Organic Surge | Super Rich Body Butter in 'Lavender Meadow'

Body butters are an absolute must-have for me.  I kid you not, it's like the body butter version of Jenga on the sides of my bath right now - I'm obsessed.  I often have a few on the go at the same time and new to the towering stack is Organic Surge's 'Lavender Meadow' Super Rich Body Butter (£15.75*).  As winter takes its toll on my skin, I often find myself searching for something slightly richer than your average and Organic Surge's offering sounded sure to be just the ticket.  Enriched with natural oils and with a super-thick, buttery consistency - it's the perfect treat for dry, thirsty skin.  

The butter itself seems to have a pearlised effect when you take off the lid - it really is quite inviting and looks luxurious.  I have to say, the lavender scent really is quite strong.  Now, I love a dose of lavender as I find it helps me to sleep, but even for me - this is quite overpowering and floral.  It's not one that I'd apply before a night out as it could have a tendency to completely take over your perfume - but it's lovely for use in the evenings after a bath before you go sleep.  It's very soothing to the senses.  The butter itself is very thick in consistency and feels very rich - almost like a moisturising paste.  Personally, I found it took quite a while to get it to massage in but it doesn't leave a greasy residue whatsoever - in fact, it doesn't leave any sort of tacky feeling on the skin at all.  It's not what I expected and usually I do prefer for my skin to feel a little more 'quenched', but if you're the type who likes to moisturise and go then this would be perfect.  

Although it is without a doubt very moisturising, I'm not sure the consistency is for me.  I've been enjoying using it before bed - particularly on my arms and chest as I do find it helps to relax me if I'm feeling a bit stressed but I'm not sure if it would be an instant re-purchase for me.  It takes a little more working in than what I'm used to.  It's nice little treat to use in the evenings and seems to work best when your skin is a little warmer and you've just got out of the bath, but I prefer something a little more creamy. Overall though - I've enjoyed using it and I'd recommend it if you're really suffering with dry skin and want something a little more sumptuous.  You can find the Super Rich Body Butter on the Organic Surge website here, priced at £15.75*.

My Really Simple Skincare Routine

I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't spend a lot of money on my skincare routine. I know - SMITE ME DOWN, beauty gods! Slap me on the wrist for I must be a bad blogger! I've tried my fair share of high-end products when it comes to skincare and I have to say, I really don't see a huge difference in the results they give compared to my trusty 'drugstore' faves. I'm a big believer in that, when it comes to your skin, more expensive doesn't neccessarily equal better.  There's not a shred of skincare snobbery where I'm concerned. Ohhh no - get me down the aisles of Boots and I'm a happy chappy.  As well as my belief that the price tag doesn't always reflect the quality, I also think that keeping your skincare routine as simple as you can works wonders.  I think we've all fallen victim to over complicating our regimes now and again - being a beauty obsessive, it's easier said than done to cut-out some of the steps from your routine.  I think it's all too easy to get sucked in to buying luxurious products purely because they look good on your dressing table. Well, sods to that, I say!

Skin care is such a personal thing which made me wonder whether or not this post would go down like a lead balloon - however, if you're at your wits end with your skin, are suffering with breakouts you cannot get rid of or just can't find anything to work for you, hopefully this post might inspire you somehow. I've found a bunch of products which really do work a charm - and aside from one high-end product (which actually does do what it claims) none of these products are over £15.00 - in fact, the 2 'main' products I use are less than a fiver... 

Ok, so you might have seen the header photo for this post and thought 'how the flippin'eck is that a simple skincare regime?' - but the reality is, on a daily basis, I only use these 2 products.  Nothing else.  I wash my face both morning and night with my Simple Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash (£3.99) and moisturise afterwards with a pump or two of Superdrug's Tea Tree Facial Moisturiser (£2.99).  That's it. Nothing snazzy. Not a bit of fancy packaging or a luxurious name to be seen.  I like these two together because they do a fab job at keeping my skin clear from blemishes - the face wash has tiny little beads in it which help to exfoliate gently and the moisturiser is a lovely consistency for every day use (although dry skin types will probably find it much too light). The tea tree definitely helps to calm my skin and I've been using both of these for years now - I couldn't be without them.

