What I Bought: Collective Beauty Haul

I know that a lot of bloggers are on a spending ban right now but most certainly am not, so here’s what I’ve picked up recently.

TOPSHOP

Louise Gray for Topshop Brush Set - £32

I was instantly drawn to these when I hit the makeup section in Topshop. I can’t find the link for them as I think they’ve sold out, but the set contains powder, blush, foundation, eyeliner and eye shadow brushes.

Lips in Rumour Has it - £8

I’ve been wanting to try Topshop lipsticks for a while as everyone raves about them and I’ve finally come across a colour that’s flattering for my skin tone. Rumour Has It is a dusty rose with a velvet finish.

THE BODY SHOP

Foundation Brush - £12

I picked up this foundation brush as I wanted something to apply facemasks with. I have a few TBS brushes already and they’re really good quality.

Lip Care Translucent - £8.50

I’ve been looking at this online for a while now and even though I don’t need to add another balm to my collection I couldn’t help but grab it.

 

Vineyard Peach Body Scrub - £6.50

This smells edible really nice. As I’ve said before I love scrubs and since this was half price in the sale it would have been rude of me not to pick it up!

JOHN LEWIS

bareMinerals Original Foundation - £24

My foundation is getting a bit low so I decided it was time to pick up a replacement. #bbloggerxmas girls will know that this is my Holy Grail foundation – I absolutely love it. The price is pretty average for a premium/high-end brand, and an 8g tub lasts me about a year so it’s really cost effective.

bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil - £24

I’ve wanted to try this for absolutely ages, and got the girl at the counter to try some on me and it’s even better than I expected. I think £24 is a little steep since it’s the same price as the foundation, but since I’ll only need a small amount I can see it lasting even longer than a year.

MARKS & SPENCER BEAUTY

Philip Kingsley Body & Shine Trial Pack - £15

Everyone always raves about the elasticizer so I picked up this kit so I could give it a go. I stupidly didn’t read the part that says ‘body & shine’ so this isn’t exactly for my hair type, but I’ll use it all anyway.

Tara Smith Feed The Root Shampoo & Conditioner - £10 each. Shining Moment Glosser - £12

Last month I attended a Tara Smith Blogger Event and was given some samples of her shampoo and conditioner (review to follow!). I’ve fallen in love with the sulphate-free formula and had to get some more. They’re a bit more than I’d usually pay but definitely worth it.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi Usage Dry Oil - £29.50

Multi-use = Lola loves. I swapped with someone for the sample that came in a Glossybox last year and my hair was literally addicted. It smells amazing and applies like a dream.

REN Invisible Pore Detox Mask - £18

It was a big toss up between this and the Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask, but I think I prefer this. I’d tried both but I have a few enzyme masks already and this one is perfect for my oily skin.

Pure Instant Radiance Skin Exfoliator - £6

I’ve read some good reviews on the Marks & Spencer beauty range and a girl can never have too many exfoliators, so for just £6 this definitely had to accompany me to the till.

Perlier Honey Silk Effect Body Oil - £17.50

Yes, another body oil. It's a cruel, cruel addiction. It smells and feels amazing!

ESCENTUAL

Avene Cleanance K Cream-Gel - £8.40 (Sale price)

I love the Avene Cleanance range and had to get this during the Escentual sale.

Avene TriAcneal - £18.40 (Sale price)

I’ve got a post coming up about this so I won’t go into too much detail, but this stuff is amazing for spot/acne-prone skin.

L’Occitane Skin Supple Oil - £23.20 (Sale price)

This is one of my most favourite body oils. In fact I kept the empty bottle when I ran out of the last one because I was too upset to chuck it in the bin – sad, but true. You can read my review of it here.

Lanolips

I actually bought this on a FB swapping group. A girl had two, sealed, original tubes and was selling them for less than the price of one tube in Boots so it would have been rude not to buy!

Jemma Kidd Lipstick Duo in Eve - £2.50

I have another one of these and I adore it so picked up another one since it was such a bargain. I accidentally put the wrong colour in my basket but I think this is quite cute anyway.

So that’s how I’ve bankrupted treated myself this month so expect some reviews very soon!

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Review: L'Occitane Skin Supple Oil

With the money I got for my birthday back in May, I decided to treat myself to L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil. It's one of those products that’s worked its way around the blogosphere and everyone seems to love it.

I received a travel size sample in a goody bag after attending a L'Occitane event, and honestly speaking I wasn't that impressed. Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But after seeing beauty bloggers hail it as their Holy Grail product and it's constant appearance in ‘[insert month here] Favourite’ posts, it's fair to say I was a wee bit disappointed.

After the full size began to collect dust, I decided to go wild and exchange it for the L'Occitane Skin Supple Oil. At £29 for a measly 100ml, this oil ain't cheap, but boy is it good!

L’Occitane says: This body oil effectively fights dry skin and lack of firmness. Concentrated in almond oil, rich in omegas-6, and in cameline oil, rich in omegas-3, it helps to repair the hydro-lipidic barrier for a more supple skin that no longer feels tight.

It definitely fights dry skin, hands down. My skin feels so nourished and glows when I apply this. Unlike other oils that can sit on top of your skin, Skin Supple Oil is absorbed into the skin really quickly. It leaves behind a nice sheen, but no residue – which is a very difficult feat for a body oil. I can’t say I’ve noticed that my skin is any firmer, but it does make my skin feel very supple and undeniably less tight.

