October Empties #3

Happy Halloween all! I'm looking forward to my night in watching Hocus Pocus on Netflix... Hope you enjoy your evening whatever you're up to! Moving on now as this isn't at all a Halloween themed post, instead it's the usual end of month empties! 

Neal and Wolf Indulgence Scented Candle* - £17.95

I adore the unique Neal and Wolf scent, but unfortunately for me it just was too subtle in candle form. Full review here.

Re-purchase? No.

Organic Surge Fresh Ocean Shower Gel 250ml - £4.75

My other half used this too - he seems to like Organic Surge's scents! This definitely was fresh - but with a citrus edge as opposed to salty, containing Lemon, Lime and Rosemary. The formula is SLS free but lathers up wonderfully.

Re-purchase? Yes in the future. I'd like to try Sugared Almond next. 

Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil in Love is Blonde - £10.00

Although the shade I have isn't the perfect match colour wise, I really like how easy it is to fill the sparseness in my brows with the tinted felt tip end. It gives a natural finish and lasts all day too. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Yes.

Green People Pressed Powder SPF15 in Porcelain Pale - £18.86

This has been in quite a few empties posts now because although it's pricey, it's what I look for in a face powder; pressed, talc free, a great shade match and great for setting makeup. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Yes.

Neal's Yard Bee Lovely Hand Cream 50ml - £10.00

I was quite sad that this run out - the formula is quite thick and creamy for soft, nourished hands and the scent just gorgeous; a mixture of honey and orange essential oil. 

Re-purchase? Yes - but I have too many others to justify buying another right now!

Lush Sunnyside Bubble Bar - £3.75

I have a full review of this ready to post so I won't say too much - but this brightened up my bath experience considerably!

Re-purchase? I would.

Claudia Louch Botanical Firming Toner 40ml* - £37.40 

This cucumber scented toner was refreshing and reviving, but the formula was quite thin so I found myself using more than I would expect to when applying with a cotton pad. It definitely ran out quicker than other similar sized toners I've used in the past. Full review here.

Re-purchase? No.

Elemental Herbology Cell Food Facial Serum 30ml* - £45.00

I neglected this amazing serum for a few months when my skin went through a really bad period and the little bit left has unfortunately gone off. The brightening effects of the serum are noticeable instantly, whilst giving my skin a good dose of hydration for an overall boost. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Yes.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla - £22.00

My first NARS product is an absolute winner - it's super creamy, buildable, blendable, provides fantastic coverage and doesn't go cakey or dry out the skin. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Oh you couldn't stop me!

I've used up a real mixture of products this month. I'd love to know what products you've used up recently? 

Beauty Bird xx

5 Autumn Nail Picks

I was rifling through my boxes of nail varnish the other day, looking for an Autumnal shade to wear and I just couldn't decide which one to use. I pulled out the nail varnishes I was most drawn to and this post was born. So without further ado, I introduce my 5 nail picks for Autumn...

 Left to Right: China Glaze - Harvest Moon / Maybelline - Divine Wine / China Glaze - Dress Me Up / 

Essie - Warm and Toasty Turtleneck / Essie - Parka Perfect

China Glaze - Harvest Moon

I adore this unique shade, described as a "luxurious metallic copper", which was inspired by District 9 from The Hunger Games. Every time I look it at it I can't help but think of beautiful orange Autumn leaves on a woodland walk! 

Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Colour - Divine Wine

My favourite colour in Autumn is, well, anything with a berry hue! One of the nicest shades I've come across is Divine Wine, which is a mid toned berry that is vibrant and rich in colour with a gorgeous glossy finish. 

China Glaze - Dress Me Up

If you're loving the 90s nude lip trend at the moment, then this is the perfect nail shade to co-ordinate with your lips. Dress Me Up is a brown toned, dusky pink, but the pink is so muted it borders on the nude category. This shade was also inspired by The Hunger Games - this time District 8.

Essie - Warm and Toasty Turtleneck

I only recently bought the Essie polishes in this post (and for a bargain too from Fragrance Direct - clickable link above), the first one being this lovely lavender shade. I love picking up these muted kind of colours - I always think of it as just one step down from my adored summer brights, so you still get a strong, deep colour, just toned down a little.

