Treacle Moon Newbie!!

Bonjour!

I was recently contacted by the lovely people at Treacle Moon Bath and Body Products,  to ask if I'd like to try out their latest 'recipe'. You can find out more about Treacle Moon and check out their full menu here.

Naturally I said yes please! As you may know I wrote about 'One Ginger Morning' and 'That Vanilla Moment' in June. You can see my full review here.  I'm still enjoying these products regularly and there's loads left!

'Her Mango Thoughts' is the latest flavour straight from the pot and here's the Body Butter!

All the Treacle Moon products I've tried smell amazing and this is no exception - felt like I was wandering through a grove of ripe mangoes! Some body butters can be quite difficult to apply but not this one, it literally melts into your skin, 'just like butter', leaving it soft and smelling gorgeous!   Really pleased I got the opportunity to try this out, I'll definitely be after some of Treacle Moon's other body butters.    


Treacle Moon bath and body products are exclusive to Tesco and 'Her Mango Thoughts' Bath and Shower Gel (£2.99/500ml) and Body Butter (£3.99/250ml) are available instore now. 

"The Treacle Moon mission is to make great products, at great prices and to always try to make people smile."

From what I've tried out from Treacle Moon so far I think they've succeeded 'mission wise'!

Anybody fancy a bit of 'Her Mango Thoughts'?

Jen x

MUA Bronze/Blush Palettes!

Morning!

You may be aware of the current Superdrug/MUA offer - 2 for £4.00 on selected MUA Professional - the choice is between 3 different blush/bronze palettes and/or several eyeshadow sets.


After much indecision (my friends will tell you I'm the most indecisive girl on the planet!) I ended up with these two palettes - Mosaic Bronzer/Sunkissed Glow and Mosaic Blush/English Rose. 

As you can see both the blush and bronze are made up of different sectors of colour - light, medium, dark,  and shimmer - which can be swirled together for a really pretty look.  I imagine you could carefully pick out a couple of shades with a smaller brush if you so desired or could avoid certain sectors if you wanted something more matt or shimmery! I just swirled my brush around the entire palette for these swatches.

I ended up photographing my hand inside and outside on this particular day because the sun was going in and out and it was doing my head in!

Inside with sun shining in - bronzer on top/blush below  

Outside with sun out - bronzer on left/blush on right

Back inside in shade - bronzer on left/blush on right 

Obviously I wouldn't wear this much product on my face, but I just wanted to show the difference between the two palettes. I'm an olive skintone, as you may know and both these were suitable on my kite. I only needed a small swirl because they do colour up quite nicely!  I wore the blush to work and avoided the shimmer aspect, as far as possible, for obvious reasons and used the entire bronzer on a night out when I wanted a bit of sparkle! I'm liking both of these and at £2.50 each you can't go wrong, even better with the current offer!

I can see these two coming away on holiday with me this year!

Have you picked up any MUA from Superdrug lately?

Jen x

July Glossybox!!

Morning all!

So here's the July Glossybox. The festival box!! I think all these people are meant to be at a beachside festival (with good weather) - chance would be a fine thing - at least the weather is improving I suppose!

Preview card ...

Box contents ...

Just a quick rundown of this month's contents ...

H D Brows Eye & Brow Palette (Foxy) - Fullsize Palette/£19.95 

Really really exited to try this, I'm really into 'brows' at the moment so this is by far the 'stand out' product of this month's box. Worth £19.95 too - fantastic!

Monu Golden Glow 30ml - Fullsize £23.00/200ml

A moisturising treatment for the face and body - provides a safe natural tan in 3-5 hours. Think this will be best used on my kite!

Clynol Salon Exclusive Enrich Colour Shampoo 50ml - Fullsize £9.35/300ml

As you may know I've just had my hair coloured so this couldn't have come at a better time!

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting - Fullsize 15ml/£10.00

Full size cream gloss in Irish Cream Pavlova, can be used on lips or cheeks. Think I'll go for the lips (bit old for over-glossy cheeks!), a lovely soft summery pink.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion SPF 15 - 5ml
Full Size £32.00/50ml

Bonus Product - Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Sachets

A couple of sample products from the Elizabeth Arden Skin Balancing range - the skin balancing lotion may be good to add to my Holiday Skincare bag. Apparently a further Deluxe Sample is available if you present the Glossybox Preview card at any Debenhams Elizabeth Arden counter.

