Joik Chocolate Facial Mask

I found Joik on LoveLula the other night and my eyes were immediately drawn to the candles (crème brulee, apple glogg etc) and this little beauty - the Chocolate Facial Mask.

I've not experienced the whole chocolate-on-face thing (intentionally anyway) since Lush introduced their Cupcake facemask and figured it was about time. Besides, I like chocolate and I like putting things on my face, so why not combine the two eh?

The Joik Chocolate Facial Mask is designed to rejuvenate and tighten tired and stressed out skin and contains:
Rhassoul Clay - A natural Moroccan lava clay to absorb oil, sort out impurities, tone and rejuvenate
Milk Powder - To soften and smooth
Honey - A natural antibacterial that soothes and moisturises
Cocoa Powder - Naturally rich in vitamins and contains anti oxidant compounds. According to Joik, the scent fills you with 'happy hormones' that aid in relaxation, relieve tension and ease stress.

And that's it. Four, fairly simple natural ingredients. Well played Joik, well played.
The mask comes packaged in a round, plastic 50g tub and is in loose powder form, meaning you have to mix up the mask yourself, which is kind of fun in itself.
To make the face mask, mix about one teaspoon of the powder with equal amounts of your choice of water, milk or herbal tea. I really like this element of choosing which liquid to use and thought perhaps mixing it up with some chamomile tea might be a winner.
This time though, I used milk. Controversial.

I used way too much milk though, so ended up with a much thinner consistency than I would have liked, but I still put it all over my face.
As this is a clay based mask, it sets and hardens, indicating when it's time to wash it off. I used a warm damp flannel to do this and it came off easily enough and left my skin feeling rather heavenly.

I'm sure you've already guessed what this smells like - pretty much exactly like a steaming cup of hot chocolate - so it's certainly not unpleasant to wait around for it to dry. Unless you don't like chocolate, obviously.

While it's certainly not what I'd call a beauty essential, it is a lovely treat product and would make a great gift for any sweet toothed friends/ family this christmas.
The Joik Chocolate Facial Mask is £11 at LoveLula.

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm Review

I'm always interested to try skincare from brands I haven't used before and the Melting Cleansing Balm has been a nice little introduction to Merumaya.

I'm a major fan of balm cleansers but have only ever used ones that come in tubs, so the Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm has been a bit of a revelation for me.

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm Review

Not only is it packaged in a tube (which some may argue is more hygienic than sticking your finger in a tub countless times) but the balm cleanser is a pretty special formula that actually turns into a milk when water is added. This little trick makes it relatively easy to rinse away and you don't have to put in as much elbow grease as you might with a traditional balm cleanser. 

Designed for use on a dry face, the cleansing balm spreads easily and pretty much annihilates makeup with the help of some gentle massage. You then add a little warm water and continue to massage as the balm turns milky.

I've removed the cleanser using just my hands and found it wasn't quite enough (though this is just a personal preference) so tried again with a damp flannel, which is how I usually remove cleansers anyway and found it more effective. Once removed, you just go in for your second cleanse using the same motions.

The end result is cleansed, comfortable and conditioned skin. Conditioned might sound like an odd word to use in describing a cleanser but it's the best word I can think of- my face felt pillowy soft and 'fed'. It's not a 'squeaky' sort of clean (we don't want that anyway!) but sort of nourished and cleansed all at once. If that makes sense?

This wonderful, hydrated feeling is down to the addition of Sweet Almond Oil and Echium Oil, which is sort of like a vegetarian version of fish oil and is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9. The cleanser also contains Mangosteen Fruit Extract which is rich in vitamins and anti oxidants, and is nicely rounded off with the signature Merumaya scent- something I've seen many people rave about!

Overall this is an incredibly gentle balm cleanser that is nothing short of a pleasure to use. It's a yes from me!

At £20 Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm has an affordable price point, especially when compared to other balm cleansers. You can find it at Merumaya.com and John Lewis.

