Destination Skin Agera Oxygen Facial

The husband is due back from a few months away tomorrow, so yesterday was a day of grooming in preparation to look my tip top best.

My completion may have given the game away that I've been having a few too many girlie nights out and been comforting eating on chocolate, so a must needed facial was on the must list.

So after work I popped to my local Destination Skin clinic, to be exfoliated and moisturised to perfection.

The session started with a skin consultation where I shared any concerns about my skin, which is mainly dehydration and dryness. The treatment then started with my skin being cleansed to remove my  make up, then a powerful exfoliant was applied, which did make my skin tingle, as destination Skin use pharmaceutical grade products which maybe stronger than you are used to, but the sensation goes as soon as the product is removed along with dead skin cells, leaving myskin soft and smooth.

Hydrating and firming masks where then applied and then I enjoyed a face, neck, shoulder and hand massage, bliss! Whilst being great for relaxation, the massage also improves circulation which energises the skin and helps the removal of toxins.

Finally a selection of serums and moisturisers were applied to help restore a hydration and boost the glow in my completion, leaving my skin feeling dewy and firm without that greasy feeling.

My Agera Oxygen Facial lasted 45 mins using DermaQuest products, which usually costs £50, but new customers can enjoy 50%  off their first treatment and 20% off the products.

I was recommended the DermaQuest C Infusion (£75/1oz) and Advanced B5 Serum (£60/1oz) to help keep my skin hydrated and full of antioxidants.

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

I do love the look of a lip gloss, however, the super sticky formulas, however great they look do drive me mad when my hair gets stuck to it! I have found a fantastic product from Clarins, which looks super shiny, like my favourite glosses, but hav the texture and feel of a balm. Containing shea butter and mango which also softens and protects your lips.

 

 

The equisit packaging from Clarins also makes them feel like such a luxourious treat, I love the little red boxes!

 

 

The 3D optic pigment hlps to smooth your lips whilst adding shine and helps to make your lips look fuller too. Each of the shades has a subtle hint of colour, which I love for a natural day look.

 

 

 From left to right: Petal Shimmer, Candy Shimmer, Rosewood Shimmer.

 

Today I opted for Candy Shimmer, which was super easy to apply with the sponge tip applicator which does feel lovely and soft on your lips.

 

 

 

The elegant tubes are priced at £17/12ml

 

 

 

 

bmb crafts: Make a pinboard

I found this old pinboard and decided that I wasn't going to chuck it out, but would give it a new lease of life!

The first thing to do was to choose the fabric I wanted to use to that would tie in with my decor. I wanted to emulate The White Company, so chose a grey fabric from John Lewis and some ivory ribbon with grey stitching from ebay. Then I found my staple gun and got going.

Luckily I had made sure that I had measured out mt pin board before popping into JLs and made sure that had a good 10cm extra in length and width to ensure the fabric would fit around the board and the wadding that I put down first. I stapled this all the way round, making sure it was all nice an snug without any pulls.

 

I had far too much fabric left over, so trimmed down until it was all nice and neat.

Next I added the ribbon (which is going to hold all your pretty invites, cards etc) again, using my trusty staple gun. I started with a cross, then measured out where I wanted my other ribbons to get an even spread, pinning the ribbon in position.

As a final touch, I placed peal headed pins where the ribbons crossed, but aw well as looking pretty, this will keep the ribbons and your goodies in place, again, these pins were found at John Lewis (what don't they sell?!) Depending on the length of the pin and the thickness of your board, you may need to bend the point end around using a pair of pliers to prevent scratching on your wall, or a sore finger!

An ta-da! My finished pin board, ready to be hung up and filled with the pretty!

Orla Kiely Beauty Goodies

I absolutely love the instantly recognizable Orla Kiely prints, especially her signature stem design, which I would plaster everywhere if I had my way... Therefore I fell in love with these gorgeous goodies as soon as they popped into the post box last week.

The packaging is super cute and feels luxurious, just as you would expect from the Orla brand. Immediately I  opened up the perfume, which is really light, flora scent, perfect for this time of year. The top notes contain green tea, peach and fig, which combines with rose extract and white flower together with base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood and musk. It smells expensive and spa-like without being over powering. As well as the perfume (£55/100ml) there is also a shower gel (£17.95/250ml) and body cream (£29.95) in the same fragrance, which would make such a lovely gift.

Orla has recently launched a geranium soap bar (£8/100g), scented with geranium and embossed with the stem print, which make it far too pretty to use! However, I did manage to and in my shower the blend of essential oils smelt divine whist the coconut oil helped to cleanse the skin. 

My final Orla goodie, which I have saved until last, is part of the home fragrance collection. This primrose and bergamot candle (£24.00/200g, 50 hours burn time) gives a feminine and  refreshing aroma, perfect for my dressing table. The glass is patterned with Orla's print and even comes with a cute matching candle coaster. If candle's aren't your thing, the same fragrance is available in a reed diffuser.

Monday Mani: L'Oreal Dating Coral with a stripe

On Friday night I had a girlie evening planned, we sipped prosecco nibbled chocolate and had music channels on in the background while I had a catch up with the lovely Laura.

 

In preparation, I popped on one of my favourite nail varnishes, L'Oreal Dating Coral (£4.99) I even love the name! But to jazz it up slightly I added a couple of stripes of gold striping tape to my ring finger. You can buy this really cheaply on ebay.

Make sure you put it on after your coloured coat has dried, so if your first positioning isn't perfect you can move it around, then when you are happy, trim the tape and add a couple of layers of top coat to seal it in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Botanical BB cream

My pre-work beauty regime is a series of steps performed in a robotic fashion as I struggle to wake myself up, so having my fail safe products is essential!

A fabulous BB cream is my go-to for a flawless completion, and I have recently started using the offering from Botanics. The medium tone really suits my suit colouring, giving a warm glow that doesn't  make me look like my face took a holiday and left my body behind!

 

 

  The product hydrated the skin but doesn't leave any sticky residue, it also has great SPF 30 protection, many other BB creams only have SPF 15, so perfect as the sun's rays are getting stronger.

 

 

 

As you would expect from Botanics, which is developed with Kew Gardens, it contains some super plant goodness also, the ingredients list on this beauty includes ginkgo, which contains natural antioxidants to prevent free radicals from degrading your natural collagen and elastin, which give your skin it's youthful appearance.

 

 

The 50 ml tube is £8.99

Swiss Army Perfume Victorinox Victoria

Swiss army are know for their super gadgets, however, they have also brought out a Eau de toilette, Victoria. This youthful, fruity, sweet perfume contains top notes of freesia, plum and black current and base notes of sandalwood and white musk.

To celebrate the launch, a micro site is currently being hosted where you can pick digital flowers to create your own bouquet, which you can send on a post card, with a perfume sample to yourself, or a friend. What a cute little gift to get in the post, or send as an card to brighten someone's inbox!

Here is my bouquets attempt from the site.

The 100ml bottle is priced at £51.