Vita Liberata Capture the Light illuminators

I've often thought of Vita Liberata as a tanning brand, but their new Capture the Light translucent body illuminators* have got me all excited.

Designed to give you a subtle shimmer, Capture the Light Translucent is a light body lotion that when applied gives skin a subtle illuminating shimmer. It comes in two colours: Rose (designed for the paler among us) and Gold (for those with more of a tan). 

Capture the Light Gold

The lotion is very light, almost gel like and rubs into skin very quickly. You'll be left behind with just a hint of shine - both shades are definitely more 'illuminate' rather than 'sparkle', which is perfect - no-one wants to look like a Christmas card! 

They come in pearlised pump bottles, which makes getting the right amount out really easy - I found one pump was enough to apply along my collarbone and I used a second on the tops of my shoulders for a night out in a strappy dress. 

The rose shade is lovely on pale skin, although it's so subtle I couldn't actually get a good photo of it! The gold looks a little more obvious on me, but with a tan I think it would give a really lovely effect to skin.

Each bottle of Capture the Light contains 30ml and costs £29.95. They both contain an SPF25 which is great as an added bonus, but please don't rely on just that to protect you if you're out in the sun all day! 

You can find both illuminators on the Vita Liberata website, along with the opaque range, which acts more as a BB cream for your body. 

Which one would you choose?

*PR samples

Reiss Fragrance Launch

After many years in development, fashion brand Reiss have launched their first fragrances for men and women. Created with award winning perfumer Azzi Glasser (the brains behind the Agent Provacatuer fragrances and many more) they have developed two unusual scents that are evocative of their brand.

I always think of Reiss as the place to go for stylish, classic, well made clothes, rather than somewhere for the latest fashions. Their fragrances reflect this and feel like something you'd wear all year round regardless of season. 

Black Oudh is intended as the men's fragrance and is described as 'alluring and enticing'. It features notes of laurel leaf and green cypress as well as black oudh, sequoia wood and vetiver. It's quite a complex, but still subtle scent and doesn't scream man at you. 

Grey Flower has been designed for women and is described as 'a seductive, mysterious and deeply addictive fragrance'. It has notes of armoise, pimento berry, jasmine noir and patchouli. It's more powerful than Black Oudh but very distinctive - it's not your typical floral scent.

After having a good sniff at the recent launch, I found I actually preferred the scent of Black Oudh, so although they may be marketed at separate sexes, there was actually a lot of men that liked Grey Flower and women that preferred Black Oudh. I'd definitely recommend having a sniff of both and seeing which one you like most. 

The packaging feels really luxurious and the metallic bottles come with magnetic lids which makes a change from the norm. You can also get a personalised inscription on your bottle at Selfridges for the next week or so, which would make a lovely gift, especially if you're already thinking about Christmas!

Both scents are £35 for 50ml and £49 for 100ml, both of which are eau de parfum. Reiss Fragrance launched exclusively into Selfridges up to the 26 September and are now available from Reiss stores and Reiss online. 

Which scent do you like the sound of?

*PR sample 

2true Pro Sequins nail polishes

2true are a great budget brand that are stocked in Superdrug and are famous for their £1.99 products. They've recently launched a Pro range which promises to have exciting launches with professional quality products, that are still at reasonable prices.

The new Pro Sequins nail polishes* offer a glitter finish with a mix of fine particles and slightly larger, sequin style circles. They come in 5 shades and are all named after supermodels from the 90s: Christy (silver), Tyra (gold), Eva (blue), Elle (red) and Naomi (purple).

All of the shades can be used as both a glitter topcoat or built up to be an opaque glitter polish. I found that they worked really well as opaque polishes and in fact, only needed two coats to be completely solid colour.

They dry to a matte finish, so if you prefer a glossy shine, you'll need to apply a top coat, but I do quite like the matte shimmer you get from them without one.  I tested out Tyra and Naomi and can see Tyra (gold) being a really popular shade for Christmas parties.

I was a little disappointed with wear time as I got my first chip on day two, but I am a chipper when it comes to nail polish so you might have more luck than me! I do tend to find matte polishes don't last as well as glossy ones, so if I was wearing these again for an occasion I'd probably paint my nails on the same day.

The Pro Sequins range is now available from Superdrug and each polish costs £4.

