Battle of the cleansers

It's probably about time I did a little 'beauty' thang on here, this is after all a beauty and lifestyle blog!

I've been trying out a few different cleansers over the past few months and thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

 

Monu - Essential Care Facial Wash with Bergamot and Lemon £15.95 per 100ml

I'm a real fan of Monu products and I own several. This is a creamy emulsion which cleanses without soap or foam designed for all skin types. To use: massage into the face and neck with the fingertips. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

This smells amazeballs. I totally love the combination of bergamot and lemon. Two of my favourite essential oils combined. Sometimes I find citrus based products can be a bit overpowering and bitter but this facial wash smells so fresh and zingy. I found this a great all round product. It totally removed all traces of my make up and I found it a really refreshing product to use for a morning cleanse.

Liz Earle - Hot Cloth Cleanser £13.25 per 100ml or £14.75 per 100ml and 1 x muslin cloth

There's probably no need to introduce this product as it's a fave of beauty bloggers everywhere. But just in case you don't know, this is a cleanser you combine with a hot cloth to give a really 'deep clean' feel to the skin. A rich, concentrated cream enriched with rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oils and designed for all skins of all ages. To use: massage gently onto dry skin over your eyes, face and neck to purify, soften and stimulate the circulation. Rinse the pure muslin cloth in hand-hot water and wring out before gently polishing off the cream. Finish by splashing your face with cool water.

This has a spa type scent to it, do you know what I mean? I always think it smells 'expensive'. I love this cleanser for a night time cleanse and to remove all traces of the days face. I think what this cleanser has over many others is the combination of the cream cleaner with the hot cloth element. To me this is what makes your skin feel really clean. Similar to how you used to get your face scrubbed with a flannel as a kid! Squeaky clean!

Neal's Yard Remedies - Rose Facial Wash £15.50 per 100ml

I started trying this out when my skin was going through a bit of a sensitive stage. Rose is one of my favourite essential oils to use in skincare and I use it a lot with clients, so I thought I'd give this one a bash. This is a gentle foaming wash with aloe vera, rose otto and pink rose petals and designed with normal and sensitive skins in mind. To use: massage onto damp skin and rinse with cool water.

This is a lightweight gel type of wash. It lightly foams and the scent of rose is heavenly. I love that NYR's have a lot of pump action bottles which is my preferred choice of dispenser so this gave this product a thumbs up. It did give a good clean but I wouldn't say I would repurchase.

Aromatherapy Associates - Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser £24.00 per 200ml

I've not tried many things from Aromatherapy Associates so I am unable to compare this to their other products. This was actually a trial size which came with a magazine. 

This cleanser has jojoba to cleanse with rose damask to keep skin radiant and healthy looking and geranium essential oil to balance the skin. To use: apply all over the face and neck using gentle circular movements. Rinse off with warm water.

I think I was expecting this to be some wonder cleanser. Aromatherapy Associate products, from all I've read in magazines and on blogs is quite a sort-after luxury brand. I did like this and my skin felt lovely and soft after cleansing but I think I preferred the fragrance of the Neal's Yard Remedies rose cleanser over this one. Although you do get a lot of bang for your buck with this one.

Overall which did I prefer? I think if I could only use one of these four cleansers for the rest of my life I would go with Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish, just because it had the edge over the others when it came to how clean my skin felt afterwards. Fragrance and ease of use I would probably opt for the Monu facial wash but that's gonna be difficult because they don't do this particular facial wash anymore which is a real shame. Come on Monu bring it back!

Have you tried any of these cleansers? If so what did you think?

Are there any cleansers which you think I should try on my combination skin? I would love to know!

A gentle and effective cleanser to wipe away impurities and make-up for clean, glowing skin. Jojoba cleanses whilst precious damask rose works to keep skin radiant and healthy-looking, and essential oil of geranium helps balance the skin’s natural oils. Your skin is left fresh, bright and delicately fragrant.

Key Benefits:

• Gently and effectively removes cosmetics and impurities from the skin

• Tones and softens the skin

Directions for use

Apply over face and neck using gentle circular movements, rinse off with warm water. Follow with skin tonic, serum, face oil and moisturiser.