So that's the 'Festival Box' - really pleased with this one,  HD Brows have made me a happy girl!


What do you think of this month's Glossybox?


Jen x

Favourite Friday Track!

This week's track is dedicated to my hubby - Siouxsie and the Banshees - Spellbound!

Released in 1981, this was the first single from their fourth album - Juju.  My hubby was heavily into the punk/goth scene in the early 80s (I've been told!) and this is one of his favourite Siouxsie tracks! Although I was more of a New Romantic, I'm quite partial too!

Any old punky goths out there I'm sure you'll remember having a 'slam' to this? 

Jen x

Holiday Haircare!

Bonjour!

Holiday haircare eh? My hair is difficult to manage at the best of times, on holiday it's a nightmare! Remember that episode of 'Friends' when Monica's hair went wild and frizzy on holiday (in Barbados?) - imagine that but with much much less hair!

So here are my holiday haircare products.  There ain't 'a bag' I'm afraid because they'll be split up and chucked into a couple of suitcases!

From left to right (again sort of) -

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner (dry or damaged hair) - I'm a big fan of this shampoo and all three of Liz's conditioners actually.  I suffer from an itchy, flaky scalp on and off and this gentle shampoo really seems to sort it out every time!  It's almost like a detox treatment and just calms everything down, leaves my hair cleansed and soft but still with volume.  I'm taking the dry/damaged conditioner option because I've had my hair coloured recently which always dries it out a tad. 


Lee Stafford Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist - Boots had 3 for 2 on selected travel minis so I got this as one of the 3. I've used it before and really like it, you only seem to need a little and it leaves hair soft and silky (and smells good as well!) .

Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield - last years bottle but plenty left for hols, you only need a tiny bit before blow drying (although I don't blow dry my hair on holiday I just put this on and blast off with the hairdryer) and it helps to 'block' the humidity from frizzing everything up! I'll put a mini blob on after as well just to be on the safe side!

Charles Worthington Front Row Brunette Dry Shampoo - I'm a big fan of dry shampoos for extra texture and volume, so treated myself to this for hols. I try not to wash my hair every single day on holiday so this is great for maybe non beach/pool days( I'm not a 'head submerger' where water's concerned anyway as I wear contacts!). Not used this particular one before so will see how it fares.


John Frieda Full Repair 'Full Body' Shampoo and Conditioner - the rest of the 3 for 2 goodies.  These are meant to 'revive overstyled hair' and 'weightlessly repair' damage from heat and colour. This sounds exactly what my hair needs. I do have colour in my hair and use straighteners, (even on holiday) so my hair's going to need all the help it can get! Let see what happens!


Aussie 3 Minute Miracle 'Colour' Deep Treatment - this is 'for coloured hair in need of love', sounds like my hair. Sachets come in so handy for holiday and take up no space in the suitcase!  

Ojon wide tooth comb - this comes in the pot with the famous Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment which I've used on and off for a while. Useful little compact comb!

A couple of  products to decant -

Philip Kinglsey Elasticiser - I love pre-shampoo treatments and this is one of my faves. Just so easy to pop on dampened hair and just get on with stuff (or sit around in the sun if you're on holiday!) while it does it's work.  I take this every year and put it on in the afternoon so that when I wash my hair in the evening it feels the benefit of the deep conditioning.

Lee Stafford Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray - this stuff is great for beachy waves and texture and you only need a couple of squirts! Using this encourages me to not straighten my hair and just rough it up a bit!

So that's that then.  Just a few bobbles, clips and my trusty old hat to throw in!

Very Old Hat but I love it! 

What are your holiday haircare secrets?

Jen x

Holiday Skincare Bag! (What's In It?)

Bonjour!

With summer holidays looming I'm having to think about what I need to take away with me for (hopefully) a couple of weeks of sun!

I always pack too many products which don't always get used so I'm going to make an effort to 'pare down' this year and only take (what I consider to be) essentials! I've bought a few travel minis but also have several products which are half used so need take as many of these as I can to finish off!