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Sunday Riley Artemis

Artemis is a facial oil I reach for daily so I'm a bit surprised with myself that I haven't been bothered to write about it until now. The dropper bottle of yellow tinged oil brings a little bit of joy to my day because I'm just so darn fond of it. I love the slightly lemony smell, the thick texture and above all, the fact that it's positively packed with delicious, skin nurturing oils that leave a gorgeous glow.

Sunday Riles Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil contains an array of plant oils including:

Pomegranate Seed Oil- Improves skin texture, contains high levels of anti oxidants and is rich in Vitamin A, C, E and K. A good all rounder really.
Milk Thistle Seed Oil- Combats redness and is increasingly included in herbal anti-acne products.
Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil- Conditioning and high in Vitamin C to revitalize the skin.

Black Cumin Seed Oil- An anti inflammatory oil that's known for its effectiveness in combating acne. It's also rich in moisturizing fatty acids and allegedly fights infection.
Lemon Ironbark- Part of the Eucalypt family, Lemon Ironbark is soothing, calming and is responsible for the lemony scent of Artemis.
Lemon Myrtle- An Australian medicinal oil widely used for its cleansing and purifying properties. It grows naturally in Queensland (where I'm from) and New South Wales and is a natural antiseptic.

Flax Seed Oil- Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Anti inflammatory.

One of the most interesting things about Artemis is that it is particularly good for combination skin types, congestion, and those with oily complexions. While the thought of putting oil on an already oily face may seem like a big no no, so long as they are the right oils, it can have a great effect in clarifying and clearing the skin. I suppose this is why Artemis has become a firm favourite among oily/combo skinned folk- if the reviews are anything to go by.

A little bit of this oil really goes a long, long way - I use about a fifth of a pipette/ one drop for my whole face- and the dry oil formula means it absorbs beautifully, leaving you with a slightly dewy glow rather than an oil slick.

You can find Sunday Riley Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil at Space NK, Cult Beauty, Net a Porter and Blow Ltd for £60 for 30ml.  

MAC Velvet Teddy Review

My colleagues very kindly gave me a MAC gift voucher for my 30th last month and to be honest I had no idea what goodies to spend it on. I must have spent a good few hours on the MAC website on my phone, just pondering what products to go for. Am I the only person who has a harder time spending gift cards than actual money?! I haven't been in a MAC store for so long and lipsticks are really one of those things I like to try in person before handing over any cash. That said, Velvet Teddy is so raved about online and is a neutral shade that seems to suit pretty much everyone, so I figured it was a safe bet.

Because Velvet Teddy is a matte lipstick, I knew I'd love the finish and the staying power and thankfully I was right. 

I'm not going to pretend I look remotely like Kylie Jenner (12 year age gap aside) but I find it to be a very wearable lipstick that I can almost apply without a mirror. Almost.

The matte formula of Velvet Teddy does feel a little dry but I generally prefer the matte look so it's a price I'm willing to pay. A touch of By Terry Baume de Rose is the perfect primer for use with any of my matte lipsticks and as with pretty much any lipstick, I find that this one looks better and stays put for longer after using the apply, blot, reapply technique. It just goes on smoothly and more evenly when you get blotting!

The dusty rose/nude shade is subtle enough for an understated look and it just makes me feel a little prettier and put together when I've got it on. And that's what it's all about, right?

MAC Velvet Teddy is £15.50 at MAC stores, concessions and online.

[Closed] Win a £30 Space Nk giftcard

Space NK have some amazing Christmas gift sets this year so to celebrate in my own little Space NK obsessed way, I'm giving away a £30 giftcard.

Whether you want to treat yourself to something new or repurchase an old favourite, enter below for the chance to have £30 at your disposal to spend in my favourite beauty destination.

