Face 2 Face...

I spent all of last weekend in bed with a horrific cold. Typical isn't it, I avoid serious illness over winter but yet get struck down with a cold/flu just when the weather starts to get warmer!

I always find that when I've been ill my skin goes to pot (probably because of the fact you are run down and your skin isn't at its fighting best) so, of course a face mask to help my skin along back to its usual normality was much needed. I literally have a cupboard full of facemasks. I do love trying new ones, and trying new brands to see which ones give the best results for my skin. But, I do think I must be slightly addicted. I can go to Boots/ASDA for something as simple as toothpaste, and come out with a facemask as well! I try to use at least one mask a week. I guess it's my thinking that if I have a strong face care routine, then it will keep the wrinkles away for longer! Haha ;-)

I decided to use Boot's 'Natural Collection' Wild Strawberry mask. Unlike the premium 'Sanctuary' range, 'Natural Collection' is Boot's colourful cheap n' cheerful range. The emphasis is very much on smells, with all the products in the range smelling distinctly like you could eat them. But, however good they smell, please don't mistake them for desert! Coming in at just £1 for the sachet, it is also very purse friendly!

When I first opened it, I was hit with a wonderful smell of strawberries. Kind of like a strawberry yogurt smell. When I applied, it went on well but started to sting quite a bit. Not a massive 'oh my god get this product off my face' kind of sting, but a slightly unpleasant feeling to say the least. It was quite easy to remove after the allotted time had passed, but my face felt very dry and 'cracked'. I don't expect my face to feel that dry after a facemask so it definitely looses marks for that.

Final verdict?

6/10 - I won't be rushing out to buy this again, because I don't honestly think it suits my skin type at all. However, at just £1 you can't fault the price, and after a week of not being able to smell anything due to a blocked nose, the sweet scent strawberry was lush! 

Final final verdict?

Bargain basement beauty at its best!

Until next time lovelies x

Sanctuary Review...

Just before Christmas you may have seen my entry about my 'Secret Santa' present - a Boots Sanctuary set. Well, after using the products for a good few weeks now, I thought it an appropriate time to start reviewing my loot...

And that's exactly what I did. First up, the 'Body Lotion'.

First of all, for those who don’t know, ‘Sanctuary’ is Boots’ slightly more upmarket bath and body line. Included in this line you will find everything for the body, body and skin care. With prices starting from £9.50 for a 300ml tub of the body butter it isn’t exactly for those on a budget. The idea of the line is so that people everywhere can create that ‘spa luxury feeling’ at home. (Just to let you know, I’m reviewing the travel sized bottle - £2.50 for 75ml)

The packaging is clean looking, with the distinctive orange and cream colours that fans will associate with the Sanctuary brand. The bottle is a cylinder shape with a screw top, and not a dispensing pump. The screw top means that it is easy to tip it upside down when the bottle starts to come to an end. After all, you do want your money’s worth. I like this about the bottle's design; it is practical as well as stylish.

The smell is the typical orangey, citrus like Sanctuary smell. It reminds me of sun tan lotion, and holidays abroad. But, as it sinks into your skin, the smell becomes spicier, like the type of aroma you typically get after lighting a scented cinnamon candle. I like the fact it smells like scents I associate with both summer and winter. The only thing I would say is that the application and consistency of the lotion isn't as smooth as others that I've tried.

Once on it does sink in quite quickly, but I did notice that my skin looked as if it had a greasy film to it. I wasn't by any means 'over applying' so I couldn't quite understand why. My skin did feel moisturised, but not as much as it has done, compared to other body lotions I use on a regular basis. I'm going to put this down to the extreme cold weather we've been having! (My dry prone skin needs a lot of moisturising this time of year) If you suffer from the same problem as me, I'd suggest using this lotion when the weather is slightly warmer, well, when there isn't the threat of snow every two minutes!

Final Verdict?

I'm going to give this lotion a very well deserved 7/10. Whilst it isn't as moisturising, or as smooth as I'd like, I do love the smell, and the lotion's scent was something I could still smell a good couple of hours after application. 

I don't think I would rush out and buy more of this, but it is nice for those times when I fancy a change from my usual. I may also save the application of this for the warmer months of the year, when my skin doesn't need such a massive injection of body lotion! Plus, the sleek and stylish little bottle looks very cute sat on my dressing table. 

Until next time lovelies x

Secret Santa...

The other day it was 'Secret Santa' giving at my work. Being my first one as a working woman I was a little bit unsure of what it was going to be like. Was it going to be like Uni times with slightly 'rude' pressies (you know what I mean, Ann Summers chocolate willies etc) or would be a more grown up affair? Cue my delighted surprise when I unwrapped a Sanctuary bath set! Sanctuary is of course Boot's popular bath and body cosmetics line. The distinct sweet orangey smell will perk up even the most boring of bath times. I also associate the scent with holidays and sun cream. I do happen to 'borrow' a lot of my Mum's Sanctuary products, so I'm pleased to finally have some of my own!

The set is miniature sized versions of the full sized products available on a daily basis in pretty much every Boots store. I like the gift sets you can get at Christmas. It means you can have a selection of good quality products for a fraction of the price. The full sized Sanctuary products aren't cheap in my opinion! Altogether the set contains:

• Body Lotion
• Body Scrub
• Body Wash
• Foaming Bath Soak
• Luxury Bath Float

Watch out for plenty of posts in the New Year reviewing my loot!

All that's left to say now is a big thank you to whoever had me for Secret Santa - I still haven't worked it out yet!

And, considering that I'm writing this on Christmas Eve - Merry Christmas everyone! Have a fabulous and festive time!

Much Love x