The Body Shop – Page 3 – Clairey Sweetie

The Body Shop Drops of Light Range – Pure Clarifying Foam Wash and the Pure Translucency Essence Lotion || Review

Claire / 28th February 2016 / 4 Comments

Hey Sweeties,

As you guys know (or definitely should do by now), I love The Body Shop, particularly for skincare –their camomile cleansing butter is hands down my favourite cleanser, and their Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet has quickly become a morning staple of mine.

Most recently I have been given the opportunity to try out and review The Body Shop’s new Drops of Light range, specifically the Pure Translucency Essence Lotion* and the Pure Clarifying Foam Wash*. While I haven’t been given a ton of information about this new range, what I can gather is that this Drops of Light range has been inspired by Korean whitening products, designed to lighten and leave skin looking translucent.

They will be available in stores and online nationwide in April.

Pure clarifying foam wash

This product is beautifully creamy, very easy to use (just a pea sized amount massaged into wet skin, and washed off with cold water), and leaves skin feeling clean and fresh; it’s perfect to use as a morning cleanser to wake up your skin and prepare it for makeup.

The closest product I have tried in the past that I can compare it to, is the Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser which I also thoroughly enjoyed using.

Pure Translucency Essence Lotion

A gel to water formula, you simply apply a few drops to a cotton pad and apply to your face, much in the same way as you would use a toner. That being said, unlike some toner-like products which can sometimes cause a slight stinging sensation upon application, this pure translucency lotion is in fact incredibly gentle on the skin.

However, while I don’t dispute that it’s nice to use, I’m not really 100% behind it yet as a product. It works great in combination with the foam wash, but I would struggle to find its purpose on its own as I’m not totally convinced it really adds anything to my skincare routine.

Summary

With my wedding fast approaching (only a little more than a month away now folks), I am now incredibly conscious of what products I am using, and trying where possible, to prepare my skin as best I can so that I look positively radiant on the Big day.

While my wedding makeup is important, I don’t want more products than necessary to be used in order to cover bad skin or any last minute breakouts (which to be fair, with stress levels at breaking point, this can only be anticipated).

But you know what I mean, I want a natural glow that is only enhanced lightly by a good foundation and other makeup, so the timing of this new Drops of Light range from The Body Shop couldn’t be better.

If you’re prone to bad skin, when you find a product that noticeably improves your complexion you not only shout about it, but you stick with it too. I generally have normal skin with the occasional oily patch and in the mornings I do sometimes have a bit of redness which I try to improve before applying makeup.

But on the whole, my skin is okay. My point here is that unless you have a noticeable problem area you want to improve, it can sometimes be hard to tell if a product has had a really positive effect on you.

Since using these two Drops of Light products, I do genuinely feel my skin looks brighter and feels fresher in the mornings following my routine cleanse so for now, I am definitely sticking with them.

What do you guys think? Does the Drops of Light range sound like something you’d be interested in trying for yourself?

Until next time x

Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet Review from The Body Shop

Claire / 2nd February 2016 / No Comments

Hey Sweeties,

I’m excited to review for you today The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet, which I have been using for the past month or two and totally love it!

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Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Cleanser Review

Claire / 17th February 2015 / No Comments

Hey Sweeties,

As we all know, January was/is a long month so naturally it’s the time when I run out of everything and can’t afford to replace stuff until payday. With this in mind, despite careful rationing of my Camomile Sumptous Cleansing Butter (from The Body Shop), I still ran out and although I ordered a new one online, I still found myself without any cleanser and went in search of something cheaper, and to fill the gap temporarily. I can’t remember exactly where I saw the recommendation and who from, but somewhere I saw Soap & Glory’s Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Cleanser be recommended and for £8, I thought it was time I took a punt.

For ages now I have hoovered around the Soap & Glory stand in Boots itching to try something and yet, despite assurances from fellow Bloggers that the products are worth the money, I have still struggled to ever put something in my basket. For example, I have been keen to try the Archery Brow pencil but for £10, I wonder if I do really need it?

Anyway.

Finally, an opportunity arose to try something from this brand. I chose this cleanser specifically because reviews (more so on Boots.com than in blogs) have said this product was great for removing makeup and that for me, was the whole purpose for purchase. I am not looking for a replacement product as The Body Shop’s cleansing butter is for me, unbeatable. I know Clinique do a similar cleansing balm which is equally championed but at £22 I think I am ok to live without trying this.