The sweepstakes is running for two weeks and  it's super easy to enter via the rafflecopter below. I will cross my fingers for you, good luck! x

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*One winner will receive a £30 Space NK Giftcard
*Open to UK residents only

Dermalogica Limited Edition Christmas gift sets

Dermalogica have a selection of limited edition sets for Christmas 2015, meaning we don't have to rely on Santa to bring us healthy, glowing skin this year - we can just go and get it ourselves! 

The limited edition Dermalogica gift sets are clever kits that contain at least three products that complement each other to create the ideal Dermalogica skincare or bodycare experience.

The sets are a perfect introduction to the brand as well as a good way to test any specific products you may have been keen to try because they are pretty decently priced. Of course, they make great gifts as well and there really is something for everyone with gift sets ranging from teenage skin specific through to skins in need of intense hydration.

I have the Skin Smoothing Cream Set (£47.70) which I was very keen to try as I've heard great things about the Skin Smoothing Cream. The set features a 100ml tube of Skin Smoothing Cream Moisturiser, a travel sized bottle of Special Cleansing Gel and a limited edition Facial Cleansing Mitt.
This three piece set has everything you need to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise so is a nice little introduction to the brand for people who haven't used Dermalogica products before.
The Special Cleansing Gel is soap free and slightly foaming and is designed to remove impurities without stripping the skin and upsetting the natural moisture balance.
Using the cleansing gel with the mitt means you get a good cleanse and exfoliation in one go - just squeeze a little bit of the gel onto the damp mitt and massage over the face and neck before rinsing. Job done.

The Skin Smoothing Cream comes in a generous 100ml tube (still safe for carrying in your hand luggage, yay!) and is designed for combination/ dry skin types. The thick cream contains Aloe Gel, Lecithin (which I remember as that stuff my mum used to sprinkle on her cereal), Mallow, Cucumber and Arnica to nourish and encourage suppleness. Antioxidant Grape Seed Extract and Vitamin C and E are added to provide some environmental protection.
The cream is absolutely perfect for this time of year and even though it's quite rich, it absorbs pretty quickly on my face and doesn't leave a shiny sheen.

Here's some info on the rest of the limited edition Dermalogica Christmas Sets:

• Body Therapy Favourites Kit (£17.50) - perfect gift for frequent travellers who need relaxation on-the-go made easy. Contains Conditioning Body Wash, Body Hydrating Cream and Stress Relief Treatment Oil
• Dermalogica Favourites Kit (£30.00) - the gift of skin health, anywhere, anytime. Four top-selling travel friendly Dermalogica products which are suitable for all skin conditions. Contains the multi-award winning Daily Microfoliant™, MultiActive Toner, Skin Hydrating Masque and MultiVitamin Power Firm
• Active Moist Set (£44.60) - contains top-selling 100ml Active Moist moisturiser for normal/oilier skin conditions, specifically paired with a travel size Dermal Clay Cleanser and a limited edition facial cleansing mitt for a supreme level of clean
• Super Rich Repair Set (£62.85) - contains a top-selling 50ml Super Rich Repair moisturiser for mature skin conditions, specifically paired with a travel size Skin Resurfacing Cleanser and a limited edition facial cleansing mitt for a supreme level of clean
• Intensive Moisture Balance Set (£55.50) – contains a top-selling 100ml Intensive Moisture Balance moisturiser for dry/prematurely ageing skin conditions, specifically paired with a travel size Essential Cleansing Solution and a limited edition facial cleansing mitt for a supreme level of clean
• Clear Start Set (£13.70) – the Clear Start Tonight set contains a Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash; Breakout Clearing Overnight Treatment and Breakout Clearing Pore Control Scrub to ensure younger, congested skin is clear and healthy for the festive season

The kits are available for Dermalogica stockists and the Dermalogica website.

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Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm review

As much as I love acid exfoliating, I'm still an avid user of granular exfoliators for that super smooth, clean feeling. I especially love granular exfoliators when they smell good, look good and do what they say they will. Enter Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm.

This luxury exfoliator gets use about twice a week (sometimes more if I can't resist it) and is a product I can confidently say I will be repurchasing because it's simply too good.

