Beauty Essentials Under £5

by lovesandluxuriesOctober 23, 2016

We all love a good bargain and money never stretches as far as you want it to so, following my last post My under £10 Favorites i’m sharing my must have’s under £5.

You’ll have to keep an eye on my post or hit the follow button (wink wink) for updates where I will be adding more essentials under £5

Vasaline Lip Therapy

Weather your a matte lipstick kinda girl or love a glamarous gloss. Dry, flakey lips are not a good look . These are perfect to instantly smooth and hydrate your lips.

Stick or tin. Original, Aloe, Cocoa, sugar coated or my fav with a slight tint, rosey.

Original and Aloe are great for this time of year when you have a cold and your nose gets sore and flakey on the sides. Rub a little vaseline to re hydrate. Vasaline has so many uses, You can use it on your hair to smooth split ends, helps remove make up from clothes, great to use for cuticle care or around your nail to stop the nail varnish drying on your skin its really worth keeping one in your bag. And at the moment Superdrug are running an offer. 2 for £3. Direct link in Shop My Feed

Barry M Nail Paint

From £2.99 – £4.99

Classic,Gelly, Coconut Infused and Speedy in a variety of colours, textures and sparkles.I would be surprised if you didn’t find a colour you’ll fall in love with. For me Raspberry is my Favourite. So much so I have just finished a pot. And I never usually make it to the end!

You’ll need to apply two coats as with all brands. And make sure you let the first coat dry before applying the second. Some colours are more dense then others, but nothing another coat won’t fix.

If you use a base and top coat you will get a week out of your nails but that obviously depends how much washing up you have to suffer during the week.

For what your paying I think they are great buys, even if you just want your nail colour to last one night! Cheaper then getting a manicure for your girls night out.

Teatree Oil

£2.99

So I briefly spoke about Tea Tree oil in my Manuka Honey post.

Its a natural antiseptic derived from the Australian native plant

Its most common use is to treat acne. I add a few drops to most of my skin care products particularly moisturiser I use at nighttime to give it extra power. If you suffer from bad acne this could be your best friend. I also tend to mix it with Manuka Honey , the miracle product as a face mask.

Another great tip for acne prone skin is to add a few drops to clean warm water and dip in some cotton pads. Squeeze out extra liquid and use all over the face (mind your eyes) as a toner.

Tea tree oil has many other usefull benefits. If you have a dry itchy scalp this will help clear it up. You can add it to coconut oil/milk or i just add a few drops to your shampoo.

The antibacterial properties will also help to get of headlice. Its well worth getting this oil. It will fast becone your go to product.

Lush Teatree Tab

£1

Ive spoke about this lush little treat in a previous post Lush Cosmetics Facial Review

Its made from Tea Tree, which is antibacterial and antiseptic and AloeVera which helps to rejuvenate and hydrate

Drop into a bowl of hot water and steam your face for 10mins. By steaming your face you open up the pores.Which then allows the oils to become absorbed. Follow with a face mask . Once the water has cooled down transfer into bottles and use twice a day as toner. Its such a great product and only a pound. Perfect excuse to at least try it. and then you can continue to use it for a good few weeks after. Its such a good product, I would pay so much more for it and would get one everytime I pass a lush store.

H&M Masks

£1.99

Such a variety of masks available.

I haven’t tried all of them but have to say I wasn’t impressed until I tried this one, the Manuka, chamomile and jasmine blossom for combination skin.

So you want to be applying to clean dry skin. The perfect time would be after a hot bath or shower or a 10 minute facial steam. That way your pores are already open to allow the product to work. Apply a nice thin layer. I find with peel off mask, if I apply them too thick they don’t peel off properly.

Leave on 15-20 mins

I like peel off masks, I like to see what its removed and WOW! is all I can say about this mask. This is the best peel of mask I have used.It removed a lot, more so from my nose. My skin was a lot clearer, brighter and very soft. I don’t know how well it would work without steaming my face first but for £1.99 I will be getting a couple next time i’m in H&M.

