Soap & Glory offer of the year

I had to let you know that it's that time again girls - as part of the Boots 12 weeks of Christmas offer series, Soap and Glory fans will be able to get their hands on a bumper set of products for a truly tiny price.

This year it comes in the form of the Big Splendour - originally £60 but starting tomorrow, for 1 week only, will be less than half price.

This year's set heralds the truly classic Righteous Butter and Hand Food alongside some less well known members of the line such as Pulp Friction body scrub.

Although on for a week, make haste girls - these fly off the shelves in record time!  I got last year's equivalent and loved it; cannot wait to snap this up tomorrow!

Thursday Treats

For those of us in full time jobs (please someone let me be a student again..!), some days the promise of an hour to wander around the shops at lunch time is the only thing that gets you through the day.

Thursday was one of those days.

Soap and Glory's Scrub 'em and leave 'em and The Righteous Butter. 

I always, always have a tub of Flake Away on the go but variety is the spice of life after all so I switched it up for this exfoliator instead.  I'm not sure how I feel about it yet but will keep you posted.!


Sleek Rose Gold Blush

I have wanted this blush for months but I could never find it.  Thursday however was my lucky day with the whole Sleek section having just been restocked.  It is just as gorgeous as I imagined - a perfect peachy pink with just the right amount of gold shimmer.  Expect a FOTD soon!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend so far and relishes the extra hour in bed tonight - what a luxury! xxx

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

The Hot Cloth Cleanser Battle: Soap & Glory vs The Sanctuary

I bought the Soap and Glory version all the way back last Summer - if you've been with a while you may remember my review...  

Everything I said in that still stands - it really is a gorgeous product!  It is gorgeous to apply, smells lovely and leaves me skin looking healthy and polished.  I'm definitely going to purchase a few more tubes as it has a third off at the moment - can't resist an offer!

After my success with the S&G equivalent I was really excited to try this Sanctuary version.  I had a £5 off voucher just as I ran out of the S&G - it seemed meant to be!

Unfortunately, it does not live up to its rival... 

1) It smells herbally which is so off putting - especially in the morning - compared to the fresh, lavender scent of the S&G.

2) It applies so thickly that you really need to scrub the muslin cloth into your face to get it all off.  I know, I know, this is kind of the point but I just feel it's slighty too much effort?  If I was in a rush, I could just wash the S&G off however if I do that with this, I'm left with a greasy balm all over my skin.

3) It doesn't really cleanse - it leaves traces of my make up everywhere.  In comparison with the Soap and Glory - that got every scrap of my make up off, including waterproof mascara.  It also didn't sting my eyes which this Sanctuary one does.

4) It has absolutely, no effect, whatsoever on my skin.  After using it, my skin doesn't feel soft, smooth or clean and definitely doesn't look healthy or radiant.

Sorry The Sanctuary but you just don't cut it this time!

Soap and Glory - you are the winner! 

(Which I seriously love - the packaging is too cute to not have in my bathroom..)

Next up to try: Liz Earle and No 7...

Soap and Glory: The Breakfast Scrub vs Flake Away

As a self confessed Soap and Glory addict, I have noticed the new additions to their ever-expanding range then quickly picked up my old favourites and dashed to the till.  What can I say, I'm a creature of habit!

I was therefore excited, but dubious, to finally try out The Breakfast Scrub that arrived in my Pink Big.  If only to see how it fared against my all time favourite, Flake Away...

The Breakfast Scrub

300ml - £9.25

As soon as you unscrew the lid to this product, you can see where the name comes from...I defy you to not crave pancakes and maple syrup when you smell this!

The domed tub, with the classic S&G design we've all come to know and love, is packed with golden sugar particles; banana, almond and honey extracts; shea butter and gentle oatmeal grains. It really does smell good enough to eat (not advisable..).  

These ingredients combine to form a scrub that is harsh enough to provide a great exfoliation but is gentle enough not to leave your skin red raw.  I think this lies with the oatmeal grains that are large enough to buff your skin but in a soft way.

My skin was left touchably soft from the exfoliation with a very slight sheen thanks to the shea butter and scented beautifully from the maple syrup fragrance - a solid 10/10!

Flake Away

300ml - £6.64

Having gone through numerous tubs of this scrub, I knew to expect the classic Soap and Glory fragrance with this scrub.  Pretty, floral, girly...it's pretty good!

However, as soon as I started scrubbing with it I realised it is a lot harsher than the Breakfast Scrub due to the large grains of rock salt.  Some may like this - and I do when I need to get rid of stubborn fake tan - but compared to the gentle Breakfast Scrub it was a bit of a shock.

My skin however did thank me for it and was left super soft and also with a gentle sheen, much like its counterpart.

The Winner?

Ooh this is a tough one - picking a body scrub is of course very important in the grand scheme of things..!

It's a tie I think!

The Breakfast Scrub is fantastic for a gentle regular body polish.  The scent definitely wins me over.

Flake Away still holds a place in my heart for tanning - either prepping the skin or getting rid of the old stuff.

What are you opinions on these?  Do you have a firm favourite or is their place for both of them in your bathroom?!

New Year's Eve Make Up

Happy New Year my fellow beauty addicts!

This New Year's Eve was relatively low key - good food and drink with some of my dearest friends and then a trip to a local small establishment for drinks at midnight and dancing into the early hours..

I had planned to dress in line with this casual plan but who was I kidding?!  I teamed a sparkly dress with killers heels and got my make up stash out - I can't resist a chance to get dolled up!