The only other face wash I will use is Arran Aromatics Lavender Tea Tree Reviving Toning Facial Wash (£12.95). I've spoken about this many times on my blog and it even made it into my 2013 favourites here. I use this when I'm feeling a bit stressed as it's such a relaxing wash to use before bedtime - I find it has really great calming benefits if my skin is looking a little worse for wear or dull. It's so cooling and calming on the skin and the scent is just heavenly.  The consistency is also really lovely  - a gel-like texture with small exfoliating beads which leaves your skin feeling smooth, soft and pampered. I must be on my 5th bottle of the stuff now.  I love it.  

Another brand I'm rather partial to when it comes to skincare is Organic Surge.  I really like their Blissful Daily Moisturiser (£8.49) for the wintertime as it's just that little bit thicker than my Tea Tree one (bare in mind I have normal-dry skin and this is fine for me, but if you have particularly dry patches, you might want to try something a little heavier).  It's really creamy and intensely moisturising but it doesn't sit on top of the skin so it's great for applying in the mornings when you need to do your makeup pretty swiftly after moisturising.  I'm also a big fan of the Organic Surge First Class Face Mask (£8.49). I must admit I'm not one for face masks as I just find them a bit of a faff and my skin often reacts badly to them - but this one is really gentle and fuss-free. It doesn't harden and it doesn't leave an obvious film on the skin - in some ways, it's just like applying a thick moisturiser.  I will pop some on 10 minutes before a shower and then wash it off in there - it's so easy.  I do this if my skin is feeling dull or 'clogged' up as it gets rid of any impurities - it seems to help clear any blemishes and leaves my skin looking a little more bright and fresh.

If you suffer with blemishes and want a really good product to clear your skin, I really recommend having a bottle of this in your bathroom cabinet.  It's expensive - but my goodness, it works.  I will always recommend this to anybody suffering with breakouts as it completely cleared mine when I went through a little spell of them last year.  It was a life saver and I doubt I'll ever find anything as good.  At £25.00 a bottle, the Harley Street Skincare Spot Busting Solution isn't cheap - but its worth every penny and I'm now on my 4th bottle of the stuff. It's great if you have quite a few blemishes in a certain area or if you have one of those stubborn under the skin spots. I won't say too much as I've reviewed it a couple of times on my blog - you can find it in my 2013 favourites post here.

And last but not least, my Origins Super Spot Remover (£15.00) is another one of my favourites.  I must admit I think I prefer my Harley Street solution however, this one is great for travelling with (i take it on holiday as it weighs next to nothing) and it's good to pop on if you have a small blemish or two.  This teeny tiny bottle has lasted me ages and it's well worth the money.

 So there we have it - my super simple skin care regime. Aside from a couple of more indulgent products, there's nothing overly luxurious or high-end - just good quality, well priced products that work a treat.  I used to over-complicate my skincare regime and ever since I've stripped it back to the basics, i've noticed so many benefits.  

What's your opinion on skin care?

Brand Focus: Organic Surge | Shower Gels

Organic Surge is a brand I've been familiar with for a while now and I've featured a few of their products here on Bird's Words. Their cruelty free products are 100% free of harsh chemicals, parabens, artificial fragrances and colourants and are full of naturally derived, nourishing ingredients and fragrant essential oils.  My favourite product has to be their '2 Minute Moisture Hair Mask' and it's one that I've repurchased a couple of times since I first tried it. I'm also a big fan of their 'First Class Face Mask' and their facial moisturisers as well as their bath foams (I'm a bit of a bath product junkie!) I just think the whole brand hits the nail on the head when it comes to affordable skin/body care and the entire brand ethos is something I really feel drawn to. Sometimes, I feel as if natural products can be very hit and miss but Organic Surge really have impressed me and their products really do work.  I'm also really excited to see that they've introduced some Travel Sized products to their range - I'll definitely be stocking up on the minis the next time I jet away on holiday or find myself away from home for a while.

Today, I thought I'd focus on their range of shower gels.  I'm aware it's difficult to get excited over a shower gel but as shower gels go, these one's are a treat I tells ya! Each one contains 250ml and they last absolutely ages.  I find them to be really nourishing on the skin and the thick, gel consistency means that even the tiniest blob gets a good bit of lather going on (a very crucial factor for me!) I've tried 4 of their gels now and each one is deliciously scented whilst providing a range different benefits...I find it difficult to pick a favourite!

