Get 20% off The Body Shop Advent Calendars

The Body Shop has released this year's Advent Calendars which are great value for money, but on top of that you can get 20% off their regular price!

The 3 calendar options this year are: 

Box of Wishes Advent Calendar £55 (worth £89.50) - This calendar celebrates the women of Chhattisgarh, India, using their Community Fair Trade Mango Seed Oil in the indulgent Body Butters included in this calendar.

Box of Wonders Advent Calendar £95 (worth £159) - This calendar celebrates the women of Tamale, Ghana using Community Fair Trade shea butter and supporting them with healthcare and education projects.

Box of Wishes & Wonders Advent Calendar £145 (worth £219) - The advent calendar for ultimate pampering, it is made using Community Fair Trade recycled plastic and supports waste pickers of Bengaluru, India with a fair wage and improved working conditions.

Each calendar is packed with 24 goodies (click each link to discover what's included in each of them). The small one is great to try out several ranges and discover a new favourite, while the medium and big ones are ideal if you want to stock up on your holy grails as they include several full sized items!

To get 20% off your next purchase at The Body Shop online or in-store, use code 21758 at checkout or at the till. 

But be quick, as this offer ends 11th October!

T&C - 03/10/22 –  9am 11/10/22. Online & in store. Enter code online for 20% off in a single transaction. Valid between 03 October 2022 and 9am 11th October 2022. The offer excludes (1) Delivery Charges, (2) Gift Cards, (3) Sale, (4) Gifts. This offer cannot be redeemed in conjunction with any other promotion or offer. 

xo

StaticJam Seriously Good Styler

Around the start of September I received a bottle of the StaticJam Seriously Good Styler, kindly sent to me by Beauty Buddy.

The Seriously Good Styler by StaticJam is a styling hair serum that helps achieve a smoothing effect by eliminating static, frizz and flyaways. It is designed to be used on wet hair and is suitable for all hair types. Their goal is to create the look and feel of second day texture while keeping the freshness of clean hair.

Some notable ingredients in this hair serum include Panthenol, Hydrolysed Wheat Protein, Amino Acids from Wheat and Soy, plus Arginine, Serine and Threonine. 

The Seriously Good Styler has a thick, gel consistency which can feel a bit sticky when applied, however that goes away as the product dries. It has a fresh, crisp apple scent reminiscent of shampoo, which I like. The fragrance is quite strong at first but mellows down over time.

I apply around a grape-sized amount, concentrating on lengths and ends, and any residue left on my hands I will apply on the crown and root area. It does not make hair look or feel greasy at all.

At first I was a bit sceptical but the serum does deliver on the claim of reducing frizz. After washing, sometimes even after applying leave-in-conditioners, my hair turns very frizzy and pretty much uncontrollable, but with this serum my hair dries out with virtually no frizz, which is amazing. It also helps my hair feel soft and smooth while keeping its volume.

It makes me feel a lot more confident if I am going out with wet or damp hair because I know that it won't turn into a frizzy mess. 

The only thing I didn't love is that it does not feel very nourishing, so if you have dry hair you probably won't like it, however, it would work great for oily and thin hair as it maintains volume. It also seems to leave some white residue towards the ends of my hair, which are usually almost dry when I apply the product so do make sure that hair is wet to avoid this.

If you are looking for a reasonably-priced, frizz-reducing hair serum that won't weigh hair down then I would recommend the StaticJam Seriously Good Styler.

The StaticJam 200ml Seriously Good Styler serum retails for £12.

xo

All Used Up #16

It's time for a new instalment of the All Used Up Series! My most recently finished products are:

Better You Magnesium Sleep Body Lotion*: infused with Lavender and Chamomile oils, this lotion helps relax muscles thanks to Magnesium Chloride. With nourishing Beeswax and hydrating Glycerin, this product helps moisturise the skin while the relaxing effect and gentle Lavender and Chamomile scent also helps to fall asleep. Would definitely have this again!

Simple Water Boost Micellar Water: a gentle cleanser and makeup remover with Glycerin and Saccharide Isomerate (or Pentavitin) to hydrate the skin. It is effective and affordable, especially when on offer. It is also Hyaluronic Acid-free which is great. Will probably repurchase in the future. 

Dove Daily Moisture Conditioner: a basic conditioner for frequent use. It contains Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Lysine and Arginine. I found it a bit watery and didn't do much for my hair. It does soften and help detangle but it is not very nourishing. Probably would not repurchase as it wasn't amazing.

The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Serum: contains Panthenol and several amino acids to soothe and moisturise the skin. It has a light dry oil consistency that gently nourishes the skin but does not feel greasy. Great for adding into your usual moisturiser for an added boost, also nice used on its own. Would have it again as I liked how it made my skin feel soft and moisturised but did not cause breakouts or oiliness.

Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate Hand Cream: this product is very nourishing without leaving any greasy feeling. Comprised of amazing ingredients such as Macadamia Oil, Shea Butter, Pomegranate Oil and Extract, Argan Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Saccharide Isomerate and Ceramides, it restores and softens the skin, leaving hands softly scented. I would definitely repurchase (this is my second one) but the brand seems to be having some stock issues. Truly hope it is not discontinued!

Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules: this was a sample containing 7 capsules. I find that the content of one capsule can go further than one use. They can feel a bit greasy but they are great after using an exfoliating treatment or retinoid to prevent any dryness. I would use them again for such purposes. Full review here.

Have you tried any of these products?

xo

Vichy Skincare Haul

Last month I received a package kindly sent to me by Vichy for being part of their online community. You may have seen a preview in my most recent New In post, however, above is the content reveal of the package.

The gift contained the following products:

• Minéral 89 Booster: a serum to hydrate and soothe the skin.
• Capital Soleil UV-Age Daily: a high protection SPF 50+ PA ++++ sunscreen with probiotics.
• Purethé Thermale One Step Cleanser: a multitasking cleanser, toner and makeup remover in one.
• 48 Hr Intensive Anti Perspirant Treatment: to keep fresh during hot summer days. 

Thanks Vichy! Expect full reviews coming soon ;D

Have you tried any Vichy products?

xo

New in: August 2022

It was my birthday last month and Dot spoiled me with some skincare, crystals, stationery, a Powerpuff Girls sweatshirt, Whittard Instant Tea (not pictured) in Mango & Passionfruit and Pink Lemonade and some Gucci Loafers which were too big so had to be returned :'(

From my in laws I received some shower goodies, socks and also Winnie the Pooh PJs from my niece.

From Aliexpress I purchased some oracle cards and a phone tripod; Nail polish remover pads are from my mother in law; received Prada Paradox, Marc Jacobs Daisy Ever So Fresh and YSL Libre (not pictured) perfume samples and Clarins Beauty Flash Peel and Beauty Flash Balm samples. The Pixi Natural Brow Duo was on clearance at Boots for £3.

We went to the Braintree Outlet for my birthday and in the Levi's shop I got a pair of Bootcut Jeans. The Powerpuff Girls shorts were only £2 from Primark and they match my sweatshirt!

Last month I also received my latest YesStyle order (post coming soon), was gifted the Refillable Lancôme La Vie Est Belle perfume and Refill (full review here), and a box of goodies from the Vichy Skin Société (haul coming later!).

Did you get anything nice last month?

xo

Lush Lipstick Refill & Case

Recently Lush kindly sent me a sample of their lipstick refill and case to try out. 

I received the lipstick refill in shade Los Angeles which is a timeless blue-toned red. It can look slightly pink in the bullet however when applied it appears as a true red and the blue undertone makes teeth look whiter. It is incredibly pigmented and very creamy, leaving lips nourished, smooth and plumper-looking thanks to Organic Castor and Jojoba Oils plus several kinds of Waxes, including Kalahari Melon, Rose and Sunflower ones.

The Refillable Lipstick Case is made out of partially recycled aluminium and brass which keeps it very lightweight. I adore the sleek yet glamorous and retro design of the black tube with golden accents. The cap features the word Lush embossed at the top, which is visible as it catches the light. The case is easy to refill and use - the lipstick comes up by sliding the button at the front - and by being compact it is also easy to travel with. 

The only warning I must give to anyone attempting to refill the case is to make sure the refill has been kept in a cool place prior to removing the wax (mine was at room temperature yesterday and it was hard to remove, plus it ended up melting all over my fingers - watch my Tiktok below), so putting it in the fridge or running it under cold water for a few moments will help prevent this. 

Lipstick refills are £10, available in 21 shades, Refillable case is £8.

Have you tried Lush's refillable lipstick range?

xo

@skincarestationery Lush lipstick refill in Los Angeles and reusable case @lush #redlipstick #reusable #refillable #lushcosmetics ♬ I Love You So - The Walters

NACIFIC Pink AHABHA Line & Sun Essence

Back in July I was selected to test and review the NACIFIC Pink Set including 3 items from their Pink AHABHA range, as well as their Sun Essence. 

The items did take quite a bit to arrive so my review deadline was extended to the end of this week. The products only arrived on Monday and this week is my 10th wedding anniversary so this will be more of a first impressions post but I will definitely update on how the products worked for me after a few more weeks of use or in an All Used Up post when I have finished the products.