- See more at: http://www.aromatherapyassociates.com/skincare/collections/hydrating/essential-skincare-renewing-rose-cleanser-hydrating.html#sthash.YoPQQzbw.dpuf

A gentle and effective cleanser to wipe away impurities and make-up for clean, glowing skin. Jojoba cleanses whilst precious damask rose works to keep skin radiant and healthy-looking, and essential oil of geranium helps balance the skin’s natural oils. Your skin is left fresh, bright and delicately fragrant.

Key Benefits:

• Gently and effectively removes cosmetics and impurities from the skin

• Tones and softens the skin

Directions for use

Apply over face and neck using gentle circular movements, rinse off with warm water. Follow with skin tonic, serum, face oil and moisturiser.

- See more at: http://www.aromatherapyassociates.com/skincare/collections/hydrating/essential-skincare-renewing-rose-cleanser-hydrating.html#sthash.YoPQQzbw.dpuf

On the bookshelf in January

I know I was very lax towards the end of last year with my 'book club'  (read that as lax with ALL posts) and I didn't post for the last couple of three months but I love reading and I loving recommending books which I think others will enjoy, so I have decided to carry it on and I hope you will bear with me.

Lets wipe the slate clean and pretend that I didn't miss on posting about books I had read at the latter end of 2013 shall we, after all we're all friends here!

I do have to give a disclaimer and that is; I don't expect each month to be rammed with read upon read. There is a battle between free time vs no bloody time going on in our house this year and I expect it to remain that way for the majority of the year, but I promise to do my very best and get through at least one book a month. Currently book reading is only when I fall into bed at the end of the day and I manage a chapter (if I'm lucky) before I nod off.

Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

Adeline Yen Mah's childhood in China during the civil war was a time of fear, isolation and humiliation. The cause of this was not political upheaval but systematic emotional and physical abuse by her step-mother and siblings, and rejection by her father. Falling Leaves is the story of a 'Fifth Younger Daughter' and her determination to survive the pain of a lonely childhood.

My Verdict: This is a harrowing story, a harrowing TRUE story which makes the read all that more upsetting. It is brilliantly written and to read what Adeline went through and how her spirit was not destroyed is incredible. If you are interested in the ties which bind us to our families then this is the book for you.

 

Falling out of love with Glossybox?

January 2014 Glossybox

I'm wavering on the brink......

I fear my love affair with Glossybox may be over......

But each time I think; that's it, we're over, it's finished, I'm a sucker and I come back for more......

I signed up, probably like many of you, to a beauty subscription box as I wanted to experience new launches and high end sample products. Quite often Glossybox bring home the bacon and I'm thrilled but January just had me thinking..........Vaseline???? Really?

I, like many subscribers this month, have been disappointed with Glossybox's first offering for a new year. OK, hands up I really like Anatomicals and Balance Me, but I've had them ALOT in previous boxes and it just ain't enough to win me over. (I don't think).

So my question is, how do you feel about Subscription Boxes? And are there any out there that you really think would be a good alternative? I'm open to suggestions!

New year, new beginnings?

And so another year rolls around. I know this year is three weeks old already but you know me always late to the party!

Firstly I'd just like to wish you all a very belated Happy New Year, I hope you left 2013 feeling blessed and started 2014 with a zest for even bigger and brighter things.

I've not made many new year resolutions, as sometimes I feel we put so much pressure on ourselves to; get fit, save more money, lose a few pounds, find the ideal house, take more foreign holidays yadda yadda yadda that when we don't achieve those 'goals' come the year end we feel we have failed. I don't know about you, but I don't want to feel that I've failed, I just want to feel that I am the very best I can be when I come to review the year that has passed.

So I only have two resolutions this year......

