Body Beautiful

My name is Georgina and I am an addict.

An exfoliating, buffing, moisturising, tanning addict.  Honestly, I cannot go a few days without scrubbing my skin and slapping on the body lotion or I feel somewhat lacklustre.  Oh well....there are definitely worse things to be addicted to, right?!

These are my favourite products to use at the moment to keep my skin as bronzed, soft and supple as possible.  Even though I have used these basically every day during the Summer months, I know that they will keep a permanent place in my routine throughout Autumn and Winter too....

If you fancy a full blown review of anything, please say so in the comments!  xxx

Marathon project 20 pan update

Well, I'm not quite sure when I started this little experiment but it feels like a lifetime ago and I am well an truly fed up with it.  Yes I broke down today and bought some new goodies - haul time soon! (Smiles all round..!)

Did I reach 20?  No

Did I learn some things?  Yes

Here's a little run down of what I did manage to use up:
(beware - it is a LONG post.  I completely understand if nobody makes it to the end..!)

1. Aussie Dual Personality Curl Definition and Soft Feel Serum

Meant to 'revive and separate curls & keep your hair soft and curvy.' 

For me, I like the smell (typical Aussie) and it does make my hair soft.  Softer then any other serum?  Well, no not really.  As for the curls - I have come to realise my hair is more wavy than curly and I sadly don't think any product will give me the movie star curls of my dreams.

Will I repurchase? NO

       2. Olay Beauty Fluid

A classic product that is suitable for all skin types.  

I just found it a bit blah.  The fact that it is suitable for all skin types just makes me think that it doesn't really do anything??  It didn't mattify, didn't really hydrate, it was just there.  In the end I just ended up using it for my elbows etc when in a rush.  I think this is more suited for a more mature skin that doesn't really a specific type of skincare.

Will I repurchase? NO (Until I hit my 60s anyway...!)

       3. Tek.nique Straightener Spray

This bottle which I picked up from Sally's promises a multitude of things.  Smooths and detangles; adds body and lift; protects from heat; sun protection - to name just a few...

In reality, the heat protectant is its only real use for me.  I most definitely still had to use serums and hair sprays etc to get the smoothness and volume I so wish for..

Will I repurchase? NO

      4.  Nivea Goodbye Cellulite - Anti-Cellulite Gel Cream

I actually won this from a magazine a good few years ago so I can't really give a definitive review as any active ingredients will have faded away in that time.  What I will say, it does feel lovely and cooling on the skin but I'm not sure I believe a product can help with the dreaded cellulite.  I personally saw no results but then I only had enough product left for a week's worth of usage.  I'd love to know if anyone actually had any real results..

Will I repurchase?  Probably not

    5. L'oreal Elvive Styliste Non-Stop Volume Mousse

Unfortunately this had no effect on my hair whatsoever :(  I really couldn't tell the difference if I used it or not and backcombing and hair spray was still a necessity.  I do have quite long, heavy hair though so for all you trendy girls with pixi hair cuts, this may work wonders! 

Will I repurchase? NO

    6.  John Freida Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfector

Oh my days I hate it.  I rarely say that but I honestly hate it.  It just turned my hair into a horrible crispy mess. Not even a slightly-crispy-beachy-I'm-cool-with-my-Ke$sh-inspired-hair-mess.  Just a crispy, crunchy mess.

Will I repurchase? NO

    7. Fructis Bamboo Flexihold Hairspray

I actually...wait for it....really like this! Wheyyyy!  It smells like Apple Sourz and gives me hair lots of volume and hold.  Perfect!

Would I repurchase? YES!!!!

   8. Boots Time Delay Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

I think I bought this on a whim with one of those £5 off vouchers that are always floating about.  This actually smells like a really expensive cream and does make my skin feel soft and rejuvenated.  Unfortunately, it makes my eyes water an insane amount and does not give me any hint of a tan.

Would I repurchase? NO

  9. L'oreal Perfect Clean

I absolutely love the scrublet that comes with this product but that is as far as the love goes.  I am technically cheating with this as I haven't used it up at all but it unfortunately broke me out so I don't want to risk using it again.  I have heard great things about this though so don't take my word on this.  I do really want to try the other versions for sensitive skin and exfolation.

