Xmas 2015 / Buon Natale from Kiko Milano

Kiko Milano does Christmas BIG style! The Cosmic Starlets Holiday Collection includes holiday gifts, holiday single make up items and also skincare & fragrances.

All the products come packaged in a festive red & silver design with bows and bespoken cases. 

Part of the Cosmic Starlets make-up range - Kiko Milano Cosmic Glam Kajal-Eyeliner Duo is a double ended pen with a bright kajal on one side and bold liquid eyeliner on the other.

03 Denim Blue* has a bright shimmer light blue teamed with an intense royal blue. The kajal is super smooth and easy to blend as an eyeshadow on the whole eyelid; the eyeliner applicator is easy to use, steady and doesn't drag on the skin. You can also use the kajal just to rim the eye and create a smokey look.

Kiko Milano Dazzling Highlighter is a cream, illuminating stick; it comes in 03 Pure Gold* and 04 Bright Rose* and they are both beautiful - I couldn't pick a favourite. They are subtly different but they are different!

The added radiance to the cheeks is guaranteed with a effortless swipe of the product, directly on the skin. 

They have high-reflecting pearls and the formula contains natural waxes, jojoba oil and rice oil giving it a silky soft feel. 

top - bottom: bright rose, pure gold

The gift sets are even more amazing!
The Kiko Milano Angel Kiss Set contains a jar of exfoliating scrub for the lips and a lip balm in matching colours.
Cranberry Crumble is in a purple hue - both name & colour ideal for autumn/winter season.
The scrub contains sugar crystals to soften and smooth the lips whilst the lip balm moisturises and soothes the skin; it leaves just an hint of colour with a glossy finish.

Kiko Milano Twin Stars Nail Lacquer & Lipstick is another well thought present; the elegant gift package is in the cute shape of a tree ornament and contains a matte lipstick with matching nail polish.

You can choose between 4 shades but you certainly can't go wrong with 04 Uniquely Red*!

Although matte, the lipstick is creamy and nourishing and with a great colour pay-off; the nail polish has a glossy finish and opaque with one application.

... and of course, I saved the best for last!

Even if you're not a nail polish super-fan, I dare you not to drool in front of this mini-vault.

The Kiko Milano Dream Wish Nail Lacquer Set* comes with 7 beautiful colours and a glittery top coat.

The shades are all beautiful and suitable for every skintone: from a milky pinky nude, to a bright coral, to a (rediscovered) warm brown.

The finish is super shiny and the formula contains resins that give the polish a gel effect and longevity, without the need of a UV lamp.

This is truly a winner collection - affordable and of impact!
What are you wishing for to find under the tree?

Introducing / Arbonne

Few weeks ago, I had the chance to try some Arbonne products; a friend of mine is an Arbonne representative and asked for an honest and unbiased opinion about their ranges. 

If you're not too familiar with the brand, Arbonne was born in the USA and they are celebrating 35 years this year.

They were one of the first, back in the eighties, to really look at the science of nature and how to harvest the power of the plants.

The FC5 range is named like that because it encapsulates fresh cells from  5 fruits & vegs: kiwi, strawberry, carrot, mango and pumpkin.

The Arbonne FC5 Moisturizing Night Creme is suitable for every skin type; it has a cooling gel consistency, light on the skin and a fresh scent.

The Arbonne FC5 Exfoliating New Cell Scrub is a creamy face exfoliator that is gentle enough that can be used daily; I was actually amazed how effective it was from the first use: I used it before bed and the morning after my skin was incredibly soft to the touch. It's now become an addiction to use it every evening!

The Arbonne FC5 Ultra-Hydrating Hand Creme is a lovely hand cream with the refreshing signature smell of this line, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave any sticky residue.

Arbonne FC5 Ultra-Hydrating Hand Creme

Arbonne FC5 Exfoliating New Cell Scrub

Arbonne FC5 Moisturising Night Creme

From their make up selection, I tested the Arbonne MakeUp Primer which is a primer (doh) that create a smooth surface to apply your base on. 

It reminds me of the Daniel Sandler Retexturing Face Primer, but with a better INCI; I love these silicony-feeling type of primers - I find they work really well to fill in pores, fine lines and prolong foundation wear.

The Arbonne It's A Long Story Mascara has a plastic, spiky type of wand that is my favourite kind and it's bendy so you can easily grab the small lashes too; it wore well for the whole day, I was just not too keen on the floral scent (but I'm renownedly very sensitive to smells)

Arbonne MakeUp Primer

We also tried their baby products.

First off, the Arbonne Baby Care Hair & Body Wash was my favourite of the lot!

