I Love Cosmetics New Collection Review

When I first started Forever Miss Vanity, my aim was to make it a beauty blog. I used to be incredibly passionate about beauty, skin and hair care. I used to spend a large proportion of my salary on beauty products and wouldn't think twice about splashing out on Chanel, Bobbi Brown or Nars. As time went by, I started falling out of love with beauty. I found products weren't as good quality as they used to be and so many things on the market felt too similar. Nothing really stood out to me and the further invested I became with vegetarianism and veganism, I also realised that there are too many big beauty brands testing animals.

These days I find it hard to get excited over makeup, but one thing I do love in body and skin care, even more so if it is vegan and cruelty-free. Recently I Love Cosmetics got in touch and asked me if I wanted to review some of the products and after seeing the bright colourful packaging and the fact that they are cruelty-free, I leapt at the opportunity.

I Love Cosmetics is a British beauty and skincare brand, established in 2009. Their four core values are fragrance, fun, refreshment and authentic.  The fragrance is the heart and soul of their collection,  they pride themselves on being fun, the aim to be authentic and every one of their products should be refreshing.

Glazed Raspberry Bath Salts - £8.00

One of the first products that I was eager to try was the Glazed Raspberry Bath Salts and they did not disappoint. All of the 'Glazed Raspberry' products smell incredible and these bath salts made it feel like you were soaking in a tub of raspberries. My skin came out feeling incredibly soft and refreshed.

Glazed Raspberry Body Wash - £6.50

I have been using this body wash for a few weeks now and it is a delight to use. The raspberry scent lingers on your skin for hours after your wash and the bottle looks great in any bathroom.

English Rose and Exotic Fruit Body Wash 

The English Rose and Exotic Fruit body washes are travel sized and I'm currently reserving these for when I next go on holiday. The English Rose is a sophisticated scent and not overly floral and the exotic fruit has a really juicy orange scent.

Violet Dreams Diffuser - £15.00

As well as skin and body care, I Love Cosmetics has recently started selling candles and diffusers. The Violet Dreams diffuser smells lovely, but for £15.00 I was rather disappointed that the scent didn't stick around long enough.

Vanilla Milk candle - £15.00

The Vanilla Milk candle smells lovely and makes me think of cake. It has a really delicate smell that gently fills the air with a gorgeous, lingering aroma once lit. The candle has a burn time of 40 hours and I can see myself getting a lot of use from this over the winter period.

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Q61 Leeds Beauty Review

Finding a salon that I trust with my hair and beauty treatments has been a personal challenge for quite a few years. I've had many salon disasters from having my hair cut wonky to my eyebrows being waxed unevenly and it got the point where I decided to do everything at home and not invest my money on professional services as I didn't see the point - I would rather disappoint myself than have someone leave me disappointed. A few months ago I was desperate to get my eyebrows waxed before a big event and needed somewhere local to my work at quite last minute and I came across Q61.

Q61 is a Leeds city centre beauty salon situated on Boar Lane founded by husband and wife duo Michael and Helena Linsky. The idea to open a salon started with Helena getting her nails done prior to their honeymoon in Thailand in March 2015. After a struggling to book an appointment and then being disappointed with the service, Helena came home and said to Michael: "One day we should open a beauty studio." The duo spent a proportion of their honeymoon brainstorming the idea of owning a salon and then 8 months later in 2015, Q61 opened its doors to the public. The salon is based on the original idea of creating the best possible customer experience in a convenient location and you cannot get more convenient than one of the main, busiest streets in Leeds.

For the last few months, Q61 has become my go-to salon. They are the only salon that do my beauty treatments exactly how I want them doing and I always feel like a valued customer from the moment of booking my appointment to the moment my treatment has ended. I have never felt rushed out of the salon and I leave feeling relaxed and that I have spent my money well.

Last week, Q61 ran a blogger event and I had the privilege of being invited. It was great as a blogger to write about one of my favourite salons, but also as a customer it was great to see what other treatments they have to offer. During my visit I opted to have a OPI manicure and classic lash extensions. I used to have lash extensions quite frequently at a different salon I used to visit, but the therapist I liked left the industry so I was intrigued to try somewhere new. The treatment at Q61 took only 30 minutes and I was really impressed with the results. I asked for natural voluminous lashes and that was exactly what I got. These lashes last up to two weeks and I know once they fall out I will be getting them done again - it is great to wake up in the morning and not have to apply mascara. My second treatment was the OPI gel manicure which yet again I couldn't fault. I always pick red nails so I asked the therapist to choose a nude colour that would suit me and I absolutely love these nails. It is a colour I wouldn't have usually gone for, but they make my nails look so healthy. 