Essie - Parka Perfect

Although some people see it as quite a boring colour, grey is one of my favourites as I think it suits my pale skin and blonde hair. This is possibly one of the nicest grey nail shades ever - blue toned with a delicate shimmer running through it. Love love love!

Which of my Autumn nail picks is your favourite? What are your favourite nail shades for this time of year?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Lychee by The Library of Fragrance

Recently the brand The Library of Fragrance launched in the UK, with an online shop selling their full range of over 100 colognes and a selection being available in 400 Boots stores nationwide. Their fragrance is unique in many ways; firstly because the scents are not what you'd necessarily expect to wear on your skin. They are described as "inspired by life"; smells that surround us on a day to day basis captured in a bottle, such as Cherry Blossom, Honey and Ginger. More unusual scents include Pizza, Baby Powder, Grass and Play-Doh. The second unique aspect of The Library of Fragrance is the fact that their scents are "single note" - one individual scent that expresses its character immediately and doesn't change over time. This also means that their range of scents can be layered and mixed together to create your own bespoke scent. All the bottles are 30ml in size and cost £15.00.

Recently I've been wearing the fragrance Lychee, a scent that delicately captures the sweet and fruity nature of this exotic red fruit. It's quite a light scent, truly typical of a cologne, which means it does wear off by the end of the morning. This is definitely one to pop in your handbag and top up through the day as needed. The bottle is nice and compact, the packaging very simple and functional with a sticky label. It's not the prettiest or most exciting bottle, but the low price reflects that and at least you know you're paying mostly for the scent. 

The Library of Fragrance really sets itself apart from other brands because of its quirky scents and affordable price point. I think the scents would appeal to both men and women, old and young, making nice gifts or an inexpensive treat for yourself. See the full range online here.

What do you think of The Library of Fragrance's range of colognes? Which scent do you like the sound of the most?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product. 

Writing a Product Review: My Tips

Tea and biscuits optional!

When I write an individual product review for this blog, I have a little tick list in my mind of things to mention in the review and generally follow this for any beauty product. I personally prefer quite detailed reviews; I'm not talking an essay, but a good few paragraphs as opposed to three or four lines briefly describing why the product is good or bad. I love to read an overview of the product and the writer's experience of using it. After all, a lot of the time I'm reading a review because I don't know much, if anything, about what's being featured or because I'm trying to make a well informed decision on whether to purchase it or not.

This is the format I tend to follow for individual product reviews;

Introduction

I keep this quite brief, but I like to write a few introductory lines to ease the reader into the review - for example, how I came across the product or who/what influenced me to buy it.

Brand and Product Information

After the introduction, I will write some facts that are appropriate to the product type and a sentence about what the brand claims it will do. If the brand is fairly unknown then I will include some facts about the brand too. Here are the key points I aim to cover;

• The size of the bottle/pot
• The price
• The packaging
• Key ingredients
• The formula e.g. a cream cleanser or a powder blusher
• Brand claims e.g. "designed to reduce the appearance of pores and re-balance oily skin"
• If the product comes with anything e.g. brush and mirror with an eyeshadow palette
• Any other appropriate facts e.g. 98% natural, non-comedogenic, contains SPF15

My Thoughts

This is obviously the key section of the review and I try to cover as many aspects as possible to thoroughly share my experience of using the product. 

Makeup

• How I apply/use the product and ease of application
• The pigmentation and how well the shade suits my skin
• The formula e.g. is the lipstick dry or creamy, is the eyeshadow overly powdery or smooth and buttery
• The finish e.g. matte, glossy, shimmery
• If there is any scent and what that scent is
• The average wear time on my skin

Skincare

• How I apply/use the product
• The consistency and feel of the formula e.g. it feels silky, it feels heavy
• If there is any scent and what that scent is
• How it affects my skin - this will vary massively depending on the type of product but could include if it's drying or hydrating, if it's soothing or irritating, if it improves blemishes/redness/fine lines/dullness/pores as promised, if it removes makeup effectively.

Summary

This summarises my thoughts from above in a couple of sentences. I try to be as balanced as possible - if the product wasn't for me then I will say so, but I will then recommend who I think it could be suitable for.

Other

I also like to include an external link to a website, which makes it easy for the reader to read more about the product if they wish and even make a purchase if they feel inspired to do so!

