De-Stress Pamper Night

Ive been feeling pretty stressed the last few months as a few major life events have happened in a really short time. So I have started actively making time for myself and one of my favourite things to do is to take some time out with a pamper evening.
I began my pamper evening with a bath using the Sanctuary Sleep range Calming Luxury Bath Float. I am a massive fan of this range as It really does aid relaxation and smells divine while doing it. It has a texture  like a body lotion and if you didn't read the label first you would be forgiven for thinking it was just that!

Following on from this I next used also from the sanctuary sleep range restore body oil. I got this as part of sleep in a box and had been waiting until I was feeling especially stressed before using it. 

It had the same type of scent as the rest of the range but a little milder. I used the oil on my arms, legs, chest and neck. These are the areas I tend to hold tension in when I'm stressed out. 

The oil took a long time to dry into my skin maybe 2 1/2- 3 hours. I did feel more relaxed with it in but I was actively trying to relax. I found the most difference with this the next morning. It definitely deserves it's place in the sleep range wow I slept like a baby even this horrible muggy weather didn't wake me (which it has been) and I also woke up with beautifully soft skin. This is definitely a must have product for my future pamper evenings. 

Finally I used the pur dirty girl mud mask. 

This is a proper brown mud masque the likes of which I haven't used for a really long time. The mask went on really easily and was easy to wash off my hands which I always look out for, the directions said to leave it on for 5-20 mins. 

I had decided to leave it on for closer to the 20 minutes but it dried quickly and after about 12 minutes got so tight and uncomfortable that I had to sprint to the bathroom to wash it off. It came off really easily and there was instant relief from the tightness. My skin had that lovely freshness that you get from a masque, next morning I have a few little spots up after using it so I just wouldn't use when I have any event to be at. Overall I like the masque it didn't dry out my skin at all which can be a problem for me with mud masques. 

I had a lovely pamper evening with these products and finished it off with a movie night with my new husband. Bliss! 

What are your favourite products for a pamper night?

Sparkle Blossom Beauty Giveaway

Hello SparkleBlossomBeauty followers and welcome to my giveaway! 

Everybody loves free stuff don't they?

So far my giveaway includes SanctuarySpa body Lotion, ELF eye primer, Makeup revolution lipstick, Dermalogica skin renewal booster and a Sanctuary Spa Hairband. 

My plan is to add another few products to this but I'm awaiting the postman to arrive with them so I will just add them later! 

In order to win these beautiful treats you need to follow me.
EDIT: Please enter via rafflecopter below.

You will get 1 entry for following me on twitter @clareken86 

and you can get a bonus entry for following me on bloglovin http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12505033

This prize is only open to residents of Ireland and the U.K. I hope to do an international at a later date.

The prize will be won when I reach 200 followers on twitter so please RT to your followers. 

Don't forget to check out my blogposts while you are here.

Clare  

         X

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Body Lotions

Today's post is on my favourite body lotions for summer. Summer body lotion for me should have a light consistency, be cooling on the skin and have a lovely fragrance.
Out of all of the body lotions Ive tried these four top the list as my favourites for summer!

Molton Brown Sensual Hanaleni body cream, this is by far my best smelling body lotion.
Its made with a blend of orchid oil, ylang-ylang and jasmine (my fav smell in the world) It even sounds yummy! Love the packaging too its luxurious and unfussy.
The pump means for me it lasts a little longer Its a beautiful silky texture, glides on really easy and dries quickly.Leaves my skin beautifully smooth and moisturised however it is a light cream so if you suffer with dry skin it may not work for you. The scent is about a medium its strong and you definitely smell it but its not overpowering.
Soap and Glory the righteous butter, this would be one that would suit a little better for anyone with dry skin as its thicker and richer. I don't normally go for a body butter in summer but the smell of this screams summer to me.This body butter is easy to put on and rub in and dries in after just a couple of minutes. It keeps your skin moisturised all day. The packaging as with all soap and glory products is fun and bold.

