Experience: Nourish Facial at Beauty Works West

Beauty Works West in Notting Hill has become my little slice of paradise in London. The staff are warm, friendly, knowledgeable and some of the best massage and facial therapists I've come across in my time.
I was therefore more than thrilled to be invited back to Beauty Works West to experience one of the Medi Spa's latest offerings - the Nourish Facial.

This intensely hydrating, swoon-worthy facial uses Black Chicken Remedies products - a luxury organic Australian brand quickly making a name for itself due to its gentle, effective products that virtually send you off to a higher plane when you use them. They're that good.

Black Chicken Remedies

The facial was actually created by one of the therapists at Beauty Works West, Elize Moritz, and combines these gorgeous, all natural products with acupressure and reflexology to create an experience as good for the soul as it is for the complexion.

My facial took place in one of the dimly lit therapy rooms at Beauty Works West - a little nook of comfort and relaxation filled with the soft scent of organic candles and complete with a heated bed.

The ritual began with gentle yet thorough cleansing using the Cleanse My Face cleansing facial oil that is a deeply calming cleanser containing 14 medicinal oils to purify, soothe and remove make up without disturbing the skins natural oil balance.

Next, the Complexion Polish was gently applied to exfoliate the skin. Complexion Polish is one of my favourite Black Chicken products - it's made from 100% natural finely milled ingredients including rice, argan shell and kaolin clay to gently buff away dry skin and flaky bits. The Complexion Polish is a dry formula that's mixed in with cleanser to form a delicious paste - a little touch that I love in skincare products

My skin was then closely examined for blemishes and steam applied to encourage the dirt and general yuckiness to make its way to the surface, ready for extractions.
A face, neck and décolletage massage followed, which I have to tell you was nothing short of incredible. The massage incorporated Love Your Body Oil which includes coconut, hazelnut, sandalwood, geranium and lavender oils to name a few.

The most memorable part of the whole experience would have to be the Cacao Revelation Mask. Hydrating and plumping, the antioxidant mask was applied with a brush and left to work while I enjoyed a beautiful arm and hand massage. The mask has a rich yet refreshing dark chocolate scent that sorted of reminded me of an after dinner mint and it was incredibly decadent. If you book in for the facial just to see what all the fuss is about with the mask, I wouldn't blame you for a second!

Once the mask was removed, a hydrating mist was spritzed on, eye serum was applied and Love Your Face Serum was gently worked into my skin. Containing oils including jojoba, Argan, rose hip and ylang ylang, the facial serum plumps, hydrates and smells just as stunning as the rest of the products. After 80 minutes of laying there being unashamedly pampered, indulged and invigorated all at once, I simply did not want to get up. A part of me wanted to cry when I was gently told that I was done. 

After the treatment I was so utterly Zenned out I walked  to Notting Hill Gate station in the rain, somehow got lost and didn't even care. That's how blissful the Nourish Facial is.

This facial left me seriously impressed and now I'm more in love with Beauty Works West than I was before. The Nourish Facial is perfect for this time of year when the weather sucks the goodness out of our skin so I really recommend you go ahead and treat yourself or hint heavily at a Beauty Works West gift voucher for Christmas.

The Nourish Facial at Beauty Works West is £130 for 80 minutes of pure loveliness.
P.S. Stay tuned for an in depth look at some more products from Black Chicken Remedies.

* I was lucky enough to experience the Nourish Facial as a complimentary treatment. Words and opinions are my own.

Plasma 27 Bio-Lifting Cell Restoring Mask

I've tried a few products from Cosmetics 27 in the past and now I've had the opportunity to give the Plasma 27 Bio-Lifting Cell Restoring Mask a try. Read on for my review.

This face mask might make you look like something from American Horror Story but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in skin benefits.

The cloth mask is soaked (or impregnated if you prefer) in a super serum containing 100% natural ingredients that deliver lifting and firming effects to the complexion in the gentlest way.

The Plasma 27 Mask is even recommended for very sensitive skin and can be used following laser or peel treatments to calm down and soothe irritation.

I know there are a few cloth masks on the market but this was actually the first one I tried. To use, you just open the packet, take out the mask and unfold it, then 'mould' it to your face and neck and secure it in place with the pre-cut ear loops.