Fresh Ocean | £4.95* | Link

This is the newest addition to my little OS stash! Enriched with lime, rosemary and lemon oils this one is rather refreshing.  It isn't overly citrus-y which I really like -its just the right sort of balance for me and the 'ocean' hint definitely comes across. This one is said to be beneficial for dull or dry skin, whilst helping to soothe irritation with it's intense natural moisturisers.

Citrus Mint | £4.95* | Link

This is one for those early morning showers! Citrus Mint is really refreshing but with a certain 'kick' to it! I find it to be really awakening and I love using it when I need a bit of a perk up! It also contains healing aloe vera which is great for irritation and blemishes - I went through a stage where I had a few little blemishes on my back and I have to say this helped no end.  It helped to keep my skin looking clear and calmed and it really does seem to help keep my skin clear.  It's also a good one for summer time as it helps to cool the skin and leaves it feeling really refreshed.

Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel | £4.95* | Link

I know summer is coming to an end, but this one really has been a firm favourite for me over the past few weeks.  It reminds me of Solero ice lollies! Yummy! Sweet orange and bergamot oils help to cleanse the skin and the uplifting fragrance provides a lovely little mood boost.

Super Fresh Body Wash 'Awakening' | £5.99* | Link

A little pricier than the other shower gels, this one is said to target and stimulate the senses for a naturally 'uplifting' effect - containing a blend of spicy may chang and bergamot oils. I prefer to use this in the mornings, it has a similar effect to the Citrus Mint but is a little more warming and 'zingy'...

Overall, I really recommend these body washes.  They're a little pricier than your average but they hardly break the bank and the mix of essential, natural oils combined with their range of unique, beautiful scents make them well worth it.  Like i said earlier in this post, I've repurchased a couple of products from them now and this is the type of thing I'd add to my basket for an added treat now and again - it's worth mentioning that they often have offers on as well as providing different 'bundles' (I signed up to their email newsletter and often get little codes and heads up on offers). If you're after little 'stocking fillers' these make lovely little gifts - I'm not sure if it's just my graphic design background coming out in me, but I really like the whole brand appearance too. You can find the range of shower gels and bath goodies on their website here.

Have you tried Organic Surge? What's been your favourite product so far?

Festive Bath Soaks | Organic Surge & Conscious Skincare

I'm partial to a bath treat or two.  Especially near Christmas.  When the weather gets colder and the nights grow darker, there's nothing that de-stresses me more than a nice, hot bath and a lovely bath soak to sink in to.  I prefer oils and soaks compared to bubble baths - I find them much more fragrant and relaxing and I like the fact that they tend to be softer and more gentle on the skin.  I usually pop into Lush and treat myself to a festive bath bomb or two, but having sensitive skin, I find that something with a little more moisture works much better for me.  Enter these 2 new additions to my 'run up to Christmas' bathtime regime... I defy you not to crave a bath after reading this!

Organic Surge | Spiced Lily Foaming Bath | £5.99* | Link

I have to say, after trying a variety of their products the past couple of months, I really do love Organic Surge.  If you haven't tried them but fancy a little beauty/skin care treat then I really do recommend them. As soon as I saw the name of this bath soak - I knew it would be just my cup of tea.  The 'Spiced Lily' foaming bath soak has a lovely, festive aroma.  It's warming, relaxing and wintery without being too spicy or strong, and it fills the bathroom with a sweet smelling fragrance as soon as you pop it under the running water.  It creates a lovely layer of foam on the top of the water and feels gentle and soft on the skin - just what I look for in a bath soak.  It contains essential oils to de-stress and 'revive the body and mind' and contains aloe vera to help soothe the skin. The fact that it contains no synthetic colouring, fragrances or parabens and is free from chemical nasties means it is so gentle on even the most sensitive of skin. I really love this little soak - for £5.99 it really is worth the money and I'd definitely purchase another.  It's worth keeping your eyes peeled on Organic Surge's website - they often have little offers on and they have a gorgeous selection of products. Definitely worth a look if you haven't already!

