Lovin' Lush #5 // Forever Repurchasing

To clarify: I mean 'repurchasing forever' as in 'I'll always love you', rather than 'you're a product that runs out way too quick, I'm forever running to the shops to buy you'. Just sayin'. Anyway, yes, I use these two wonder products so often I don't know what I'd do (or my skin would do, for that matter) without them..

The Fresh Farmacy (£4.95/100g) soap is what I always reach for. In fact, I don't think I've gone down a different path for my (morning) facial cleanser in months. Months. I use Fresh Farmacy religiously; my face won't feel clean without it. Despite the fact I don't notice my love when I lather the product, I definitely know my skin is crying for it when I'm left with only half a 5p piece to scrape by on.. Must repurchase immediately. Always. 

Instead of incorporating Cosmetic Warrior (£6.50) into my everyday routine (it would be too harsh daily for my skin), I'd use this 1 or 2 times a week to thoroughly cleanse my face. Looking at the size of the pot, 75g, you might be thinking "you'll only get one or two uses out of that!", but, I find that I get at least 4, 5 or even 6 uses before the date expires (due to the fresh ingredients) or until I've raked every single little scoop I can. Cosmetic Warrior is a staple face mask for myself: I think it's always nice to have a face mask on stand-by for when pampering is initiated..and so, this is also always on my list when I pop into Lush (or I whenever I can persuade my Mum to pick one up for me..).

Do you have any Lush holy-grail products? I'd love to know in the comments!
To read my other posts in the Lovin' Lush series, click here.

Lovin' Lush #3 REVIEW // LUSH Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask

Do you ever find yourself repurchasing one particular product over and over? Because it just works so well for you, well this is my product, which I guess I'd call a staple and ''holy grail''. Whenever I run out of it I just don't know what to do except for thinking - RUN TO LUSH NOW. I really am that desperate for this face mask.

The fresh garlic LUSH use in this face mask is key, because of the antiseptic properties. Tea Tree is also included due to it being antibacterial, and green grapes are not only refreshing, but, cooling too.

Minus the wet dog smell - due to garlic, I think - this is a fabulous face mask for spot-prone and oily skin. Got spots? Try this out. Got angered skin? This could be perfect for you. And it's nice to know that the lovely staff at LUSH are always happy to help.

Find the Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask - here.
To view my other Lush posts in the Lovin' Lush series click - here.

Lovin' Lush #2 | HAUL

I do love LUSH; the surroundings, the smells and the staff (the 3 s's). The atmosphere and friendly vibes are always enticing to enter the store and once I'm in well, I'm in and there's no stopping. Recently, I visited the store in Edinburgh; which actually has a view of the castle from its doors! My Sister also picked me up a couple of bits from the more local LUSH store: another Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask and the Space Girl bath bomb. (Oh, and LUSH's website is great - easy to use and so imformative - so i'll link the products too).

Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask (full post soon) - link.
Ooooh - this is possibly my favourite LUSH product, I just feel like it's so worth while and helps my skin alot. It contains garlic.. which might be offputting because it does smell like wet dog (although I don't find it too bad really..) but if you can think past that then you'll reap the benefits.

Space Girl Bath Bomb - link.
"Feel out of this world". I've had this once before, and, it smells gorgeous (as do all LUSH bath products!) like Parma Violets. My Sister bought this one for me because she knows me to well and must know that I lovveee Parma Violets. And if you listen carefully (to your bath water..?) you might hear the popping candy!

Something new for me is the Happy Hippy shower gel which smells so fresh; like sweet limes and lemons. I think this will definitely be refreshing in the shower once I use it, and I think i'll probably buy it again sometime. Link - here.

Another repurchase is the "Honey I Washed The Kids" (cleverr name) soap. I lovveee the smell of this; it's like everything sweet and luxurious mixed into one. Obviously, one of the key scents is honey and the top of the bar is coated in "caramel" (I wouldn't eat it though..)! This makes great lather and, in my opinion softens my hands too - I definitely recommend this one. Link - here.

Hydrating Lip Combo

Usually, I have dry, very chipped & cracked lips but this super combination of products returns them to tip-top condition and leaves hydrated smoothness instead. It's hard to describe the textures of these lip wonders, but i'll try my best...

LUSH, LUSH, LUSH. Where do I begin? Well, firstly, I bet you're looking at this Popcorn (yes, that buttery, yummy scent) lip scrub like ''I can make that with two spoonfuls of sugar and a bit of olive oil''. But no, this is so much more. The taste is to DIE for - sweet but salty. The product is made up with very natural ingredients (save enough to eat anyways) that make my lips soft, soft, soft. It exfoliates the skin too, buffing away the ''dead'' (ew) cells on the lips without being overly harsh. Purchase here - from their website.

EOS you've won me over, I didn't know much about this brand until my friend brought me one back from her holidays last Summer. This clever, sweetly packaged lip balm is like no other and hasn't left my side once. I think it's the tingling sensation once applied that pushes it from an okay-use-it-once kinda balm to a YOU'RE-STAYING-WITH-ME-NOW product. I have the ''mint'' flavour, which sure is minty. The taste/scent does linger awhile once on the lips and top-ups are only needed after 2/3 hours. I definitely recommend the trying EOS lip balm range, but buy in America/online as prices are significantly cheaper vs. the hard-to-reach stock in the UK. Purchase here - from Selfridges.

Do you have any combination of lip products you love to use? Or lip balms you always reach for in your handbag? I'd love to know, so leave me a comment below:-)

Pamper Evening & Nail Painting //

We all need a good pamper night from time to time to and for me it would include painting my nails a fresh new colour, treating my skin to a nourishing face mask and relaxing in a hot bath.