I couldnt find this mask on their website but i’ve included a store locator in my Shop My Feed.

Colour Tattoo 24hr eyeshadow

£4.99

So I thought I would try out the ON AND ON BRONZE. Its such a beautiful metallic shade, very pigmented. Its a cream shadow but applies beautifully.There are 6 shades available and they make the most beautiful smokey eye looks. They do remind me of the Mac Paint pots but a lot cheaper.

I find I use my finger rather then a brush to apply the eyeshadow if I want a softer finish and it blends really well. For more colour, use a brush. I love them. will definitely be adding more to the collection.

Dr Bronner castille soap

Prices starting from £1.99 for 59ml

9 varieties (including teatree)

A combination of Organic extra virgin coconut, Olive oil, jojoba, hemp and essential oils.

The uses for this magic soap are endless.The ecologically friendly soaps can be used on body, face or hair. There is even a fragrance free if you have sensitive skin.

I mostly use mine to wash my hair and make up brushes. You don’t need much product. A little goes a long way. After a good rinse they leave no residue. Which is perfect for beauty sponges.

You really can use this product on ANYTHING inc washing the floor. All just depends on how diluted it is.

Its really worth trying. Once you have you’ll love it and will use it on everything!!

So that’s it for this post,but remember this is a ongoing post.

Follow me on twitter and/or Instagram for when the post will be updated with more essentials under £5 xx

My under £10 Favorites

by lovesandluxuriesOctober 16, 2016October 16, 2016

I’m obsessed with skincare and make up. But with so much choice its hard to decide what to buy when your looking for a new product. Drugstore products are easily accessible and not too expensive. Superdrug is definitely my go to for drugstore products. Don’t forget to use your beauty card to collect points and register on line for exclusives offers and discounts that might not be available in store. My recommendations are drugstore based with 1 online purchases but they are all under £10

L’oreal Nude Magique

£9.99

5in1 BB cream. Available in light, medium and dark.

I love this! Its a white cream product that transforms to a lightweight foundation on application.. Its amazing. I use the medium complexion and it evens out and smooths my complexion leaving a dewy glow.

Its great on its own as a light coverage foundation or perfect as a base under your usual foundation. It has a spf 20 and 24 hr hydration. For the price its well worth investing in.

Just remember if you are using this as a base, you wont need to use as much foundation.

For me i’m sold on this product and will add this to my make up bag as an essential.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

£5.99 available (on line) in 6 shades

Gel concealer no waxes or fillers to help even complexion.

I love this concealer, well actually there are 2 I love both by Maybelline but, this one does exactly what it promises without leaving a massive dent in your bank balance.

Its a wand applicator which I find gives me better control of where i’m putting the product and how much. It blends out perfectly with a damp beauty sponge. Maybelline are killing it with their affordable easily accessible products and I would recommend you at least give this a try.

Maybelline Age Rewind

£7.99 available in light or nude

So the difference I would say between this and the Fit Me concealer is that this concealer is more pigmented and probably better suited for mature skin.. If you’ve got tired looking eyes from having a heavy night this is going to be your hangover cure for your eyes. Like the other concealer it blends perfectly with a damp beauty sponge. It is a wind up, soft sponge applicator but the only down side to this is that there is always a little product left that you cant get to as you’ll see in the photo. but other then that a really good product. A permanent resident in my make up bag.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

£5.99

looking for flawless finish from concealer and foundation? Look no further. Even with the most expensive products we all know its about application and this sponge makes it fool proof.

So you need to dampen the sponge until it doubles in size. squeeze out excess water and dab/stipple . yep that’s it. Flawless application of makeup and perfectly blended contouring.

This sponge has a tip to help cover imperfections and blemishes, Flat edge for eyes, nose and contours and a rounded edge to blend larger areas or great for blending in cheek tint.

You can apply liquid foundation or powder with it and its just perfect.