Sanctuary Spa Body Lotion, is light and fresh the scent is slightly musky and very luxurious.
The body lotion is beautifully light and non greasy, It is very easy to put on and dries instantly leaving the skin soft and smooth. If I was to test these blind I would think this is very expensive it really has the feel of a very high end beauty brand, perfect for summer nights!

Aloe Vera Gel the must have day/night time moisturiser for sunny summer days. Nothing can make my legs look as good as aloe vera gel at any time in the summer especially after sunbathing. Its cooling and healing effects make it a summer essential for me and along with SPF its the first thing i buy at the start of summer.
To me the brand doesn't matter, Ive never seen any difference between them.

What body lotion is your favourite for summer?
follow me on twitter @clareken86
and bloglovin using the link on top of my blog.

My Beauty Wishlist

For today's post Ive been inspired to share with you my current beauty wish list, well at least a small portion of it ;)
Ive been coveting a lot of products lately and so I figured Id let everyone know what I want and why.

First up I did my first order from http://www.makeuprevolutionstore.com/  earlier this week and for some idiotic reason I sent in my order without this palette doh!

This is makeup revolutions acid brights palette and I want it, I want it!!!!! its the funnest palette I've seen in forever and at £4 how could anyone go wrong?

Next up is Tom Ford Traceless Foundation.
 At €72 this one is probably going to stay on my wish list for quite some time unless that lotto win I'm hoping for comes in.

This was the foundation that I wore as a Bride and I have just recently gotten my photographs and wow its  beautiful. I was told I looked like a 'younger version of myself' this sounds horrible to say to a bride but in the context it was nice and very true. this foundation made me glow and I want to look like that always!

Next Item on my wish list is this NIP + FAB BEE STING FIX CREAM DELUXE

It retails at €28.10. If I'm completely honest I'd be terrified using this afraid I'd have a reaction to the bee venom (its probably not possible) but I am so curious about this product that claims to use bee venom to increase circulation and plump your skin. my intrigue in this cream is what puts it on my wish list.

My final wish list item is Sanctuary Wonder Oil Serum


I am a massive fan of sanctuary products, in fact they're nighttime body butter is my current desert island product and features in my relax and de-stress post ( check it out!)
my skin has been a little stressed of late and this sounds exactly like the fix I need. Its retailing at £19.50 but as I'm in Rep of Ireland I cant get near this until July 10th boo! so for the moment this has to remain on my wish list.

I'd love for you to follow me on twitter @clareken86 or leave a comment below to tell me whats on your wish list?

RELAX AND DE-STRESS

After having an extremely hectic few months that included a wedding (my own!) a honeymoon a house move and another trip to the sun. My body and especially my skin are stressed, dried out and a little neglected in general. So i've decided its time to pull myself together in an attempt to fix this.  Ive got a few products to mention in this post NIP + FAB GLYCOLIC FIX PADS, DERMALOGICA MULTIVITAMIN POWER RECOVERY MASQUE, SANCTUARY SPA SLEEP RANGE BODY BUTTER and finally ANATOMICALS SLEEP BALM.


Up first I am going to tackle my face.
I am mixing in my old reliable products with some new ones that I am trying out (very excitedly)

So after all of the changes in weather my skin has been dried out and dull and i obviously wanted to change this so im starting by using NIP + FAB GLYCOLIC FIX exfoliating pads. First off I like the packaging its simple and unfussy and i like how strong the plastic is as a lot of this type can be very flimsy. On opening the smell is definately a chemical type one but isnt that overwhelming well once you dont stick your nose in too close like i did oops! I was excited to start using this as it claims to "unveil younger looking skin, resurface & retexture skin helps to tone and reveal brighter and smoother skin" to me this sounds amazing and exactly what im in need of.
The pack contains 60 pads and reccomends to use once or twice daily. 
the first few days i used this in morning and found my skin to be a little shinier than i wanted for daytime so i switched to night use this greatly helped. i really liked using this product I was a little scared at the start as i dont relish the thought of putting anything with the word 'acid' on my face but the pads are so gentle. I definitely noticed a big change in my skin after using I wouldnt go as far as to say younger looking but it was brighter and healthier looking. all in all I will be continuing to use this.