The products I received include:

Nacific Pink AHABHA Toner: it contains 75% Watermelon Extract to hydrate the skin, plus Citric Acid and Salicylic Acid at 1000ppm each, which is the highest concentration within the Pink AHABHA line. Other notable ingredients include Vitamins B12 and C, Glutathione, Tranexamic Acid, Calamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils, plus extracts of Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment, Mushroom, Sea Buckthorn and Centella Asiatica. Despite being the product with the most AHA and BHA (0.1%) it is still very gentle and full of soothing ingredients so it can be used daily for breakout prevention. I really like the light lavender scent, which is reminiscent of baby products. 

Nacific Pink AHABHA Serum: Features the same soft, powdery scent as the Toner. Some notable ingredients include 70% Watermelon Extract, soothing Panthenol and Allantoin, plus anti-ageing Adenosine. It shares a few ingredients with the Toner, like Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils; Hyaluronic Acid, extracts of Soybean Ferment, Centella, Sea Buckthorn and Mushroom; Vitamins B12 and C, plus  Glycosaminoglycans. It has a very lightweight texture with slight viscosity that absorbs quickly and helps gently achieve smoother skin thanks to a low concentration of exfoliating AHA and BHA at 100ppm each. The packaging is very cute and reminds me of a baby's bottle with its pastel pink dropper bottle which has a "frosted glass" look that matches the other products in the range. The generous 50ml size will ensure the serum will last a long time, as only a couple of drops are needed with each application.  

Nacific Pink AHABHA Cream: Contains the same concentration of AHA and BHA (in the form of Citric Acid and Salicylic Acid at 100pm) as the Serum for gentle daily exfoliation. In terms of Watermelon Extract, it contains 75% like the Toner. It also features the soft powdery lavender scent of the other products in the range. Other notable ingredients include Niacinamide, Panthenol, Adenosine, Glutathione, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins C and E, and extracts of Soybean Ferment, Mushroom, Sea Buckthorn and Centella Asiatica. This cream has a lightweight gel texture and a slightly powdery feel as it is applied. After application it leaves a gently matte look on the skin so it is ideal for oily skin types concerned about shine. The packaging has a frosted glass appearance in soft pink, which matches the Serum and Toner in the Pink AHA BHA range. 

Nacific Sun Essence: this verified SPF 50 PA ++++ sunscreen is described as a hydrating sun essence with a light texture designed to protect and moisturise the skin. I like that it has a lightweight lotion consistency that applies and absorbs easily without pilling or leaving a white cast. Notable ingredients include Vitamins B3 and E, plus flower extracts of White Waterlily, Calendula and Evening Primrose; as well as extracts of Pine Leaf, Ulmus Davidiana and Kudzu root. It is beautifully scented with Palmarosa and Orange Essential Oils, which makes this Sun Essence smell like sugar coated orange gummies. I would be careful using this sunscreen for intense sun exposure as the Orange Essential Oil could cause phototoxicity, but will be using it throughout the colder and cloudier months to energise and uplift thanks to its beautiful citrus scent.

All the products are available at YesStyle - get money off your next order using code NAV2019. 

Have you tried Nacific products?

xo

The Body Shop Edelweiss Range Launch

Previously known as Drops of Youth, one of the anti-ageing ranges from The Body Shop has been given a makeover and is now called Edelweiss.

Featuring improved versions of their Drops of Youth formulas, the range now contains double the concentration of Edelweiss to help protect the skin against pollution and provide 24 hours of hydration.

The complete updated The Body Shop Edelweiss range currently consists of:

• Daily Serum - light and non sticky, with 43% more antioxidant power than retinol 
• Smoothing Day Cream - has an air-whipped texture and reduces signs of fatigue
• Cleansing Concentrate - a gel-to-foam cleanser, removes dirt and makeup for silky skin
• Intense Smoothing Day Cream - rich, nourishing moisturiser for firmer, softer skin
• Eye Concentrate - a weightless, revitalising eye serum that reduces fine lines
• Liquid Peel - a gel to peel exfoliator for all skin types that gently removes dead skin
• Bouncy Sleeping Mask - light gel-cream that maintains the skin's moisture barrier
• Bouncy Eye Mask - reduces sings of dullness and fatigue while cooling skin by 2.7°C
• Bouncy Jelly Mist - an instant skin-refresher for added hydration throughout the day 
• Serum Concentrate Sheet Mask - leaves skin 83.3% more hydrated after one use
• Edelweiss Experience - a set with a Sheet Mask, mini Serum and Velcro headband

You can get 20% off code 21758 until 15/09/2022 (or a free Edelweiss Experience set when you spend over £30 with code 22701 until 03/10/2022)

T&Cs: Available in-store and online. Excludes gifts, advent calendars, sales, delivery costs, and gift cards. Code not to be stacked with other offers.

xo

Cotton & Linen