You then just lay back and relax for ten minutes or alternatively go door knocking  and frighten small children. 

You then remove the mask and massage in the excess serum.

My mum and I both tried the mask and each found that it did in fact leave our complexions rather glowy (?), smooth and wonderful- sort of like how your skin looks after and hour long facial, which is a pretty decent result considering it's a one-step ten minute treatment. Overall, we both enjoyed using the Plasma 27 Mask and agreed that it would be a lovely  treatment the night before an event. The mask has proved very popular with men too and is perfect to relieve signs of fatigue after a long flight or as a quick flash treatment before a special occasion.

The Plasma 27 Bio-Lifting Cell Restoring Mask is available from Harrods for £65 for a pack of 4

Black Chicken Balm of Ages Review

You've gotta love a multitasking beauty product and this little tin of beautiful balm by Black Chicken Remedies is no exception.

"Don't carry lots of products - choose a clever one!"

That's a quote taken from the Black Chicken website that describes the Balm of Ages pretty well.
A lovely thick, buttery yellowy balm, the Balm of Ages is made up of 19 specially chosen ingredients that work together to nourish, repair, hydrate, soothe, protect, cleanse and balance. Phew.

The ingredients:

• Shea Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Bees Wax
• Cocoa Butter
• Jojoba
• Camelia Tea Oil
• Sea Buckthorn
• Calendula
• Arnica
• Hemp
• Lavender
• Patchouli
• Frankinsence
• Cajuput
• Mandarin
• Sandalwood
• Geranium
• Ylang Ylang
• Vitamin E

It's worth mentioning that 18 of the 19 ingredients in Balm of Ages are certified organic (only the Vitamin E isn't) which is a massive bonus for those who like to live the most natural existence possible! Scent-wise, the balm has quite a soothing herbal smell with the lavender and mandarin oils coming through pretty strongly - not a bad thing in my opinion as lavender is obviously renowned for its comforting and soothing effects.

I'll be honest, when I first got the press release through for this, the first thing I noticed is that it's an Australian product, which is a huge selling point for me personally. In fact, one of the ingredients, Cajuput oil (which is similar to Eucalyptus) has been used by Australian Aboriginals for a loooong time (we're talking centuries here) as a powerful antiseptic. Fun. Fact.

I've mainly been using the Balm of Ages as a lip balm but it can be used as a topical ointment for pretty much EVERYTHING from removing make up to soothing dry elbows and knees and comforting shaving rash to conditioning lips and softening hands. I have a feeling this little tin is going to be living in my handbag through the autumn and into winter. 

Black Chicken Balm of Ages is available to purchase from selected boutiques and online at Black Chicken. It's only currently available in Australia but they do ship internationally.

Have you got a favourite multi-purpose beauty product? Let me know! x

*PR Sample

Guam Full Body Wrap at Beauty Works West: My Experience

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing the Guam Full Body Wrap at my favourite London beauty destination so far, Beauty Works West.
 85 minutes of laying about doing not a lot is fantastic as it is, but having someone scrub you from head to toe and cover you in warm mud is even better, trust me.


What is Guam and why was I being covered in it?

Guam is a territory in the United States but it's also a type of seaweed enriched mud that firms and tightens the skin and aids in reducing cellulite.

It works on cellulite by drawing out excess water that becomes trapped in fatty deposits in the skin and does the same for water retention, making it especially good for prepping your body for bikini season.

There are a few different types of the Guam mud that the therapist applies to target specific areas of the body  including thighs, hips and bust. The Guam range is available to purchase from Beauty Works West if you're game to slather yourself in mud in the comfort of your own home.  

The Treatment

Therapist Ridah showed me to the treatment room that contained a bed that was decked out in towels and plastic sheeting topped off with a disposable thong. Next to the bed was a blanket that looked suspiciously like a sleeping bag - I was told that this was used once the mud was on to heat me up sufficiently so the Guam could work its magic.

Ridah left me to strip off, put on the thong and cover myself in the towels to wait for her return. Disposable thongs are enough to make the most body-confident woman a little nervous, but Ridah had such a wonderful sense of humour that the prospect of having only a flimsy piece of (semi-see through) paper guarding my lady bits wasn't quite as horrific as it could have been.