What do you think of these shades?

*PR sample

My jewellery wishlist

I swear in another life I was a magpie. I love sparkly things and big statement jewellery and my statement necklace wishlist is getting longer by the day. My current top 3 are: 

Argento silver horse necklace - £20 - This horse shaped silver necklace will look great tucked under shirt collars and with some long sleeved dresses for winter. It's sterling silver, so won't tarnish and it's going straight on my christmas list! Argento have their own brand of jewellery as well as stocking brands such as Pandora and Thomas Sabo and is a bit of a jewellery lovers paradise.

Zara crystal flower necklace - £29.99 - This neckalce is massive, a bit blingy and yet somehow looks quite classy in real life. I have a feeling it will be pretty popular, as the clear perpex will work with any colour of the autumn/winter spectrum. Race you to the Zara site...

Oliver Bonas gold flower necklace - £24 - I walk past Oliver Bonas every day on my way home and have fallen in love with loads of their jewellery. The gold flower necklace is a big statement, and one I'd love to wear to work with a plain dress. It also comes in silver, which is also very pretty.

What's on your wishlist at the moment?

Olympia Beauty 2013 visit and haul

Last weekend I met up with the lovely Alice from Bright Town Girl for a trip to Olympia Beauty. Olympia Beauty is one of several big beauty trade shows that happen each year, aimed mostly at salon owners and beauty workers to showcase new products, and give an opportunity to stock up on supplies at discounted prices.

It took place at the Olympia exhibition halls in London and I have to be honest, I’ve never seen so many people all get off one tube! It was a little hectic when we arrived mid-morning, but soon made our way into the halls to check out the stands from Essie, OPI, NYX, Inglot and more.

The Nailympics

We headed to Elemis first who had 20% off all products, so I used it as a good opportunity to stock up on their Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm, White Flowers eye makeup remover and Apricot toner, all of which I’ve just run out of.

Next stop was Essie, where I bought the new Fall mini collection – For The Twill Of It looks so pretty! It’s top of my list to get on my nails. I also bought some polishes from Nubar, a brand which I haven’t tried before and a limited edition polish from China Glaze which has a matt, sparkly finish.

Scratch magazine had a stand, and although the magazine is mostly aimed at nail professionals, they also had an amazing nail art book created by Helena Biggs the editor. I’d been lusting over this on Amazon for a while so decided to take the plunge and buy a copy. There are some amazing designs in there, most of which are far beyond my capability, but fantastic for inspiration.

The last of my purchases came from Inglot, a makeup brand I’ve always wanted to try but have never found myself near one of their stores. After much swatching, I bought a 2 eye shadows and a palette to hold them, plus one of their AMC cream blushes. I could easily have gone a bit crazy on that stand, and will definitely be going back for more.

I thought there was a really good selection of stands this year – there are a lot of gel nail polish and fake tan brands as these seem to be most popular in the salons, but it’s also good for picking up certain brands such as OPI and Essie at good discounts. These stands tend to be very busy, so do go early if you can, but it’s well worth the wait. The only thing I was disappointed with was the Colour Club nail polish stand. At Pro Beauty earlier this year the prices were very reasonable, however at Olympia, everything was virtually double the price, which meant I didn’t buy anything – TK Maxx has them cheaper!

Upstairs, there was a selection of industry talks going on from nail and beauty experts, as well as the Nailympics nail competition. I’ve never seen so many people having their nails done at once before, and in the most amazing designs.

I’d highly recommend a trip to Olympia Beauty next year, or if you can’t wait that long, similar trade show Pro Beauty in February. Both are designed for trade, but bloggers are also welcome to register for a free press pass. I’m looking forward to next year already!

The skincare series: why should I use a serum?

Welcome to the second part of my skincare series, looking into about those added extras to your skincare regime. Today I'm talking about serums.

What is a serum?

A serum is a concentrated liquid that offers properties such as anti-ageing, anti-redness, and hydration. They are usually lightweight and designed to be used before your moisturiser.

Why should I use one?

They can help give targeted results that your regular moisturiser won't be able to do. They often contain added vitamins and anti-oxidants in higher doses, and serums are generally made up of smaller molecules so can penetrate deeper into the skin for a more effective result.

How do I apply it effectively?