So, what do I think of Soap and Glory’s purifying cleanser?

I like it, but I don’t love it but had I not been using a cleansing butter previously, I might have more easily succumbed to this more wholeheartedly.

The packaging is clean and simple and nothing really to boast about but I really like the pump, it makes product distribution so much more simpler against those in tubes (like my current morning cleanser, Burt’s Bees Cream Cleanser). Guidelines advise two pumps of product to sufficiently remove makeup and cleanse and I would agree with this. Against The Body Shop’s cleansing butter which literally -and very satisfyingly- melts makeup off of your face and you can feel it doing so, Soap & Glory’s Peaches and Clean is much more subtle but seeminly does the same job. It also leaves your face smelling deliciously of peaches!

Overall, I will certainly continue to use this product and probably purchase it again. I think it will be ideal for the days -such as weekends- where I haven’t applied a full, reasonably heavy face of makeup where I need something equally as heavy to remove it all. For those days where makeup application is lighter, Soap & Glory’s Peaches and Clean will be just the thing to remove it. If you want something slightly cheaper than a cleansing balm and/or don’t wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis, this is absolutely the product for you!

Until next time x

My 2014 Beauty Favourites

Claire / 23rd December 2014 / 6 Comments

Hey Sweeties,

On the penultimate day of Blogmas (*Sobs*) and before I get absorbed in the festivities with family here and in Devon, not to mention that today is also Beauty Review Tuesday… I felt it apt that we talk through a few 2014 favourites.

*FYI, it’s a long one so maybe pop & get yourself a cup of tea/coffee/juice/squash/wine…*

This year really has been a year of discovery, particularly in beauty (as discussed on Sunday’s post) and although I have tried loads of new products, many of which have been incorporated into my everyday stash, I couldn’t class them all as favourites. So for me, here is what made the cut this year in beauty & skincare:

Real Techniques Brushes:

I have the Core Collection, the Starter Set, the Blush Brush and the Expert Face Brush and I just love them. They apply and blend makeup fantastically and clean really easily. I have had some problems though with cleaning the expert face brush (which I use for foundation) and the pointed foundation brush (which I use for concealer) as I have found they clog up with product really easily. However, with these I will clean them with baby shampoo like the others but give these two brushes an additional clean with conditioner which I find does the trick.

Urban Decay Naked Palette 1&2:

It’s safe to say that I now rarely use any other eye shadow palettes as between these two I have pretty much every look covered. You’ll remember I got bought the Naked 2 first (here) and then I later purchased Naked 1 while on a shopping trip with my Mum a couple of months ago (read that post here) and I really have never looked back. Both palettes have a great mix of matte and shimmer shades, all well pigmented and easily to blend. Trust me, the Naked palettes are worth the splurge!

Benefit They’re Real Mascara and Push Up Liner:

I feel I have spent a lot of time with Benefit this year but the They’re Real Mascara has been a long time favourite since first purchasing it a couple of years ago. I don’t wear it everyday but when I know I have a long day ahead, maybe I am going out after work or it’s the weekend and I again, have a busy day out and about, I 9 times out of 10 reach for this product. I like that it’s thick but doesn’t clump together your lashes and it’s very long lasting.

You’ll remember that I was given a mystery new gel eyeliner to try out earlier this year (read that post here) which turned out to be Benefit’s They’re Real Push Up Liner. I appreciate that not everyone fell in love with this product but I really did. Although it can be a real bugger to get off, I just love how it applies and again, I reach for it when I know I need something to last all day.

I am excited to reveal Benefit’s new top secret product next month to you all! #CurlsBestFriend

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 09 Happy Nude Year:

I reviewed this product only last week so that post (here) will tell you why this has become a firm favourite.

Bourjois Blusher 95 Rose de Jaspe:

I purchased this product during a little Bourjois Haul a few months ago and this particular product has continued to be great to use. As I said originally (probably), the brush that comes inside the packaging is not worth using but I love the flush of colour this blush adds to my cheeks. Really well worth adding to your collection.

Rimmel Bronzer 022 Sun Bronze:

I have used this product for a long time and although I have other bronzers in my collection, I just find this one does the job day in day out. It is great for contouring as well as for providing an all over dusting of colour to warm up the face. I would struggle to find fault with this item, even if you paid me!