I especially loved it as a shampoo; it rinsed easily and left my baby girl hair super fluffy and soft.

In the bath also, you need the tiniest amount.

Following the routine, the Arbonne Baby Care Body Lotion is light and absorbs quickly - soooooo important with a squirmy baby that doesn't enjoy massages ;)

Then, the Arbonne Baby Care Nappy Cream has a thick consistency to create a protective barrier, but it spread easily and has a lovely 'baby' scent. Definitely a staple of any nursery!

Arbonne Baby Care Nappy Cream

 Arbonne Baby Care Body Lotion

Finally, I couldn't resist to place a cheeky order too.

I got the Arbonne Seasource Detox Spa Renewing Body Gelee - a body cream that contains ocean's natural ingredients and minerals for an extra pampering and beautifying care for the body.

It's super fresh on the skin and ideal after a late night gym session, to hydrate the skin and sooth sore muscles. I find I definitely sleep better too.

I also bought the Arbonne Calm Soothing Eye Gel that comes with a roller ball applicator to help de-puff and it's super quick to apply; as a busy mum, I definitely appreciate that and I like to keep it in the fridge to enhance the cooling effect.

So, have you heard of Arbonne before? Please, feel free to check my friend Gillian Facebook page for more insight and tips about this brand. Happy discovering! :)

New In / Spring 2015 from The Body Shop

The new exciting collection, signed by The Body Shop is the Fuji Green Tea.

I had great expectantions for these products and they certainly exceeded my hopes - This collection is beautiful! 

 The scent in particular was a lovely surprise, since I was apprehensive that it would be too leafy, like the drink can be; instead, it is crispy fresh and calming on the mind. 

This line is infused with real green tea leaves, picked from the Mount Fuji area in Japan so you also benefit from the antioxidant  and detoxing properties of this plant.

 This is instantly become my favourite range from The Body Shop... and it comes in my favourite colour, too - Mint Green! :)

It includes: Exfoliating Soap, Body Scrub, Body Butter, Body Sorbet, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Eau de Cologne, Bath Tea & Bath Infuser - to recreate a perfect Tea Ceremony for the body!

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Butter* has a light, air-whipped consistency that doesn't feel sticky and absorbs easily. It also provides 24-hour hydration and adds a velvety touch to the skin.

Lovely to use in the morning and leaves your skin softly scented for the whole day.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Scrub* comes in a 250ml transparent jar.

It has a jelly consistency with green beads to gently exfoliate the skin; it's like a splash of water on the skin and the ideal to get rid of dead skin cells at the end of a hard week. I also find that the gel doesn't strip moisture or leave my skin feeling tight.

The Body Shop Vitamin E range has been a best seller for over three decades and to celebrate this achievement and icon status, the products have received an all British makeover. The packaging has been redesigned, incorporating the Union Jack and with a pink, feminine touch. You can pick up the Vitamin E Moisture Cream, Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet, Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil in store now.

The latest addition to the line - The Body Shop Vitamin E Eyes Cube* is an anti-fatigue stick that revitalise and refresh the eye area; the stick helps massaging this area and to attenuate puffiness and dark circles. 

I usually apply the product from the tube and then tap it in with my ring finger; I also keep it in the fridge, to enhance the cooling effect.

It is a best way to wake me up and start a new day, paired with the Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet which has become my Springtime moisturiser of choice. You can read the review I wrote last year here.

Have you tried any of these products before?

Which are your The Body Shop staples?

Valentine's Day 2015 / The Body Shop Smoky Poppy Collection

Smoky Poppy is the new Limite Edition Collection from The Body Shop, just in time for this year Valentine's Day!

The range includes a Poppy Seed Scrub, Body Butter, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Bath Bombs, Massage Oil and Eau de Toilette.

The sensual black packaging is pleasing on the eye too and - the popping red flower - is definitely spot on the theme of the love month; the products look sophisticated and they are perfect to immerse yourself in a pure indulging and relaxing experience.

If you feel adventurous or planning a special night, I recommend to try the massage oil or to share a bath bomb with your loved one; if you're more of a traditionalist then - you can't go wrong with the shower gel & body butter combo!

The Body Shop Smoky Poppy Body Lotion* comes in a shiny generous 250ml pump bottle; the light-weight consistency sinks right in, leaving the skin velvety soft. 

The scent is extremely seductive and euphoric and it's infused with hand picked flowers from Turkey.

It's an addictive and captivating fragrance, warm and slightly spicy making it unisex, in my opinion.

The Body Shop makes the best body scrub and the Smoky Poppy Poppy Seed Scrub* doesn't disappointing.  