The grainy bits in the Oskia exfoliating balm are MSM and Silica micro granules that buff and polish the skin and unclog pores. MSM (known as the beauty mineral) is a form of sulphur that is said to aid in stress relief and reduce inflammation. The addition of MSM as an exfoliatior is fantastic not only because of its stand alone beauty benefits but also because it dissolves in contact with water, adding an extra special element to the exfoliating balm.

The balm contains a nourishing combination of Sweet Almond, Sesame Seed and Kukui Nut oils as well as Oskia's special Zinc-Glycine complex to soothe, heal and reduce redness. 

The exfoliating balm is applied to dry skin and transforms into a milky consistency on contact with water, making it really simple to use and remove.

To me, the balm has quite a refreshing, almost minty scent that I'm rather fond of and the weighty glass packaging gives the balm a real luxury look and feel.

The real kicker with Oskia's Micro Exfoliating Balm is how it makes my skin feel, which is best described as like I've just had a very quick yet thorough facial. My skin is left smooth, clean yet nourished and poised for my serum and moisturiser. Despite the fact that this is such an effective exfoliating product, it's impressively gentle. Even though I don't have particularly sensitive skin myself, I have read numerous reviews from people who do who have been completely wowed by the fact that this didn't irritate in the slightest.

It really is a gorgeous product and I'd say it's earned its £49.50 price tag and then some. The only downside for me is that I now want to try everything from Oskia.
Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm is available at a range of retailers including Space NK and Look Fantastic.

3 Favourite Body Scrubs

Ok, I know I don't need three different body scrubs. Nobody needs three different body scrubs. Who doesn't love a good one though, right?

Not only does having a good old scrub in the bath or shower feel amazing at the time, but sloughing away those dead skin cells prepares your body to really absorb moisturizers and oils. Effective exfoliation makes skin instantly smoother and softer and personally it just makes me feel 'cleaner' than when I forgo a scrub.

Here's a look at my top 3 body scrubs currently on rotation in my bathroom:

The Body Shop African Ximenia Scrub

Part of the new Spa of the World range, the African Ximenia Scrub is thick and almost paste like in consistency. The texture makes it easy to spread over my skin (when damp) and feels beyond luxurious. The hero of the body scrub is Ximenia Seed Oil, which is known as the 'Tree of Life' and has been hand harvested in Namibia. The salt granules in the scrub are quite small, making it a relatively gentle scrub and the addition of Ximenia Seed Oil is soothing and softening. The scent is quite subtle and unisex - quite relaxing and gentle enough to be universally appealing. The jar is a decent size too, meaning you get a decent amount of product for your £18.

Willow Organic Beauty Pink Himalayan Body Scrub

I've written about this scrub before but it's getting another mention as it's one of my 'special occasion' bath and body products. The scrub contains oils-a-plenty including sweet orange, almond and barbary fig. The scrub is so, so moisturising due to all the oils and a real treat for the skin, especially at this time of year. I like to use this in the bath so I can sort of soak in the oils and Himalayan salt for a bit after I've scrubbed. A word of warning though - make sure you rinse your shower/bath out afterwards because we all know that oils can make things a little slippery. All in all, this is a truly luxurious scrub that I will probably finish by the time spring rolls around.

Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub

I'm sure there are hundreds of glowing reviews of this Soap and Glory bestseller and I could probably bang on about it for hours myself, but the main reason I like the Breakfast Scrub is because it smells like oats and maple syrup. Scrubbing with this is like stuffing my face with some kind of sweet pancake/waffle/porridge breakfast food. So sugary. So delicious. The scrub is made up of organic Cupuacu Bio Scrubs (not entirely sure what that is) banana, almond and honey extracts and sort of looks like something you could spread on toast and enjoy with a cup of tea. Not that I recommend actually doing that.  I do, however, recommend that you give it a try if you haven't already.