Usually, one to two drops or pumps is enough to cover your entire face and neck. Distribute evenly between your fingers and using a gentle rolling motion, press into skin. All serums will absorb quickly and then apply your regular moisturiser over the top. Use it morning and night for best results.

Which ones should I buy?

For hydration - Bioderma Hydrabio serum

For calming/sensitive skin - S5 calm serum

For radiance - Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum or Elemental Herbology Cell Food

Do you use a serum? What's your favourite?

Filorga Sleep and Peel review

Chemical exfoliators have seen a massive rise in popularity over the past few years. They work by using mild acids that break down dead skin cells, leaving you with the nice, fresh skin from underneath.

Filorga have come up with an innovative solution - rather than the usual face masks or toners, they have come up with a night cream that moisturises at the same time as exfoliating.

Sleep and Peel* is creamy looking night moisturiser that contains a mix of AHA and BHA acids that work overnight to give a controlled exfoliation. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help keep skin looking plump and moisturised.

To use it, simply apply a thin layer at night after cleansing and toning (avoid the eye area) and leave to work it's magic overnight. There's no need to rinse off and in the morning, you should be left with lovely soft skin.

As it is an acid, you might feel a gentle tingling when you first apply the cream - this is perfectly normal, so don't panic! If for any reason you do feel a stronger burning sensation, go wash it off immediately. Like all acid exfoliators, it can make you more susceptible to sunlight, so make sure you use a good SPF in the morning (and no, the one in your moisturiser doesn't count).

Filorga advise that you can use Sleep and Peel every night, or for those with more sensitive skin, every other day. I found that every other day was plenty for me - it left my skin feeling really fresh and looking great, but when I tried to use it every day I experienced a little redness. I also found that I didn't need to use any other kinds of exfoliators on top, so although it is a little pricey, it does mean you can cut down on the number of products you need to buy overall.

Sleep and Peel retails at £54 for 50ml and can be found in the M&S beauty halls.

Are you a fan of chemical exfoliators?

*PR sample

Boots £50 gift card giveaway

As the colder weather draws in, and the jumpers go on, we all need a little treat to make ourselves feel better. I'm giving you the chance to win a £50 Boots gift card - so whether you fancy some new makeup, a luxurious bubble bath or maybe just a new hot water bottle, you'll be able to treat yourself guilt free.

This great prize has been provided courtesy of ComparetheMarket and Tales of a Pale Face and closes on 7 October. ComparetheMarket specialise in finding cheap life insurance quotes for people of all ages, and we believe a healthy lifestyle and feeling good about yourself is key to this. To enter you simply need to follow the Rafflecopter instructions below to earn up to 16 entries to win.

This giveaway is UK only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This prize has been kindly provided by Compare the Market

Nails Inc Gel Effect polishes

I'm a little bit in love with Nails Inc's autumn releases. Their Monogram Manicure kit is a favourite of mine, but in addition to that, they have also released 4 new, Gel Effect polishes*.

Designed to have the high-shine, super glossy finish of gel nails, these polishes don't need UV lamps or soaking off. There are currently four shades in the range, all of which are perfect for autumn: 

Porchester Square and Kensington High Street

Porchester Square - muted mushroom

St James - pillar box red

Bond Street - limited edition rich violet

Kensington High Street - limited edition deep mulberry

Admittedly, they don't have the same lasting power as a normal gel polish (I got about 3 days before any chips), but they are seriously glossy, and apply really evenly without any streaking. They are all opaque in two coats, even Porchester Square which I had worried might be a little sheer. 

I really love the formula of these polishes. I wore mine without a topcoat, and they are still super shiny. I think my favourite shades are Porchester Square and Kensington High Street and I can see myself wearing them a lot throughout winter.  

The Gel Effect polishes are £14 each and can be found at Nails Inc counters and online from Nails Inc. 

Which one is your favourite shade?

*PR samples

Lisa Shepherd Colour Bar - colour in under 1 hour

Lisa Shepherd hair salons have launched a colour service with a difference. Their new Colour Bar offers you a way to get your dye job done, without spending hours in the chair or a fortune at the salon.

There are 6 services on offer that range from between £15 and £30. They promise a quality service and that you’ll be done within an hour – making it the perfect lunch break treat.

