for something cute, then look no further than this adorable little Butterbear Bath Bomb. Perfect for people young and old, this chap contains softening Fair Trade cocoa butter from the Colombian Peace Community of San José de Apartadó. His warm and creamy perfume of calming ylang ylang will help you drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve.

Are you a fan of the famous Snow Fairy? If so, then you need a Magic Wand Reusable Bubble Bar in your life this Christmas. Wave it through your bath water to infuse it with sweet pink candy and glitter. And then best part is, you can use it several times.

This year, Lush have really outdone themselves with their festive ‘Fun’. First up there’s Santa, who will give you a festively floral soak of jasmine, ylang ylang with a dash of gold glimmer and snowflake lustres. Then there’s Elf of the Shelf who is packed full of twangy, vibrant grapefruit and ginger oils, ready to cause some mischief. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Snow Fairy and this one’s packed full of the trademark candyfloss scent and soft pink glimmer lustre. And last but not least, we have Reindeer and Robin. With black pepper and Persian lime fragrance, it actually smells just like fizzy cola bottles and contains vegan chocolate drop eyes to make as many figures as you fancy. All of these Fun products come with accessories to help you make them into their Christmas characters, so would be great fun for little ones too.

The scent of cinnamon always reminds me of Christmas, so why not pick up The Magic of Christmas Reusable Bubble Bar? On a cinnamon stick you’ll find a beautiful orange star stuffed full of more punchy cinnamon lead than you could shake a stick at! The Fair Trade Organic clove stimulates the skin and boosts circulation, while the comforting almond and orange oil scents will really get you into the Christmas spirit.

Possibly one of my favourite new products this year is the Sugar Plum Fairy Lip Scrub. I’m a big fan of Lush’s lip scrubs anyway, as they really leave my lips feeling so smooth and soft. But this one is something else! It has the same scent as The Comforter bubble bar (one of my all time favourites) and will leave you with the taste of sweet and juicy hedgerow blackcurrants with wild orange oil. This scent is also available in a Lip Tint, which can either be built up to give you a gorgeous deep purple lip, or simply a hint of magenta.

Another lip product that’s perfect for this time of year is the Santa Baby Lip Tint. Containing stimulating cinnamon and nourishing carrot oil, it will keep your lips soft and kissable while bathing them in a festive cherry-red colour. The same scent is also available as a Lip Scrub, containing caster sugar, dates and cherries to leave your lips soft and smooth.

I’d never really tried the dusting powders at Lush before this event, and now I’m wondering why I didn’t give them a go sooner! A couple of their festive numbers include Mr Sandman, which will send you to sleep with its lavender and chamomile delicate scent. If you’re looking for something a bit sweeter, then Fairy Dust is the one for you. This sugar-sweet candy pink option is the perfect finishing touch before you head off to your Christmas parties.

The Christmas period can be incredibly stressful and tiring, so what better way to unwind than with Sleepy Body Lotion. Made with gentle oatmeal infusion, calming lavender flower and comforting sweet tonka absolute, you’ll have no trouble drifting off with this on your skin.

As well as their bath products, Lush also do some Christmassy skincare options including Bûche De Noël cleanser. It’s packed full of festive ingredients including juicy satsumas, cranberries and a drop of brandy to give you that ‘elfy glow (although there is an option of an alcohol-free version). Simply add a little water to this blend of sweet almonds and kaolin, then rub the paste into your skin.

Lush do what seems like hundreds of different Christmas gifts – way too many for me to go into, so I’ve chosen a few of my favourites. First up is Reindeer Games, which comes in this adorable reindeer box. This contains seven items including Father Christmas Bath Bomb, Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb, Snowman Shower Jelly, Snow Fairy and Reindeer and Robin Fun and Shoot for the Stars Bath Bomb. You can make models out of Fun, play Hoopla or dabble in a quick game of Snakes and Ladders, before crowning your winner with antlers.

Another gift I like the look of, which can also be used as a sort of advent calendar, is the 12 Days of Christmas. It comes in this beautiful clock-style box, tied with green ribbon. Like it says in the name, you get 12 gifts including Bubbly Shower Gel, Butterbear Bath Bomb, Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, Candy Mountain Bubble Bar, Snowcastle Soap, Snow Angel Bath Melt, Santa’s Postbox Soap, Autumn Leaf Bath Bomb, Sleepy Body Lotion, Satsuma Bath Bomb, Shoot for the Stars Bath Bomb and The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar.

If you’re a fan of the Butterbear then you’re going to love the Butterbear Gift. He comes in this adorable bear packaging with a little tartan scarf – how cute! Inside you’ll get a Butterbear (obviously!), Father Christmas Bath Bomb, Honey I Washed the Kids Soap and Reindeer and Robin Fun.

For a gift that contains all of the Christmas characters, look no further than Festive Friends. In this cute penguin wrapping paper and deep red ribbon, you’ll find a Butterbear Bath Bomb, Father Christmas Bath Bomb and The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar.

There are some gorgeous knot wrap gifts this year including Rudy the reindeer (includes Butterball and Shoot for the Stars), Little Sprout (includes So White, one of my personal favourites), Satsuma (includes, you guessed it, Satsuma!), Santa’s Little Helper (includes Butterbear, Peeping Santa, Elf on the Shelf and Santa’s Belly), Pudding (includes Luxury Lush Pud) and Pip (includes Butterball and Luxury Lush Pud).