I may not always write a review exactly like this or in this order; sometimes I will put the external link at the beginning of the post and sometimes at the end of the post for example. However I feel like following this format as a guideline really helps to me to write a helpful, informative review - hopefully if you read my reviews you will agree! Please note that this does not mean I think this is the best way to format a review or that I do not like other formats, I just find this works for me. 

I would love to know your tips for writing a product review?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: MAC Eyeshadow in Sable

When I spotted this MAC eyeshadow pan in the shade Sable on a blog sale for just £7.00, looking barely used, it was too good to resist. After googling swatches and reading that it was a great colour to suit blue eyes, I knew it had to be the third eyeshadow to go in my MAC pro palette quad. 

Sable is a Frost finish, which gives an iridescent shine to the eyeshadow. MAC describe Sable as a "gold-plum with bronze pearl" shade, which I do partially agree with. I would describe it as a warm bronze with plum undertones; I'm not sure if there's any gold in there! Although Sable doesn't look much in the pan, it really comes into its own on the skin and looks stunning. I'm so glad I bought it; I don't think I have any other shade quite like it in my eyeshadow collection and the plum undertones make it perfect for Autumn. I also love how buildable the colour is, so it can be easily be transformed from a day to night shade. As with the other MAC eyeshadows I've tried, the quality and pigmentation is on a very high level.

I now need one more eyeshadow pan to make my quad complete (the other shades I have are Satin Taupe and All That Glitters), so if you have any recommendations please let me know in the comments.

What do you think of Sable? Which MAC eyeshadow shades do you love?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Faith in Nature Grapefruit and Orange Shampoo and Conditioner for Normal to Oily Hair

I love coming across new brands and products, especially when they use natural ingredients. Faith in Nature is a British brand based in Lancashire, producing a range of hair, body, skin and home care products. These products do not contain SLS, SLES, Parabens, synthetic colourings or fragrances, artificial preservatives or genetically modified ingredients and are not tested on animals. 

I've recently been using Faith in Nature's Grapefruit and Orange Shampoo and Conditioner for normal to oily hair. I used to wash my hair every other day, but in the last month I've been extending this by a day, so have had to cope with extra oiliness in the process. This duo promise to cleanse and condition with organic Citrus Oil, Sunflower Oil and Chamomile Flower Extract, whilst providing an uplifting scent. The bottles are 400ml in size, costing a very reasonable £5.50 each. 

The Faith in Nature Grapefruit and Orange Shampoo has a fairly thin, gel formula, but lathers up brilliantly - if I didn't know otherwise, I wouldn't have said it was SLS free. It cleanses my hair gently but effectively. The Grapefruit and Orange Conditioner has a creamy, medium consistency, which is enough to nourish the ends after cleansing. Unlike most natural shampoos and conditioners I've tried, Faith in Nature's do not leave my hair extra knotty or rough to the touch. The end result is smooth and I would even go as far to say silky locks, that have been purified and refreshed without being stripped. I adore the scent too - it's a real zingy punch of grapefruit, which is so invigorating on a sleepy morning.

All in all the Grapefruit and Orange Shampoo and Conditioner are a fantastic duo, that I'd really recommend for oily hair based on my experience. They're possibly the best natural shampoo and conditioner I've tried to date and are really affordable too. They can be purchased from Faith in Nature here.

Have you tried any products from Faith in Nature? Are there any other natural haircare products you'd recommend trying? 

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains PR samples. This does not affect my opinion of the product. 

The Autumn Tag 2014

You know me, I love a good tag and I always do Georgina from Makeup Pixi3's seasonal tags. She always does them as a new season approaches, which tends to get me into the spirit of it!

1.  Ok we're talking coffees - what's your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks/Costa/Cafe Nero etc?

The only coffee I tend to drink is mochas, so I'll move away from the coolers to the hot versions. I love the Christmas variations but I'm not sure what I tried in Autumn last year... I think Starbucks did a salted caramel mocha? That was quite nice.

2.  Accessories - what do you opt for, scarf, boots, gloves?

I'll wear boots or my trusty Converse hi-tops. I'll wear jumpers with my lovely, padded gilet from New Look before breaking out the winter coat (I could do with a new one this year) and maybe a scarf too. I love those fingerless gloves with the mitten cover up, especially when they are animal themed and have little woolly ears!

