4 LUSH Cosmetics Favourites That Aren't Bath Bombs

Surprise surprise here we have another LUSH post. If you can't sense my love for LUSH by now then something is seriously, seriously wrong..

My usual LUSH posts would normally consist of pretty bath bombs & face masks, admittedly though.. normally Bath Bombs - I'm obsessed! I don't think there has ever been a time when I've stepped away from that (which is surprisingly difficult because we all know how bloody amazing LUSH's bath bombs and face masks are) however to mix things up a bit I thought I would share my 4 favourite products that don't always get the attention they deserve.

Lip Scrubs.

Admittedly I used to think people who bought a LUSH lip scrub were being pretty silly and wasting their money, as, lets be honest.. I could quite literally head to my kitchen mix up some sugar, syrup & flavouring and voila! my very own, much cheaper, lip scrub. How wrong I was though. Obviously, these are super easy to make yourself, but why bother when the hard work is done for you? They smell amazing, taste amazing, and last a lot longer than any home made scrub would do. I tend to use mine on a morning when I know I plan to wear certain lipsticks that might be a little drying, and it works wonders. The scrub in the above photo is from LUSH's Christmas range, however you can find the flavours they currently have available here. 

Body Conditioners. 

Never in my life have I ever experienced such baby soft skin until I used LUSH's body conditioners. Im not just saying this, but this little invention is my favourite thing from LUSH. Yep, I said it. You apply the body conditioner whilst in the bath/shower - something I didn't realise when I first used it. You rub it in thoroughly, I tend to leave it to 'soak in' for a few minutes although you really don't need to do this, and then wash it off before I get out. You're then left with baby soft skin, I can't actually describe how soft my skin feels when I use this, my other half notices when I use it too! Which for a bloke to notice, you know it must be good. Again, the one pictured is from the Christmas range as I stocked up because I love the scent, however you can find the scents LUSH currently have available here.

Bubble Bars.

The Comforter scent has always been my absolute favourite from LUSH, I love the fruity scents the best and The Comforter in a bubble bar form doesn't disappoint. It's not as strong as the shower creme, however still leaves my skin smelling amazing for hours when I get out the bath. This particular one will last me a good 4 or 5 baths, granted at £4.95 its a little more pricey than your average bubble bar, but it lasts so much longer. It's a firm favourite and one I will always repurchase. It also creates an insane amount of bubbles, so much so that i'll run myself a bath, come back and it's literally overflowing haha. You can find it here.

Shower Gels.

Another LUSH product that is a staple in my bathroom. Especially in the scent 'Plum Rain'. Im rubbish at describing scents, but to me this literally smells like a greenhouse, as soon as I smelt it it reminded me of being in my nan greenhouse when I was little, think warm tomatoes?! - odd as it's not tomato scented I know haha.. it's super thick and fruity, I usually have to warm it up in the bath with me so it's slightly runnier and easier to use, but aside from the comforter it's my new favourite and again, another product that I keep repurchasing. 

Aside from Bath Bombs, what are your LUSH staples?!

Soph xo

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*all items in this post were purchased by myself, opinions are honest & my own because telling lies isn't cool*

The Eyeshadow Palette You DEFINITELY Need In Your Life!

Too Faced always has been, and highly likely always will be, known for their beautiful products. That being the packaging, and just the quality of the products in general. 

I thought I would dedicate an entire post to an eyeshadow palette that I've been loving for over a year now. The Too Faced Natural Matte palette. 

I first received this palette as a gift from my dad, very well done you Shawn, around a year ago; I fell.in.love with it. The packaging, the colours, the fact the eyeshadows were matte, just everything really. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love wearing glitters & shimmers, but theres nothing like having a good quality matte eyeshadow- because really, they're the most wearable aren't they? I find I wear matte shades on a more day to day basis, and an entire matte palette was something Id never owned before. A few months later my dog got hold of it, and I'm sure you can imagine the state it was in. However I loved it that much, that I went straight out to Debenhams and bought myself a replacement! 

