November Glossybox

First off I'll admit I was a touch disappointed when I first opened Novembers box. They've spoiled recently with full sized "samples" and real luxury brands so this month was a bit of an anticlimax. I got over that pretty quickly, however, when I looked at what I'd got. I should mention that at the time of writing this I haven't seen another review and have no idea what other products were received so I can't compare my box to others, I generally avoid reading other Glossybox posts as I'd like to think I got the best selection and if I didn't I'd rather not know. So.. here's what I did get...

Arbonne Ultra Hydrating Hande Creme 

Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Mask

Illamasqua Freak Eau De Parfum

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Now that last one... that really turned me around on this months box. I love any kind of hair treatment and this one looks a bit special. It's an "Intensive, super moisturising pre shampoo treatment for all hair types. Adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine." Who wouldn't want to try that? Its a 40ml sample and a full sized 500ml tube would set me back a whopping £52.10 so it's definitely a try before you buy kind of product. I'd very much doubt I'd shell out that kind of money unless it left my hair feeling virgin-soft but it will be a nice treat for my first post-baby pamper. 

The  hand cream.. it's always nice to have travel sized hand creams for your bag, right?

The perfume sample.. I'm not sure about yet... there may be a follow up review on that.

The nail wraps.. I haven't used the last ones I got in my glossy box yet but as these are leopard print they're more likely to get worn.

Lastly, the spa mask. The last sample I got from the Dead Sea Spa range was a huge disappointment. It was the exfoliator sachets and they stung my skin so badly (I don't have particularly sensitive skin so I was surprised at the reaction) so I'm a bit dubious about this one but I do love a face mask so I will definitely try it out.

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The little info card that came with this months box said that November and Decembers selections would be aimed at products to add to your Christmas wish list or gift to others. I like that idea in theory but let's be real.. this box is no different to any other month, the items are not particularly festive or "gifty" but it's a nice marketing spin on the last 2 boxes of the year. I am very interested in the new Mens Glossybox they are launching which was also advertised and will be ordering one for the man in my life for sure.

I love the sample box idea, he will appreciate little bits to try almost as much as I do and the thought of little grey glossy boxes stacking up next to my pink ones has me sold. 

Miss BB

The Secret To Super Clear Skin?

In the late stages of my pregnancy I wasn't sleeping so well, I spent hours watching YouTube videos on the widest variety of topics imaginable but one I randomly stumbled upon I actually found really useful. I love Ruth at AModelRecommends.com but I'd never watched her videos before. I trust her advice when it comes to product recommendations as she's tried so many different brands and seems to really know her stuff. I will link said video at the bottom of the page, it's really insightful but as she says she has combination skin and is 30.. not everyone's skin will react the same way to the products she uses. I am not 30 but I'm not teenager and children definitely take their toll so I think what she recommended will work for me.

I have recently started using my Liz Earle cleanse and polish again after writing it off as too much hard work and not really seeing a marked improvement in my skin. I have used it for about 3 weeks and in that time the closest I've come to a breakout is a little, rash-like patch of blemish "threats" on my chin which never developed in to anything. I have always suffered with hormonal breakouts and they are usually around my chin so if this cleanser can prevent those it is absolutely a winner in my book. Of course the true test will come now that I am no longer pregnant and benefiting from all of those lovely hormones that give you glossy hair and great skin... will it continue to work so well? I am ready to persevere.

Anyway... Ruth mentioned Liz Earl as one of her favourite deep cleansers, suggesting you leave it to soak for several mites before buffing it away with a muslin cloth or Clarisonic (I wish). She attributes her clear, healthy looking skin to this daily deep cleanse and one more thing...

Overnight Exfoliants.

I'll admit I am a total skincare novice. Just as I think I have it sussed I hear something like "overnight exfoliants" and realise I am still so far from well educated in that field. There were a few bits and pieces she mentioned that I was already aware of, one of which was that if you totally strip your skin of oil it will then over-produce more to compensate.. leaving you with a much higher chance of break outs. It took me a really long time to realise how important it was to replenish the moisture in your skin even if you are oily. I am so used to my night-time moisturiser that the thought of using anything that leaves my skin feeling tight or dry is definitely out of my comfort zone but if a model recommends, what can we mere normals do but follow, right?

The main point Ruth was trying to get across in the second half of her video was about cell renewal. As we get older this slows down and leaves our skin looking dull. Since she's used exfoliants she has found it appears brighter and her other products are allowed to penetrate her skin more deeply and therefor work more effectively. The exfoliants she talked about were all Glycolic acid based. Now as i said.. I'm no expert (which is why I am linking her video) but I've seen a lot of products on the market recently trading off this ingredient so I was already semi-aware of the benefits. Lot's of bloggers have reviewed the Sanctuary's peel off mask (part of a 30 day skin renewal system) which I've been dying to try and after Ruth's video I am absolutely convinced it's what's missing from my routine.

I am probably going to start off with that as it is a mask and allows me to still wear a regular moisturiser to bed but if I see any results whatsoever I am almost certainly going to have to try Ruth's "Hero Product", Liquid Gold. She had already raved about it on her website and for those wanting her full review as well as great places to buy you can find that here.

I understand I'm not giving you any new information here, it's a lot of regurgitated recommendations really but for those of you that don't follow amodelrecommends.com I couldn't let you miss out on her fantastic advice, you really must get over there for yourselves! I also wanted to let you know this is the new skincare I will be following over the coming weeks/months (we'll see how it goes) so if you see a great improvement in my skin you'll know why. I will of course review the routine once I have first hand experience but for now.. here's what I'll be using...