As with all make up brushes you should be washing this after every use to prevent build up of product and germs. Squeeze excess water and let air dry.

Real Techniques advise you to replace after no more then 3 month, which is affordable at only £6.99

They have increased their miracle complexion range now including Mini eraser sponges (£5.99) and Miracle sculpting sponge (5.99) that is designed with 6 surfaces for easy contouring which can be used wet or dry.

L’oreal Pure Clay Detox Mask

£7.99 10 applications

‘The creamy texture detoxifies the skins surface by cleansing deep into the pores, leaving the skin looking clarified and beautiful without drying it out’

I wasn’t very optimistic about this mask. I had already tried the Pure Clay Glow Mask and wasn’t blown away.

But wow. I can honestly say this mask does everything L’Oreal promises. My skin was brighter, clearer and smoother. So much so my other half noticed and commented!

It is recommend to use 2-3 times a week however i would only use twice a week.

With deep cleansing masks you don’t want to over do it. If you strip the skin of its natural oils it can have the opposite effect.It will either become dry and flakey or your sebaceous glands will try to compensate by producing more natural oils.

Currently they are on offer at superdrug for £5.25. so even more reason to try this mask now and save a few pennies

Kiko Extra Sculpt Volume Mascara

£8.90

So this is a on line purchase but you also have free standard shipping so what you save on postage you can spend on some other beauty goodies (your welcome )

I go between 2 Mascaras. This one and a stupidly expensive higher end masacara. I’m not keen on false lashs but want a mascara that will give me the same effect. This one I love right down to the last application left. Kiko promise ‘ Volumising mascara for fuller looking lashs with a panoramic effect ‘

The creamy texture applies beautifully and is build-able without leaving you with clumpy spider leg looking lashes.It has am ‘hourglass’ wand which perfectly catches all lashes and coats in mascara leaving you with lovely long dark lashes.

use small horizontal zigzag movements.

Its Paraben and fragrence free and i have no problem with my sensitive eyes.

Remember all make up products have a shelf life. This mascara has 6 months shelf life and at £8.90 the price rivals most drugstore mascaras.

Maybelline Master contour V Stick

£6.99

Another Maybelline product (told you they were killing it)

This comes in 2 shades. Half for contouring and half to highlight making it super easy to apply. If you like a heavy dramatic contour this is not the product for you.unless you want to layer it and add a matte bronzing powder on top. If your looking for a light contour to accentuate your features or are new to contouring then this is perfect.Its a creamy matte texture which is easy to blend out so your not left with harsh lines and lasts all day.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

£8.99

Another great buy from Real Techniques and one i use daily. I apply my BB cream or primer and stipple using this brush. Same again with my foundation. Stipple product on and buff out with this brush. Then i apply concealer and then use the Miracle Complexion sponge all over for THE perfect flawLess finish.

I love this brush. Its not too heavy to use and is perfect for both liquid or cream products. The synthetic bristles are so soft and easy to clean and they air dry back to shape with no effort. It is a real must have brush. once you’ve tried it I would be surprised if you buy any other foundation brush.You can get the Real Technique range in Superdrug although they might only hold the best sellers in your nearest store.check out on- line first in case they are running an offer.

Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder

£6.99

This Translucent lightweight loose powder is perfect for every skin type.

Blends in perfectly as its translucent. It doesn’t leave skin cakey or the powder visible on top of the skin.

The only down side I found was if its a really hot day you will probably need to re apply.

The shelf life on this is 30months! its well worth £6.99.

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

£5.99

I wasn’t sure of this foundation at first. I don’t like mousse textures. I usually find they are hard to blend or don’t react well with some bb creams or primers. But I didn’t have any problems with this one. It doesn’t feel greasy on, its very lightweight. If you like matte foundations you’ll love this.

Its a really great price for 30ml. I do find Rimmel colours are really warm, so take some time matching your skin colour.