3.  Music - what's your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?

There's nothing specific I'll change to when it comes to music; I listen to the radio when driving to and from work, so whatever's in the charts. Otherwise it'll be old favourites that I can listen to again and again.

4.  Perfume - what's your favourite scent for this time of year?

Most of my perfumes are quite light and floral, but I do have the Paco Rabane Black XS and Caroline Herrera 212 Sexy, both of which are a bit muskier for Autumn. 

5.  Candles - what scents will you be burning this season?

I've been loving my oil burner recently and burning a lot of Yankee Candle wax tarts. At the moment I'm burning Rainwashed Berry, which I think is a good transitional scent. I will need to go shopping and get some more for Autumn/Winter, so let me know if you have any recommendations! 

6.  What do you love most about Autumn?

I love Autumnal colours, especially burgundy, so I will be digging out my burgundy jeans sometime soon! I also like snuggling up under a blanket with a hot chocolate in the evenings. I don't like it getting darker earlier in the evening and being darker when I wake up though.

7.  Favourite makeup look?

I don't tend to change my makeup look too much through the seasons, but I may switch from cream to powder blusher for a stronger, deeper colour. I should really brave berry lips this Autumn, because it looks gorgeous! I will also be digging out my muted, dark and glittery nail polishes. 

8.  What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?

At the moment there's nothing specific, but Autumn will lead up to some exciting events, such as my Dad getting married in December. My best friend also recently got engaged so I expect we will be shopping for a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses soon! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this tag! I'd love to hear what you are looking forward to most this Autumn?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Green People Gentle Cleanse and Makeup Remover

I have fallen in love with creamy cleansers over the past few months and while hunting around for a new one, came across the Green People Gentle Cleanse and Makeup Remover. This was the first Green People skincare product I tried, though I do already own their Pressed Powder, which is a regular re-repurchase. 

I decided to buy this cleanser as I like the fact that Green People is a natural brand, with the Gentle Cleanse and Makeup Remover containing 91% organic ingredients. Ingredients include Aloe Vera, Calendula, Shea Butter, Rose Geranium, Squalane and Sunflower Seed Oil. It is designed for all skintypes and the fact it removes makeup too sealed the deal for me, meaning I could use it for my first nighttime cleanse. As well as removing makeup, it is designed to clear away impurities and balance and nourish the skin. A 200ml bottle retails at £19.95 but can be picked up cheaper from Feel Unique for £17.96 here.

In terms of the formula of the Gentle Cleanse and Makeup Remover, it is quite a thick consistency but is really creamy, with a light, natural scent. This is one of those formulas I could just massage into my skin for hours - it feels like a hydrating moisturiser that never absorbs. The cleanser is so soothing, calming and completely non-irritating; I really do think that any skintype could use it. It also removes makeup very gently and effectively (though doesn't remove mascara quite as good as The Body Silky Camomile Cleansing Oil). If my skin is feeling particularly sensitive I'll use the Gentle Cleanse and Makeup Remover for both my cleanses at night, leaving my skin fresh, moisturised and feeling very soft. Sometimes I'll use it in the morning, but I tend to lean towards lighter cleansers in the morning these days and this is a little heavy in comparison. 

If you're looking for a natural, gentle cleanser for removing makeup then I highly recommend checking out the Green People Gentle Cleanse and Makeup Remover. It's the one you can depend on when you don't know what else to use, whether your skin is dry, oily or combination. I will definitely be re-purchasing. It also comes in a 50ml travel size bottle if you want to try it but don't want to splash out on the full size straight away.

Have you tried any skincare products by Green People? What creamy cleansers do you love?

Beauty Bird xx

NOTD: The Glitter is Back

I haven't painted my nails in awhile (curses self for not making the time) but before that I was wearing lots of summer brights and pastels. Now we've hit Autumn I'm eyeing up darker and more muted shades, including the always loved glitter. I'm like a magpie when it comes to glitter nail varnish - the more concentrated the better! Currently adorning my nails is the beautifully sparkly Razmatazz by Leighton Denny, which is also my first ever nail varnish from this brand. This perfectly brings together the deeper hue and the sparkle I've been lusting after, all in one bottle. 

Razmatazz is a deep but vibrant purple, containing pink and blue glitter. The glitter is very small and concentrated, meaning the finish is quite smooth. I had to apply 3 coats to get the coverage I wanted  and then added a top coat for a glossier finish, but the end result is absolutely stunning. 

