The Glueless Scr4pbook.

I finally visited the Lush store on Oxford Street and of course picked up a few bits, I thought I'd do a haul post to show what I got.

Of course I had to pick up the humongous bottle of Snow Fairy, it's actually for my mum but I might get one for myself too before it sells out, I also chose The Comforter shower gel to try, I've never smelt it before, it's very similar to snow fairy but slightly more fruity, Fairy Dust a sort of grown up baby powder that looks great and smells like Snow Fairy so I had to get it. I also spotted Buche De Noel, a face cleanser which smells so good and actually looks edible, I thinks it's only a Christmas release so I'm glad I snapped it up.

For the bath I picked the new version of Rose Jam, my all time favourite which is now bigger, pinker and sparkly too, 5 Gold Rings, another Christmas release smelling like cocoa butter and smothered in gold glitter, The Experimenter a multi coloured lavender scented bath bomb and Big Bang, a zingy lemon scented bubble bar.

They have some amazing bits in the Oxford Street store, it's a 3 storey scented heaven and the staff were super friendly too, have you been?

I'm going to do a 'Top' series, starting off here with my Top Hand Creams...

1. Soap & Glory

I love everything I try from this brand but the hand creams have been a firm favourite for years, the original Hand Food and more recently the Super Cream, both of which smell gorgeous and a thick enough to thoroughly moisture but do not leave a greasy residue and leave hands soft for hours.

2. Loccitane 

Here is a new and an old favourite in one, the original Shea Butter hand cream I have loved for years, a little goes a long way so it's worth the price tag, the scent is soft and fresh and it's super hydrating. The Almond version however is a new favourite, the scent is indescribable and although this is more of a lotion in texture it certainly doesn't scrimp on moisture.

3. & Other Stories

This brand can do no wrong, I love almost everything I have tried and it's so reasonably priced too, these hand creams are a much thicker consistency than the lotions they sell in the pump bottles, a little goes a long way with these too, non greasy, absorb quickly and the scents linger for ages, these are great for handbags because of the size.

4. Body Shop

Another old faithful, the Vitamin E hand & nail treatment has been in and out of my drawers for years, it's a very thin consistency which reminds me of baby lotion but don't be deceived it provides great hydration and really helps to keeps the skin soft.

5. Laura Mercier

The newest of the bunch, I have the Almond Coconut and the Creme Brûlée, both are equally great at moisturising, it's a nice thick cream which means these tubes are going to last a while and the scents last all day, no kidding, I'm so impressed. They are priced but I think totally worth it!

Have you tried any of these? Which are your favourites?

St Tropez In Shower Tanning Lotion (£14.50/ 200ml)

A good few months back now, this fake tanning sensation was released but I never got round to reviewing it (I never actually bought the product, I used the sample I got free with InStyle magazine) and even though it is very late I thought I would do one anyway.

So the story goes, you get in the shower, get washed, do your hair etc, turn the shower off and smother this fake tan all over your wet body, leave it on for 3 minutes, then rinse it off, pat your skin dry and after 3 hours you will have beautiful sun kissed skin…

Firstly I have to say I did not use this in the shower because I only have a shower-over-bath situation, but I actually found the bath to be a great way to do this, a lot of people have complained about the inconvenience of this supposedly convenient product such as being cold when you turn the water off and having to wait around, not knowing the time etc. I didn't really have these problems I would basically get in the bath, cleanse, wash my body, shave, wash my hair etc. then get out, let the water out and put the tanning lotion on, brush my teeth, clean the bath, tidy up all the products I have used and then after 3 minutes (I usually watch Youtube on my phone so telling the time was no problem) step back in the bath and use the shower head to rinse everything off. I didn't have the cold problem either because obviously the hot water makes the whole bathroom steamy and warm. Anyway, after that long explanation, the results… were a very light glow, on my pale skin I was hoping it would show up a little more but it was still just a really light natural tan which I personally would want to be at least 5 times darker, obviously this can be built up, but that requires the above rigmarole every day for a week… not keen on that. I really like the idea of this product though and no doubt they will release an improved formula soon but for now I will be sticking to the traditional tanning lotion.

Did any of you guys try this? What did you think?

L'occitane Beauty Advent Calender 2015 (£39)

So this year I finally treated myself to a beauty advent Calender, and since I have recently fallen in love with L'occitane products I decided it should be from them. I am actually going to keep this for December and use it like a proper advent Calender instead of being a typical beauty blogger and opening it all straight away to review but there is a list of everything on the back so I will list it all here for you instead. I think this would be abreast present to get for someone interested in beauty and skincare or for someone who travels a lot because it includes a lot of minis that would be great for light packing.

