Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm

I was going to title this post 'Not for the light hearted' as I think that describes this product quite well. Which is only surprising to me as I have heard so much about it as a perfect starting cleansing balm. Don't get me wrong, I am not new to proper cleansing - I have been Cleanse and Polishing thanks to Liz Earle since I was 11. Needless to say I am more than familiar with the hot muslin to face action that this cleanser requires (as should all good cleansers that you are using on your face). So, what is so shockingly different about Emma Hardie.

I am slightly embarrassed to admit this is my first time with a cleansing balm, but from what I have heard it is the place to start. Short story? I really like this stuff, but if you're in for the long haul there is slightly more to it. It smells amazing, really herbal and not sickly. The scent doesn't make you worry about putting it on your face, but it can be slightly overwhelming at times so be aware. Now on to the cleansing itself. It is heavy. Warm it up in your hands first and you still feel like you are putting something on your face that if left on to long will suffocate it - those of you with dryer skins will LOVE this. It makes your skin feel so soft and injects moisture whilst keeping it the cleanest it has ever been. This stuff cleans well, my skin feels fresh and soft but very clean when I am finished with it. So what is the problem? Well as luxurious as it feels to massage into my face (and massage I do) there is something that makes me feel like it is clogging my pours and my skin is holding it's breath. Not a big deal I guess, it comes of quickly after and had not made my slightly oily skin any oilier. If you are worried about putting oil on your skin any oilier then think again, it doesn't it cleans. Oil breaks down wax - thus balm breaks down oil. Mascara, gone - eyeliner, gone. It takes it all off and it is brilliant. 

So bottom line, will I use it all?  Yes. Will I enjoying using it all? For the most part, yes - and my skin will most definitely enjoy. Will I repurchase? It is pretty expensive and it may be too soon to say but I am not going to rule it out. 

Hope this review could add something slightly original to the masses of blogposts out their about this product. You can buy it here  (this is the one I have but it is 200ml and the 100ml is available here). 

PS - the packaging is a pain. Bulky, cracking and it doesn't close properly. Sort it out. 

Body Shop Haul!

I ordered from the body shop as they were having an amazing sale! I think these are all sale items and I would seriously recommend jumping on it now as the sale will be over soon and things will be sold out. I don't have the exact prices (lost the order slip... grrr) but I know the whole thing came to £20.50 including shipping! £20.50! That is an amazing deal. So anyway, onto the purchases. Everything came packaged perfectly well. Not exactly as I depicted because I have already tried most of the things. I'm sorry I couldn't help myself!  

 Everything was packaged inside body shop bags except for the body butter, ironic as that is the exact opposite of the following photos - sorry about that. 

 Okay, first three things. Also, it seems like everything is very christmassy but they are very much universal scents - especially the Cranberry Joy. It is sweet and refreshing and fruity - really nice and I can even imagine using this in the summer months with no problem. I purchased the Cranberry Joy shower gel which I really enjoyed using. I also got the body polish of the same scent. I have tried the Body Shop body scrubs before but never the polishes so went for the latter this time. It is particles suspended in a latherable gel not dissimilar from the shower gel consistency - just a bit thicker. I didn't give this a proper go in the shower but I really look forward to using it before I shave etc. The 'bath lily' as the body shop call it was a special Christmas colour and on sale for £1. I needed a new one and the Body Shop ones are amazing and lathering so much more than any other I have ever tried. I also love the colour. 