The smell is gorgeous. Fear not nut-haters, this oil smells nothing like almonds. I still can't put my finger on what it smells like though. It’s sweet, but not at all sickly and very subtle. The scent is actually one of my favourite things about this oil; even after a long, hard day you can still smell it on your skin.

L’Occitane Skin Supple Oil is geared towards pregnant women, as the oil helps to strengthen the skin’s elasticity, which prevents stretch marks. It’s also great on existing stretch marks, as I’ve certainly noticed my unsightly stretch marks have started to lighten.

My only issue with the oil is the pump. It pumps out an adequate amount, but I find it to be slightly leaky. Not majorly, but sometimes the pump is a little oily when I go to use it.

Bottom line: L’Occitane have created something genius. I can’t fault this oil at all. The glass bottle (which may be a little impractical for some) gives it a very expensive feel. The price makes me a little giddy, £29 for 100ml is really expensive. Due to the price tag I try not to use it everyday, however a little does go quite a long way! In spite of the price, I’ll 100% be buying again!

You can buy L’Occitane Skin Supple Oil directly from L’Occitane online or in store, priced at £29/100ml.

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Review: L’Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream

I got a 15ml pot of this in the Latest In Beauty Skincare Stars Box. I was worried about using it as first; ‘hydration cream’ really put me off. I find that rich moisturisers are bad news for my skin – they make it feel amazing at first, but a few hours in and the oil is just dripping off of my face. Okay not dripping, but you get the picture.

What L’Occitane says:

Made with organic angelica from the Drome region of France, the fresh and silky smooth Angelica Hydration Cream efficiently moisturises and revitalises the skin.

L’Occitane's patented angelica complex reinforces natural skin hydration by stimulating aquaporines, improves skin elasticity and protects from free radicals. Skin is plumped, smoothed and more radiant.

  

I really like this cream. It’s really light and sinks into my skin really quickly. It’s rich enough for me to feel the benefits of it but not for me to turn into an oil slick. One issue I have with it is the smell. It’s not horrible; it actually smells like freshly mowed grass. It takes a while to get used to, but it does grow on you. It’s definitely not a smell I like, but I don’t hate it either.

I tend to use this mostly at night, it perfect after a skin peel or my home microdermabrasion kit as it gives a nice burst of hydration – definitely aptly named.

Would I buy it?

Hmm, I don’t know. At £29 it’s not the cheapest moisturiser, but it definitely does the job.

You can buy L’Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream direct from L’Occitane online or instore, priced at £29 for 50ml.

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Beauty Wish List

Cash has been a bit tight of late, but I’ve got a lovely cheque coming through next month so I’m planning on go on a slight spending binge.

Beauty Wish List by LolaStarHearts

DivaDerme Lash Extender, £15 from Amazon 

 I keep seeing this pop up on Wowcher and the reviews look great. I’m not sure if I’ll get this exact one but I definitely want something similar for my stubby lashes.

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter, £7/6g from Feel Unique  

As a lip balm fiend I need this in my life. I’ve read a lot of reviews on this and have got to get my mitts on one.

bareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil, £17/9g from Feel Unique  

I love bareMinerals, it’s the only foundation I trust for full coverage that doesn’t break me out. This veil is supposed to set the foundation and give an airbrushed finish. Yes please!

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm, $3-$4/4g from Amazon  

I’ve put the US price of this because they’re much cheaper there and I’m asking for one in my US swap (I’ll be posting about this soon!). They look great and Grape looks like it’ll give a subtle flush of colour.

L’Occitane Almond Skin Supple Oil, £29/100ml from L’Occitane  

 I’m really annoyed at myself for buying this because I love it. If you’re looking for something to reduce the look of stretch marks then I can’t recommend this more. I hauled it here and I’ll do a full review soon.

Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDP £56.50/50ml from Boots  

 I got a 1ml sample of this in the Harrods Glossybox and loved it. It smells amazing! A tad on the pricey side, but I’ve got to have it.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm, £9.50/15g from Feel Unique  

 I warned you I was a balm addict. Seven months ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of spending so much on a lip balm but hey, addictions only get worse right?

Caudalie Vinsource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, £26.10/30ml from Feel Unique  

 My skin is addicted to this. It absorbs really quickly and makes my face feel amazing.

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask, £30/50ml from ASOS

 I got a sample of this in Liberty a few weeks ago and it reminds me a lot of the Monu Radiant Peel I reviewed here. Going to get it from ASOS so I can take advantage of my student discount – unless they will be any REN offer floating around.

Burberry Body EDP, £46.75/60ml from Feel Unique 

I did a project on this at uni and Harpers Bazaar press office sent us a bottle and it smelt so good. I can’t wait for this baby to join my fragrance collection!

Di Palomo Orange Blossom with Wild Honey & Olive EDP, £22/50ml 

 I reviewed a set of Di Palomo hand creams here and the orange blossom is now my favourite. If the perfume is anything like the hand cream then I know it’ll smell delicious.

I don’t even want to work out how much all of this is going to cost, but it has to be done!

What’s on your Lust List?

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