Have you got a favourite body scrub you think I should try? Let me know!

*Post contains samples

Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Pie Candle

If there ever was a candle that smelled exactly like the description on the label, this is it. I impulsively ordered the Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Spice Candle from Amazon the other night for two reasons.

1. The description of the sweet, spiced pumpkin scent sounded irresistible and just what our flat needed to get suitably autumnal and Halloweeny

2. It was available for next day delivery through Amazon Prime and my trial subscription was about to expire.
Trivial justifications, I know, but scented candles are one of life's little pleasures and quite frankly, I like them.

The Pumpkin Pie Candle is described as: A delicious autumnal blend of creamy pumpkin, whipped vanilla and flaky pie crust that's as sweet as your favourite pumpkin pie.
It's a pretty spot on description really - like deeply inhaling a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte with an extra shot of syrup. It's just very, very nice.

The Pumpkin Pie Candle that I have is only 170g but the scent throw is seriously good- our living room fills with the scent almost immediately after lighting it. It also allegedly has a burn time of 30-40 hours, though that is yet to be confirmed. This candle wasn't particularly cheap but it was still less expensive than a Diptyque 70g candle (though Diptyque really are in a league of their own when it comes to fragrance), so looking at it that way may just be justification enough!

Getting your hands on a Bath and Body Works Candle without making the trip to America used to be tricky and super, super expensive but it looks like there are now a few UK sellers on Amazon flogging them for a somewhat reasonable price. If you're keen to try a candle or body product from Bath and Body Works, have a browse on Amazon and see what you can find. I now understand what all the fuss is about with this brand!

The Secret to a good night's sleep

There’s no denying that sleep is important. But while some people can easily fall into a peaceful slumber, there are those who endlessly struggle to get the shuteye they need. If you’re one of the unlucky ones, don’t despair. There are many tips you can follow to improve your sleep experience. Here are some of the best:

Choose the right bed

As obvious as it may sound, your bed plays a key role in enabling you to have a good night’s rest. A badly made bed may be the cause of your tossing and turning, so it’s important to ensure your mattress, your pillows and the actual bed itself are comfortable and of a high quality. Investing in an adjustable bed may be the answer to your problems. As explained by manufacturer Adjustamatic, these pieces of furniture are not only designed to ease any aches and pains you may have, but they also provide the comfort you need to doze off.

Set a schedule

You may find it useful to create a routine that you can stick to. Making the effort to go to bed at around the same time each night will help get your body clock on track. A disrupted sleeping pattern can have the same effects as jet lag, so stick to a regular schedule to wake up feeling fresh and energised.

Take the time to unwind

Modern life can often be hectic and finding the opportunity to relax can be difficult. Before settling down to sleep, it’s important to set some time aside to unwind. Whether it’s taking a long soak in the bath, reading a book or listening to some calming music, there are a number of simple activities you can do that will put you in the right frame of mind to successfully nod off.

Cut down on the caffeine

What you choose to drink throughout the day can have an impact on how well you sleep at night. The caffeine in tea and coffee acts as a stimulant, so while you may feel more alert during the day, it can make it much harder for you to relax once bedtime rolls around. Avoid drinks containing caffeine and perhaps try healthier alternatives such as herbal tea or even water.

Don’t worry about tomorrow

Whether you have an important meeting at work coming up or a personal problem looming in the back of your mind, the worries and concerns you have during the day can often keep up you up at night too. While you may not be able to forget about them, simply talking about your woes with a partner or friend before you head to bed might help. Afterall, being well rested will prepare you for whatever tomorrow has in store.

Now that the secret is out, there should be no reason why you can’t enjoy a good night’s sleep. Following these simple yet effective tips will help you get the shuteye you deserve. However, if you fail to see any improvement, you may want to consult a doctor for further advice.