The first is to be more active on this blog. I know I'm a slacker and can be very hit and miss with my postings (I am in awe of those of you who manage to post more than once a week, come on give up your secret; how do you do it?!), but I am planning to try and stick to a more regular posting plan. I've scheduled a few posts (oooh get me I sound like a proper blogger!) and jotted down ideas on a notepad to help me out. But this is where you guys can help. Let me know in the comments box anything you would like to see me posting about. I'm considering continuing with my book posts, although I may rejig them a little and perhaps not put a scoring system on them. I considered abandoning the book posts altogether but I'm such a little book nerd and reading is such a big part of my life plus I've just read a couple of corkers which I'd like to share with you lovelies that I feel it'd be a shame to let the book side of my blog go. (November and December books, although well late are a couple of my scheduled posts). Let me know what you think. So get your thinking hats on and let me know what you would like to see on this blog.

My second 'resolution' is I am going to say NO more. That might seem like an odd thing to say when you see so many resolution posts saying "I'm going to say YES more!" But I am going to say no more to things I don't want to do. Life is precious and you have to look at self-care. Yes we all have responsibilities in life and often we have to compromise  but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture and decide if by saying Yes to something, you are not giving good self-care. Sometimes its OK to say No you know.

We have an issue going on in Mr B.P.'s family which has been rumbling on for years. I'm not going to post about it here, as although I do open my heart (occasionally) on my blog, the 'tinternet' really isn't the place for airing this particular piece of dirty laundry. Often against my better judgment I have said yes just to keep the peace, and in all honesty it hasn't really made any difference. So for MY self-care I am going to say no. And I have to say just by saying no, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

So that's it folks. Thank you so much for continuing to read and post comments on my little blog. Although I don't post often, I do have to say I love my little corner of the world wide web and your comments and tweets really do bring a smile to my face.

Take care, and may 2014 be lucky for you!

November Glossybox

I don't often do a blog post on Glossybox, usually because the blogosphere is awash with posts and I'm generally too lazy! But hey-ho thought I'd share with you what I received this month.

I am sure you all know everything there is to know about Glossybox and if I talked about them it would be like teaching your Grandmother to suck eggs, but if you don't know about them you can read more here.

So the rundown on November's box:

• Vichy Idealia Life Serum 
• Emite micronized Eyeshadow in Nect
• Yves Rocher Cocoa & Pistachio Nut hand cream
• Elegant Touch Rapid Dry for Nails
• B. Complete long lasting nail polish in Matador

I've only tried the Emite eyeshadow so far.

 

This is a really pretty soft shimmery ivory. It lasts well and the colour payoff is good. Would say it rivals my eyeshadow favourites Mac but at £16.80 a pop they are a tad more expensive so don't think I will be swapping over. I have heard of Emite before as I had a set of their eyelash curlers in a previous Glossybox and were very impressed with them.

I'm looking forward to trying the Elegant Touch Rapid Dry; as anything which dries my nails faster is a bonus and I remember my Mum using something simliar when I was a kid and she swore by it, so we'll see.

I'm loving red polish this season so was really pleased with the colour polish that I got and can't wait to try it out.

So do you subscribe to Glossybox?

What do you think of this months box? 

September through the eyes of a bookwork

The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

A Man. A Woman. The heat of an Iowa summer. And the brief encounter whose passion will last a lifetime.

My Verdict - It is incredibly rare, in fact I can only think of one other book - To Kill a Mockingbird, that I feel as passionate about a story in both film and book form as I do this beautiful piece of work by Robert James Waller. It is also incredibly rare for me to re-read a book but I have done so with 'The Bridges of Madison County'. OK so I re-read it two decades apart but still! If you have not read this book or seen the film adaptation then what is wrong with you?! Stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW and take a peek at either of them, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. What I love so much about this story, is not just that the writing of it is so beautiful but how Waller gets right into the mind of a middle aged woman. I didn't realise until the end that it is based on a true story which makes this novel even more special. If you only read one novel this year, then please let it be this one you will not be disappointed. 10/10  

The Secret Diary of Adrian Cat by Linda Macfarlane, Stuart Macfarlane

About Adrian: Adrian is no ordinary cat - he has ambitions. Not only does he want to become the most famous cat in the world but he's also determined to create world peace between cats, dogs and mice. Adrian's life is full of complications! In an attempt to win the affections of the power crazed, but beautiful Snowball, he is forced to join a gang run by the most evil cat in town - Killer. But Killer also loves Snowball and he's not going to let Adrian steal her away - not without a fight. On top of all of this Adrian has many adventures; he goes treasure hunting with a pirate parrot, saves the life of a fox and helps his best friend out of all sorts of trouble.