When she returned, Ridah gently exfoliated me from neck to toe with a gorgeous warm scrub before wiping it away with hot damp towels to prep my body for the application of the Guam.

Different types of Guam were then gently painted onto my body, which at first felt a little strange but was ultimately a pretty relaxing experience.

I was then swaddled in the plastic sheeting and wrapped up in heated blankets to give the mud the best environment to get to work on my wobbly bits. Ridah explained that I was being kept warm to make me sweat slightly and to prevent the mud from going dry on my skin.
At times, the mud felt a bit tingly - apparently an indication that it's doing its job, drawing out excess water and firming things up!
While I was cocooned in the mud and blankets, Ridah gave me a beautiful face, head and neck massage before moving down to feet to give my tootsies some attention.
After 30 minutes of muddy, massage-y bliss, I was unwrapped and the mud was removed with warm, damp towels before a light application of moisturiser to lock in the Guam goodness.

After 85 minutes of being scrubbed, smothered in mud and massaged, I did feel somewhat lighter on my feet and Ridah suggested I put on something tight when I get home to see if I could tell the difference. So that evening, as I pulled up the Disco Pants that I've been afraid of for the past few months, I saw the results myself - a slightly slimmer figure thanks to Guam's water retention eliminating powers.

The Guam Full Body Wrap at Beauty Works West is normally priced at £125 for an 85 minute treatment, but is currently on special for £100. If you're a bride to be, about to go on holiday or just fancy having up to 2cm trimmed off your frame for no particular reason, visit Beauty Works West online here  or call the lovely ladies at reception on 020 7221 2248.

Thanks for reading :)

April Chill at Beauty Works West: My Experience

Beauty Works West is a little bit of luxury just off one of Notting Hill's loveliest streets, offering beauty treatments aplenty as well as an inbuilt boutique featuring niche luxury products. It's also home to Dr Daniel Sister, world-renowned anti ageing and hormone specialist.

Last week I went along to Beauty Works West to try out their  April Chill promotion - a package that includes a Ling Deep Cleansing Facial or Relaxing Massage followed by a Signature Manicure or Pedicure.
I hadn't had a beauty treatment since I left Australia over three years ago so I was beyond excited to go and meet the team at Beauty Works West and indulge my inner (or rather outward) beauty fiend for a couple of hours.

The Experience:

I opted for the facial and pedicure option for my April Chill experience and popped along to the Beauty Works West Medi-Spa in Notting Hill last Wednesday
Once inside I was greeted with a drink of my choice (I chose water because I'm hardcore) and a little bowl of mixed fruit and nuts to pick at while I filled out my consultation form.

Before long I was greeted by my therapist for the day, Beata, and led to the treatment room which was softly lit and smelled gorgeous!

Beata left me to get undressed and get myself tucked in to the heated bed (!) ready for what was about to be one and a half hours of unashamed pampering.

Beata began by gently removing my eye makeup before cleansing my face, neck and décolletage twice with Ling Purifying Facial Cleanser to get rid of any makeup and general London muck.

Next up she covered my eyes with cotton pads and turned on a magnifying lamp to analyse my skin and decide which products would be most beneficial.

That's one of the greatest things about the Ling Facial - it's completely tailored to what your skin requires at that time.

Once she'd established my skin concerns, it was time for some serious exfoliation in the form of the Ling Triple Action Exfoliator followed by the Ling Spotlight Papaya Resurface Peel.
Once these were removed  I had the steam machine directed at my face so a continuous, gentle stream of steam opened my pores and Beata massaged my skin (which felt absolutely incredible), allowing the products to penetrate more deeply and prepare my face for the next phase - extractions!

I have never, ever had a professional extractions experience before but Beata made the whole experience a lot less painful than it could have been and I was far too relaxed to be embarrassed about the amount of blackheads she was tackling!

Once the extractions were done, the Ling Rescue Peel was applied, preventing any infections and soothing my skin. While the peel was working its magic I was treated to an arm and hand massage before my hands were slipped into gloves filled with paraffin - a bizarre sensation at first that ultimately felt totally comforting and luxurious once I got used to it!

