The perfect body moisturiser...is there one???

The perfect body moisturiser...is there one???

At the weekend my Mum told me she had found the perfect body moisturiser...and this got me excited. While I will reveal this once I have had a chance to review it...it got me thinking, what makes the perfect body moisturiser? And subsequently I found I had several different brands of moisturisers lurking in my bedroom. Time to put the body moisturisers to the test!! In order of my least favourite to my most favourite:

6. Brand name moisturisers - FCUK, Jojoba, coconut and vitamin e

Every brand these days thinks they can bring out a beauty range, and often packs of these appear in Boots at Christmas. The FCUK moisturiser I have is one from such a pack. I have very sensitive and dry skin, and while the small of this is lovely it really didn't react well to my skin, and no noticeable smoothness of skin.

5. Perfume brand moisturisers - Vera Wang, Look

Vera Wang Look is a moisturiser created from a perfume smell. It smells amazing, and definitely wins in the scent stakes, but is not easily absorbed, and no noticeable smoother skin.

4. Nutremetics body lotion - Apricot body dew

An Australian company who sell mainly through parties, the smell is very overpowering, but does make the skin appear slightly smoother. The smell really was to overpowering for me to continue using.

3. Elemis exotic lime and ginger

This absorbs super quick, and really smooths the skin, and a little really goes along way. But the smell...it reminds me of something a man would put on. Not a feminine smell, and you can still smell it the next day. Reacts well with my skin though.

2. Liz Earle energising body lotion

I like the smell, not to over-powering, and it really does moisturise, with effects being felt the next day and super smooth skin. The lotion takes a little longer than some others to absorb, but it is a pretty good all rounder.

1. Norwegian formula everyday repair

A surprise for me, as no high end brand, but this company really do put skin first. The smell is subtle, it absorbs quickly, no bad reaction with my skin, and smooth and all dryness eliminated the next day.

I will review my Mum's recommendation at the weekend, but for now, what makes your perfect body moisturiser? Let us know on Twitter @beautyu or by email - info@beautyu.co.uk.

Stay beautiful!

Stace x

31st August 2011

The wait is nearly over for Liz Earle colour!

The wait is nearly over for Liz Earle colour!

It was only a matter of time before skincare genius Liz Earle launched a make- up range, and from the 15th September, her first make up product 'Sheer skin tint' will be launched.

So, is this new product any good?
Well, firstly I am so happy they decided to launch this product with a box. Many of their products don't come boxed, and I know it is more environmentally friendly, but when competing in the make-up market, all high end brands are boxed, and the point of make-up is to make a lady feel extra special - right! And I was very excited when I first opened up the little black box. Doing their bit for the environment, Liz Earle have said that when the product is ordered by mail they will provide samples of all three shades for the customer to try before opening their order to ensure the right shade has been selected and cut down on wastage. This is a nice touch, well done Liz!

The tint comes in a black squeezy bottle. It is a handy size for travelling and similar to brands like Laura Geller. I like the tube, and it is easy to squeeze the product out. It also means you can cut the top of when you get down to the dregs, not like those glass foundation bottles where you always waste at least a months worth of product! The product itself is very lightweight, and feels quite silky on the skin, the application is easy, and only a little is needed, I think I put a bit too much on! It does not feel like there is a lot of product on the skin, or cloggy in the way some foundations do. I love that this product has SPF 15, and it is a mineral sunscreen, much more natural and kind to the skin.

The actual product looks really natural on my skin, it is definitely a no make-up look make-up. I would probably want more coverage for a going out look, but for an everyday to the office look this product is perfect. Ladies who are afraid of heavy foundations will love this product. The dewy look is very fresh and radiant, although I would often go for something more matte looking, I like this look, it feels very effortless, where as with matte it is very clear make up has been applied. I like this product, quick and easy to use, and I love the effect.

My one complaint would be there are only a choice of 3 colours - Bare, beige and beach. I have tried the bare, which for my fair skin is probably fine in the depths of the winter, but I would need a tiny hint of colour in the Summer. Having said that, I am happy with the finished result, as you can see in the picture below.

The product which will be available from Liz Earle from the 15th September 2011, and will be £21.00 for 40ml, a good price when you consider similar product retailing for nearly £30.

And what's really exciting about this is there will hopefully be more make-up to come from Liz Earle! Finally a make up brand that is made to look after our skin, and looks great!

This is guaranteed to be a big seller, so get in the queue!


Stay beautiful!

Stace x


24th August 2011


PS - Mags is on holiday this week, and I can't wait to hear what she thinks of this product!

Source of life – my new beauty discovery

Source of life – my new beauty discovery

Recently, I’ve made a new beauty discovery! You may think it’s trivial but it made all the difference in my life and helped with my well-being! I’m not going to keep you in suspense any longer – my latest beauty secret is WATER! … and not glass or two a day but litres and litres, as much as possible!

I used to suffer from dreadful migraines, break out on my skin were uncontrollable and I felt tired and drained. Nowadays, I drink more than 2litres of water daily and I sleep well - wake up rested and happy, have fewer headaches (with sporadic migraines) and my skin looks more rejuvenated, plumped and healthy!

Benefits of drinking water

There are lots of different benefits of drinking water starting with the obvious ones like hydration and thirst quenching, through to the more medical and life saving ones:

• Reverses aging – it’s plumping the skin, helps reducing fine lines, keeps skin younger for longer – no more prune-like skin and crow’s feet on the face!

• Eliminates body waste and toxins – it helps with weight loss by regulating metabolism,

• Makes people happier – helps the body naturally replenish its supply of the serotonin,

• Prevents sleep disorders – hydration helps produce melatonin (sleep regulator),

• Energises the body and mind - water generates energy in every body cell, providing a natural power boost, and a well hydrated brain is continually energized to imprint new information in its memory banks,

• Prevents some medical conditions, i.e. headaches

• Reduces water retention – dehydration can cause your body to retain fluid, so drinking more water will help release the retained water.

Skin has the ability to perspire to cool and regulate body temperature; therefore, it’s misleading to only drink water when it’s hot outside. Adequate water intake is essential and needs to be constant, to promote a healthier skin, body and mind.

Stay beautiful! Drink plenty of water!

Mags x
18 August 2011

The power of coffee

The power of coffee

I start a day with a good cup of coffee! It helps me wake up and keeps me energised throughout the day! I’ve never put much thought into what to do with the used coffee grounds so it usually ended up in the bin or I gave it away for a compost.

However, recently, I’ve discovered that the used coffee grounds can work wonders when used as a body scrub. If you don’t drink coffee, simply use fresh coffee grounds – it’s not the ingredients but the benefits that you’ll love!

Benefits:

• Plumps and rejuvenates the skin,
• Helps with the cell renewal,
• Caffeine helps redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite,
• Prevents varicose veins or even make them vanish! The caffeine in a coffee scrub acts as a vascular restrictor - shrinking blood vessels, thus helping to reduce varicose veins,
• Boost up skin colouring, leaving your skin slightly tanned
  
  

· MMake your own coffee body scrub:

• 3 tbsp. used coffee grounds (fresh coffee grounds are fine)
  
  
• 1 tsp. sugar or salt

• 2 tsp. body oil (I use baby oil, leaves skin super soft)

Mix ingredients together and use circular motion when applying all over your body. Don’t get discourage as it’s a bit messy; however, the results are worth it! Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!

Stay healthy! Stay beautiful!

Mags x

9^th August 2011