It contains poppy seeds from Turkey, making it an heavy duty exfoliator and just how I like it! Also, thanks to the extract of oil-rich poppies, the skin is left baby soft and not dried out. 

This is a truly addictive line and a very exciting new release from The Body Shop... I can't wait to see what else the year brings.

Have you stocked up on the your favourite items yet? I predict these products will sell out real soon!

New In / My Picks for Spring 2014 with Sanctuary Spa, Good Things and Orla Kiely

Sanctuary Spa 7 Day Moisture Miracle Oil Balm

I'm a big fan of beauty oils - face oils, body oils and even hair oils - and they have now been a staple in my routine for many years; it's no secret tho that they can be a bit messy. They work fine on wet skin, in the privacy of your bathroom, but they are not great for travelling or for your handbag.

Sanctuary Spa 7 Day Moisture Miracle Oil Balm* comes in a handy little tube that is purse-friendly and comes in a balm form. You will find that it's solid and you can squeeze the desired amount on the go, without any spillage disaster.

It contains 7 essential oils - Gold of Pleasure Oil, Corn Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Rice Germ Oil and Camelia Seed Oil - that provide on the spot relief for problematic areas, like elbows, cuticles, heels; the skin is instantly softened and it also doubles up as an hand cream, leaving my skin gorgeous scented. 

It locks moisture into the skin for up to 7 days! It's not super greasy (for an oil) and absorbs easily – It’s the perfect compromise! 

Love the luxurious gold packaging and it would make a lovely and useful gift too!

Sanctuary Spa Relax Nourishing Shower Creme

Transitioning into Spring/Summer, I always struggle to fall asleep at night:  first the clock changes then there is too much light outside. Up here in Scotland, it could be light until  11ish pm and, at the same time, temperatures could be (fairly) hot and I usually not in the mood for warm baths.

If like me you also have trouble sleeping, Sanctuary Spa Relax Nourishing Shower Creme* is the perfect alternative to easy you into a restful night; I have been using it for a few months now and the comforting and delicate scent certainly helps me relax and unwind before bed time. 

 Essential oils of vetiver, cedarwood and labdanum help calm the mind and melt the tension of a busy life; the pampering cream is nourishing and hydrating for the skin, thanks to shea butter and lotus extract. 

The Relax line also includes Cocooning Body Butter, Warming Sugar Scrub, Unwind Candle so if you fall in love with the Shower Creme, there's no reason why you can't count on its benefits all year round and add them to your bedtime routine.

For Spring 2014, Orla Kiely came out with  a Bergamot Collection - the line includes hand wash, hand lotion, shower gel, body lotion and hand cream. 

The description of the scent sounds just amazing: "...warm cedarwood, patchouli and refreshing notes of grapefruit and bergamot... hint of fresh floral with petigrain, neroli and orange flower extract; spicy nuances of cardamon and coriander are combined with herbal hints of aniseed and peppermint to create a zesty twist..."

There’s also a useful new addition to the popular Geranium bath and body range that launched last year - Orla Kiely Geranium Hand Sanitiser*.

I’m not a fan of geranium, to be honest but this blend - with eucalyptus, lavender and clary sage - is refreshing and  I found it soothing on the mind too, thanks to these essential oils; some hand sanitisers can be overpowering alcoholic and sterile, instead this is very delicate and still kills 99.9% of germs. This product is also formulated with aloe vera to keep hands soft and moisturised and avoid dryness.

The recognizable Orla Kiely pattern on the bottle makes it stylish enough for your handbag and I like to keep a tube of this in my gym bag at all time, as well.

Good Things Manuka Honey Refining Scrub

Good Things is another affordable and reliable brand that I have come to appreciate in recent years; they do fantastic body care and you can pick their products from the drugstore. The skincare line includes a Manuka Honey range, which is appropriate for the approaching National Honey Bee Day on the 16^th August.

Key ingredient in the Good Things Manuka Honey Refining Scrub* is the Superfood Manuka Honey, of course; together with other bee derivatives - like royal jelly and propolis - sustains the growth of new cells and collagen to prevent the signs of ageing; it's also fantastic to restore Ph balance and promote healthy skin.

It has a creamy consistency with oatmeal flakes that provide a gentle exfoliation and they are soothing for irritated skin; white kaolin helps draw out excess oil and purify the complexion, whilst sweet almond oil hydrates dry skin and it's rich in vitamins E and fatty acids.

The skin is left clean and nourished at the same time and - how you can guess - it has a delicious scent.

You get a very generous amount for a bargain £4.99 so I've been using it on delicate parts like decollete, shoulders and arms as well.

All Good Things products are free from parabens, mineral oils, sulphates and are suitable for vegetarians.

Have you tried any of these products yet??!