If you live in Leeds or visit Leeds regularly, I would definitely recommend popping by Q61. As previously mentioned it does take a lot for me to trust a salon and I would happily trust this salon with all my treatments. The staff are professional, the salon is trendy and overall,  it's a great convenient whether you're in a hurry or would like somewhere in the city centre to escape the hustle and bustle.

Have you been to Q61 before?

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Soap and Glory - The Whole Glam Lot

Soap and Glory have always been one of my favourite skincare brands and they are one of the only brands that I have repurchased multiple products over and over again without hesitation. Their products not only look fantastic in their vintage style packaging, but they also smell fantastic and leave my skin feeling silky and smooth. Whenever my body needs a deep cleanse or a pampering session, Soap and Glory remain my go-to products.

Every Christmas Soap and Glory bring out a special Star Gift at Boots consisting of all their best products and this years star gift is 'The Whole Glam lot' - a suitcase full of Soap and Glory goodies worth £60 for only £30.  The suitcase features: a 500ml bottle of Sugar Crush body wash, a 200ml Scrub of your life body buffer, a large 300ml tub of The Righteous Butter, 500ml of Smoothie Star Deep Moisture body milk, 125ml body of Hand Food hand cream, a 350ml 3-in-1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash, 50ml Speed Plump day cream, a 'Thick and Fast' mascara, Sexy Mother Pucker in Rose & Shine and last, but definitely not least, a Hand Maid antibacterial cleansing gel.

All of the included products are full sized and will easily last you several months, making the £30 investment worthwhile. My favourite products are Smoothie Star because it smells so wonderful, it is one of those products that you would wish was edible, the Vitamin C facial wash as it is my go-to product first thing in the morning and it leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and Scrub of your Life, which really helps exfoliate all my dry skin and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. Thick and Fast is a really underrated eye mascara, it is far better than the Chanel and MAC eye mascaras that I own.

The Soap and Glory - Whole Glam Lot is available online or in-store only at Boots.

Have you purchased this Soap and Glory set?

*Contains press samples

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Do Hotel Toiletries Influence Your Stay?

Everyone has a checklist of what they look for in a hotel, whether it's location, amenities such as a pool, bar or restaurant,a king size bed or even fluffy robes hanging in the wardrobe. For some people, one item on their hotel checklist is what toiletries the hotel provides. Believe it or not, there's some people that will travel far and wide for those little hotel luxuries and with hotels these days stocking even more luxurious products, paying a premium for a room with Elemis miniatures included doesn't seem so bad. 

There's something incredibly satisfying about walking into a hotel bathroom and seeing a line of luxury toiletries lined up on the porcelain sink. It's that small reminder that paying premium does sometimes pay off and that even though we shouldn't take them, those toiletries are a little gift to ourselves once we depart the serenity of the plush hotel suite and go back to our dull, far from luxurious lives.

Having stayed at many hotels over the years I admit I love seeking out the best hotel toiletries - I even go as far as Googling the products they stock before I visit and there's nothing more that I love while on holiday than coming back to my hotel room after a day of walking around the city than relaxing in a deep bath and pampering myself with products I probably spend less on at home. Do they define the hotels I pick? Not really, but it's a nice little bonus if they do stock nice toiletries. 

Why do people care so much about toiletries?

You have several different types of people - the Instagrammers who want to show off to their friends, those that love a 'freebie' or want to stock up on travel size products and those generally who enjoy that added bit of luxury in their hotel rooms and like to try new brands. I think I'm an amalgamation of all three.

Is it right to take hotel toiletries home?

The jury is undecided on this one. Many people believe they are a perk of staying in a nice hotel, whilst others think it's just too greedy. As much as I love these little toiletries I'm very much on the fence -  having worked in a hotel before I have seen people request extra toiletries just so they can take them home and I know how much of a drain on resources it can be, however those toiletries are there for your use and to make your stay comfortable. If you do end up using them, they cannot be reused.

Which hotels have the best toiletries?

The general rule is the more premium the hotel the better toiletries they have, but it isn't always the case. I have used some lovely toiletries at little B&B's who use locally sourced products, which has made the stay even more special. Also if a hotel has a spa, you're more likely to expect the premium products such as Molton Brown, Elemis etc as they will want to showcase the products that they use in the spa.

Would you pick a hotel purely on the toiletries they have?