If you fancy treating yourself to Razmatazz, it can be picked up for £11.00 from HQ Hair here.

Have you tried any nail varnish from Leighton Denny? Will you be digging out the glitter for the colder months?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

Battle of The Budget Brow Gels: Maybelline Brow Drama vs Rimmel Brow This Way

I love fuss free, easy to use products, especially when it comes to makeup. It's usually because I'm in a rush to get ready in the mornings and sometimes it's because I'm being lazy! I'm having a moment with brows right now and wanted something quicker to use than powder or pens. So I ended up buying not one, but two tinted brow gels from Boots; the Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara in Dark Blond and the Rimmel Brow This Way Styling Gel in Blonde. But which is better? Let the battle commence!

Packaging

Although packaging isn't everything, it is the first impression you get of a product. Maybelline Brow Drama has chunky, black, square packaging with a sticker label; simple and functional. Rimmel Brow This Way is circular and so it is sleeker and more compact. The colour of the tube represents the colour of the tint and the details of the product are directly printed on the tube, which gives it a more high end feel.

Winner: Rimmel

Application

Maybelline's wand is quite large, which is shaped like a sphere at the end, meaning the bristles are separated and fanned out. The size of the sphere on Maybelline's wand fits the shape of my brows nicely and the design means there isn't too much product distributed - though sometimes not enough. Rimmel's has a standard, mascara-shaped comb that narrows slightly at the end, which isn't the best shape for eyebrows. I only tend to use the tip end, as closer to the wand the brush is just too wide. The bristles are packed together and placed in rows with gaps in between, which does mean that the gel builds up in the gaps. If you don't wipe a lot of it away you end up overcoating your brows and the skin around them!! I have some sparseness where my brows start, so with both products I like to apply a small dot of gel from the end of the wand and work it through.

Winner: Maybelline

Formula and Wear

There is a big difference between the formulas of these two, which you can probably tell from the swatches. Maybelline Brow Drama has a very thin consistency, which means it dries quickly and the colour can apply unevenly. In comparison, Rimmel Brow This Way isn't so much of a gel; it's thicker and creamier, which means it gives more colour and definition and is easier to work with. However, when applied right, both give a natural finish - brows look neat, defined and polished and impressively, the colour lasts a good 7 hours. I would say the Rimmel one lasts a tad longer. Apply too much of either though and they will make brows look crispy and dry. 

Winner: Rimmel

Shade

As mentioned before, I have the Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Blond and Rimmel Brow This Way in Blonde. The Maybelline shade definitely leans towards a dark blonde/light brown and the Rimmel shade is much warmer. I think Rimmel's would work better for light to mid blonde shades and Maybelline's for darker blonde shades, possibly even very light browns. Neither are exactly perfect for me, but if I had to choose I would pick Dark Blond by Maybelline.

Winner: Maybelline

Price and Size

To buy Maybelline's offering costs £4.99 for 7.6ml and to buy Rimmel's costs £3.99 for 5ml, so you are getting more product for your money with Maybelline.

Winner: Maybelline

So overall the winner is... Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Blond! It isn't the perfect brow gel but it does win over Rimmel in terms of the application, the shade and the value for money. Rimmel Brow This Way in Blonde can be too much of a hassle to apply and get the right finish; the wand really lets it down.

Which budget brow gel is your favourite? Are there any others you'd recommend I try?

Beauty Bird xx

September Empties #3

I hope you've all had a good September? I've been so busy that it absolutely flew by! Sometimes I hate it when time does that though, because it can feel like life is going along way too fast. I've been trying to work my way through my ever growing beauty stash and managed to use up a few products this month.

Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask 150ml* - £7.50

This is a great hair mask if you're on a budget or if you're always in a rush (or both!). One of the main ingredients is Coconut Oil, which is great for nourishing dry, frizzy hair and has a delicious but very natural scent. I really enjoyed using this, but it's lighter than most hair masks so better for summer. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Yes I would as it's so affordable.

Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette 50ml - £48.50

I haven't used up a perfume in ages! This is my second bottle of D&G Light Blue, which I received as a present. The scent is simple but lovely; a fruity-floral fragrance with top notes of Apple and Sicilian Citron and base notes of Jasmine, Amber, Freesia and Musk.