I will always reach for a LUSH Bath Bomb or Bubble Bar if I want a pop of colour and bubbles for my bath, tonight I used the Fizzbanger Bath Bomb, which turned my bath water a dreamy blue colour. My skin felt super soft due to Fizzbanger even though I'm not sure this is supposed to happen, I'm not complaining!

Before I enjoyed my bath I put the LUSH Fresh Face Mask Cosmetic Warrior (which is kept in the fridge to keep fresher and this means it’s cooling on the skin too). I adore Cosmetic Warrior, read my Empties post here for more information. Using a Face Mask helps to completely cleanse in a deep, but gentle way that also hydrates your skin. I leave this on for 10-15 minutes (or until I hop out the bath) and wash it off using a flannel, then I'd follow up with the remaining of my night-time skincare routine.

Fileing and clipping my nails is a weekly must-do for myself as my nails grow so fast (like the opposite of snails-pace). Firstly, I’d use a Base Nail Coat, my favourite at the moment is Sally Hansen Double Duty. I feel like this base coat really strengthens and makes a noticable difference to my (usually) fairly weak nails. Nude nails were on the cards for me and so I chose Barry M Gelly in Lychee, which is quite a deep, almost mousse-like creamy nude (what a great description..). This took 2 coats to be opaque, pretty good for under a fiver.

Finally, a bit of moisturising, using LUSH Charity Pot Hand and Body Lotion, which is a nice moisturiser that does what it says on the tin.

Lovin' Lush | HAUL

Tea Tree Toner Tab; I love using this by dropping it into a bowl of steam to open up my pores and deeply cleanse my face. I'd do this every 2/3 weeks, usually before a face mask. The tea tree ingredient is known for anticeptic properties to help get rid of bacteria which can cause spots and blemishs. Afterwards, you can store the water (infused with tea tree) and use it as a toner.. (even better value now). I have purchased this 3/4 times.

Dorothy Bubble Bar; How much more colourful could they make this? I'll tell you, they couldn't. I haven't used this in my bath yet.. I'm saving it for when I feel like I need a treat. Bubble bars are LUSH's way of cutting down packaging on bubble bath, yet still making tonnes of bubbles for your bath time.  It features Ylang Ylang oil to give an uplifting, floral fragrance. Hopefully the water will turn blue too with Dorothy.

Samples; The last two items were products that have intrigued me greatly, although I'm not sure if my skin type will react will with these (which is why I didn't purchase the full size). Movis is a hydrating soap, for a nourishing wash (I have combination skin) so, for me this could be too rich for a daily soap. This will be getting a weekly use I think.

On the other hand, Ocean Salt is an ex-foliating cleanser (my skin is also sensitive) so, once/twice a week will keep my skin in good condition but won't be too harsh. Knowing me, I will love these two and purchase them in the future.

Let me know your Lush favourites in the comments!

*Contains free sample

March Empties

As the title suggests these products I have finished completely, and I will share them with you. I like reading these posts, as obviously if I have finished the products up all-together, then I must have liked using them (that and then I have an excuse for another shopping trip)!

Firstly, No7 ''Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes'' £7.00 for 30 from Boots, I absolutely love using these wipes to remove my makeup just before I cleanse and wash my face. Otherwise, if i'm feeling lazy (most the time) then I will only use these. They are fabulous and even make my face look fresh even if I haven't thoroughly washed it. Often in Boots the women there hands out leaflets offering £5.00 off all No7 skincare. YES. That means these wipes are only £2.00!! I couldn't live without these, and my skincare routine would be completely different without them. Some face wipes, in my opinion, make my face feel all greasy or tight but these wipes are the perfect balance. 3 or 4 packets I've been through now, they sure are good. I totally recommend them.

Next, LUSH ''Eau Roma Water'' Toner Water 100ml £3.95, this toner goes great with my skincare routine, I use this every single day and night! It lasts forever! Only now have I taken advantage of the better value bottle for 250ml at £7.50 (after buying two of the smaller ones), which I know I'll use up. Sometimes, when I use a face mask, or steam my face it becomes drier in areas, and this toner is great for evening out this problem. It refreshes my face, as well as making it feel completely smooth and soft. 

Maybelline Volum' Express Mascara £6.19, on the other hand, is on the ''not-so-sure'' list... I think it's the wand/brush shape I dislike, it's just quite small and (how to say this?) pathetic. I want a big, curvy brush that can provide lots of volume and length, so this mascara doesn't quite work for me, although I needed to use it up. Therefore, the name (Volume EXPRESS) doesn't fit either, in my opinion. 

Another Lush product (Lush always hit the nail on the head with skincare) is the Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask £6.95 75g. Lush say "A gentle and balancing fresh face mask with antibacterial tea tree and fresh garlic working together to cleanse. Fresh green grapes clean and cool the skin, whilst free range eggs tighten its texture and antimicrobial honey leaves it soft and moisturised. Smooth a generous layer of this mask onto your face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes." I couldn't agree with this more, this product is a m a z i n g. The smell is just (well if you hold your nose) bearable with garlic being a strong feature the scent might put you off. But, just wait until afterwards and your face will feel so much clearer. I can't live without this either. Purchased this little one twice now, and he'll be a favourite of mine for a while longer.

This is that one product everyone knows about, everyone talks about and honestly I'm bored of hearing about. The Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer £4.19 (in 01 Fair) has been a firm concealer choice of mine for a while now, I'm on my 3rd or 4th tube now (yes, I lose count). You know the deal with this, it's a great, last-lasting, non creasing, full power, budget concealer with a great light shade for (ghostly) pale people like me!

Thanks for reading, I hope you have added a couple of my favourites to your wishlist