Concoction

A couple of weeks ago I attended an event called TOWIB or The Only Way Is Blogging, I had great fun and definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of going next time. I am bringing this up because at the event there was a small brands market and while there I picked up one of these little fellows. 

 A bottle of Concoction shampoo. 
So what is this and why am I telling you about it?

The branding and tag line is basically 'You Call The Shots'. 
You start with a base shampoo which is called a 'nourish and protect base blend' - this comes in four flavours / scents:


Black Pepper & Citrus
Rosemary & Mint
Lemon & Verbena
Bakhour 


You then add up to two 'shots' of Super-serum. There are eight varieties ranging from Moisture boost to Ravishing red. 
The idea is you choose your base shampoo/scent and then add your two favourite or needed super serums shake it up and you have your completely personalised shampoo or as they call it 'live blend prescription'.


All the scents are lovely but I chose the scent Bakhour with Thermo straight and Beautiful Brunette super serums.
Bakhour is stated as a 'delicious woody blend of arabian spices, with a hint of sandalwood, ambergris and musk', to me its smells like a complicated almost deep floral scent, but I don't have a very refined sense of smell - it smells good so I'm happy!
Thermo straight is for heat and styling protection and my second serum Beautiful Brunette has walnut extract which should enhance my lovely brunette colouring.

I've been using the shampoo for a couple of weeks now and have to say that I've been pretty impressed. While using it I have still been conditioning my hair after use and using my usual serums where required so I slotted it into my normal hair care routine. I wasn't expecting much mainly because I'm a 'shampoo is shampoo' kind of person, however my hair does seem to like it. 

The scent is delicate but long lasting and the shampoo leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean after use. I've also noticed that my hair has felt softer and looks in better condition than before using it. Not in a I don't have to use any other products EVER kind of a way but in a more I'm really enjoying playing with my hair way...if that makes sense. 

At the moment Concoctions are only selling shampoos but I have been told that they will be bringing out conditioners in the not to distant future. I think that this would be a welcome addition as I really like using shampoos and conditioners together as a set and it would be really interesting to see how their shampoos and conditioners worked in combination.  


I was initially drawn to this product because of the clever marketing and branding, I'm a bit of a sucker for such things but I will continue using it due to the fact that its a wonderful product that my hair really enjoys. 


At the moment the shampoo retails at £12.50 a bottle and you can purchase it from there website here.
I know it does seem a little expensive but your hair deserves a treat every now and then, and this is a very good treat. 

Giveaway

I recently reached 100 followers and I'm completely amazed and excited by this. So as a thank you to you wonderful people for reading my musings and ramblings I thought I would host a little giveaway. 

What's up for grabs: 

Sanctuary Brightening Facial Moisture Boosting Mask

Soap and Glory Hand Food Hand Cream

Revlon Lip Butter in CupCake

Burts Bees Radiance Eye Cream (sample)

Burts Bee's Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

Mememe Boho Balm Cheek and Lip Tint in Pink Rouge

Rules / small print:


I'm afraid its open to UK residents only.


To enter you must be a follower via GFC and leave a comment letting me know you would like to enter below - please leave some way of contacting you: email address/twitter handle (if you prefer you can email your contact details) and that's all. 


The giveaway will run until the 4 th of July.

I wish everyone the best of luck :)

Neal's Yard

I like the ethos of Neals Yard: Natural, Pro organic, Anti animal testing etc. However I hadn't yet had the opportunity to indulge in any of their products, so I was extremely happy when I was gifted this little set by my wonderful mother.  


The blurb: 

Pure aromatherapy pampering for mind, body and soul.

Cleanse, soften and smooth with our blend of natural skin-nourishing ingredients infused with pure aromatherapy essential oils, to lift the spirits while delicately scenting the skin 

Although I'm not sure they would be for everyone I love the scents in the set, they are really clean and fresh. Geranium especially reminds me of summer holidays in Malta where you find Geraniums in abundance. 