 

 Second lot: Ginger sparkle body butter and hand cream first. Oh my does this stuff smell good. Do not be deceived - no sparkles in them that is just the slightly misleading name. I love TBS (can we call The Body Shop that from now on) body butters. Some people may find them greasy but I don't think they are at all - they really sink in to the skin and make it feel noticeably less dry in the long run - actual moisturisation here, no mineral oil. Some of the TBS body butters have a thicker consistency (ex. the shea, coconut, cocoa butter) and some have a thinner one (grapefruit, strawberry, mango). I see the Ginger Sparkle as very much in between the two and I really like that. It smells DIVINE. Fresh in the tub and when it first goes on but then it turns into this amazing warm ginger scent that is absolutely amazing. Same can be said for the hand cream. Amazing scent from TBS and a bit upset it is only seasonal. The hand cream is thicker than I expected but nothing greasy here either. Love it. Finally I got  one of the beautifying oils. I have been wanting one of these for a while and when I saw the brazil nut on for half price I knew I had to try it. Haven't used this yet but it smells divine and sweet. Love it! 

Very happy with my purchases and hopefully there are still some of the things available. Check TBS website to be sure. Did you purchase anything from the sale, if so what? Would love to know! 

Pintrest

I found pintrest. It may have taken me a while and I am well aware I am late to the band wagon but I found it. I have definitely not used it to it's full potential yet, however making a pinboard of sexy men is not a bad start. 

http://www.pinterest.com/steemson/sexy-men/
That is the pinboard of sexy men if you want to look at it. It is beautiful. 

I'll give you a clue of what to expect:
Johnny Depp
Paul Wesley
Elvis Presley
Leonardo DiCaprio
Ryan Gosling
Robert Plant 
and many more...
Now shoe, start pinning! 

Pessimists and Optimists

New Things

Lots of new things and reviews coming up soon. Expect reviews of the Shu Uemra cleanse off oil, the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm and the dior extase mascara. There may be other things too but I think if I publish that I am going to do those three then I will have to do them. On the post it note they go! I also apologise for the shocking photos but  I haven't got the cable to connect my camera to my computer right now. 

Adicted to Downton

This is not my usual blog post but I had to share. Downton Abbey is the new love of my life. I am utterly addicted - it is unhealthy.

About four days ago I wanted to watch something, saw Downton on Netflix and decided to watch it. I had seen a lot of people talk about it and I didn't think I would fall in love but I did give it a go. Needless to say, I'm hooked.

I am already on episode 7 of season 3 - and can safely say I will finish it by tomorrow. I am justifying this by the fact that season 4 is coming out this autumn and I have to finish season 3 before it starts so I can watch it real time. Of course I have a month to finish it and don't have to watch a season a day, but I love it okay!

It is not the most educational, or thought provoking TV show but good lord it is addictive. As a huge Maggie Smith fan I couldn't be happier with Violet. She is fantastic and her cutting comments make the show for me. I am madly in love with Mathew and I am not even sure why. Without any spoilers I will say sybil *is* my favourite daughter and although I find Mary slightly frustrating I love her with Mathew.  Carson is a favourite too and overall although there are some slightly dodgy plot lines I couldn't be happier with it. I love the English aristocracy and the whole shebang. If only I could live like that! The showing of the time is accurate (in my belief) and the potrayal of WW1 was nothing if not moving.

I love it and I highly recommend. All three seasons are on netflix and it is a must-watch.

Have a great day!

Update: I finished and I am devestated, DEVESTATED. No details but I can never look at the writers the same way again. DEVESTATED

Rimmel Salon Pro Kate Nail Polish - Rhythm and Blues

Sorry I haven't posted in so long!
Anyway, post English Literature exam yesterday me and my friend took a quick trip to superdrug. I saw this nail polish, I had heard about the line on blogs before and then I saw this colour and I just loved it. It is not really a normal Tabby colour, or a summer one for that matter but I love it. The colour is a dark navy, from afar it does actually look black but its not, it's navy. I love it! In the photos it looks alot more black than in real life so I recommend going to the store and checking it out.  The brush of these is pretty wide and difficult for me to graso straight away but once I got the hang of it I really liked it. Its pretty opaque in two coats and really shiny even without a topcoat. Normally my polish chips in a day, so even to have it last so perfectly a full day is an achievment. Really recommend and hopefully will pick up some more of these soon!