The difference with the colour bar is that instead of a salon blow dry at the end of the appointment, you style your hair yourself with the wide range of products and hair dryers provided. You’ll need to bring your own brush for hygiene reasons, but if you forget, they have a fab range available to buy.

You can choose between:
Root Rage £15 – a quick root top up just where it’s needed
Glossy Locks £20 – a semi-permanent all over dye that adds serious shine
Brighter Lights £25 – 6 face framing highlights
Colour Camo £15 – aimed at the gents to help hide greys
Catwalk Colour £25 – for more colourful options, pastels and subtle ombres
Fast Track to Fabulous £30 – a Glossy Locks treatment with a professional blow dry at the end

I popped along in my lunch break to test out the service and see if it was really as speedy as they said! After a quick consultation, I decided to have the Glossy Locks treatment with a blow dry. This is a semi-permanent dye that adds a richness to colour.

Jason applied the agreed rich copper colour and about 20 minutes later I had the colour rinsed off and was moved over to the blow dry station. 10 minutes later my hair was looking super shiny, and the colour looked really rich and vibrant.

My whole appointment lasted just under 50 minutes, which is seriously impressive for a full head of colour. I didn't walk out feeling particularly relaxed, and don't expect a luxury head massage with your shampoo, but it's perfect for those days when you just need to be in and out. I love the concept of the colour bar and they really do deliver against their one hour promise. It’s hard to find a place for a reasonably priced colour treatment, especially in London and I know that this will be incredibly popular.

Like all colour services, you’ll need a patch test 24-48 hours beforehand to ensure no sensitivity to the dyes, but other than that, it’s a really quick, easy to use service and one I’ll definitely be going back again for.

What do you think of the Colour Bar?

*My appointment was provided free of charge for review purposes, but I'm already planning my next visit!

Beauty lessons I wish I'd learnt earlier

As I begin the approach to 30 (eek!), I thought it would be interesting to reflect on some beauty lessons I wish I'd learnt 10 years ago. Unfortunately I'm not able to turn back time like Cher, but I hope you're able to put them to good use sooner than I was!

Oil is your friend - on your face, in your hair, on your body. Don't be scared to use it - oil doesn't always mean greasy!

Always use acetone to remove glitter nail polish - doing it with anything else takes so long you can probably grow new nails in the time it takes to remove it. I spent a long time using 'nail friendly' acetone-free nail polish remover and wondered why it took me about an hour to have any effect. Acetone makes it much easier!

Expensive doesn't always mean better - there are some great budget ranges around, and for many years I always thought high-end equaled high quality. Sometimes it does, but very often the high street has just as good (if not very similar) products. Some of my favourite products come from Aldi, Bourgois, Sleek and Barry M to name a few.

What you eat shows up in your skin - I wish this wasn't true, but what goes in to your body really does make a difference to your skin. Too many bars of chocolate, fried food and lots of lovely carbs leaves my skin looking tired and dull. It's the biggest organ on your body, so it makes sense that what goes in, must come out and if you're having problems with your skin, changing your diet can often have more impact than any product you can buy.

Don't be afraid to experiment!  - whether with hair colour, hair style or makeup, live a little and try new things. I'm still not as experimental wit makeup colours as I'd like, but I'm a lot better than 10 years ago when the only eye shadow I owned was gold...

What beauty lesson do you wish you'd learnt earlier?

Pre-Christmas spending ban

As a beauty junkie, I like to buy new things. Lots of new things. As the festive season is only 3 months away (sorry), I've decided it's time for another beauty spending ban to make me use up some of my stash and save up some pennies for presents.

I'll be starting my ban on 1st October and keeping it going until the end of November. During this time, I'm committing to buying no new beauty products, the only exception being when I have completely run out of something (including backups!) and need a replacement. I'm also reducing my somewhat excessive magazine purchases to one per week (and yes, that is a reduction!).

I'd love you to join me (feel free to set your own rules) - I'll be tweeting updates regularly using the hashtag #xmasspendingban, so if you fancy taking part and supporting each other, just leave a comment below or tweet me.

Good luck!

*P.S. After a long Twitter chat I have had to add 2 exceptions to my rules: a British Beauty Blogger beauty box (coming November) and one beauty advent calendar. I will cry if I don't get both of these. Big style.