Rimmel Colour Rush Balms:

I know other brands have created very similar products to these Rimmel ones but as you all know, I just love these and to be honest they are a much more practical pop of colour for the everyday rather than choosing a lipstick if you were looking for something lighter to wear. For the summer months, these will be perfect and a firm staple. I have four in my collection -210 Boom Chic A Boom, 700 Not An Illusion, 300 Keep Mauving and Give Me A Cuddle (apologies the number has rubbed off on this one). For a better review of these products read an earlier favourites post here.

L’Oreal True Match Foundation in C2 Rose Vanilla:

Now, the only reason why I have tried several different foundations this year was so that I could break away from this particular foundation as to be honest, asides from Mac’s Studio Sculpt (which I used on nicer occasions), I hadn’t tried anything else. I got introduced to True Match by a friend several years ago and was hooked on day one and I am still hooked.. but, I don’t now use this all the time and do now have a varied collection to suit different seasons, moods and skin tones. But I do think this is probably the best drugstore foundation on the market and therefore I can’t not raise this above the others as my all time favourite.

Smashbox Lipstick in Fig:

As you can probably tell, lip products have played a really key role this year but I think they are probably the easiest products to try out as once you have found your eye palette and foundation and have a couple of good blushers, you’re generally sorted but lips, lips are different. A good lip product completes the look whether it’s a gloss, a balm or a lipstick and finding the right shades, types and colours can be a task in themselves. For me, I have discovered a real love for lipstick this year and this one from Smashbox, has become a favourite. You can read my original review of the lipstick here but having now tried it out several times, I can confirm that it does actually last really well but the trick is of course, to have dry lips to begin with otherwise this product will just slip off.

The Body Shop Almond Hand & nail Cream:

I love a good hand cream but I find I go through phases of using them rather than something I apply every day, although I will always have one with me. However lately I have been finding myself reaching for something slightly nicer than my basic one from Tesco and it’s been this one from The Body Shop which I got in my advent calendar last year. I like that it doesn’t overpower my hands in scent but it does nicely moisturise and absorbs quickly which I need from a hand cream.

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter:

To think before discovering this product that I was just using face wipes and eye makeup remover lotion (*shakes head and tuts*), well no more! The way this product melts makeup off your face is almost poetic and I couldn’t recommend this more highly to you all to try. In fact just go, go now to your nearest store and purchase this item immediately!

The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Night Treatment (for combination skin):

The Body Shop as you have no doubt realised now pretty much is my go to place for skin care, and before 2014 I hadn’t been inside a store for years -maybe I’ll just include The Body Shop as a whole to be considered as part of my 2014 favourites? As you will remember, when I originally purchased this item and mentioned it in a haul post (here) this product had been recommended to me by one of the staff and it’s a shame I didn’t catch her name as she should now be on my Christmas card list! From the first pump this product has just worked so well for me and the difference it made to my face was noticed almost straight away. I don’t think it’s anything particularly magical but for a night treatment it basically hydrates my skin wonderfully while I sleep.

Phew! I think I am done!

It is actually quite difficult selecting the best of the bunch as like I said, there are other products I use on a routine basis that I also think are really great but unfortunately I can’t include them all. However, what I probably will do at some point (early) next year is bring more of my collection together and show you guys what I have. As I have said before (I hope), I don’t get sent products so everything I review I have gone out and bought myself or in some rare instances, I have been gifted them by family. Therefore having a monthly favourites or even a regular (ish) favourites post just doesn’t make sense as you mostly see everything I buy either in a haul and/or an individual review. But we’ll see, maybe 2015 will bring new opportunities for this kind of thing…

Let me know what your 2014 favourites are and if there is anything you strongly recommend!

Until tomorrow x

Drops of Youth Eye Concentrate from The Body Shop | Review

Claire / 23rd October 2014 / No Comments

As you are all aware lately it’s been a struggle to keep me out of The Body Shop and you’ll remember that a couple of weeks ago when in London, I stopped by the store on Oxford street and amongst my little haul was the new Drops of Youth Eye Concentrate.

Now I have had the opportunity to try it out for a couple of weeks, I thought it time to post my review and let you know what I think. So here goes.

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The Body Shop Drops of Light Range – Pure Clarifying Foam Wash and the Pure Translucency Essence Lotion || Review

Pure clarifying foam wash

Pure Translucency Essence Lotion

Summary

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Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet Review from The Body Shop

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Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Cleanser Review

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My 2014 Beauty Favourites

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Drops of Youth Eye Concentrate from The Body Shop | Review

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