Next up Dermalogica multivitamin power recovery masque. This claims to rescue stressed and aging skin, ahem exactly what im needing right now so I crossed my fingers hoping for the best!
the packaging is really sleek and definitely feels luxurious and expensive.
The smell reminds me of something from my childhood that I cant put my finger on but I definitely don't like it, its quite chemical and I wasn't mad about having to put it on my face.
I didnt need to use a huge amount so I think the tube would last quite a while which makes it good value for a masque. I think i paid 35.00 for a 75ml tube. 
The mask is a nice consistency and glides on easily, after about 5 minutes your whole face turns a luminous yellow, which is very funny if your husband comes home in the middle of it :) 
the upside is my skin retained some of the luminosity after I washed the mask off and my skin looked a lot fresher than It had before and so in turn my skin did look less stressed and younger. Its a nice masque to take 20 minutes out for yourself to relax with and in spite of the smell I did use again and will continue to as it really does work.

Anatomicals sleep balm cruisin' for a snoozin'  comes in a little blue tin a bit like a tin of vaseline, anatomicals packaging in general is quirky and fun , there is a little poem on the tin relating to the product that makes it feel extra special. inside is a hard balm that you rub on your pulse points to help you to sleep. the smell (having a problem with smells) is probably lovely to most people but I hate ....and yes hate is a strong word but exactly the one I want to use, I hate Lavender yuck!!!!!
so this product smells of Lavender which turned me off instantly but most normal folk probably would be ok with!
I rubbed in on my wrists going to bed and I slept all night although Im not entirely sure that the balm really did help? I was slightly disappointed with it as I love anatomicals headache balm and was so excited to try this. I wont repurchase this but im pretty sure its the lavender that killed this one for me.
Finally sanctuary sleep range comforting night butter this claims to reduce tension & stress helping to prepare for a restful nights sleep.The packaging is simple clear pot with a purple lid, its very recognizable as sanctuary brand immediately. This product for the last few months has been my 'I cant live without it, desert island must have' forget about just before bedtime I use this for everything, the smell of this cream is divine, its the smell of pure relaxation! its a really rich cream and it definitely reduces tension & stress. I use this to help relax my muscles if im sore, if im stressed I rub some on the back of my neck and shoulders to soothe me and of course at bedtime, it makes me feel so cosy going to sleep. I highly recommend this product as my top product for relaxing and de-stressing, Im so obsessed with this i now have the mini version which comes with 'sleep in a box' and it lives in my handbag, which you can see in my handbag essentials post.

hope you all enjoyed this blog post I went on a little make-up shopping spree recently and am waiting for my goodies to arrive so next post will be all about that haul.
follow me on twitter @clareken86

Handbag Beauty

I was cleaning out my handbag earlier and I decided to do a quick post about its contents, I always think these kind of posts are the most honest for a blogger as its an insight into the products you actually use day to day.

First up sun cream its a Nivea one that i picked up on a recent trip to Portugal, not much to say it does its job and no nasty qualities.
I have Garnier BB cream in light a lot of people don't like this but i love it, its what i wear everyday to take the naked look off my skin.
I have NARS blush in orgasm love love this, its probably a little bit too shimmery to be in my handbag day to day but hasn't stopped me yet!
benefit they're real mascara I swear by this as i have short straight eyelashes and was never able to find mascara to make them look even vaguely normal before this little gem came along.
ELF studio brow kit has a wax and a powder, i use the powder daily but have only used the wax a handful of times. also have ELF mineral booster powder for when i get a little shiny!
Anatomicals headache relief balm, this is a fab little product you rub a little on your temples to as it says relieve your headache.
MAC cremesheen glass this was the lipgloss that i wore at my wedding in march a gift from my make-up artist who also happens to be my bestie :)
and last but definitely not least the Sanctuary comforting night butter, i have a more detailed post coming up on this so ill just say this is my most favorite body lotion ever and its so much more than that its like a warm cosy blanket in a jar makes me feel so relaxed and safe ( if that makes sense) from the moment i open the jar its a sense of pure luxury.

leave me a comment to let me know whats in your handbag.