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Treatwell Event, RMUK Leeds

A few weeks ago I was invited to an event at RMUK in Leeds to celebrate the launch of Treatwell, a 24/7 online booking system where you can book salon and beauty appointments with ease at the times you want and prices to suit your budget. Treatwell is the largest hair and beauty bookings website in Europe and with 20,000 local partners it is easy for you to browse through their impressive list of salons in your local area and hunt out discounts. The system is perfect for people like me who are a little bit spontaneous with their appointments and love a good deal. If you think the concept sounds very familiar, you may recognise Treatwell's former name, Wahanda. Late last year the company rebranded under the name Treatwell to help with it's European expansion. Having used Wahanda in the past and really enjoyed the service, I was eager to find out what Treatwell have in the pipeline and learn more about the direction they are going in.

I attended the Treatwell event with one of my friends Lizi from Glasses Girl and during the evening we were pampered by the staff at RMUK in Leeds. RMUK are a salon listed on Treatwell and they offer a wide range of hair and beauty services. It is a high quality salon like many of them listed on Treatwell as the staff at Treatwell carefully choose who they partner with and only want the best. Having been to RMUK for many events in the past, I have to say it's one of the nicest salons in the Leeds area and the staff are incredibly friendly.

The Treatwell event in Leeds attracted many local businesses, VIPs and bloggers, including some of the cast from Emmerdale. There was also expert advice and tutorials from Liz Hambleton, the former beauty director of Grazia and advice from celebrity make-up artist Armand Beasley. One of the highlights of the night for me was talking to Lopo Champalimaud, founder and CEO of Treatwell. He is a really down to earth guy who is incredibly passionate about his brand and he really wants the best for his customers.

To celebrate the rebranding of Wahanda and to introduce you to the brand Treatwell, I'm giving away a £25 voucher so you can try out some of services for yourself, whether it's a hair appointment, a much deserved massage or an express manicure. To enter you need to be 18 and over, live in the UK and you need to fill out the form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Listed on Prize Finder

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DIY Autumn Beauty Treatments

As the seasons change, so should your skincare regime. The weather is harsh during the autumn and winter and rain and wind can bring a wide range of weather related ailments to your skin. Without the right protective skincare, you are more likely to be prone to weather related damage such as uncomfortable dry skin around the face and lips. Unfortunately not all of us can afford to be buying new skincare as soon as the weather changes, but fear not, there are a few simple beauty treatments you can make for less than £10 with ingredients that are most likely to be in your store cupboard. With a helping hand from Mira Showers and Midas Touch Crafts, I have put together a few skincare items that you can make comfortably at your home in less than fifteen minutes.

Face Scrubs are a great way of cleansing the skin and getting rid of any dryness. Oats have been used for years to combat dry skin and blackheads and this simple recipe should leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Ingredients: Oats, a fresh Lemon and Honey.

Take the oats and add half a squeezed lemon and a tablespoon of honey, then stir together.

Next, lets make a lip scrub. Lip scrubs help erase dry skin from the lips and leave them feeling wonderfully nourished.

Ingredients: Honey, Brown Sugar, Coconut Oil, Cinnamon Powder, Cocoa Powder and a small container.

Use the brown sugar and flavour using cocoa powder and cinnamon. Then add honey and a little bit of coconut oil and stir together. Add to a small container.

Finally to protect your lips against further damage and to add some moisture, here's my simple lip balm recipe.

Ingredients: Soya Wax, Cocoa Powder, Vitamin E tablet, Coconut Oil and a small container.

Place the soya wax into a microwave dish and heat it up to 65c. Pour into a small container and add cocoa powder and the contents of a Vitamin E tablet to ensure that the lips stay nourished. If you want your lip balm to add colour to your lips, once the soya wax is melted, cut up part of an older lipstick and mix together. The lipstick will melt into the soya wax and create a colourful lip balm you can use all day long.

Will you be trying any of these recipes?

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RMUK Leeds Official Launch

When it comes to beauty and hair salons, I admit I can be really choosy. The salons I go to have to be trendy, relaxing and have a certain ambience about them. There's nothing I loathe more than a dull salon that looks stuck in the 80s and where the hairdressers seem more interested in themselves than the clients. I've been around the block a few times when it comes to hairdressers and beauty salons and I'm not afraid to try new places. After all the average cut and colour these days can set you back anywhere up to £150, if we're paying those type of prices, we definitely deserve the best.

Recently I was invited down to RMUK in Leeds for processco, canapés and to review a few of their treatments on the official launch night. The newly opened hair salon and day spa is situated on George Street in a beautiful traditional Georgian Property boasting a whole host of original and unique features. From the moment I walked through the door, I was blown away by the beauty of the building and decor. The salon looked elegant, clean and polished and exactly what Leeds was in need of, a new upmarket, vibrant and trendy place to relax and be pampered.