MaxFactor Xperience Foundation

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

No 7 Créme Touch Translucent Powder

MAC Dainty Mineralize Blush

MAC Dark Edge (from Cult of Cherry Tempting quad) through brows

MAC Bare Canvas Paint - all over lid

Urban Decay Gunmetal - all over lid

Urban Decay Creep - blended out through outer third and crease

Barry M Navy Glitter Dust - lightly placed over entire lid 

L'oreal Voluminuous Mascara

17 Beehive Lipstick

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss

I gave the Xperience foundation another try since the texture of my skin has improved significantly since using the Oilatum cream.  Unfortunately, it still didn't last long and is definitely a day-only foundation from now on.  And the Soap and Glory lipgloss?  Amazing and addictive...!

xxx

Pre-Christmas Haul and Festive Wishes

That time of year is upon us again - where have the last 12 months gone?!

As well as pounding the pavements and perusing the aisles for the perfect gifts for my nearest and dearest, I haven't been able to resist treating myself too...

Skincare

• At £25 - reduced from £60 - the Soap and Glory Pink Big with 10 full sized products was just irresistible to a Soap and Glory addict like me...I have been good though and given a few products away as I literally have them coming out my ears!
• If like me you are obsessed with the beautiful Pixiwoo girls, you may have been delighted when the gorgeous Nic revealed one of her skincare finds in this video...  I rushed out and bought the aforementioned Oilatum Skin Repair Cream.  My verdict?  Amazing!  If you have dry skin, you need this in your life!

Make Up

• 17 Beehive lipstick - raved about and I finally got my mitts on one... it is worth the hype!  Plus, a bonus free new MaxFactor foundation brush - I love Boots!

Hair Care etc

• TRESemmé 24 body mousse and blow dry spray
• Umberto Gianni Backcomb in a Bottle

This combination will hopefully see me into 2011 with big, voluminous hair perfect to team with my gorgeous new French Connection dress and Oasis earrings.  What can I say...I love to get my glam on..!

For now, all that remains for me to say is Merry Christmas to all of my beautiful followers.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and may all your wishes come true.  

Eat, Drink, Be Merry and above all, watch The Holiday, Home Alone and Love Actually more times than is necessary - it wouldn't be Christmas without them!

Lots of love from George xxx

Review: Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser

A few weeks ago my skin decided to break out in the worse rash to man.  I think it was just an allergic reaction to Rescue Oil - Bio Oil's cheaper imitation - and it did clear up after a week or so but I decided to use it as an excuse to shake up my skincare routine.

I don't know about you but sometimes when I go into Boots/Superdrug I become totally overwhelmed with the choice, faff around looking at everything and usually leave perplexed and empty handed.
WELL, this time I decided to pick one brand and try all the products - yes I'm a bit OCD like that...!

The final choice?  The famous and fantastically girly Soap and Glory.

Obviously I didn't buy all the products in one go but I'm working my way down the list..!

First up we have..

The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser

What Soap & Glory say...

It cleans, it smoothes, it melts away makeup! A 3-in-1 concentrated deep purifying formula with a natural blend of revitalising aromatic essential oils for an all round FAB PORE™ complexion.

What’s inside that counts?

• A blend of cleansing and invigorating essential oils, orange, lavender, clary sage and rose geranium help to cleanse and refresh the skin, leaving a smoother, brighter and clearer complexion.

• Rich nourishing and conditioning oils of sweet almond, cocoa butter and coconut help to smooth and moisturise the skin

• Conditioning panthenol and vitamins.

Suitable for all skin types

Squeeze out a generous splodge of Soap & Glory The Fab Pore™ Hot Cloth Cleanser, divide it between the pads of your fingers, and then massage onto your face and neck for at least sixty seconds. (Concentrate most on your nose, chin, or other clog-prone spots.) Leave on for another minute (if you're too 'type A' to wait, fill the time by flossing) then rub it all off with a warm, wet muslin cloth.

What I say...

It does exactly what it promises!

The products comes out of it fantastically retro silver tube in the form of a luxuriously thick cream.  I put a pea sized amount on my chin, cheeks, nose and forehead and massage in before rubbing a generous amount into my eyes to get rid of all that shadow, liner and mascara.  Will you look like a panda?  Yes.  Will it sting?  Not a bit - and I have really sensitive eyes.

I leave it for a minute or so to then wipe it all off with the muslin cloth included.  I think this is what makes your skin feel so soft as you are technically exfoliating your face at the same time.  Also, as you rub it into your eyelashes you can get every scrap off mascara off.

I then splash my face with some water and voila!  My skin is left feeling squeaky clean and gorgeously soft.  I can honestly say my skin has never felt so soft or looked so good in a long time.  I've also had no breakouts at all since I purchased it...touch wood!

RRP £8.99 at Boots

Has anyone else tried this?  How does it compare to Liz Earle's version??

xx

Next up .... No Clogs Allowed Deep Pore Detox Mask

Soap and Glory Haul and Challenge

Afternoon ladies!

I was contemplating doing a skin care routine but on Monday my skin decided to come out in the most terrible rash known to man.  I have absolutely no idea what caused it but decided to use it as an excuse for some brand spanking new products.

I was contemplating waiting a few weeks to start my new job and invest in some Liz Earle.  But, the reality is, the Soap and Glory range excites me much more and the products will look so much prettier lined up in my bathroom!

When I got to Boots I decided on two products for now but that I will attempt to buy all the products - suitable for my skin - by the time I go back to Manchester in September.  

[This very much pleases the OCD side of my personality and I cannot wait to start ticking my way down the list...!]

The products I did purchase are the brand's take on a 'Hot Cloth Cleanser' and a deep cleaning face mask.  I want to use them for a few weeks to see how they really work but for now I can say the packaging is gorgeous and so far, they products are helping to clear my skin up.

Keep your eyes peeled for full reviews soon :)