Re-purchase? I would definitely get this again.

EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruits - £5.99

I adore EOS lip balms! I love the quirky, sphere shape and the fact that they are 100% natural and 95% organic. They are perfect for hydrating the lips all year around and smell gorgeous. Full review here.

Re-purchase? I already have another in my stash waiting to be used!

Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner 250ml - £4.49

I have re-purchased this so many times! My hair gets quite knotty when wet, so I always make sure I have a bottle of this spray to help de-tangle. I don't think I'll ever get bored of the fruity scent either.

Re-purchase? Yes.

Neal and Wolf Harmony Intensive Care Treatment 200ml* - £13.50

Another empty hair product this month - very unusual for me, I'm so bad at having too many products on the go at once. This conditioner was thick, creamy and scented with Neal and Wolf's unique fragrance, which lingers for ages afterwards. A great one for winter.

Re-purchase? Maybe.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation in Opal 30ml - £16.00

This foundation is another regular re-purchase of mine; I guess the saying if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it applies here! It gives me the high coverage I need but doesn't feel heavy on the skin, doesn't break me out and lasts for ages. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Of course!

What empties did you use up in September? Are you a fan of any of the products above?

Beauty Bird xx

A Toning and Moisturising Duo from Claudia Louch

Toning and moisturising are essential skincare steps in my opinion and it is worth investing in good quality products that deliver on their promises. One brand that doesn't ever seem to let me down is Claudia Louch, with an effective range of skincare packed full of natural ingredients. These are high end products and as a result come with a high end price tag. I've been using the Claudia Louch Botanical Firming Toner and Jojoba Day Moisturiser.

Botanical Firming Toner 40ml - £37.40

Containing 94% natural ingredients and no alcohol, this toner contains ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Japanese Green Tea and Cucumber Extract to refresh, rejuvenate and firm the skin and tighten pores. The bottle has a pump applicator, so I apply this direct to a cotton pad and then onto the skin after cleansing. I didn't particularly notice any firming or pore tightening effects after using the Botanical Firming Toner, but when using this in the morning I found it revived and brightened my skin, soothing any breakouts and providing a good dose of hydration. I really liked the cucumber scent too. The only thing I would say is that the liquid itself is quite thin and I felt like I had to use a bit extra to feel it on the cotton pad. For me, this would be lovely as a spritzer and would perhaps work better in terms of application.

Jojoba Day Moisturiser 40ml - £52.50

Designed for oily to combination skin, the key ingredient of this moisturiser is Jojoba Seed Oil, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce excess sebum. It also contains Avocado Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. The Jojoba Day Moisturiser is the stand out product for me out of the two. The formula is of a medium consistency yet absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it soft and supple. When using this moisturiser my t-zone doesn't start to get oily until late afternoon, whereas normally I'm using my translucent powder by lunch time. Yet my skin is still suitably hydrated. Clearly this really, really suits my skin and I have obviously been missing Jojoba Seed Oil from my skincare! Definitely one of the best moisturisers I've tried (along with HealGel Face). 

You can check out both of these products on Claudia Louch's website here. 

Have you tried any Claudia Louch skincare? 

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains PR samples. This does not affect my opinion of the products.

L'Occitane Freebie with Marie Claire - October 2014

A magazine freebie really makes my day - especially when it's a L'Occitane hand cream! I have raved on about their hand cream on numerous occasions and am never without one; it is my favourite of them all. It's a seriously rich and creamy formula that nourishes dry hands without being greasy or tacky; absolutely perfect for the winter months. If you are a fan too, or if you've been dying to give this product a try, get to your nearest supermarket/newsagent/garage now and pick up this month's Marie Claire. 

For £3.99 you get a 30ml tube of L'Occitane's 20% shea butter hand cream worth £8.00, available in Delightful Rose, Vanilla Bouquet, Zesty Lime and the original, classic Shea Butter. In my experience, it's always hardest to get your hands on the latter! I have already have one on the go, so I went for Vanilla Bouquet as I love vanilla scents. I also love citrus scents so I'm very tempted by Zesty Lime; I resisted this time because I need to be sensible with my money at the moment, but whether I can keep that up through the month is another story! 

Will you be picking up Marie Claire this month?

Beauty Bird xx