So they are my under a tenner must haves. Next week i’ll do a run down of the best buys under a fiver (that’s right under a fiver!).Check out my Shop My Feed for direct links to everything i’ve spoken about. Let me know if use or try any of these or if there are any you would recommend trying xx

Ettang Charcoal Cup Pack Review

by lovesandluxuriesSeptember 3, 2016

After finally deciding on what to buy in Sephora (I know its a hard decision) I make my way to the till. Casually at the till Point are the Ettang Face masks. As i’m obsessed with skincare it doesn’t take much persuading for me to try one. I’ve decided on trying the Charcoal mask which promises to make my skin clear and bright.

Ettang are a Korean based company focused on quality products with no fuss. The mask comes in a pot ready to be mixed with a spatula for mixing and applying. I paid e4.50 for 17g

The mask comes in a powder form, you add warm water to the fill line, mix and apply. Simple. Once the water was added it mixes in to a smooth grey paste.

I applied to clean dry skin. I thought the mask was easy to apply with the spatula. I applied an even thick layer all over. There’s so much product in this pot! Had I of realised I would of only mixed half of it.

After about 10 mins you can feel the mask slightly tighten and if I smile the mask slightly lifts from my skin. The mask turns to a chalky white consistency on any thin areas while the rest of the mask is slightly rubbery and you can see any enlarged pores or blemishes through the mask.

After 20 mins i start to peel off. Although most of it did peel off in one go some bits were left on my face. They were easy enough to remove with a damp cotton pad.

I wouldn’t say my face felt very moisturised after using like it would with a sheet mask but, my skin generally did appear clearer. Which is what it said it does.

After looking at the rubbery mask that i removed I did notice little holes in the mask. I’m not sure if this is where my enlarged pores were and it didn’t do anything or if its where it has removed any impurities.

At 4.50 (euros) for 17g I thought this mask was great value for money especially as you could get 2 applications from it. This isn’t a brand I had heard of but next time i’m in Sephora I would try another if it was strategically placed at the till again. Although i’m not sure if I would go out of my way to find another.

I think they are available through Amazon but they are also more expensive on there. And as far as i’m aware U.K still doesn’t have a Sephora store but they do ship to u.k .Click on the link to see what they do sell on line, you wont be disappointed.

So thats what i thought. Let me know if you have tried any Ettang masks or if you have any you would recommend xx

Blueberries

by lovesandluxuriesAugust 5, 2016August 5, 2016

Continuing with my skin care obsession, Organic DIY products are cheap, easy and good enough to eat. So this post is about Blueberries.

Blueberries are full of Vitamin A and C. Vitamin A can help to reduce wrinkles and get rid of blotchy patches and dark spots while Vitamin C is said to reduce free radicals found in the environment which can be harmful to skin. Acne is mostly caused by hormones but applying and eating blueberries can help to control hormones especially during that time of the month. They also give a boost to your circulatory system which can help to prevent any unwanted lines, varicose veins and cellulite.

You want to be using Fresh Organic products as much as possible. The less pesticides the better. This time of year Blueberries can be so cheap to buy especially if you have a PYO close to you. The small size punnet i brought cost me £1 (that’s right £1 for a punnet of Blueberries AND Raspberries)

Hair Mask

Handful Blueberries

1-2 tablespoons Olive oil or Coconut oil

Mash up your blueberries and add the the oil

Apply to shampooed towel dried hair,massaging into the scalp to promote healthy new hair growth

leave for about 20 mins

rinse with plenty of warm water. Because its oil based you will need to do a lot of rinsing. Let your hair dry naturally avoiding any heated appliances.

Acne Fighting Face Mask

Handful Blueberries

Teaspoon Lemon Juice

Teaspoon Manuka Honey

Mash up your Blueberries, add the lemon juice and honey.

Apply to clean damp skin and relax for 10-20 mins

rinse off with plenty of warm water

The lemon juice can be drying so make sure you use a moisturiser after.

Soothing Face mask

Handful Blueberries

Teaspoon Manuka honey

Teaspoon Organic yoghurt.