Ling Skincare

After the paraffin solidified and the peel had done it's thing, the gloves were removed and my face cleansed again before the Ling Ginseng Herbal Masque was mixed with Ling Oxygen Plasma Potion and applied over my face, neck and décolletage.
The next step in the facial was a real treat and something I'd not experienced before. Beata used an ultrasound machine to gently massage the masque in, explaining that the ultrasound helped my skin to absorb the masque. The ultrasound machine provided a sort of cooling sensation, which was welcome after the steam and extractions, and gave off a slight buzzing sound that wasn't unpleasant.

Once the masque was removed a moisturiser was applied (I was matched with Ling Squalane Hydra Boost) as well as eye and lip cream.

Like all good things, my facial came to an end and it was time to get ready for the next phase of my April Chill experience - the Signature Pedicure.

Once I'd gotten dressed and slipped on the flip flops provided by Beauty Works West, I made my way across the room to the manicure and pedicure room.

A sizable, airy space, the room included a couple of state of the art pedicure chairs complete with built in massage option. The room also featured televisions suspended from the ceiling and a Sex and the City boxset should you fancy a bit of Carrie action while your tootsies are tended to.

Beata soaked, clipped and scrubbed my feet while we chatted and I scoffed an almond croissant and drank a latte before she slipped paraffin filled booties onto my feet and left me to relax (!) for a few minutes.

Once she returned and the booties were removed and my feet cleaned again, it was polish time!
Beata expertly separated my toes and applied my chosen shade - Geranium by Essie and helped me slip on my flip flops.

After two and a half hours of shameless indulgence my experience was over and it was back out into the streets of Notting Hill. To be honest can hardly remember the tube ride home because I was virtually levitating.

The Results:
My skin felt incredible and looked refreshed, glowing and even-toned. I basically looked like I was wearing really, really good foundation when in reality I was bare faced. My skin was the cleanest it's been in what I imagine is a really long time and there wasn't a blackhead in sight on that nose of mine. I kid you not, there was not one!
This super-clean, plumped up and refreshed feeling lasted a couple of days but even now, one week on I am blackhead and congestion free with a stupidly soft face.

As for my feet? Well, they've never looked this good. I promise I'm not just saying that.
 I had never indulged in a pedicur before my experience at Beauty Works West and Beata managed to make my hobbit-like feet look feminine and, dare I say it, sexy?
One week on, the nail colour is still going strong and there's not a chip nor tear in sight - Beata I applaud you!

You can find out more about Ling Skincare products and all the beauty treats on offer at Beauty Works West here.

April Chill at Beauty Works West is running until April 30th
Facial + Manicure or Pedicure £155
Massage + Manicure or Pedicure £145

To book in for this exclusive treatment call Beauty Works West on 020 7221 2248 and quote 'April Chill'.

Thanks for reading and be sure to let me know if you try out any of the services or products from Beauty Works West!

*I was given the April Chill experience for consideration to feature on my blog

Supracor - A New Way To Scrub Up For Spring

We all know how important a good scrub in the shower is - removing yucky dead skin cells is key to lovely, healthy skin and a vital first step when you plan to fake tan!

I've been trying out a couple of products from Supracor - a Californian brand that uses recyclable materials to produce a huge range of lifestyle and bath and body goodies.

Lately I've been using the SpaCells Facial Sponge and Stimulite Bath Mitt to rid myself of any flaky bits and get the circulation going.

SpaCells Facial Sponge

This nifty little sponge fits onto your fingers like a mitten and removes makeup, cleanses, exfoliates and massages all at once thanks to the 'honeycomb cells' that it's made up of.

The SpaCells sponge features two sides for two different jobs:

The clear side is soft and flexible, perfect for pairing with your cleanser to give your skin care regime added oomph.

The black side is a little more heavy duty and isn't designed for use on facial skin - use this side to buff away at elbows, forearms and the back of your hands.

The SpaCells sponge even includes some easy instructions to give yourself a facial massage, which is a rather nice touch!