Ive been wearing eyeshadow for years now, although I wouldn't class myself as being fab at applying it, I know the basics at least. What's brilliant about the Natural Matte palette, is it's the perfect 'beginners' product. It comes packaged with a really handy little guide as to what shades to put where, and how to create 3 different styles, amazing if you're a little unsure as to how to use them. Admittedly, I've never used this; purely because I just like experimenting and feel I don't really need it, but it's great for those who feel like they do. It sits just in front of the mirror. 

As I've already mentioned, every single shade is matte, making the colours super wearable, and so easy to blend as they aren't so 'in your face' colours. They're easily build-able for a more dramatic look, which usually happens to me often actually.. I think I just get a little carried away haha. They're not at all chalky, just pure buttery goodness! 

How lovely are the shade names?! Honey Butter has to be my favourite, followed closely by Chocolate Cookie.. *heart eyes*.

At £32.00 it's a little pricey, however you're paying for the quality, and the quality is amazing. The shades feel so soft, if that makes any sense?!, and are super long lasting. I don't think you can really go wrong with any product from Too Faced; they're fast becoming my favourite makeup brand, & I think it's pretty clear to see why. Beautiful products galore.

Have you tried any eyeshadow palettes from Too Faced before?

Soph, x

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Mac Lipstick Newbies | Mehr & Pink Plaid

I know, super late to the party here, but in all fairness my MAC lipstick obsession has only recently returned in full force.. not that I really needed any more anyway!

If you know me well, you'll know I'm very much so a dark lip kind of person, I loveeee dark berry shades, like Diva for example, and bright reds. My new found love of nudes and pinks suddenly came about when I fell in love with Creme Cup from MAC a few years ago, ever since then Ive never looked back, and here I am, with a slightly larger collection than your average person. 

Whilst shopping in town yesterday for gifts for 2 of my close pals, I accidentally stumbled into MAC and purchased 2 new lipsticks.. for myself. This always happens when I plan not to spend money on myself, of course. 

Initially I umm'd and ahh'd over Velvet Teddy, this was what I actually went in searching for, but seeing it in the tube (I know, shouldn't judge a shade without putting it on) it seemed a little darker than i'd imagined. Right next to it I spotted Mehr, which had me sold completely as it's the perfect bluey pink shade. I try to go for pinks that are slightly darker as I find really pale pinks wash me out- so Mehr seemed like the perfect option, and being a Matte finish too I feel like it's now going to be my go to lipstick for everyday wear. 

Whilst walking to the till to pay was when I spotted Pink Plaid. Sigh. It's like it was calling my name haha. Like Mehr, it's described as being a blue toned pink, both shades are quite similar actually but I find Pink Plaid to be that little bit brighter. Im slightly worried that it might wash me out a little, I'm sure it will look fab on lighter skin tones, but I'm naturally quite tanned so I'm curious to see if it'll look silly.. ill be sure to report back with that one! Again, like Mehr, Pink Plaid is also a matte finish, I sense a slight pattern here..

Im constantly on the lookout for nudes/pink shades that would compliment a slightly tanned skin tone, so if you have any staples please do let me know as I'll no doubt pick them out, but at £16.50 per tube it could take me a little while maybe..

Soph x

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Lush Cosmetics Cup O' Coffee Face Mask Review

 For as long as I can remember I have never, ever, liked drinking coffee. I cannot stand the bitter taste and the smell is just horrible in my opinion! So The fact I've bought a Lush Cosmetics face mask which is coffee scented is a bit weird isn't it.. 

I had a smell of the Cup O' Coffee face mask in the shop and was pleasantly surprised. It doesn't smell as bitter as I expected, I think that's because theres a slight undertone of chocolate which completely tones it down, or at least I think so. This may be because I'm someone who cannot stand the smell of coffee! Don't get me wrong, the scent is still pretty strong, but weirdly, I quite like it. 

Cup O' Coffee is an exfoliating face and body mask, meaning it can be used all over your body giving you the same affect as it would on your face. Due to the coffee scent, which understandably people will have as a drink most mornings to wake them up because of the caffeine, it has the exact same effect on your skin, leaving it hydrated and stimulating it to prepare you for the long day ahead. I use this when I really need it; early mornings seem to work best for me as it honestly does wake me up and gives me that fresh face feeling. 