As with the others mash the blueberries and add the yoghurt and honey.

leave on for 10-20 mins. rinse with plenty of warm water.

You can also add essential oils to the mask like Rose oil to reduce redness and even out skin tone or TeaTree oil to help fight any bacteria on the skin

Raspberries

by lovesandluxuriesJuly 24, 2016

I prefer fresh, organic DIY skincare over any chemical based skincare. The fresher and more Organic the better the results. If its good enough to eat then its going to be great for your skin.

This little post is about Fresh Organic Raspberries. Their overall health benefits are endless from helping to eliminate wrinkles, helping to loose weight and even said to prevent Cancer due to their high concentration of Ellagic acid. Raspberries have the highest antioxident strength then in all fruits.

The best way to get your fruit particularly is summer would be to find your nearest PYO.

You can help yourself, have as much as you like knowing they use a lot less pesticides and is going to be cheaper then your local supermarket. I went to Blofield PYO Norwich where I paid less then £2 for my punnet.

Simple FaceMask

Approx 5 large Raspberries

I used a pestal and morta to squash my Raspberries. I find it makes a nice consisitancy to put on my face. thats it…put it on!

Leave on for about 10 mins and rinse with plenty of clean warm water.

Raspberry and Milk (or Yoghurt)

Approx 5 large Raspberries

1 tablespoons Fresh Full Fat Milk (Or Live Organic Yoghurt)

As above, squash your raspberries and add milk (i use yoghurt) leave on about 15 mins and rinse with plenty of warm water.

Manuka Honey and Raspberry mask

If you’ve read my post on Manuka Honey you’ll know how great this is for your skin as well.

So you could substitute the milk or Yoghurt from the mask above to 1 Tablespoon of Manuka Honey. This will make it a little more sticky so makes sure you rinse well with plenty of warm water.

These masks are great for dry or combination skin. They will tone, hydrate, cleanse and reduce inflammation. You can do these twice a week. However, they only have a shelf life of about 6 hours when kept if fridge. So only make up enough for 1 mask at a time and eat whats left.

Don’t forget if you have any essential oils (like rose – check out my post on using rose in skincare Reusing your roses in skincare) you can add a few drops to give your masks a boost.

Lush Cosmetics Facial Review

by lovesandluxuriesJuly 22, 2016August 18, 2016

Who doesn’t love Lush Cosmetics? I cant go past a store without going in. I’ve already done a Lush Fresh Mask Review but this post is about using Lush products for a once a week deep cleaning facial.

So here’s what I used and what I thought.

Firstly you want to make sure you’ve removed all your make up. This will allow the products to work more efficiently.

I started with

9-5 Cleansing lotion

95g – £5.25

Almond Oil – To soothe and hydrate

Fresh Dove Orchid Extract – To help clear skin

YlangYlang Oil – To Calm and Relax

I used about a ten pence piece of 9-5Cleanser and massaged into my face using small circular motions. Making sure to massage well into oily prone areas like the sides of your nose. Remove with cotton pads.

I really liked this cleanser. I didn’t think it was very greasy feeling but made my skin feel really hydrated and clean. And it smells lovely.

I would get this again but i wouldn’t recommend if you wanted to use it as a heavy make up remover, you’ll use a lot of product. But for a morning and weekly cleanser I loved it.

next I used

Dark Angels

100g £7.25

Charcoal – to exfoliate

Rhassoul – Absorbs excess sebum & draws out impurities

Avacado – To Hydrate

To activate this product you need to add a little water to turn it into a paste. Apply and massage in small circular motions. Rinse with plenty of warm water.

I think this is probably more of a facial scrub then a cleanser. That’s what i use it for. Exfoliating helps to remove the dead skin cells which can make your skin look cloggy and dull. The Black sugar is great for exfoliating. I don’t think its too harsh and I would use this a couple of times a week.

It can be a messy product. It doesn’t stain but it does leave water marks.

My skin feels really clean after using Dark Angels its defintley one of my favorite Lush products.