Stimulite Bath Mitt

I'm not going to lie, this bath mitt is pretty hardcore. You can use this one for dry body brushing before you jump in the shower, or use it with shower gel or soap for lathered up scrubby goodness.

The biggest selling point of these products for me is that they are naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. I like to scrub my skin with exfoliating gloves and puffs but let's face it, they can get rather manky after a while and nobody likes a mouldy shower puff!
These two products are well worth a look if you're in the market for some seriously effective exfoliation - the SpaCells mitt in particular is a great option for fans of the Clarisonic or other exfoliating devices as you still use your regular cleanser with it, it's just turbo-charged!

For more information about Supracor products, visit beautyworkswest.com and have a gander at the range.

Have you tried anything from Supracor or a similar product?

Thanks for reading.

*

Cosmetics 27 - Baume 27 & Cleanser 27 Review

Cosmetics 27 by M.E SkinLab is a skincare range dreamed up and created by Pharmacist Michelle Evrard containing eco-certified natural ingredients that have been tried and tested extensively to ensure they do what they say on the tin!
Every product in the range contains 27 key ingredients to encourage a gorgeous, glowing complexion.

For the past month I've been using Cleanser 27 and Baume 27 and have found both little pots work brilliantly with my winter-parched skin.

Cleanser 27

At a glance, the Bio- Balancing Cleansing Balm is a lot like other balm cleansers - thick and kind of waxy and emulsifying once water is added.

The difference with this one however, is that it performs in 3 stages - first a balm, then an oil, then an emulsion. Pretty cool hey?

The cleanser is excellent for removing makeup and contains 100% natural ingredients including Bamboo powder and Chamomile extract.

It's very subtly scented, so once again a great option for sensitive skins.

To get the most out of Cleanser 27, I apply a small amount to my dry face and massage for about a minute before moistening the face and massaging again. Then it's a simple rinse with warm water and I'm all done!

While the texture of this is similar to most balm hot-cloth cleansers, the bonus is that there's no need to use a cloth with this one. The Bamboo extract contains exfoliating enzymes so there's no scrubbing required!

Baume 27

Oh how I love a cult classic beauty product.
Nourishing. comforting and nothing short of brilliant, Baume 27 has saved my skin this winter.
A 'Bio Energizing Cell Repair Balm', this luxuriously thick balm moisturises, replenishes, smoothes, protects and regenerates (phew!) thanks to its antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
To apply, you take a small amount of the balm and warm it between fingertips to emulsify before massaging it in to the face.

It's designed for use in the morning and at night, but I only really use at night to allow it to really sink in while I snooze.
The balm contains zero parabens, petroleum derivatives and silicones but does contain a whole load of lovely  things such as Neem oil, Hibiscus extract, Vitamin E, Pure Lemon extract, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter.

I found both of these products to be pretty lovely. It can be difficult to find 'gentle yet effective' skincare, but these 2 really do the trick and to be honest I'll be sad when the pots are empty!

At £60.00 (125ml) and £115.00 (50ml) respectively, Cleanser 27 and Baume 27 are virtually investment products but if you're keen to splash the cash on some luxury skincare, I recommend you take a look at these.

You can find out more about the Cosmetics 27 range at Look Fantastic.

Thanks for reading!

*Samples - Words/ opinions are my own

Super Indulgent Sjal Face Masks

I've recently had the pleasure of trying out two beautiful, ultra indulgent face masques from Sjal Skincare.
Sjal - a Swedish word meaning spirit, mind, heart and soul- is the brainchild of mother/ daughter duo Karen and Kristin Petrovich and is renowned for merging Eastern and Western beauty concepts and technologies.
Sjal products utilise the latest in scientific advances whilst maintaining a holistic approach to skincare using a unique combination of Ayurvedic, Chinese, Tibetan, Homeopathic and Vibrational medicinal elements that come together to create some truly luxurious products!

Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask

I'm not joking (for once), this product is incredible. It's actually probably the only mask I've used recently where I've literally thought 'wow, that's actually done something' after I've wiped it off!

This mask contains two types of pearl - a 'micro pearl extract' for brightening and evening out skin tone and crushed pearl to gently polish the skin.