The salon and day spa covers 3,500 sq. ft and consists of a spacious top floor hair salon complete with spacious styling stations, a real fire place and exposed beams and a floor dedicated to beauty, which includes a bar and pedicure spa, private treatment rooms and an Aveda day spa. The floors are beautifully decorated with buddha statues, colourful asian style lanterns, all of which are set against a tranquil beige and earthy brown colour scheme. 

For those who fancy a little something extra, the salon also has its own private bar and rooftop terrence. These are wonderful places to sit back and relax after a day of being pampered whilst having a glass of much needed Prosecco or a cocktail. Yet again the bar area is beautifully decorated with stunning woodwork and brass lamps on the ceiling. The bar is quirky, yet sophisticated and the best bit is that it is only open to spa guests.

When I read my invite, I couldn't wait to see the rooftop terence and when I got the spa, it did not disappoint. The terrence area is well secluded and although the buildings behind are not the prettiest sight to see, the plants, the seating arrangements and the lovely sheltered canopy make it for it. It is a relaxing area and a lovely place to chill out with friends post treatment, especially in the summer.  

Once you are finished for the day, the official RMUK taxi can drop you off home (depending on distance) or to the train station. The salon has created a city first with the launch of the RMUK Pamper Cab, a refurbished black taxi that will provide customers with a free chauffeur service, picking them up and dropping them off at locations across Leeds. If it wasn't for this cab, I would have missed my train that evening and I'm really grateful. I think the cab is a wonderful addition to the salon - especially for days when it is wet and the weather is horrible, after all no-one wants to leave a salon looking as bad as when they entered.

Overall I was really impressed with the spa and hair salon and I'm already planning my next treatments for when I go back. It's a great place to go whether you are looking for a day of 1-1 pampering or a day out with your friends.

Have you been to RMUK Leeds?

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The Glamour Beauty Power List Box 2015

Back in 2012 I was all over the beauty box hype. Glossy Box, Birch box - you name it, I had it.  I loved receiving my boxes and doing the obligatory 'look what I got' Twitter statuses, but after a few months I grew bored of them. The items just didn't live up to my expectations and I realised that I was paying for the surprise element and not necessarily liking what I was given. Since ending all my subscriptions a few years ago, my mind has constantly wondered whether I have been missing out. I keep seeing bloggers rate and slate boxes and every now and then a few boxes come up that I think 'wow, how did I miss that?' The one box that kept grabbing my attention was the Latest in Beauty box. 

I've been a fan of the Latest in Beauty site for a long time.I remember when I used to pay something like £4 and I was able to pick a few samples off the website and they would arrive in the cutest little box. I used to tell all my friends about it. When I noticed Latest in Beauty had started doing collection boxes, I knew at some point I would need to try one of those. The Latest in Beauty Collections are boxes focused around particular themes or magazine collections. The Glamour Beauty Power List is one of these.

The Glamour Beauty Power List Box is in collaboration with Glamour Magazine and all the products have been handpicked by the Glamour Magazine beauty editor Alessandra Steinherr. The box consists of eight of the best beauty products this year and is worth a whopping £92.87, even though the subscription price is £18.99.

The Glamour Beauty Power List Box 2015

1 x Eyeko Mascara in Blue or Black

1 x Rimmel 60 Seconds Supershine Nail Polish

1 x Phillip Kingsley Geranium and Neroli Elasticizer

1 x Nail Inc Superkale base coat

1 x Kiko Velvet Touch Creamy Stick Blush

1 x Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick

1 x Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream

1 x Vita Liberata Self Tanning Night Moisture

I'm really impressed with this collection and there are so many products that I love. The Nail Inc NailKale base coat has been a delight to use on my brittle nails, I have noticed that gradually they are becoming stronger and now I won't apply nail polish without using this product first. The Garnier Miracle cream is also high up on my fave products list. The cream is really soft and blends in well and unlike most sleeping creams, it doesn't make my face itch in the middle of the night. I also can't get enough of the Kiko blusher that looks so natural once applied. The products that haven't thrilled me in this box have to be the Rimmel nail polish - it chipped within an hour of wearing it and didn't look good when I arrived at a blogger event with bits peeling everywhere. I'm also not a fan of the Eyeko mascara as it doesn't add enough volume for me. Overall though I'm very impressed with the collection and the box itself is a cute little collectors piece.

What are your thoughts on the Glamour Beauty Power List box?