MUD makeup review

Makeup Designatory (MUD) are a US makeup brand that have recently launched into cult makeup store Precious About Makeup (PAM). Famous with makeup artists, PAM is like makeup heaven and is one of the only UK stockists of Make Up Forever. 

MUD create a range of makeup with makeup artists in mind, and are high quality and highly pigmented. All of their products are rigorously tested by makeup artists before launch to ensure that they meet professional standards.

L-R Bronzer, blusher, eye shadow, lip liner, lipstick and lip gloss

I've been testing out a small selection of their products and have been really impressed. My favourite has to be the blusher*, which is candy pink in the pot, seriously pigmented and so easy to blend. A little goes a long way and lasts all day. £17.95

The bronzer* is a little too dark for my skin tone, but is a really nice, non-shimmery powder, which is just as pigmented as the blush. £26.50

I'm also loving the lipstick* I was given which is a really soft pastel pink, but is shot through with tiny flecks of gold for a really unusual finish. It reminds me of  paler pink version of Sleek's Rose Gold blush, and feels very creamy and non-drying on the lips. £15.50

I've also tested out a lovely non-sticky lip glaze gloss* (£12.75), which is highly pigmented, a matching lip liner* (£13) which is very soft and easy to apply and an eye shadow* (£14.95). The eye shadow is super soft and very easy to apply, although the plum colour isn't really my shade. The formula is fantastic though, and I'm very tempted to go back and buy a few of the golds and taupes that I saw at PAM on launch day. 

All in all I'm really impressed with the quality of the products and although the prices seem pretty high, I think they are worth investing in. If you haven't visited PAM in West London before, I would urge you to make the trip there - although mostly aimed at make up artists, the shop is open to the public and is a beauty lovers dream! You can order online from PAM if you can't get there in person. 

What do you think of this range?

*PR samples

Astalift Light Analyzing Foundation review

Astalift are a Japanese brand known for their cult skincare range. They recently launched their first ever makeup product - a light analyzing foundation that promises to merge their skincare expertise with colour.

The Light Analyzing Foundation* has been developed to recognise and reflect colour, delivering a smooth, natural looking complexion no matter what time of day.

Colour originates in light, and can be perceived differently depending on who is looking, the light, and what their perception of colour is. The product contains two types of light controlling technologies which help to mitigate these differences, making skin look just as good whether you're in broad sunlight, those horrible bright lights in a toilet, or softer dimmed light.

The foundation comes in a pump dispenser bottle, in the signature red of Astalift products. The product is a medium coverage, liquid foundation and one pump is about enough to cover your face. I apply mine using my Real Techniques buffing brush, using soft up and down strokes, for a completely flawless finish.

I've found the product to give a beautiful finish to skin, making it look like it's glowing. It covers up imperfections well, but doesn't look like you're wearing tons of makeup. If you have combination skin like me, I would recommend using a small amount of powder in the t-zone to set it, and it will easily stay in place all day. Even without a primer, this is very long wearing, and when combined with my current favourite primer (Dermalogica Skin Perfect), I get a good 12 hours wear.

It also includes collagen, to help retain moisture and firmness in the skin, SPF 25 and Astaxanthin, an antioxidant that helps to support the skin's natural repair process.

At the moment, the foundation is only available in 6 shades, and due to the brand's Japanese heritage, these do tend to be on the lighter scale of the spectrum. I'm shade Ivory, which is the lightest, but the darkest shade only goes down to around a MAC NC35, so for anyone darker than that you probably won't find a fit at the moment. Astalift have promised that they are looking into creating darker shades, so hopefully there will be an increase in the range very soon.

The foundation is priced at £29 and will be avialbe from Selfridges, Debenhams and selected Boots, as well as online from Astalift.

Do you like the look of this foundation?

*PR sample

Label M Resurrection Dust review

As someone with fine hair that can often look a bit limp, I'm forever hunting out products that can add more volume to my hair.

Label M's Resurrection Dust is a fantastic, multi-use product that not only helps to add body, but can also be used to add hold and structure to up dos as well.

The Resurrection Dust is a white powder, that comes in a clear, talcum powder style shaker. To use, you simply shake a small amount of the powder into your roots and massage in gently. You'll be left with a matte finish to hair, plus some decent lift at the roots.