Tea Tree Toner Tab

5g tablet £1

TeaTree Oil – Antibacterial & Antiseptic

Aloe Vera – Rejuvenate and Hydrate

Drop the Tablet into a bowl of hot water (Hot enough to have steam) be careful, you don’t want to burn yourself.

The tablet does fizz a little, lean over the bowl and cover with a towel to trap the steam in.

There isn’t an over powering smell of Tea Tree but you can smell it.

after a 5 -10mins put the water to one side.

I really liked the Tea Tree Toner Tab, its only £1 and I would pay more for it. I would get it every time I go in there.

I used the Dark Angels on my face again. Now my pores are open after the steaming the scrub / cleanser can absorb any dirt in my pores which could later cause blackheads.

Rinse off with warm water.

Next is

Cosmetic Warrior

75G £6.95

Garlic – Deep Cleanse

TeaTree – Antiseptic

Honey – Moisturising

So this mask really smells of Garlic. I don’t hate it enough to not use the rest of the pot, I just won’t buy it again and will probably moan about the smell while its on.

Its a Thick creamy consistency with a few garlic pieces.

It doesn’t dry hard so makes it easier to get off. My skin did feel a little tighter after using it but its not one i will get again. It was mostly the smell of Cosmetic Warrior I didn’t like.

After that’s been rinsed off with warm water, I go back to the Tea Tree water.

Soak a couple of cotton pads in the water and wipe over face, toning the skin before applying moisturiser if you think you need it.

With the rest of the water I add a few drops of TeaTree oil and put it in a plastic spritz bottle and use as a daily toner. which will last me a week.

I really liked these products (except the smell of the mask) and have a new favorite with the dark angels cleanser. They are all good value for money especially the toner tab. Don’t forget when you have 5 pots you can trade them for a free Fresh Mask xx

Reusing your roses in skincare

by lovesandluxuriesJuly 11, 2016

If you’ve read my other post’s or seen my Instagram you’ll know i’m obsessed with skin care. Particularly if its fresh and organic. And roses. They are so beautiful, smell amazing and have many benefits to being part of a skin care routine.

So this post is about re using your rose’s and adding them to your skincare.

Rose is used in beauty products to help refresh and rejuvenate skin. Its anti bacterial properties make it ideal to help clear up acne. It can also reduce swelling of acne and rosacea due to its anti inflammatory properties. Rose is also high in vitamin C which is a great anti oxidant.Rose water is a great alternative to alcohol based toners particularly for sensitive skin as its not as dehydrating for your skin like alcohol.

Rose Body Scrub

You will need:

Himalayan Rose Salt (Great for exfoliating)

Rose Petals

Sweet Almond Oil (or you can use olive oil or coconut oil)

Rose essential Oil

Grind up about a table spoon of salt and set aside. I used a pestle and mortar to do this. using the pestle and morta again, add rose petals and grind them till they become pulpy.i used the petals from 1 rose. Add salt, about 2 tablespoons of your oil and 3-4 drops of essence till well mixed. You want to make sure the mixture isn’t too dry or too runny.when its at the consistency you would like add to an airtight container.

using rose petals i would only keep for a few days. If your making the scrub without the petals its will last a few months as long as is in an airtight container

Rose and Manuka Honey Face Mask

You will need

Rose petals

Manuka Honey (read my Manuka Honey post)

rose oil

Using a pestle and morta i pulped the petals from 1 rose. transferred to an airtight container and added 1-2 teaspoons of Manuka Honey and 3-4 drops of Rose essential oil.

The more honey you add the thicker and sticker the mixture will be.

Apply to clean damp face and leave on 10-15 mins. rinse with plenty of warm water and pat dry.

Soothing Eye Pads

Soak cotton pads in water with a few drops of essential oil. squeeze out excess water and leave on eyes for few minutes to reduce redness and puffiness.

You don’t need to have rose petals to make the scrubs or mask, its just nice to recycle something natural to make these home made skin care products even more special. You can just add your rose essential oil to any of your skin care essentials. Not only will it smell amazing but will also help to improve your skin texture.