Fruit and vegetable enzymes including mushroom, pomegranate, pumpkin and papain (a component of papaya) provide a thorough yet gentle acidic exfoliation while royal jelly and fennel extracts go to work softening and nourishing the skin.

This is already a heck of a lot to get excited about but the really gorgeous thing about this mask is the fact that it contains derivatives of DIAMONDS, SAPHIRE, RUBY, AMETHYST, CITRINE and SMITHSONITE.

Sorry about the caps, but I think they're warranted in this case.

Now, what on Earth could diamonds and rubies have to do with skincare?

Well this is where the Vibrational Medicine aspect of Sjal comes into play - these gemstones are added to promote clarity and balance and bring vibrational energy to the skin!

That's a lot to fit into one pot but all of the components I've mentioned come together to create one surprisingly gentle but ultra effective face mask -  there was no tingling or discomfort while the mask was on and once I'd rinsed it away my face felt like I'd just had micro dermabrasion minus that stinging feeling.

Sjal Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask retails at £110 for 60ml at Space NK.

Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask

This little pot of luxury was developed to calm and firm the skin as well as aid in minimising pores.

A variety of Chinese herbs, silk proteins and Blue Lotus extract combine to protect, soften and calm your face while a Copper peptide and 'DNA Booster' containing GOLD, SILVER and PLATINUM (there we go with the caps again) contribute to a firming and lifting effect.

Blue Sapphire, which is believed to stimulate the pituitary gland (which in turn increases melatonin production to combat aging) is the vibrational energy component of the Kashmir Saphir mask and is included to promote clarity and purity!

This mask also incorporates bio-chemical tissue salts into the mix which aid skin recovery after exposure to harsh elements including cold wind and sun.

The mask can be used after the Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating mask to leave skin soothed and smoothed with improved elasticity.

I found that the Kashmir mask is rather tingly when on the skin but afterwards my face felt refreshed and energized with zero discomfort/ reaction.

Sjal Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask is available at Look Fantastic for £112 for a 60ml jar.

This dynamic duo may be jaw-droppingly pricey but truth be told, a little bit of product goes an awful long way. I received small sample pots of each, used both twice and have barely made a dent.

Much like Creme de la Mer and La Prairie, Sjal face masks are investment pieces indeed but good ones at that!

A Beautiful Brand: Beauty Works West

If you've been visiting Lippy in London for a while, you may have noticed that I've featured a few products from Notting Hill based Medispa and Online Boutique Beauty Works West. What you may not know however, is that Beauty Works West is also a brand in itself, offering a range of scrumptious body, hair and bath products as well as beautiful candles.

The luxurious concoctions were all developed by world renowned anti-ageing expert, Dr. Daniel Sister, so you know you're in very capable hands with these gorgeous products!

I've been trialing the Anti-Ageing Body Cream and the Cleanse Organic Facial Cloths and I'm so pleased with the performance and all round gorgeousness of these products that I wanted to share my thoughts.

Beauty Works West Anti-Ageing Body Cream

This fresh, thick and decadent body cream is pure luxury in every way.

Made with super nourishing Cocoa Seed and Shea Butter, this cream is very rich yet quickly absorbed, leaving the skin incredibly soft and smooth without the grease factor.

The scent is a gorgeous, long lasting citrus heavy, slightly spicy concoction that keeps the skin smelling lovely and fresh - even during perilous Tube journeys in June.

The Anti-Ageing Body Cream is £41.50 for a generous 225ml tub of luxury. Have a closer look at the body cream at www.beautyworkswest.com or click here.

Beauty Works West Cleanse Organic Facial Cloths

I get home from work close to midnight some evenings, so I'm a huge fan of using facial wipes to remove make up and impurities quickly and easily. I do however have trouble finding wipes that don't irritate my skin to the point where I have to get out of bed and wash of the residue and this is why I love these.

These organic cleansing wipes are infused with soothing Aloe Vera and anti-ageing Pomegranate extracts, so they comfort my face rather than infuriate it and they're so gentle I can even use them to remove mascara and eyeliner. When I find a facial wipe that doesn't irritate my eyes, I'm not going to forget about it anytime soon and I think these are just perfect.