*PR Sample

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Autumn Skincare Favourites

Autumn has to be my favourite time of year. I love dark romantic evenings where you can stroll huddled up together and see the stars, I love the colour of leaves as they lay on the ground and I love nothing more than sitting next to a warm fire drinking mulled cider and thinking about Christmas. The only thing about Autumn that I don't like is dry, blotchy skin from the sudden change in weather. I admit, I'm quite lucky when it comes to skin. I never suffer from spots and most of the year my skin is in pretty good shape, but when the weather gets colder I always get dry skin on my nose, chin, elbows, hands and feet. It happens every year without fail.

As I've got older skincare has become an important part of my daily routine and over the years I have managed to preempt the effects cold weather by investing in quality skincare products and using them as soon as the weather starts to turn. This year for me is all about organic beauty products. The older I get the less chemicals I want on my skin. One of my favourite all over body products at the moment is the [M]Botanicals* Uplifting Sugar Body Balm. The body balm promises to gently exfoliate the body and remove dead cells leaving your skin feeling moisturised, renewed and glowing and it does exactly what it says on the tin. I find this product really refreshing and my skin feels superb after use. The scent of Bergamot, Geranium and Frankincense lingers on my skin for hours after the scrub and it makes my skin feel rejuvenated - exactly what you need after a day in the cold, autumn weather.

Another beauty product I'm currently in love with is the Harpers Bazaar Beauty Awards Winner Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Skin-Pumping Serum. The team over at Antipodes kindly sent me a few of their products to check out and I cannot get enough of this serum. I'm not usually a serum type of girl as I find them a bit sticky and I've never really seen the point of using them. However, the Antipodes skin pumping serum has completely changed my mind. I suffer from a lot of dehydration in the face from being ill and on a lot of medication and the Antipodes serum has made my skin look visibly smoother and brighter. The serum is really easy to blend in and feels like a second skin, like no product has been used. It's a miracle in a tiny bottle and one of those beauty products I would buy again and again.

They say that some of the best things come in small packages and another one of my favourite products is this small travel sized hand recovery kit from Crabtree & Evelyn, known as the '60 Second Fix for Hands'. The kit comes with a hand recovery treatment and an ultra-moisturising hand therapy lotion. I was recently given a complimentary hand treatment in the York branch after purchasing one of the nail polishes and fell in love with this duo. I couldn't stop stroking my hands for hours, they felt so soft. The hand recovery treatment is recommended every fortnight and is similar to a body scrub but just for hands. The two step treatment is really quick and easy and leaves your hands feeling super soft at the end of it. When I was told it was only £8, I couldn't buy this product fast enough. I would recommend this product to anyone that suffers regularly with dry hands like myself, it has really made a difference.

What are you Autumn skincare essentials?

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Summer Time Makeup with the Metquarter, Liverpool

Summer time makeup has always been my favourite style. Soft blushes, natural lipsticks and lashings of bronzer that makes everyone looking healthy and glowing, what’s not to love? I've teamed up with the Metquarter in Liverpool to bring you my ultimate summer makeup essentials and to show you how to get my summer time beach look.

When the weather is warm and humid, there’s nothing worse than the feeling of makeup sliding down your face and feeling the need to top up every five minutes. That’s why less is more when it comes to summer. Forget heavy coverage, opt for lighter colours that you are less likely to see if they do fade and make sure to wear to waterproof mascara just incase there’s a beach nearby.

To start your summertime makeup look I would recommend the MAC Pro Longwear Foundation. The MAC Pro Longwear foundation promises up to 15 hours of coverage even in hot and humid weather conditions and provides you with an SPF protection meaning that you don't have to worry about spending time in the sun. This foundation is a lightweight and creamy consistency and applies really easily to give sheer buildable coverage. Although many makeup artists would argue it’s better to use a foundation brush, I actually prefer to use my hands as I feel it helps me get more even coverage and blends easier on my face.

Once your base is applied it is time to start using one of my favourite contouring palettes, the Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo in Heliopolis & Lumous - a light champagne gold and a soft brown. Apply the darker colour to parameters of your face and the cheekbones and use the lighter colour to highlight the nose, eye sockets and chin area.

When you are finished add a nice soft blush to your cheeks using MAC Casual Colour in 'Keep it Loose'. Casual colour cream pigment is a versatile product that can be used for the cheeks and lips. The product contains vitamin e to keep the skin and lips nourishment and comes in a blendable, lightweight formula. Yet again I’ve used my fingertips to gently blend the cream into the cheekbone area.

Once you are finished with the base, you can then start with the eyes. When it’s summery many of us like to head to the beach or hang out by a pool. For this reason, stick to using waterproof mascara during the summer. It will help you avoid any mishaps and you will always be prepared for a spontaneous day out. Firstly apply the MAC False Lashes Mascara in black then cover with the MAC False lashes waterproof mascara. Finally, keep it natural and add a small bit of colour to your eyes using the MAC cream colour base in nude brown.