So here are my holiday skincare products -

From left to right (sort of) -

Sanctuary Spa Fresh-Faced Purifying Wash - this remains one of my favourite face washes/cleansers, so I've bought the travel size again for hols.  Refreshing in the morning and removes make-up (including eye make-up) at night with my Liz Earle muslin cloth. Full write-up here.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer - my favourite toner, refreshing, hydrating, soothing - the works! The spritzer is perfect for hols.


Liz Earle Skin Repair Light - I've used this on and off (just over a third of a tube left), it's light and easily absorbed and should be ideal under my sunscreen which I'm hoping to have to wear every day!

Liz Earle Smoothing Line Serum - again I've used this on and off for years now, great for smoothing round the eye area at night. Tiny tube so very travel friendly!


Gatineau Aquamemory Moisture Replenish Roll-On - one of my favourite eye products so hydrating and cooling, another holiday must have.  Again you can see my full write up here. 


Avon Sun SPF 30 Anti-Ageing Face Cream - Last year's tube but plenty left so should be able to finish off. It provides good sun protection and is suitable for sensitive skin.   


Liz Earle Superbalm - the famous balm, ideal for night-time lips and nails/cuticles, and smoothing onto dry, split ends!  


Boots Essentials Lipsalve SPF 15 - daytime everyday lip salve but with essential SPF.


A few sample sachets to throw in - these were given to me by the lovely assistant at the Biotherm counter in Boots last year as my skin was showing as de-hydrated on their 'skin test monitor'.  

Biotherm Aquasource Gel -  I've not found this to be a great base for make up as it does seem to form a sort of 'hydrating shield' over the skin but it will be perfect for night-time usage as it's soothing, cooling and hydrating, just what your skin needs after a day in the sun!

Biotherm Source Therapie 7 Skin Perfecting Serum - I used this a year or so ago when my skin was de-hydrated. A lovely product and ideal for use under my moisturiser at night.  It has '7 benefits concentrated in one serum' - you can check out the full details here.

I'll also decant some of my Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator into a little pot for a gentle holiday scrub!

So there you have it, my holiday skincare regime. I don't think I've done too bad this year!  Plenty of room in the travel bag to shove my make up bag in as well!

Holiday haircare to follow shortly, now there's a challenge!

What's in your holiday skincare bag this year?

Jen x

Gatineau Revolumising Lipcare

Well hello!

Another pressie from my mum here - Gatineau Defi-Lift 3D Revolumising Lip Care.


If you've been blessed with full and luscious lips you may not be too interested in this post!  However, if you feel like the 'old lip' area needs a bit of rejuvenation ...

Gatineau is a premium French brand mainly available in salons and spas.  However you can also buy through the usual beauty 'onliners' such as Feel Unique and also at QVC.  The Gatineau Defi-Lift range is all about lifting, firming and re-plumping (sounds good eh?).

The name says it all really, 'Revolumising Lip Care' is exactly what it is. As we age we tend to lose the plumper properties our 'younger lips' had and also develop fine lines and lack of definition round the lip area.

Gatineau Defi-Lift Revolumising Lip Care

Lil' Applicator Type Thing 

This is not just a balm that sits on the surface of the lips, it's more of a 'treatment' if you like - Gatineau says:-

This truly "architectural" lip care formula contains high concentrations of botanical-origin ingredients (shea butter, jojoba oil, lavender extract) with nourishing and repairing benefits.
Enriched with Volulift™, a complex of high-performance ingredients rich in hyaluronic acid, it works to restore instant and lasting volume to the lips.

This can be used as you would a regular lip balm either on it's own or under/over lipstick.  However as much as I would like to use it throughout the day, I class this as a bit of a treat and so tend to apply at night as a treatment mask.  I take the product just over the lipline as it's meant to help with vertical lines and wrinkles around the lips. You only need a small amount, I don't find it heavy or sticky and it feels instantly soothing and moisturising. 

For photo purposes I did indulge in the day  ...  let me just add that I'm no Angelina Jolie by the way!

Bit of 'Plumping'

Gatineau products are pretty pricey - to purchase alone, 'Revolumising Lip Care' is usually around £26.00 but can usually be picked up at around half that price (sometimes less) in various kits from QVC.