Lush Fresh Mask Review

by lovesandluxuriesJune 3, 2016

File 03-06-2016, 23 17 22 I am obsessed with skincare. Anything that promises to even out and perfect my complexion, I’m happy to give a ago. Particularly if its fresh and organic. I love Lush Cosmetics. Fresh Homemade affordable cosmetics from a company who pride themselves on being against animal testing. They have a wide range of cosmetics from hair care to pedicures. You all know the high street stores, you can smell them before you see it. Their stores are always packed with shoppers testing out the products and eager sales assistants armed full of information about their products and ingredients . And as a little bonus if you return 5 clean full size pots or tubes you get a free fresh mask!

The masks need to be kept in the fridge to maintain their freshness and will last around 3 weeks. Don’t worry they come with a best before sticker.

I use them 2-3 times a week. I remove my make up and exfoliate (you don’t have to, but I do to remove any dead skin and to allow the product to work more effectively) and cleanse. I also put them on while I’m in the bath. It makes it so much easier and less messy to take them off.

So here’s what I thought….

Mask of Magnaminty

125g £5.75

Honey – Antiseptic

Peppermint – Removes dirt build up

African Marigold oil – Anti-Inflammatory

Green, thick, slightly lumpy with a Strong Peppermint fragrance (almost enough to make your eyes water). Not to messy to apply, but it is thick so you end up putting a lot on. While its on it does feel slightly tingly but nothing unbearable. It does dry out a little during the 10mins but doesn’t completely set.

I found it easier to massage the mask with wet hands just before I take it off. It breaks down the mask a little easier and then just keep rinsing.

My skin did look cleaner, refreshed and moisturised. Angry spots seemed calmer and skin felt a little tighter.

I did like this mask. I think if you have acne prone skin you’ll love it. The peppermint was too much for me. so it isn’t my favourite of the masks.

Cupcake

75g £6.75

Vanilla – Calm’s redness

Spearmint oil – Tones skin

Rhassoul mud – Deep cleansing

Dark, chocolaty thick and smooth. With a slight refreshing smell of spearmint.

Due to it being so thick it is a little difficult to evenly apply to your skin and is a little messy. Once its on it dries quickly. You get a little tightening sensation but its all quite nice.

Again I massaged this with a little water after 10mins to break down the mask. And then used plenty of water to rinse it off.

I noticed my skin felt tighter and softer. It felt clean and clear. The more I used this, the smaller my pores seemed.

This was originally designed for teenagers to help with breakouts and absorb oil. I loved it. I also felt my skin was well hydrated for a couple of days after using.

Rosey Cheeks File 02-06-2016, 23 31 20

75g £6.75

Calamine – Soothing

Kaolin clay – Removes dirt and impurities

Rose – Nourish and tone

This smells Amazing!! I love it just for the smell.

Its a thick pink clay like consistency and smells so beautiful. Once its on its so relaxing. No tingling or tightening. just this amazing rose smell

Once i washed it off my skin felt amazing. Soft but a little matte and did i mention the smell..

I loved this mask yes mostly because of the fragrance but also it hydrated and softened my skin. If I used the mask during the day and then applied make up I felt my skin looked smoother and make up lasted a little longer. Although I do usually put the masks on in the evenings as it gives my skin a chance to breathe.

Ayesha

75g £6.75

Kiwi Fruit – Cleanse and brighten

Asparagus – For its nutrients

Fullers Earth – Absorbs oil

Rosemary oil – Antiseptic

Greyish, Greenish colour with a fresh fragrance. Not as dense and thick as the other masks so much easier to apply. This one is said to ‘smooth away wrinkles’ so I’m happy to smother it on!

As the mask dries, your skin absorbs what it needs and it looks patchy. I left it on a little longer then recommended and it made it a little harder to get off.