I like to use the resurrection dust not only as a volumising product, but also to help me create hair that is more easy to put up. My hair seems to miss out that nice bit when it's really easy to create up dos, instead preferring to go from super silky to greasy instead. The Resurrection Dust gives it a nice amount of grip - not making it sticky, but making it feel less silky, and like it has more holding power. I often use it when I try to create the 60's inspired dos that I love and it really makes a difference in how long my style stays in!

It's also good used sparingly as a dry shampoo if you've run out, as the powder mattifies the roots, soaking up excess oil. Just be careful not to over sprinkle, as you can end up with a little bit of residue.

Resurrection Dust is £10.95 for 3g and you can buy it online from Label M or Look Fantastic.

Do you like the sound of this hair product?

Nails Inc Monogram Manicure

I am a total nail polish addict so was really excited to see what Nails Inc had coming out for Autumn this year.

Top of my list is the new Monogram Manicure*. An easy to use nail art set, you get two mini polishes in Southbank (soft grey) and Mayfair Place (deep plum) plus a top coat. There's also 4 sheets of black and white letters to enable you to write messages on your nails.

Simply paint your nails in your chosen colour, allow to dry thoroughly and while you wait, decide which words you're going to write on your nails. Peel off the required letters and apply using the handy cuticle stick included in the pack or tweezers if you have some to hand. Seal the letters in with the provided top coat and you're good to go!

The letters last really well on your nails, and will need an acetone based remover (and a bit of effort) to help get them off when you're ready to change designs.

I like the fact that there's a choice of black or white letters so you can get a nice contrast depending on your polish base colour. You also get plenty of the more popular letters so you can use the kit lots of times. The only restrictions you have is thinking of some good 4/5 letter words to write on your nails!

The Monogram Manicure set cost £20 and is now available online from Nails Inc and in store from Nails Inc stockists.

What do you think of this kit?

*PR sample

Lee Stafford Straighten and Nourish Straighteners review

Like most women, I love my hair straighteners. I haven't looked back since I got my first pair many years ago and use them regularly to create both straight and curly styles. The only thing I don't like is the damage that I know they do to my hair. 

Lee Stafford has come up with an ingenious answer to this issue with his new 'nourish' range. I've been testing out the new Straighten and Nourish hair straighteners* which have argan oil infused plates, to help protect your hair during styling and put some goodness back into it as you go.

The straighteners have floating tourmaline ceramic plates which help stop them getting snagged on your hair, and also have an adjustable temperature gauge - something I wish GHD would introduce. As different hair types need different levels of heat to style them, this is an excellent function to help stop you doing even more damage to hair as you style! Select a good temperature for your hair up to a maximum of 230 degrees using the plus/minus buttons on the top of the irons. 

The cord is nice and long (3m) and swivels, making it easy to style without having to be right next to your plug socket. 

They leave hair looking very sleek and shiny and I've found them really easy to use and very effective at creating straight styles. I was a little worried that they might make my fine hair look a bit flat because of the argan oil infusion, but I haven't noticed any issues with this at all.

The Straighten and Nourish irons are £39.99 and can be found from Argos. There's also a hairdryer and curling tong in the range, which I'm tempted to invest in at a later date.

Do you like the idea of oil infused stylers? 

*PR sample

Body Shop Honeymania collection

Welcome to Honeymania - the new collection launching soon from The Body Shop. It's been a while since I tried so many Body Shop products, but this range is fab! 

The Honeymania collection* is a set of 7 bath and body products that all contain Community Fair Trade Honey from Ethiopia. The honey used in the products not only gives it the most amazing smell (which is quite floral, not like traditional honey), but also adds some serious moisturising properties.

The products all have the same, slightly floral scent, which is sourced from the bees in the Sheka rainforest in Ethiopia. All of the honey is hand harvested from the wild bees who build their nests high up in the trees of the rainforest. The Body Shop have been working with the local bee whisperers, who climb the trees, and harvest the honey without harming the bees. The bees visit around 2 million flowers and cover 90,000 kilometres to make just 500g of honey!

Honey is one of the main ways of earning money in this region of Ethiopia and the Body Shop is working with the local Beza Mar bee experts, who are dedicated to improving the livelihoods of their bee keepers. 

The Honeymania range consists of:

Body Butter £13 - this is a super rich body cream, that leaves skin feeling super soft for hours.