The last gift I’m going to share with you is Santa in Space, which comes in this funky reusable tin. Inside are a variety of space-themed Santa goodies, including Big Bang Bubble Bar, Intergalactic Bath Bomb, Northern Lights Bath Bomb, Twilight Shower Gel and, of course, Santa Fun.

Right, now on to soaps. It’s really worth popping into Lush this year if you can, even if it’s just to look at their full bars of soap, as you don’t get the same impression from just a slice. First is Igloo, which, in the shop is literally built into a multi-coloured igloo! Containing the exquisite delicacy of rose and Sicilian lemon oils, you get the gorgeous scent of Turkish Delight (which always makes me think of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – anyone else?!)

Next is a soap that was around last year, but has come back this year looking a little different. Reindeer Rock is now blue, with a caveman style reindeer drawn in gold. Scented with the juice of wild ligonberries, deliciously sensual jasmine and delicate rose, this will turn your water a frothy shade of blue whilst keeping you clean and fresh.

Baked Alaska is a fun and uplifting fluorescent soap with a tangy punch packed by grapefruit oil, lemon myrtle and a calming dash of stress-relieving ylang ylang.

Shooting Stars looks seriously beautiful in store – I really wanted to just take the whole thing home! It’s a zesty lime and lemon oil soap, which feels just as good after lights out as it does before nights out. The citrusy scent gives you a fantastic wake up call whilst providing instant cheer.

Now, here’s a soap that’s super-impressive – Snowcastle. I mean, how amazing does that huge shimmery castle look?! Scented with marzipan, delicate rose absolute and almond infusion, this soap will help you wash your worries away.

Another soap that looks pretty awesome in store is Santa’s Postbox, which literally looks like a life size post box! Filled with fresh satsumas, this has an energising, citrusy scent. Orange flower absolute, bergamot and Sicilian mandarin oils evoke the excitement of peeling the Satsuma at the bottom of your stocking.

A bath bomb I haven’t seen before is Never Mind the Ballistics. Bright pink and yellow, this bath bomb offers something a bit different. The yellow side is bathed in Fair Trade cocoa butter alongside fresh bananas to soften both the water and your skin, while the pink side contains lime and sweet wild orange oils to lift your mood.

Shoot for the Stars Bath Bomb leaves your water a deep blue colour with hints of gold glitter. Honey-scented sparkles of Brazilian orange and bergamot waltz with swirling, golden stars, giving you a calming blanket of shimmering midnight blue.

If you’re looking for something to look really spectacular in the bath, then Northern Lights is for you. With each end a different colour, this bath bomb spins, creating dancing bubbles in gorgeous colours. Ylang Ylang and jasmine bob and weave in the air to light up your spirits.

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a Father Christmas Bath Bomb? Smelling like freshly spun candy floss, you can soak away the hours in his sweet, mouth-watering waters and watch the blushing red of Santa’s cheeks fizz away to reveal a vivid, holly-green centre.

Another favourite of mine is the So White Bath Bomb. Simple yet effective, the crisp, apple-scented waters with bergamot oil and rose absolute help restore peace and calm at such a busy time of year.

If you’re looking for a fun present for your Secret Santa, then look no further than the Santasaurus. This adorable, fruity scented dinosaur can be reused several times to fill your bath with Brazilian orange scented bubbles.

Another reusable bubble bar, the Jester will fill your bath with sharp and zesty tangerine oil bubbles. It’s packed with enough Sicilian mandarin to have you turning cartwheels round the room! He even comes with a little bell like a real jester would.

Rose Jam Shower Gel is back again this year, but this time it’s bigger than ever with a 1kg bottle! Full of Turkish rose absolute and conditioning argan oil, it’s deliciously floral fragrance with leave a gentle, lingering perfume behind on your skin.

Also back this year in an even bigger bottle is the famous Snow Fairy. This bright pink, Calpol-like liquid, smells strongly of sweet candyfloss and bubblegum – perfect for those with a sweet tooth!

In their Christmas range this year, Lush also have a few shower jellies, including Santa’s Belly and Snowman. These are great fun for kids (and adults) and can be broken into smaller pieces, so last at least a few washes.

If you like Snow Fairy, but find the scent a little strong, then this year Lush have brought out the Snow Fairy Body Conditioner, which smells absolutely gorgeous. It has the same scent as the shower gel, but is much more delicate and less overpowering. The conditioner contains Organic cocoa butter, mango and avocado to really hydrate and soften your skin.

Last but by no means least, are a couple of products I’ve never actually tried before. First is Bubbly Shower Gel, which smells just like bucks fizz! Full of fresh grape, sweet wild orange and lime, this will brighten your mood on Christmas morning before the festivities start. Finally, and perfect for this time of year, is Christingle Body Conditioner. With peppermint and menthol crystals to awaken and stimulate the body, this will give you a real kick whilst leaving your skin softer.

And there we have it! But that’s certainly not everything, so check out the Lush website or head into store to get a full look at the Christmas range. You can also check out my YouTube video from the event if you want to see more. I’m totally head over heels with this year’s Christmas range, and can’t wait to try some new pieces out.

Are you a fan of the Lush Christmas range? Which is your favourite product?

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