This Calender includes 17 products:

Rose hand cream 10ml

Jasmine soap 50g

Dry skin hand cream 10ml

Milk extra gentle soap 50g

Flora hand cream 10ml

Ultra rich face cream 10ml

Almond hand cream 10ml

Ultra rich body lotion 30ml

Shampoo for dry & damaged hair 35ml

Flora eau de toilette 5ml

Conditioner for dry & damaged hair 35ml

Body lotion 30ml

Cherry blossom hand cream 10ml

Moisturising lip balm 5ml

Almond shower oil 30ml

Verbena shower gel 30ml

Foot cream for dry skin 10ml

It also includes 7 extras:

5 gift tags

Cookie cutter

Set of place cards

10 stickers

Nail file

Sachet of stars

Tree decoration

Have you bought a beauty advent Calender this year?

Vaseline Intensive Care Healing Serum Radiance Restore £7.99/ 200ml

I am a huge fan of the Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Butter so when I spotted this new serum in Boots a couple of months ago I thought it had to be great, turns out I was wrong. Well ok that sounds a bit harsh, I definitely still liked it, I used up every last drop but it was my own fault really, I completely prefer a butter over a lotion any day because I just love that deeply moisturised feeling and my skin drinks its up, I like to know that I have actually just put something on rather than see it vanish in seconds. So to be fair this is probably a great product it actually says it has 10x healing power, moisturises to repair and restore radiance to dry, dull skin with micro droplets of vaseline jelly.

"Our body serums contain the concentrated power or micro droplets of vaseline jelly wrapped with silky luxurious moisturisers to give you 10x deep healing power."

It contains pure cocoa butter to leave skin silky and smooth and is clinically proven. It really did leave my skin feeling smooth and soft but I just prefer something a little thicker, if you are a quick dry lotion gal then you will love this, the scent is delicious (as are the other 2) but if you are a butter lover then stick to the body butters.

Have you tried this? What did you think?

I missed September Favourites because I had lots going on last month, so I actually had lots of bits that I was loving over the months but I narrowed it down to the products I have been using the most.

Bourjois Air Mat Foundation

This is something I picked up at the beginning of the month and have been using ever since, I will do a full review soon but for now just know that it has the absolute perfect name, it really is as light as air, with a matte finish that lasts most of the day and doesn't sit in pores or fines lines like a lot of other matte foundations, the coverage is great too.

YSL Black Opium

After smelling this in a magazine sample I knew I would end up owning it, it's a really versatile perfume as I use it in the day aswell as the night, this is the eau de toilette so it's slightly lighter which I prefer. I am useless at describing scents, but go and give it a spray and you will understand the hype.

CK Lipgloss

I found this in a set of 4 at TK Maxx and I really like this one for the winter months, the shade is Berry Cool, it's a deep wine shade but because it's a gloss (more like a balm really) it's much more subtle than a lipstick or liner and much easier to wear.

H&M Pure Radiance Blush

I only picked up one of these but I will be heading back to pick up some more soon, they are so pigmented, this one is a light plum shade which I have been wearing every day, it's great for this time of year and works well with any eye/ lip combo.

Illamasqua Polish in Fusion

Another great find from TK Maxx, I have actually had my nails bare most of the month, but after buying this it stayed on my nails for over a week, a really dark brown, almost black with tiny glitters, such a pretty shade and unlike anything else I own. 

Burberry Fresh Glow Stick

I already owned the Fresh Glow liquid highlighter and I love the subtlety of it so I ordered the stick version and I have been loving it, it's so similar the the Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight cream highlighter from the Creamy Duo #4, easy to apply and blend, just need to pick up the contour stick to match now.

Nars Audacious Mascara

This is just a sample I wa sent with a Space NK order, but I think it's worth the splurge for the full size. It's a little fiddly to apply because of the huge wand but the separation is great, holds a curl and volume can be built up with a few coats.

L'occitane Almond Handcream

If you have been reading for a while you will know I have become slightly obsessed with the almond range after receiving some samples in Instyle magazine and I'm also a hand cream obsessive (I cannot wash my hands without applying cream immediately after, it gives me that cringey feeling) so this is my perfect match, it's not quite as thick and nourishing as the Shea Butter one, but enough to quench just washed hands and the scent lingers for ages.

Have you tried any of these products?