Finally to finish your summer, beach ready look opt for a nude lipstick like this Illamasqua Glamore lipstick in starkers.Firstly line the lip with the Illamasqua colouring pencil - I went for a slightly brighter lip pencil so that it gives a slight pink tone when blended but you can use one more suited to the colour and finish by applying the lipstick. I love the Glamore lipsticks as they are highly pigmented, nourishing and last quite awhile.

If you would like to watch a visual tutorial of this makeup look, the video can be found here.

What do you think of this look?

*This post is in collaboration with The Metquarter Liverpool

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Jo Malone New Bath & Body Collection

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of attending a Jo Malone in-store event at the Victoria Quarter, Leeds. The event was to demonstrate the new bath and body collection and to show how some of the best Jo Malone products had been given a new leash of life, with bold yet pretty new packaging. I'm a big fan of Jo Malone and have been for years. I remember receiving my first ever Jo Malone candle and from that moment I fell in love. Everything from the pretty French style designs to the sweet scents are captivating and can make anyone fall in love with the brand. When you wear Jo Malone, you can be instantly recognised in the crowd. The scents are different to the mainstream fragrances out there. They are subtle, aromatic and sweet and feminine. They ooze sophistication and class and for me, make me feel sexier as a woman.

The name of the event was called 'A Moment for You' and the focus was to convince women that they all deserve at least 10 minutes of indulgence and relaxation each day and that the newly re energised Jo Malone products can help. The first product in the new collection is the Jo Malone Shower Oil. The shower oil is nourishing and restoring and is made from sunflower seed, jojoba and coconut oil.  The oil helps cleanse the body and leaves your skin feeling silky soft. Jo Malone's new shower oil can be used in or out of the shower and is applied by starting at the feet and working all the way up body. To cleanse the system the oil is removed with a hot towel infused with lime, basil and mandarin and then the body moisturiser can be applied. Choosing the zesty Lime, Basil and Mandarin cream will help energise the body, choosing the juicy Blackberry and Bay will help refresh and if you want to feel relaxed, we were advised that you should opt for the opulent Peony & Blush suede.

During the event we were also given the chance to sample an array of healthy food from Fillmore and Union, a Yorkshire based health food cafe chain. We were given delicious vegan kale brownies to try, juicy fresh fruit and we also watched a live demonstration of one of their juices being made. The juice had apples, blackberries, cucumber and many more ingredients and although it didn't look too appetising, it tasted really nice and gave us all the health kick we needed.

Just before we left my bestie Lizi and I were given the chance to sample one of the Jo Malone hand and arm massages using the new products. I went for the relaxing massage and Lizi opted for the energising massage. The products felt amazing against my skin and the beautiful scents lingered on my arms for days.The staff were more than accommodating and really made our evening and helped convince me to pop by the Jo Malone store in the near future. Thank you to Jo Malone, Filmore and Union and the Victoria Quarter for such a fabulous event. I would urge anyone that has not tried the new collection to pop in your local store and give it a go.

Have you tried the new Jo Malone Bath and Body Collection?

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Bellissima Exclusive Guiseley

I admit, I've never been one for regular visiting beauty salons apart from getting my hair done, but recently I have began to see the appeal. A few months ago I had my first facial and fell in love with it. I loved how soft my skin felt, the relaxation of sitting back in a chair and letting someone else do the work and the priceless advice that the beautician gave me regarding skin care. After my first facial I vowed to make going to a beauty salon a regular occurrence and that I would look into more treatments that they have to offer.

Recently I was invited down to Bellissima Exclusive*in Guiseley to test out a few of their services. Bellissima Exclusive is one of Yorkshire's Premier Beauty Salons and Skin clinics specialising in all beauty treatments and facial aesthetics. After an extensive browse through their treatment list, I opted to try DiamondTome Mini Microdermabrasion with the Omnilux Renew light therapy and experience their digital skin analysis.

For those commuting from Leeds, the train only takes 10 minutes to get to Guiseley and passes through the village every 15 minutes. Once you arrived at the train station, it is a five minute walk down the beautiful town streets with plenty of charity shops and stores to occupy your time if you are a little bit early for your appointment. When I arrived at the Bellissima Exclusive salon I was happy to see that the salon felt very hygienic, very smart and looked highly professional. The staff were highly accommodating offering me a drink upon arrival and it was only a few minutes sat in the waiting area before my appointment. 