The set includes: 

Rose & Geranium Body Polish 50 g 

Sweet and nurturing

This is surprisingly moisturising and creamy. The exfoliating particles are argan shell and although its not the most exfoliating body polish I have used it makes my skin feel soft and makes a good everyday product.

Rose & Geranium Body Lotion 50 g Balancing and relaxing

I would have liked a larger bottle but that's just me being greedy! Its a lovely moisturiser sinks in quickly and my skin feels soft and silky for a long time after using - as it is a small bottle I have been using it on any dry patches that I find rather than an all over moisturiser.

Geranium & Orange Shower Gel 100 ml 
Uplifting and energising

This is perfect for the mornings its a very invigorating scent. It lathers up well (I always use a shower puff with all my shower gels)  and doesn't dry out my skin.

Citrus Hand Wash 100 ml 
Invigorating and zesty

This seemed a little bit of an odd one out but its made a great addition to my bathroom. Out of all of them this is probably my favourite scent, really lemony. After using it my hands feel very clean and fresh - perfect. One thing that I would possibly change/ improve would be the lid. As a hand wash it would be easier to use and maybe more hygienic if it had a pump or something similar rather than a flip lid however this is a minor point as I love the actual product. 

I had heard a lot of hype about Neals Yard products and I think that these really measured up. In the future I will definitely be up for doing a little indulging in their ranges.

Garnier No Streaks Bronzer

When the sun started to shine a couple of weeks ago and we all thought yay summers here (seems a bit like a distant memory now) I had a personal mini panic about how crazy white my legs were, so I popped to the shops and picked up the Garnier Ambre Solaire No streaks 24 hr Bronzer to try and help me combat the whiteness. 

Unfortunately I really didn't get on with it.  

The packing states:
This bronzer gives instant, natural, streak free tan, with a non greasy, non sticky formula. Suitable for all skin types.


The smell of the product was quite nice its meant to be apricot I'm not sure I would have pinpointed apricot if I hadn't been told but it does smell kinda tropical fruit-y. The consistency is also good, it isn't to thick, rubs in easily and doesn't feel drying.


The problem I have with this product is the colour, its a very deep bronzey brown colour when it comes out of the pump (and has a little bit of shimmer), once rubbed in it was slightly brown but it was much too dark a tone and it also has a large amount of red in it - it left my legs the oddest colour definitely not a natural tan colour (at least not for me).

I have tried it a few times just to make sure that I wasn't being a complete idiot but it always comes out the same. 


While writing this I decided to put it on my hand and arm as a refresh/ reminder and after putting it on my forearm the only part of me that is a little tanned I noticed that it looks a lot better - deepening the tan colour and looking a little more natural although still a little too red for my tastes.

This leads me to believe that the only time I could use the product would be if I already had a tan - which kind of negates the point of buying it in the first place...


One thing that I did particularly like about this product was that its not too hard to wash off, a little soap and water and a little scrubbing and its gone. So although I feel a little put out for spending money on something I'm not going to use at least I can take it off.


If you have any recommendations of fake tan / bronzers for someone with pale skin please let me know, I need to stock up before the sun comes back :)

Sleep

I've loved having lots of time of work for the last week or so its been great fun however its also meant that my sleeping pattern is shot - especially since I had to work a random night at work Thursday eve. I feel all out of sink!


I don't by any means have terrible sleep problems, but I do have trouble initially getting to sleep and I can end up laying in bed looking at the ceiling etc for sometimes hours... I really know the importance of a good nights sleep and I am unbelievably grumpy if I've had a bad night. 
So I thought I would do a quick post on one of my favourite sleeping aids (which  surprisingly isn't a hot toddy or some sort of tablet!) accompanied by some tips for a better nights sleep.