*Sponsored Content

Pumpkin Beauty Products to try this autumn

Pumpkins and beauty - who'd have thought? The only pumpkin related beauty products that sprung to mind when I first thought about it were the cult Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask and Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, but as it turns out, the goodness of the gourd can be found in a whole range of bath, body and beauty products.

Pumpkin enzymes are an effective exfoliating ingredient in skincare, but as any fellow PSL enthusiast will agree, that sweetened, artificial pumpkin fragrance is pretty darn appealing too.

Here are the Top 5 pumpkin beauty bits I found most intriguing (so far!):

Mychelle Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser
For dry skin, the Mychelle Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser contains pumpkin to exfoliate and honey to soothe. The cleanser also features Blue Green Algae powder (which for some reason I always thought was toxic, but I guess I was wrong!) as well as sugar, coconut, lime, cinnamon and nutmeg oil and many other delicious sounding ingredients. I'd love to know what this smells like. Available at healthmonthly

Ilcsi Pumpkin and Orange Gel Mask
The only Ilsci product I'd actually heard of was the Sour Cherry Mask so I was intrigued when I came across the Pumpkin and Orange Gel Mask from the brand. Designed to smooth and hydrate, the orange coloured gel mask contains organic pumpkin, orange, honey and herbal oils. Preservatives include Salicylic Acid. I'm more than keen to try this one.
From Love Lula

Philosophy Pumpkin Pie Shower Gel
I first fell in love with Philosophy shower gels back in Australia when I used to frequent Mecca Cosmetica (think Space NK) because they were literally the only shop to stock Philosophy products. Cinnamon Buns was and probably always will be my favourite one to sniff but I can imagine Pumpkin Pie will have the same sweet, spiced fragrance. It looks like Boots aren't stocking this (online anyway) but I've found it on Amazon at a disturbingly expensive price point.

Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask
Designed to make skin 'glow', the Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask contains 5% Glycolic Acid (the same amount as Pixi Glow Tonic), pumpkin and aloe vera. The addition of sugar cane and maple extract aid in deep cleansing and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, making the mask recommended for dull and acne prone skin. Once again, I want to know how this one smells as I imagine it's nicely scented.
From Beauty Bay.

Too Cool for School Pumpkin Sleeping Pack
Korean skincare lovers are probably familiar with the Too Cool for School brand and their cutesy packaging. Just like Origins Drink Up or Ren's Wake Wonderful, this mask is designed to be the last step in your evening skincare routine and promises to do all kinds of lovely things to your complexion as you slumber. Pumpkin enzymes exfoliate as you snooze while Hyaluronic Acid does that hydrating thing it's so good at. The mask is somewhere in between a gel and cream in terms of texture, so I imagine it wouldn't feel too heavy on the skin. I've found it at Cult Beauty.

I've also heard many great things about the Bath & Body Works pumpkin ranges - when will they open a store in London? Please tell me it's only a matter of time!

Nighttime Skincare- New Additions

There's just something lovely about the pre-bedtime skincare routine isn't there? It's one of the best parts of my evening- having a hot shower, double cleansing my face, exfoliating, toning, then (the best bit!) gently patting in whichever serum or oil I'm loving and topping it off with one of my night creams. All before tucking myself in for my nightly dose of Law and Order.

Bliss.

I've recently added a few new bits to my bedside table that I've been alternating between and think any fellow skincare fanatic needs to know about.

Fresh Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy

Ok, so it's fair to say that I want pretty much everything from Fresh (observe my previous wishlist here) and now that we can order from the brand online in the UK, buying all the things is now a terrifying reality. I had a little sachet sample of the Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy and liked it so much that I went on to buy it. The serum can be used at any time of the day but I like to use it just before I get into bed so I can freely spread it around my lips without fear of judgement. Containing Acmella Flower extract to plump out deep wrinkles and sugar to soothe and moisturise, the serum is touted as an age-defying treatment, but I just like the way it makes my lips feel. I just know this is going to be one of my favourite things come winter.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Every blogger and their dog has an opinion on Luna but so far I'm undecided on just how brilliant this blue oil really is. It's my first retinol product and I do use it most nights. The oil has certainly not done anything bad to my skin but at the same time I haven't noticed a huge difference as yet. I'm also not keen on the 'not for pregnant women' warning on the bottle. That said, I haven't met a Sunday Riley product that I don't like and it's definitely a luxury item and a real pleasure to apply. I also love the scent. And the fact that it's blue. OK, I like it. Case closed.