The wipes retail at £7.95 for a box of 25 and you can find them by clicking here.

Along with the Beauty Works West branded products, you can also find a range of beautiful products from other brands by visiting the company's online boutique. They stock all kinds of gorgeous goodies including La Bella Donna mineral make up and the iconic Egyptian Magic all purpose skin cream.

To find out more about Beauty Works West visit beautyworkswest.com

Thanks for reading!

*These were kindly sent to me for consideration but remember, I'm an honest kinda gal ;)

Fake Tan Files: Prtty Peaushun Review

In honour of the beginning of Summer, I'm going to be putting a series of faux tanners, bronzers and body beautifiers to the test and sharing my thoughts on Lippy in London.

First off the block is something a little unusual, a little different yet truly fantastic - the  Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion.

Prtty Peaushun ( pronounced pretty potion) is a body lotion with a twist - an illuminating, slimming, moisturising, light reflecting bronzing oil that hides imperfections and gives the skin an oh-so-flattering healthy glow.

What does it do?
The potion promises to minimize the appearance of cellulite, varicose veins, stretch marks and various other lumps, bumps and bits that can leave us girls feeling less than confident in warm weather.
This isn't a fake tanning product, but rather a body beautifier that contains a unique blend of plant extracts that work together to firm and tighten while you get your glow on - a very welcome bonus!

Claims such as these are often far fetched, but I'm telling you first hand after slathering this on my own body that this product delivers on its promises. Rejoice!

The Packaging:
Looking at the product, it's safe to say that this isn't your standard run of the mill packaging. This is down to the fact that its creator, celebrity MUA Bethany Karlyn is environmentally aware and aimed to reduce waste by housing the lotion in 'anti packaging' that will take up minimal space in landfills. The pouch contains 236ml of product and the flexibility of the packaging means I'll be able to squeeze out every last drop of the lovely stuff. No product wastage here!



The Scent:
Prtty Peaushun is made with 92% natural raw ingredients including Avocado Oil and Green Tea so it has a lovely, subtle sort of herbal scent that won't clash with your perfume.


The Consistency:
When I first unscrewed the cap on this, I wasn't quite prepared for how runny it would be and I managed to spill some down my shirt! This was largely down to the fact that I hadn't shaken it up first, so the oil ingredients were sitting on the surface of the formula. Once shaken, it's still considerably runny, but thick enough to keep things under control!

The Price Tag:

At £39 it is on the pricier side, but other brands such as Famous Dave's and St Tropez are in this price range too.

The Verdict:
I adore Prtty Peaushun and I can see it becoming a staple product for me.
A little of this lotion goes a long way and I can see this pouch lasting through most of summer.
In terms of longevity, this has the staying power of any other good bronzer and left my limbs gleaming throughout the day until I had my evening shower.
Prtty Peaushun is fast absorbing, bronzing, subtly sparkling and smells delish so it gets a big nod from me!
I think I'll be smoothing this on over a fake tan for extra punch this summer. Here's a before and after:

The lotion is available in light, medium, dark, deep dark and plain, which doesn't contain the bronzing elements but gives skin a sexy sheen.
Prtty Peaushun is an American product and you can find out more here.

*I found it quite difficult to showcase this product on my skin via the photographs, probably because of the rather overcast weather today, so the light reflecting particles didn't really have a lot of light to reflect unfortunately!

Thanks for reading :)

*This was sent to me for consideration, but I wouldn't feature it if it didn't make me feel confident enough to put on my short shorts!

Want Glowing Skin for Summer? Kahina Argan Oil is where it's at!

Hello!

Tonight I wanted to write about a recent facial skincare discovery I've made.
Yes it involves a certain type of oil and yes I put it on my face.

Before you jump the gun and click away from this page in protest over the suggestion of smoothing oil on your face, give me a moment to explain :)

The oil in question is 100% organic Argan Oil by natural, ethical beauty brand Kahina Giving Beauty.

I've been trialing the Argan oil for the past couple of weeks and it's impressed me so much that I thought it deserved a little airtime on Lippy in London.

How Do I Use It?