My sleeping aid is the Body shop Pillow spray: 

I really rate this pillow spray I find that it helps me to feel more relaxed which means I gradually drift into sleep sooner than I usually would. Its not going to send you to sleep right away or cure insomnia but it helps to facilitate a better nights sleep by putting you in the mood to sleep. The packaging is simple but effective the spray bottle makes it easy to use - I spray it on my pillow and also the top of my duvet cover anywhere I think I might smell it throughout the night. 
The one that I have has the scents lavender, camomile and sage, which is perfect for me - however I seem to have an older version -they now look like this, shows how long they last :)

And they have also updated the ingredients. The new one containing - chamomile, jujube date, geranium, and juniper and patchouli. I have had a quick sniff in store and the new one is quite similar although it has more of a 'tang' to it. 

I will say that there are other versions around you can get several different types in Boots etc. Its really about finding a scent that you find relaxing/ calming more than the brand that you choose.  

So on to my favourite tips that I find bring me a good nights sleep: 

• Keep a notebook by your bed - if your thinking about what you have to do the next day or stressing about particular things note them down. This helps to get things off your mind and makes you feel like you have started to do something about them...leading to a better nights sleep. 

• Stay away from caffeine! I'm a bit sensitive to caffeine so I generally try to only drink my cups of tea and coffee in the morning, this doesn't always work but I find that I notice a difference in my quality of sleep if I've had a caffeine heavy day.

• Keep to a regular bedtime - even better make a routine out of bed time - this helps your body to prepare for sleep and it learns to wind down at the same time everyday. 

• Get your bedroom organised for sleep - low lighting, at a good temperature and keep it tidy! I find that my room isn't relaxing when its a mess ...although this may just be me :) I put the pillow mist in this category as it helps my bedroom feel like a place for relaxing and sleeping. 

I hope you all have a good night sleep, if you have any tips for sleeping or recommendations for sleeping aids I would love to hear them.

Mememe

Recently Emma from Em's mixed bag did a post about an excellent deal from Mememe cosmetics. 

At the time they were selling a lipstick and a blush (which both retail at £8.50) together for the grand total of £7 including P&P.

This sounded like an amazing deal so I popped over to the website and grabbed two of my very own. 

I chose the blusher in 'Pink' and a lip stick in 'China Rose'.

The blusher packaging is similar to the Benefit blushes with a sturdy cardboard casing, they have a mirror in the top and a small brush is included. The blush is lovely, its a wonderful cool tone pink with a slight shimmer running through it (that's not over done). It blends well and is pretty long lasting, I don't have to reapply during the day although I would touch up if I was going on into the evening.

Basically its a perfect everyday blush which gives me a natural flush of colour. The only downside that I've found so far is that on the website there are only three shades available Bronze, Pink and Rouge - I definitely think they should bring out some more!

The lipstick in Chine Rose is a lovely nude/dusky pink. I found this creamy to apply and it didn't dry my lips out. I was also quite impressed by its staying power. The one thing that I find a bit odd is the scent - the lipstick has an almost plasticy smell which isn't horrible but does smell very artificial, luckily I found that it didn't linger once the lipstick was applied so it isn't too much of a problem. I am definitely going to take a look at some of the other shades available.

Did anyone else snap up this great deal? Or if you have tried any other Mememe products let me know what you thought :)

xx

Jubilee & NOTD

Ive been having a great weekend. On the Saturday I went to a Jubilee themed village fete which was great fun - cake and bunting galore a coconut shy and even tug of war! One of the people at the fete was selling local honey and I managed to convince them to let me see their Bee hives ...love Bees :)

 On Sunday I stayed inside away from the rain. But still watched the river pageant which was amazing and celebrated with lots of tea and cake!  

Throughout the weekend I having been wearing Ciate nail varnish in 'Purple Sherbet'. I received this free when I bought MarieClaire. Purple sherbet is such a lovely colour a gorgeous pastel purple. Its easy to apply becoming opaque after two coats and dries quickly. 
I had never tried any of the Ciate nail varnishes before but after using this I will definitely look into purchasing more (or buying another copy of Marie Claire!).

I hope you've been enjoying the Jubilee weekend and celebrating accordingly let me know what you've been up too 

xx