I really like this product and although I can't afford to buy at it's full price I'll definitely be looking for any special offers or any kits so that I can repurchase ... that is unless Mum happens to throw another one my way! Just joking Mum!

What's your favourite lip treatment you lovely lipped girlies?

Jen x

Favourite Friday Track!

Morning!

Well what can I say - it's pigging raining again ...!

Back to business with one of my favourite dance tracks - ever! No Good (Start the Dance) - The Prodigy. 

No Good  (Start the Dance) was released in May 1994 from the album Music for the Jilted Generation. 


'You're no good for me, I don't need nobody - Don't need no one that's no good for me' was sampled from the 1987 house track 'You're No Good For Me'. What a hook eh?


If you're feeling a bit 'sluggish' this morning, this will sort you out!

These days of course the only time I get to bob along to it is on the treadmill instead of in a club - never mind!


What's your favourite track to 'bob along' too?


Jen x 

No 7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara!

Bonjour!

Following on from my recent Mas(s)cara post here are my thoughts on No 7 Fanomenal Lashes mascara.

I bought this a couple of weeks ago as I had a No 7 £5 off voucher, No 7 mascaras aren't the cheapest (Fanomenal is £12.95) so the voucher makes them much more affordable.

The packaging is 'eye-catching' (no pun intended!) although to be honest if the product does it's job I'm not so bothered about it's 'exterior' if you know what I mean!

According to No 7 -

"The unique 'star' brush is made up of clever cogs which load and comb through the lashes to volumise, lengthen and separate, creating a spectacular fan of lashes."

Sounds ideal doesn't it?  Here's the brush ...

So here's the old puny eyelashes without any mascara (told you they were fine!).

And with a quick couple of coats of Fanomenal ...

Nice bit of bloodshot there!

The brush is a bit strange until you 'get the hang of it' (you'll either love or hate it I suppose) but it's the ideal size for my skinny lashes it coats them top and bottom without getting mascara all over my eyelids.

I'm never going to get a huge amount of volume but it does seem to lift and fan lashes out.  It can clump lashes together though (I actually don't mind a lil' bit of clumpage!) so have a good scrape of the brush, especially if adding extra coats of mascara. I also had to do the old 'wiggle of the wand' from side to side! A decent black pigment and didn't smudge or flake and lasted all day  - went to the gym as well and it was still there in all it's glory when I took it off that night!

I'm happy with this mascara, (you know you like it when you find yourself reaching for the same one each morning) and will buy it again but I have so many others to use up I'll have to resist 'stockpiling' for now!

The final test for me is whether my lashes are 'there' when I wear my geeky specs ...looks like I'm in a bit of a trance there, sorry!

Anybody else fancy a bit of 'Fanomenal'? What's your favourite mascara of the moment?


Jen x

Mas(s)cara!!

Good Day!

I have a problem. Mascara!

All my friends know that I'm a complete and utter mascara junkie!  My lashes have always been really short and fine and because I'm of a darker skin tone with dark hair I always feel like I need loads of definition around the eye area. Both my brothers have longer fuller lashes (the youngest in particular!) - it's so not fair! I obviously missed out on that part of my Anglo-Indian heritage!!

I've tried so many mascaras in the quest for the longer fuller lash effect it's ridiculous! I have a friend who has one mascara in her make up collection, ONE MASCARA! and she buys the same one every time it runs out!  I simply can't understand this behaviour and she thinks I'm completely mad! Although after this post you'll probably think so too!!

Just look at this lot!


On the go ...!

My favourites of the moment from top to bottom -

Max Factor Masterpiece Max - an old favourite good for definition.
Mally Volumising - volumises and lengthens, a good all rounder, jet black and bulletproof.
Revitalash Volumising - I don't find this volumising, however it's really good at de-clumping as it's a very wet formula, really jet black and almost shiny. Use this a lot over the top of anything a bit clumpy.
Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Curl & Lengthen - this was one of my June Favourites, good for lengthening and curling, good on lower lashes.
No 7 Fanomenal Lashes - my current favourite, opens the eye up, separate review to follow shortly!



On the way out ...!