Would I repurchase? Not this version

  10.  Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser

I bought this years and years ago when I had quite oily skin as a teenager.  It therefore is no surprise that this smells very weird as it most probably went out of date a long time ago.  I did give it a try for a few weeks though and I have to say it is very good at mattifying the skin.  However, as my skin is now more dry than oily, it just holds no use for me anymore.  I would recommend it though to anyone with an oily complexion.

Would I repurchase? NO

   11. Dior Capture Totale

This was thrown into a bag when I made a Dior purchase and I never really gave it a second thought.  I have used up the entire pot now though and it is a gorgeous cream.  I think it is probably aimed at an older age group than myself but it did feel really luxurious.  It is very thick and for this reason I only applied it at night to allow it to sink it.  It smells amazing and I did wake up to amazingly soft skin in the morning but for right now I  cannot justify actually buying a full size pot.

Would I repurchase? Perhaps in the future

  12. Superdrug Natural High Brightening Eye Cream

I love this eye cream.  It is cheap as chips, really readily available and makes my undereyes visibly more moisturised.  It contains arnica which is typically used for bruises and therefore really reduces the blueness than can occur under the eyes.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely yes

Conclusions?

All pretty negative really?!!  I guess the reality is, the fact that I didn't use up these products in the first place speaks volumes.  If I had liked them in the first place, they wouldn't be sitting gathering dust.

What have I learnt?

A)  My hair is wavy; not curly.  It therefore will always require heat to achieve any sort of desirable style.  Any products I buy from now on will therefore be for keeping my hair in tip top condition, protecting it from heat styling and for keeping it set in a style for as long as poss.

B) My skin is now basically normal but on the dry side.  I need to focus on protecting it from the sun, keeping it hydrated & plumped up and attempting to even it all out.  I am not 16 anymore! Don't I know it...!

Got this far?!  I salute you - I am bored with myself!

My Summer Body Routine

I am, like many other product junkies, constantly primping and preening.  A friend of mine once said to me "I'm so jealous of you, you're so well maintained."  This sort of got to me, because I don't wake up fully made up and moisturised - if only!!  I wish I was a wash-and-go sort of girl but the reality is, I love it spending time getting ready!  That's my prerogative as a girl...!

But I will admit, sometimes it is nice to hit a routine that works well and is quick.  Thus, saving time for the more important things in life.  Like shopping....

So without further ado, my fail-safe, quick body routine at the moment which keeps me glowy, soft and smooth every day.  Keeping up with this means that if we suddenly get a day of good weather I can confidently crack out a mini with no worries of how pasty my legs look...(we've all been there...!)

DAILY

• I put a dollop of whatever shower gel I currently have on the go onto the exfoliating gloves and scrub my entire body lightly.  This gives a gentle polish and ensure any tan I have on wears evenly.  The exfoliation also obviously gets rids of any dead skin cells and leaves my skin soft and smooth
•  Vaseline Cocoa Butter - In my opinion this smells so much nicer than Palmer's which I find sometimes overpowering.  It is just a gorgeous non-greasy body lotion which keeps any fake tan even and smells amazing.

WEEKLY

• FCUK Sugar Scrub - I use this with the exfoliating gloves all over once a week to get rid of any patchy fake tan.  It also leaves your skin slightly moisturised which provides a great base for a new round of fake tan.  Admittedly, it doesn't smell that great but it fades pretty quickly and makes my skin feel so good I can look past it..!
• St.Moritz mousse - This is definitely my new fave!  It just applies like a dream - with a mitt - and leaves my skin so naturally brown.  I really cannot fault it.  As long as I keep up with the exfolation and moisturisation it doesn't go patchy and I can build up the layers to my desired tan level.  After a week in Spain I've realised my skin just doesn't want to tan and I'd rather apply this than risk baking in the sun and damaging my skin.

I've kept up with the routine for the last few weeks and I've never felt better in my own skin.  I will inevitably switch around the scrubs/lotions etc but for now I am happy!

Honourable Mentions

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs -

As mentioned numerous times before, makes your skin look flawless for a night out

Ted Baker Body Glow -

A little bit of this down your shins or over your décolletage and you get that gorgeous Summer glow

The Sanctuary Body Moisture Spray -

A nifty little oil spray which allows you to quickly moisturise if you are running late or to give your legs a gorgeous sheen when going out...

As you can tell, I love dewy, golden skin...and who doesn't?!  What are your must have products to achieve this?!

xx