Body Scrub £12.50 - a really effective scrub that moisturises at the same time

Eau de Toilette £8.50 - this is a light, floral scent with a hint of honey. I quite like it, but it won't be for everyone as it is quite sweet  smelling. 

Bubble Bath Melt £8 - this really does look like liquid honey in the pot! A rich, thick bubble bath, pour a small amount in for lots of bubbles and lovely honey scent. 

Shower Gel £4 - a good, foaming shower gel, this is the Body Shop's standard formula but with the Honeymania scent.

Lip Balm £4 - smells lovely, but I prefer lip balms in stick format rather than ones you put your fingers in.

Soap £2 - a gylcerin soap with a cute honeycomb design etched in.

The Honeymania range launches into the Body Shop on 18th September. Do you like the sound of this new range?

*PR samples

Astrid and Miyu secret box review

Astrid and Miyu is a jewellery website with a beautiful range of affordable costume jewellery. I recently signed up for their secret box service: a quarterly surprise box of jewelley tailored to your taste.

I've had a lot of beauty boxes before and been somewhat underwhelmed so I was a little nervous about giving a jewellery subscription service a try. It costs £39 but promises to send items worth up to £100, so is a pretty good deal. I've just received the September box and was really pleased with the contents.

Before sending you anything, you complete a questionnaire where you can say if there's any type of jewellery you don't wear, allergies you might have and also a space for you to pick out your 5 favourite pieces from their site. They really seem to pay attention to these as I actually received two of these in my box!

The surprises arrived in a cute cream box tied with a blue ribbon (can't show you this as I have the patience of a child and opened it straight away!). Each item is individually wrapped in little canvas bags inside the box. I had 4 items in mine but it varies depending on cost.

My favourite piece is the Aztec Princess necklace (£29), a gold plated necklace with 5 triangular points. I also received a golden arrow bangle (£15), which is very delicate and will look fab layered with a few others.

My third item is a red friendship bangle (£19) with a small crystal bead on - probably not something I would have bought myself but I actually really like how it looks on.

The final item is a chunky gold toned Summer Heat necklace (£29) with different beads on. I love statement necklaces and this one is perfect!

As well as the jewellery, they also include a couple of cards with ideas for a smokey eye, and a homemade face mask recipe, which is a lovely extra touch.

All in all I'm really pleased with my first box and will be keeping my subscription for the next box which is due out at the start of December. If you like the sound of the box you can sign up over on the Astrid and Miyu site.

What do you think of this subscription box?

Summer wedding guest survival kit

Summer usually means an influx of weddings and I'm off to celebrate a friends marriage later on this week. I'm already thinking about what to pack in my bag, as an all day event will require some careful considerations.

Rimmel Clear Complexion Powder* - shine is a no no when lots of photos are being taken and this Rimmel powder is one of my favourites. It's transparent so won't get in the way of my makeup if I need a little touch-up throughout the day.

Scholl Party Feet* - wearing heels all day can be pretty painful, and I'll be slipping these in my stilettos for a bit of extra cushioning so I don't have to miss out on all the dancing later on!

NYC Blue Rose Lipstick* - I'm keeping my outfit pretty plain, so will be livening things up with hot pink accessories and a lippie to match. The blue undertones in this NYC one also help make teeth look a bit whiter, which is an added bonus!

Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick Uncoloured* - I love the Korres lip butters, and this untinted version will be great for applying under my lippie to stop lips drying out throughout the day. It also has an SPF 15 in it, so gives a bit of added protection if the weather is nice (really hope it is!).

Tweezerman mini tweezers* - I like to keep tweezers in my bag for sneaky stray brow hairs and this mini pair come in their own container so they won't get dirty. The mini size also makes them perfect for the clutch I'll be taking with me.

Hello Kitty Plasters - I found these in Poundland a little while back. Plasters are one of my 'just in case' products that go into my bag - you never know when you might get a blister, especially when standing up in heels all day.

Korres Zea Mays Blusher* - Korres blushers are super soft and long lasting and the compact on this one makes it perfect to slip in my bag for a touch up throughout the day as well as allowing me to reapply my lipstick without taking an extra mirror.

What are your wedding essentials?

*The items were kindly sent to me by Lloyds Pharmacy - who knew they did Korres?!