These have been used for the past few months and are getting ready to be retired -


ModelCo Fibre  Lash Brush On False Lashes - used this mainly when I had eyelash extensions removed, it works but you have to take off carefully to avoid pulling out eyelashes!
Miss Sporty Pump Up Lash - good thickening brush, jet black almost vinyl finish, can clump.
Natural Collection Lash Curl - an ok basic black mascara. 
No 7 Exquisite Curl - good curling brush, more lengthening than volumising for me.



On the cards ...!

I know what you're thinking, she is totally mad but these were all part of various offers and should last if unopened.  I have to put them away at the bottom of a drawer where I can't see them otherwise the temptation gets too much!   


17 Peep Show
17 Va Va Voom
Maybelline Falsies Volume Express
Maybelline Colossal Volume Express



On the prime ...!

Believe it or not I only have one primer open!


L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Fibre Mascara Primer - False Lash Effect - creates a bit of extra volume and length but not 'false lash' on me! (can clump).
Revitalash Volumizing Primer - resisting the opening session for as long as I can!

So there you have it, my mad mascara collection in all it's glory! I haven't used eyelash curlers for months to be honest because since using Revitalash Advanced Conditioner they do seem to be curlier. This is the girl who was late for her own wedding because she made the wedding chauffeur return home for my eyelash curlers!


Oh no what's this ...?

Can I resist ...? Going to try my absolute best!


So am  I the maddest (that's not even good grammar) mascara fiend in town or is anybody else going to challenge me?


What are your beauty obsessions, come on, spill the beans girls!!


Jen x

Favourite Friday Track!!

Morning all!

It's Friday 13th so what could be more fitting than a bit of Superstition written, produced, arranged and performed by the superb Stevie Wonder,  released in 1972  from the Talking Book album.

'Very superstitious, writing's on the wall ...!'

I'm sorry - but this has got to be one of the funkiest tracks of all time!  From the first few bars you want to tap your feet and then as we progress down 'Groove Avenue' there is a dire need to 'shake something' and start 'getting on down'! (remember the dancers on Soul Train?).

Even my youngest brother, who hardly ever gets up to dance had a shuffle goin' on at my wedding reception when this was on!

So have listen to this and  get your 'Friday shuffle' on wherever you are (within reason of course)!

Happy Friday!

Jen x

July 'She Said' Beauty Box!

Morning!!

Can't believe 'Box Time' is here again! Without further ado lets have a gander at my July 'She Said' Beauty Box.

All Wrapped Up

Contents

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser - Full Size 30ml/£5.50 

I've heard good things about the Murad Skincare range but not sure this particular cleanser is suitable for my skin at the moment so may well be passing this on.

Layla D Honey Moisturiser - 15ml (full size £12.99/50ml)

Layla D is a new organic skincare company based in the UK. Their products are chemical, paraben and sulphate free.  This cream is apparently beneficial for dehydrated, dry and irritated skin. My mum loves honey based products so this one's for you Mum x!

Miners Cosmetics Love Phat Liner - Full Size £3.99

This liner certainly is 'Phat' and very smudgeable (as you can see on my hand) - will try this out for a smoky eye look.

Stylefile - Full size £4.49

This was designed by The Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau (don't watch The Apprentice!) but apparently 'the S-file follows the nail's natural shape, making it easy to file your nails '. I imagine it is more gentle on the nail than with a conventional 'straight' file? Not something I would have rushed out to buy but I'm sure it will be handy to have around!

Freeze 24.7 Ice Crystals Anti-Ageing Prep & Polish 1.2ml Sachet
Full Size - £35.00/ 70g

Interested to try this - it's suitable for all skin types and apparently treats anti-ageing, acne, fine lines and wrinkles so a bit of an 'all rounder'. It's a bit on the pricey side though!

Triology Instant Bronzing Gel Sachet - 5ml
Full size £17.50/150ml

This apparently builds into  'a rich bronze tan' - so that sounds promising. Unfortunately there ain't a lot in this tiny sachet (about the same size as a dose of calpol!)

Debenhams Beauty Club Reward Card

Never had one of these before but knowing me I'm sure it will be put to good use!


So there are the 'contents' this month. In all honesty I'm not so impressed with this box, I think I may have been spoilt by my previous boxes! My favourite items are the Miners Phat Liner and Style File but nothing I'd care to rave over at this point. Sorry!

What do you think of the July 'She Said' Box?


Jen x