The face mask contains a wide array of ingredients that exfoliate, hydrate and moisturise your skin, such as Kaolin. Which until now id never heard of. It basically helps to exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells from the very top surface of your skin, because of the grainy texture of the face mask you can really feel it working. Vetivert oil also takes an important place in the ingredients as this is the main thing that restores the moisture you may have lost in your skin. Not forgetting the all important Coffee Infusion, Coco Extract, & Vanilla Absolute.

In the morning, I will apply the face mask with a brush as I'm one of those weird people that cannot stand getting my hands dirty; not sure why but we'll go with it. I will leave it on for a good 15-20 minutes whilst I have breakfast, before rubbing it into my face to further exfoliate my skin, before washing it off over the sink. 

I have noticed such a huge difference in my skin, before I started using this I had quite oily but dry skin, annoying because any moisturiser would enhance the oil, and if I didn't use any along comes the dryness. That seems to be no longer a problem, my skin just seems to be instantly rejuvenated. 

Over all I don't think there is anything I don't like about this mask, it smells yummy, it's vegan, and instantly feels like it's working. 

For £6.95 for 150g, £13.50 for 325g, I would say its definitely worth the purchase. 

Love, Soph.

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Barry M Gelly Nail Paint | Review

Today I'm going to be reviewing 2 of Barry M's Gelly Nail Paints. These being, Prickly Pear and Blueberry.

 

I absolutely adore Barry M nail varnish, what do you guys call nailvarnish? I feel I'm the only one who calls them that, I see lots of people calling them nail polish, nail paints.. I dunno!
 Anyway, before the Gelly collection came out I would buy so many of the original collection, however now I only seem to really buy the Gelly nail varnishes, unless I see a colour I really like on the original line.

 

So at the beginning of this month, I did a quick shop in boots; I say quick, it really wasn't, I was in there for what felt like hours, and pretty much bought the whole shop. Whilst I was there I picked up Barry M's Prickly Pear, and Blueberry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two colours have literally been on my nails throughout the month, it's been either one or the other, because seriously.. how pretty are they?!

 

If you haven't tried Barry M Gelly Nail Paints before, which I'm sure you have, they're amazing quality for such a small price. They claim to provide an extra glossy finish in one coat, they're apparently highly pigmented, chip resistant, and have a gel like finish. Yep, I think I could agree with that.. However I find I need to apply 2 coats for the colours to be opaque. They do chip, but I notice this starts to happen after 3-4 days, sometimes longer, which for me is pretty good as my job is quite hands on!

 

Left - Prickly Pear. Right - Blueberry.

 

 

The finish is also brilliant, super shiny and smooth, meaning you don't need to use a top coat, which is handy if you're stuck for time.

 

If you wanted to pick these up for yourself, they're £3.99 each, £1 dearer than the originals! I'd a million percent recommend them, they're so so shiny and for such a small price you'll be getting yourself an absolute bargain!

You can find them here.

Psssst, it's buy one get the second half price on Barry M products at the minute!!

 

 

 

Do you have any of the Barry M Nail Paints? I'd love any recommendations!

 

Sophxo

 

 

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All items in this post were paid for by myself, and all opinions are my own, because telling lies just isn't cool.

 

 



Product Review: Soap & Glory - Love At First Blush

Oh hiiiii!

Quite recently I'd been looking for a new blush, I wanted one that complimented my skin tone, I'm quite tanned but my face is very pale! So I wanted one that wasn't too pink, or too dark, and Soap and Glory's love at first blush is the perfect blush for me! 

Ok so it does have a slight bit of bright pink in it, but it also has a bronzed darker pink, I know these are the things I said I didn't want, but this blush also has two shimmer sections, wish makes the blush a lot less harsh, and adds a natural shine. I think I might be in love.. It's gorgeous! 

It's also highly pigmented! You really don't need a lot, less is definitely more with this blush! When I first bought it I made the mistake of putting loads on my brush, as it looked as if there was hardly any on there.. Believe me, even if it looks like there isn't, there really is! I've had this blush since well before Christmas 2013, it's very long lasting and I'd really recommend it.

However I'm not too sure how much it is on it's own, I bought the blush in a set with Solar Powder and Glow All Out, I can't imagine it would be too pricey!

Sophxo