I was then lead to a small room with a clinical grade camera to have my skin analysis. The consultation began with questions about my overall skin health, how much time I spend in the sun, my diet, stress levels and my skin care regime. The questions were really in depth and you knew that by the end of the consultation that the therapist would have everything they needed to know to answer any of your skin based questions. During this consultation I felt at ease as the skin therapist joked and laughed with me and made me feel very welcome. After my initial consultation, I was asked to place my head on the camera and have my photo taken. This photograph is then downloaded to the computer and a detailed analysis pops up 5 minutes later. I have always looked after my skin and the analysis clearly showed this. I'm 24 and luckily received a skin diagnostic age of 25. The only thing said to be aging me was the fact that I had severely dehydrated skin from being in and out of hospital. After the consultation the therapist gave me a few product recommendations based on her findings and then led me to treatment room where I would have my microdermabrasion facial.

I'm not going to lie, the thought of having a microdermabrasion facial terrified me. I envisioned a large roller being applied to my face and expected pain, but it was nothing like that. The therapist selected a really fine roller no bigger than a marker pen and gently glided it along my face. Throughout most of the treatment the roller just tickled, but there was an odd pinch here and there on the more sensitive parts of my face. One the dead skin had been removed, the therapist applied the Omnilux renew peel and placed me under a bright red light whilst wearing a pair of protective sunglasses. The intensity of the light took some getting used to, but once my eyes adjusted I felt very relaxed. I was under the light approximately 15 minutes and after the treatment, she proceeded to the final stage of applying my facial. As previously mentioned I have been suffering from extensive dry skin due to being dehydrated so the therapist used a really nice hydrating mask. 

Once the treatment had ended, I felt renewed and like a different person.The microdermabrasion had taken awhile all my dead skin to leave me with a baby soft face and the moisturiser applied at the end made it even softer. I had a small amount of redness for an hour or so after the treatment due to the slightly invasive nature of the microdermabrasion but nothing I couldn't handle and it was definitely worth it for the after result. My face remained soft and vibrant for at least 2 weeks after the treatment and I can't wait to book in again.

Have you had a microdermabrasion treatment before?

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Summer Skincare Essentials

People often tell me that I have great skin and ask for my skin secrets. As much as I'd like to say it is inherited and I naturally look good, I think it is mainly down to my skincare regime and the amount of quality products that I use. I always use SPF, a great moisturiser and try stay out of the sun. I have a makeup free day at least once a week to allow my skin to settle and I believe in regular facials - even if they are 'Do it Yourself' at home. As we've just entered summer and everyone wants the perfect summer skin, I've decided to put together a few of my summer skincare essentials so you at home know what I use on a daily basis and the products that really help my skin.

Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream

As I suffer from dry skin, a good exfoliating cream is a must. I've always been a big fan of Clarins and find their products to be gentle and soothing on the skin. This Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream boasts dual-action microbeads with soothing Mimosa extract which helps erase flaky surface cells and tighten pores. This product leaves my skin feeling fresh and silky smooth after use.

Body Shop Body Butter Grapefruit

Body Shop butters come in so many amazing summer scents and are great for adding fragrance and moisture to the body. I picked this up from the Body Shop a few weeks ago and haven't stopped using it. The grapefruit scent is juicy and fresh and leaves my skin feeling soft.

Clarins Daily Energizer Moisturiser

If you struggle to wake up in the morning and need an energy boost, this is a product you should think about picking up.  The Clarins Daily Energizer Moisturiser is a product that I religiously buy and use. The Energizer cream gives you soft, silky skin and a radiant, healthy looking complexion. When my skin looks dull and needs a healthy glow, this is my go to product.

Estee Lauder Daywear facial SPF 50

I often worry about sun damage and I'm usually the first to put on suncream when the weather gets brighter. This Estee Lauder Daywear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant and UV defense SPF 50 can be worked easily into your morning skin care regime and helps protect against sun damage and keep your skin looking younger for longer.

Soap and Glory CC Cream

I searched so long for a good CC cream that suited my skin tone and gave me the coverage I wanted without having to use a foundation and this Soap and Glory CC cream was the one that I eventually fell head over heels for. This CC cream is a multi-action tinted moisture fluid with an SPF 15 to protect your skin against sun damage,hyper bright technology to illuminate skin tone, lightscrambling superblur micromesh to blur out the appearance of lines and wrinkles and energinseng,  an energising antioxidant extract. This fluid applies really easily and gives great coverage whilst also feeling moisturising on the skin. This is perfect for those looking to go on holiday and don't fancy wearing foundation on a daily basis.

Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack

Last but definitely not least is the Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack. I suffer from really bad dark circles around my eyes and I'm always on the lookout for products that help soothe my puffy eyes and reduce the dark appearance. This hydrating eye treatment is perfect for overtired and puffy eyes. The product features Botanical Peptides that are clinically proven to help reduce dark circles, an oxygen boosting Oxyginsengtm complex, moisture boosting hyper hydraters and cool cucumber to help tone, firm and condition the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. I use this product every day and have noticed that my eyes are looking less puffy and firmer.

What are your Summer Skincare Essentials?

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Nails Inc for Instyle Magazine

I love a good magazine freebie and this month it seems like all the key fashion magazines have recently upped their game. This month Glamour are giving away Modelco eye pencils, Cosmopolitan are giving away a fantastic selection of sunnies, Marie Claire have Elemis samples, Red has Ren samples and InStyle are giving away Limited Edition Nails Inc polishes inspired by the 1980s. These polishes are full sized and worth £11 each.

Nails Inc have always been one of my favourite nail polish brands and I'm always looking out for when they do magazine collaborations like this one. Just before my operation I managed to pick up this issue with the 'The Tide is High' aqua/ turquoise blue nail polish. This colour is perfect for a summer holiday or cocktails with friends. It is delicate, feminine and from what I have seen so far, applies really well. I don't often write about beauty or magazine samples, but this one was definitely worth a mention. It's a great colour for SS15 and would be a great asset to any nail polish collection.

Have you picked up any magazine freebies this month?

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Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay Cologne

Jo Malone are a brand that I had heard so much of in the past but never really had the chance to explore. My nearest Jo Malone store is quite far away from me and I'm not a big fan of online shopping. It was a few months ago in Bangkok Airport Duty Free that I really fell in love with Jo Malone. My friend and I were trying to pass time before our flight and spent a lot of time sampling the perfumes as most women do. It was the first time that I had really sniffed a Jo Malone perfume and instantly I fell in love with this Blackberry and Bay Cologne.

Jo malone are a quintessentially British brand putting their customers at the heart of their business. They specialise in bespoke fragrances in the form of candles, colognes and perfumes each luxuriously presented in one of their immaculate signature boxes. This Blackberry and Bay cologne has notes of blackberry juice, bay and brambly woods. The website description says that it should 'evoke childhood memories of blackberry picking'. Maybe that is why I love it so much. I regularly picked blackberries with my mother and loved eating her homemade blackberry pies. Despite some of its childhood attributes, this cologne screams sophistication and has a very light musky scent to counteract the sweetness of the fruit. It is a playful yet vibrant fragrance and is probably one of the fragrances that suits me the most.

What is your favourite Jo Malone cologne?

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Looking After Ombre Hair

Ombre hair has been one of the biggest hair trends of the last three years and has seen the likes of Alexa Chung, Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively (to name but a few) all taking their dark long locks and adding a bit of dip dye over the summer. Last year I fell head over heels for this trend and followed the footsteps of all these celebrities by bleaching my hair, the only thing I didn't realise is the amount of damage it can do and the level of upkeep it takes.

I love my Ombre hair but the bleach causes my hair dry out so easily and when my roots are due, my ends have a tendency to go yellow. A great set of styling products is a necessity when having Ombre hair and you should always look for products that are moisturising and can add shine. My favourite products have to be from TIGI. As professional hairstylists, the team at TIGI know exactly what is needed for dull, drying coloured hair. Over the years I have sworn by Bedhead, Tigi Catwalk and S Factor products on a personal level but also as a hairstylist. They have an extensive range suitable for all hair types and conditions and these three products mentioned here are perfect for those trying to keep up with the ombre trend this summer.

Heat is one of the main things you should avoid when having bleached hair, but living without styling tools can be rather difficult. A good heat defence like this BedHead Dumb Blonde Toning Protection spray* will help smooth your hair, add moisture to your split ends and protect you against any further heat damage. I love the Dumb Blonde Toning Protection spray because it has all the qualities of most good heat protection sprays whilst also being able to tone down yellowing highlights.

Heat and colour damage can also make your hair frizzy. This one of the problems I face on a daily basis. To ensure my locks have a smooth finish I use this S Factor Silky Smooth Moisture serum*. The S Factor Silky Smooth serum uses a conditioning blend of products to help repair damage on the hair surface and help fight frizz and tame fly-aways. 

Finally my favourite, must have product if you have ombre hair is this Tigi Catwalk Violet Fashionista hair mask. Not only does this product moisturize your hair and give it plenty of shine, it also has violet toners, pearl extract and rice milk, all of which can help defend against damage and prevent your hair developing a yellow tone once leaving the hairdressers. I use this mask once a week and my hair feels in a better condition than it has done in years.

Are you a fan of Tigi haircare?

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