My Verdict - This book is said to appeal if you are nine or ninety-nine and is written (to me) somewhere between The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and Bridget Jones. Again another Kindle freebie so an easy read and no money lashed out if you don't really enjoy it. This book will appeal to cat lovers everywhere, especially when Adrian talks about being In and Out (of the house) as being the same thing, and don't humans understand that when you are out you want to be in and when you are in you want to be out. Cat owners who's with me on this one! 7/10

Can you recommend anything which can beat my love for The Bridges of Madison County?

August through the eyes of a bookworm

I know, I know, my book reads are lagging behind but this is a little insight into what I have been reading (not so) recently. Enjoy!

 

Five Sisters: A Novel by Leen Elle

The five Sisters Mary, Sara, Nora, Emy and Gail are heading across the ocean on a ship full of sailors. Along the way each one falls in love with a man she never expected, whether a sailor, an artist, a doctor, or an invalid. The sisters embark on a journey to a new home, to Brighton, where Mary's (the eldest) fiancee lives. Having lost both their parents and being left practically destitute, the girls have no money to secure passage on a cruise ship. Fortunately an old school friend of their fathers, Charlie, owns a small ship and offers the sisters free passage on his ship, in exchange for light cooking and housekeeping duties. The girls gloomily embark on the small ship for a 3-month voyage along with Charlie, 16 sailors, and an invalid, changing their lives forever.

My Verdict - This was an easy free Kindle read, something which you could just pick up and put down without losing the plot but it wasn't one which grabbed me. Although it is based on five sisters experience, I felt the book heavily lent towards Gail and her relationship with Nathaniel and the other girls; in particular Nora and Emy appeared to be afterthoughts; this spoiled it a little for me but as I say, an easy read nonetheless. 5/10 

 Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje

Anil's Ghost transports us to Sri Lanka, a country steeped in centuries of tradition, now forced into the late twentieth century by the ravages of the civil war. Into this maelstrom steps Anil Tissera, a young woman born in Sri Lanka, educated in England and America, who returns to Sri Lanka as a forensic anthropologist sent by an international human rights group to investigate the organized murder campaigns engulfing the island. What follows is a story about love, about family, about identity, about the unknown enemy, about the quest to unlock the hidden past - a story propelled by a riveting mystery.

My Verdict - Michael Ondaatje is the author behind 'The English Patient' and although I have seen the film adaptation, I had not read the novel, so this was my first foray into his work. Firstly I have to say this is a beautifully crafted piece of work but and it's a big but, I just did not connect with any of his characters and in fact I found them quite unlikeable. If you like Michael Ondaatje's work and you are interested in Sri Lanka then I would say give this a read. 7/10

The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill

On a remote estate in the north of Ireland, a little girl dies and the community is quick to condemn her mother, Harriet Ormond. Now, after seventy years, Maddie McGlade, a former nanny at the house, knows that the time has come to reveal her own role in the events of that day. From Maddie's reminiscences and Harriet's long-concealed diaries emerges an unforgettable story of motherhood and betrayal, and of two women, mistress and servant, inextricably connected by an extraordinary secret.

My Verdict - The is the debut novel  from Bernie McGill and it reminded me very much of 'The House at Riverton' by Kate Morton but without the pace. Each chapter is written in the first person and they alternate between Maddie in the 1960s and Harriet in the 1890s. I was hoping the story which connected the two women would be a little meatier but it was a nice story which gave the perspective of two women from 'upstairs and downstairs' at the end of the 19th century. If you like Kate Morton and want an easy read along similar lines then you might enjoy this.7/10

 Have you been loving any reads this month?