As it is I use my Liz Earle and alternate my Clean and Clear moisturiser with Soap and Glory's Wish Upon A Jar so the only changes I'm making are introducing a facial brush (I don't feel the muslin cloth really leaves my skin as smooth as it could be) and the Glycolic peel. I am very interested to try the liquid gold but I'll start with the Sanctuary mask and see how I go. 

*for stockists click on the photos to be taken to the website*

Here's Ruths video as promised...

Have any of you tried Glycolic Acid on your skin?

Miss BB

Feeling Fruity

I am all about pampering and relaxation right now and weekly face masks are a big part of that. It's a little treat I look forward to. I've tried the majority of the montagne jeunesse range (as has lee but shhh! keep that to yourself) so I thought it was about time I wrote a little something about them. For my own records so much as hopefully helping some of you that may read this I am going to do a mini review each week on the mask I have used. They all claim to do different things for different skin types and when I go to pick one up I can never remember which ones I've liked best so... now I will have these reviews to refer back to! 

First up...

APRICOT SCRUB

Deep Exfoliating & Ultra Cleansing

All face masks are different, some are thermal (self heating) and won't really dry/set, some peel off (minimising mess) and some will harden and need to be soaked/scrubbed off. This one is grainy and feels and smells a lot like the St Ives Apricot scrubs. It does set hard but because it's intended to exfoliate it scrubs away nicely and you feel extra clean once it's gone. I massaged the mask in to my skin and left it on for 10-15mins, I effectively exfoliated twice so those with a sensitive skin... this may not be for you. I, however, love to scrub! It's the only thing that ever leaves me feeling really cleansed. Overall I liked this because of the grainy texture. Often I use a mask and don't see or feel any benefit.. you just have to trust that it's done it's job but with this because it is an exfoliant you do feel the instant results. This is going in my "buy again" pile but it's really more a face scrub than a conventional mask.

You didn't think I'd leave you without a goofy picture did you? 

Sanctuary Mask Review

I've tried these masks over the past few weeks and must say.. I like them! As far as thermal goes you have to rub to get the heat going and it's very sticky... VERY sticky!



However.. It really seems to open my pores (for me to use a pore strip or exfoliate) and it leaves me feeling clean.. I have been using a new garnier face wash so it's hard to tell what has helped my skin.. All I know is this stuff isn't making it worse and it feels like a little facial spa treat for a sunday evening...
Plus it makes me look so attractive!



Have any of you guys tried this mask? Let me know your thoughts!

xoxo

Miss BB

DIY Spa @ Home

You know you guys... I don't always look like this ;)

It takes a lot of work and sometimes... you need to treat your skin!

firstly make sure your face is completely clean and free of make up

I use an estee lauder eye make up remover all over my face...

So now your face is clean we're ready to start...

My favourite cream cleanser is Simple purifying cleansing lotion..

I only ever use this when I am treating myself to a facial at home,

day to day I use cliniques facial cleansing bar...

Squeeze out around this amount to apply to your face..

trial and error will help you learn for yourself how much is right for you!

Now take this opportunity to massage your skin..

this alone will brighten your complexion,

try to use upward strokes rather than down,

you don't want to prematurely age your skin by dragging it downwards

the next step is EXFOLIATE it's up to you wether you want to rinse your cleanser

and use an exfoliant or like I do.. use a "scrublet" and exfoliate while you still have

the cleanser on...

once your skin is smooth...

wipe off any excess cleanser with a cotton wool pad

next step is STEAM

pour boiling water into a bowl and hold your head over it..

if you like you can place a towel over your head to capture the steam

it's like a facial sauna and opens your pores in preparation

for the next step...

Now for the FACE MASK..

I use the body shops tea tree oil mask and apply it with a brush..

While you're waiting for thatto dry you could make use of your time...

not just by pulling funny faces :P

I like to treat my feet to a pedicure..

Give them a soak first ideally... you have a bowl of hot

water handy after all,

use the pumice stone while your skin is stil damp...

pat dry then use your foot file to smooth down any rough

areas left!

the best moisturiser to use to really treat your feet

i've found is e45..

it might not smell or look very special but once it's soaked in

you will absolutely feel the difference..

beautifully smooth feet!!!

Why not give yourself a nice foot rub?

i like to really lather on the cream and leave it to soak...

And while they're soaking and my face mask is drying/

working why not chillax with a glossy rag..

lay back and relax...

Once I've washed off the mask I use a nose cleansing strip

designed to lift blackheads...

next step is TONE

i use step 2 from cliniques 3 step range

but any toner would do the job

I use a cotton wool pad

to clean my face with the toner

At this stage I like to address and problem areas,

blemishes etc...

these are my favourite blemish fighters :

garnier pure spot roll on and pure tea tree oil

I would leave those to dry as long as necassary.. usually an hour (is)

then apply moisturiser.. my favourite is my clinique dramatically different

moisturising lotion...

I then apply any eye cream or lip balm

after that you're done...

you're all pampered and by tomorrow your skin will be glowing

and feel so much smoother!!!

the more often you give yourself a facial your skin will adapt and you will gradually see your skin condition improve... If you can get it in once a week fantastic... if not try fot at least once a month your skin will thank you!!! You can change the steps a little to suit you.. the process does not have to be so long... the more you do it the quicker you'll be able to complete the process!!!

Good Luck Girls

xoxo

miss bb