For the face, I like to use it in the evening after I've cleansed my face.
 I put 2 drops on my palm, rub my hands together slightly, then pat it gently onto my face just as I would with a facial serum.
I've only used it once for my hair, applying a drop or 2 to the ends where there is some serious damage going on. I stopped using it on my hair because I felt that it was too precious to waste on split ends!

What Does It Do?


Argan Oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants and these benefits are only amplified depending on how pure the oil is, and this is probably the purest you can get!
This oil soothes irritation, minimizes fine lines, restores elasticity, neutralizes the free radicals that cause wrinkles and other signs of ageing, protects the skin from various nasties such as pollution (hello London) and improves the overall texture and tone of the skin. Not bad for one ingredient, in one little dropper bottle.

What Makes Kahina Special?


Basically, Kahina Giving Beauty is all about 'giving back' to the women in Morocco who source the argan nuts and extract the oil that ends up in the glass bottles. Kahina is so committed to celebrating these women, that their signatures adorn the packaging of every Kahina product. I think that's such a special touch :)

Another factor that sets Kahina apart from other Argan Oil manufacturers, is the quality of the product, please read this extract taken from the brand's website to learn a rather amusing fact about the oil of the moment:

The most important factor in determining argan oil quality is the “goat factor”. The argan nut is a hard almond-like seed, encased in an external shell and a fruity outside pulp. The nuts that are gathered for oil must have the exterior pulp intact. If there is no pulp, it means that the nut has been eaten and digested by a goat (goats love to eat the nuts) imparting a foul smell to the oil.

Often, these “goat nuts” will be sold at a low price and then the oil will be deodorized, a process that destroys the essential nutrients in the oil. This is typically the case of the lower priced oils on the market. 

All in all, I've fallen for this Argan Oil - I can honestly say my skin feels more 'plump' and hydrated and I look a little more awake than I did before I started using it (though I certainly don't feel it).
If  you're scared of putting this on your face, don't be. It absorbs really quickly and doesn't leave my face feeling oily - just lovely and soft.

*From what I've read about this company, they're pretty outstanding in terms of environmental responsibility and sustainability. You can read more on what Kahina is all about by visiting the website here.
Here in the UK, the Kahina range (including facial cleansers, serums, masks and more) is available at Beauty Works West. The 30ml size of the Argan Oil retails at £22.

Have you heard of Kahin Giving Beauty before? What do you think of facial oils? How do you feel about 'goat nuts'? :)

Thanks for reading! x

*This was kindly given to me for consideration, but I'm a terrible liar so rest assured that the above is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I love mine, do you love yours?

A word of *warning*: If you are prudish, lacking a sense of humour or are my Dad, you may not want to read this post :)

You may have heard of this brand before but I'm going to have a bit of a rave about it because I think it's both hysterical and a brilliant idea.

Introducing I Love My Muff.


What is I Love My Muff???

To put it rather bluntly, ILMM products are taboo-squashing, natural and above all, fun products designed to keep your lady parts lovely :o


I tip my hat to I Love My Muff founder Ritz Clinging (awesome name!), a woman who wanted something, couldn't find it, so made it herself - the I Love My Muff range.

Ritz saw a gap in the market for unashamedly proud feminine hygiene products and created a range of intimate washes, wipes, sprays and lotions for savvy women who think their bits deserve a little tlc!

I've been trying the Fresh wipes lately and here are my thoughts :)

The packets of gentle, moisturising paraben free wipes come in a pack of 25.
These little treasures are little enough to stash away in your clutch on a night out or slip in your back pocket for casual 'freshening up' ;)

How do they smell?
To be honest, I was expecting these to smell a bit 'medical' but they actually smell really nice and fresh thanks to extracts of cucumber, chamomile flower, vitamin E and lavender.

How do they feel?
The formula is extremely mild on the skin so they don't irritate my nether regions in the slightest, even after hair removal. Bonus :)

The Verdict?
I think the wipes, and the whole range are fantastic. I love the concept, I love the packaging and I adore the brand's mantra : It's no longer a whisper, it's a statement. I love my muff. Providing daily love and care for down there.

So I'm jumping on the bandwagon and I'm going to say it.

I love my muff!

Now the question is, do you?

Visit I Love My Muff to discover the range that retails from £18.