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Creme

This is quite a light textured night cream so I actually started using it a couple of months ago when it was still warm. I can't deal with heavy creams in summer, so this was pretty much spot on for what I wanted - hydration and gentle exfoliation without the heaviness that comes with many night time treatments. The *Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Creme features Glycolic, Lactic and Fruit Acids to promote cell turnover for that coveted 'wake up glowing' effect which is balanced nicely with nourishing Primrose Oil and Shea Butter. For me, the shea butter pretty much seems to sit in the background quietly while the acids do their thing, making it a refreshing alternative to really slippery, buttery creams. The night cream sinks into skin almost effortlessly and doesn't leave a film on the skin, which makes me think this would be a good night time option for oilier skin types too.

Nude Skincare Advanced Renewal Overnight Repair Mask

If you want to be strict about things, this is a mask, but it's also perfectly fine to use nightly as a rich cream. It works in the same way as Origins Drink Up in that  it's designed to be left on and absorbs into the skin overnight. The mask is very thick and sort of melts when warmed between your fingers. It contains Shea and Cupuacu butters, so is exceptionally rich and very, very soothing. The most appealing ingredients for me are the fig extracts and honey that may be responsible for the mask's subtle, comforting scent. Delish.

Bottega Verde Honey and Lime Night Cream

I picked up a jar of the Honey and Lime Night Cream from the Bottega Verde store in Alghero recently, mainly because I believe I need any skin care that has honey in it. That, and I had decided that I simply needed to sample some Italian skincare to ensure I had an authentic Sardinian experience. Obviously. While the plastic packaging is nothing to write home about, the actual cream itself is rich, indulgent and perfect for thirsty skin that's had a bit too much sun. Featuring a grape seed oil and Shea butter base, the cream is enriched with honey and lime tree extracts and turned out to double up as a nice after sun treatment for my sunburned thighs. Still not sure how that happened.


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L'Occitane Melting Honey Ultra Soft Cream

So I'm pretty certain I've found the perfect body moisturiser to see me through the autumn in the form of L'Occitane Melting Honey Ultra Soft Cream.
I am just a little bit infatuated with honey skincare products so when L'Occitane recently introduced their Melting Honey range, it was only a matter of time before one or two pieces ended up in my collection. I mean, it's called Melting Honey - how utterly luxurious does that sound?

The Melting Honey Ultra Soft Cream is presented in a cute round tin with a colourful honeycomb design, making it perfectly ornamental and certainly worthy of displaying on your dressing table. Or, you can do what I do and just keep it on the floor next to your bed :/

L'Occitane say: 'By combining a high concentration of nourishing shea butter and softening honey from Provence, this silky smooth, light-textured body cream helps to nourish and protect the skin, while enveloping it in the delicious scent of melting honey.'
They're not wrong!

This super silky moisturiser contains 10% Shea butter to deliver a hefty dose of hydration yet somehow manages to stay exceptionally light in texture. In fact, I'd say that texturally, it's halfway between a cream and a lotion (a crotion?).

And the scent? Don't even get me started on how great this smells. In a nutshell, the cream smells nothing short of marvellous - like real honey- and in turn, makes the skin smell pretty darn good too. If you remember the honey facial moisturiser that L'Occitane used to do (and if you happen to be reading this L'Occitane, please bring it back!) it smells pretty much exactly like that. In other words, it smells utterly divine.

I bought my tin of Melting Honey Ultra Soft Cream in store but you can find it at L'Occitane online for a fairly reasonable £18.