My skin did seem a little smoother in appearance and a little brighter but it didnt feel as clean and moisturised as the others. As for the wrinkles i do think it helped with some of the finer lines. Overall i felt it was more of a general relaxing face mask rather then compared to other which were more targeted to specific problems.

File 03-06-2016, 23 18 17

Over all I would say my skin seems more smoother, hydrated and cleaner since using Lush FreshFace Masks . I’ve enjoyed using all of them. some I would definitely buy again and some i wouldn’t as they just wasn’t suited to my skin.

let me know what you think of the masks or any you would recommend xx

Manuka Honey

by lovesandluxuriesMay 5, 2016

Manuka-Honey Have you heard about the new product everyone is buzzing about? It has recently been nicknamed ‘Liquid Gold’due to its ‘super powers’and many celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian now endorse products containing Maunka Honey such as Manuka Doctor.

1800 tonnes of genuine Manuka Honey is produced a year and has a shelf life of… well forever. Its was originally used in Mauri medicines and is still commonly used to help heal wounds and sores

so whats so special about this £20 honey (yes £20!)

Firstly this honey originates from new Zealand. The bees collect the pollen from the Manuka bush. The Manuka is ‘related to the austalian ‘tea tree’ also know for its antibacterial properties.

All honey has a small amount of anti bacterial properties however, this gets destroyed by heat and light. Manuka is said to contain more potent properties and this doesnt get destroyed, making it more antiviral/antibacterial. Its is graded in UMF. The higher the UMF the stronger its properties are. But be warned a UMF OF 24+ can cost you around £60

This product is great as part of your weekly skincare routine. helps to clear and prevent break outs as well as hydrating your skin.

Manuka-Avacardo-3

here are a few ways of including it into your skincare…

Spot Treatment

Just apply a small amount where needed.

Moisturizing Face mask

Ensure you have thoroughly cleaned your face and have no make up

dampen face

Apply about a teaspoon of Maunka Honey over your face. you can massage it in in circular motions.

leave for about 15-20 mins

wash off with warm water and pat try

I dont feel the need to add moisturiser after but you can if you want

After using as a mask my skin is softer, more hydrated and has visibly reduced some pores.

Acne Fighting Mask

Same as above but add a couple of drops of TeaTree oil

Tea Tree is also anti bacterial, so great for helping clear up break outs ..Its easily available and very cheap. just mind your eyes.

Protective Face Mask

Avocados are loaded with nutrients and will help to protect from environmental damage which in turn will help to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

You will need

1 Teaspoon honey

1/4 avocado

Mash up the Avocado. You can do this with a fork. but the mask will be lumpy. You can blitz it in a smoothie maker or blender to make it smoother. Make sure its not too runny. Add a teaspoon of Manuka Honey.

Apply to clean damp skin

Rinse off after 15-20mins

Its best to make this mask just before you use it. Avocados start to brown quickly after they have been cut.

I make my mask, put in an air tight container and put in the fridge while i remove my make up then use immediately.

Enjoy

Let me know if you try it

Home Made Coconut Coffee Bodyscrub

by lovesandluxuriesApril 17, 2016May 5, 2016

I love body scrubs!

your skin feels amazing, they smell gorgeous and they are quick and easy to make at home using only 3 ingredients.

Raw coconut oil (i got mine in Holland & Barrett or olive oil if you dont have any) Its a natural miracle, smells amazing and doesnt clogg your pores

Organic Brown Sugar,perfect to exfoliate as its not to harsh on the skin. You can add a little white sugar which would be great for a pedicure scrub.

Used Coffee Grounds, not only does it help exfoliate and smells gorgeous, coffee is said to help firm skin and help beat cellulite.

I used

3 Tablespoons Coffee Grounds

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

4 tablespoons melted Coconut oil

Mix it all together and transfer to an airtight container.

**If you don’t have the coffee grounds add a few drops of vanilla essence instead and you’ll

have a vanilla coconut scrub.

Your scrub shouldnt be too runny but you also dont want it to be to dry and crumbly.

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