Conscious Skincare | Grapefruit, Lemon and Cedarwood Bathsoak | £15.99* | Link

Ok. So the fragrance of this little soak isn't entirely 'festive' - but lets just take a moment to admire the reindeer packaging, shall we? Conscious Skincare really do know how to package a product and make it special, don't they?! I previously reviewed one of their fabulous body butters (link), and was really excited to try out their other signature scent - 'grapefruit, lemon and cedarwood'.  This bath soak is most definitely very relaxing - but with a little citrus kick! It's definitely one to use when you need a bit of uplifting - something to use when you've lost your mojo and need it back! It fills the room with a lovely, sweet scent which lingers on the skin long after you've stepped from the tub. At £15.99, it isn't the cheapest bath soak, but it's a really nice one to opt for if, like me, you're a fan of bathtime treats and fancy trying something completely different. It would also make a lovely Christmas gift. I explained in my previous post about the company and what they have to offer, so if you're a fan of natural products, hop on over and have a read here.

What bath products are you loving on the run-up to Christmas? Let me know your faves fellow bath fans!

Exclusive Beauty Blogger Bundle | Organic Surge

Organic Surge 'Exlusive Beauty Blogger Bundle' | £20.95* | Link

Organic Surge really has taken the blogger world by storm just recently - and for good reason too!  Not only are their products amazing but also competitively priced and free from any chemical nasties.  I was so excited to hear about the 'Beauty Blogger Bundle' - a package containing 4 of their most highly rated products which is exclusively available to beauty bloggers and their readers for a special discounted price of £20.95. If you've never tried Organic Surge but fancy giving them a whirl, the bundle is a fabulous opportunity to do so - as well as making a fabulous Christmas gift for a fellow beauty or skincare lover! So what's in the bundle and what did I make of the products?

Lavender Meadow Hand & Nail Cream | £4.95 | Link

This has to be my favourite product of the bunch and one that's going to become a winter favourite for me.  This hand cream is said to intensely nourish, comfort and moisturise and is enriched with organic lavender and geranium essential oils.  It's suitable for sensitive skin and also those prone to eczema - so it's really gentle without skimping on moisturising properties!  I love the consistency of this - it's really rich and creamy yet sinks in amazingly well - my hands aren't left feeling greasy for ages afterwards and yet still feel moisturised and soft.  The scent is also really uplifting and comforting - the hint of lavender isn't overpowering and it's become such a nice product to apply through the day. I also love that it contains cocoa butter and vitamin E - and the fact it's good for the nails too! Mine have been awful of late so it's great to have a little 2 in 1 cream! 

Blissful Daily Moisturiser | £8.49 | Link

This moisturiser is a dream to apply! It isn't fragranced but has that slight 'natural' smell that a lot of organic products seem to have - it's really nice and fresh.   It's the perfect balance between a thick gel and a rich cream - not too light, but then not overly rich or heavy. It's just a lovely in-between which is what makes it a perfect daily moisturiser for me.  It's a good one to apply in the morning before your makeup as it smooths the skin, sinks in relatively quick and leaves the skin feeling fresh, revitalised and moisturised for the day ahead.  It's also said to help rebalance dry and oily areas - which is a bonus if you're in the 'combination skin' camp like me.

Citrus Mint Shower Gel | £4.35 | Link

I'll be honest - I'm usually quite set in my ways when it comes to shower gel and I do find it hard to get excited about. However I must say that I like the fact that this one contains aloe vera to help soothe and calm the skin and help heal any irritation or blemishes.  I often find my skin gets a little dull and more blemish prone in the winter due to the weather change so I've found this little gel really nice to use. It's very creamy and foamy and you don't need much at all - it also doesn't strip the skin or contain any harsh chemicals.  The scent is really invigorating and it really does awaken the senses - definitely one for those early mornings when you've had a battle with the snooze button... We've all been there.

2 Minute Moisture Mask | £6.99 | Link 

Never one to turn my nose up at a hair mask, me!  I always like to use hair masks and treatments throughout the winter months - I find it helps combat dullness and dryness and generally just helps to keep my hair looking tip-top even when the weather isn't! This one contains coconut oil and plant extracts and targets weak or damaged hair shafts, protecting the hair and providing essential added moisture to help control frizz or fly-aways.  I really enjoy using this - the fact that you only need to leave it on for 2 minutes is great if you just want to hop in and out of the shower if you're having a hectic time of things.  It's not the most intensive mask I've ever used but it does help smooth away any split ends or frizzy areas and my hair always looks super shiny and soft afterwards.  Perfect for a quick fix pamper treatment - and the slight coconut scent doesn't go amiss either!

Overall, this is a really nice little bundle if you want to try a little bit of what Organic Surge has to offer.  At little over £5 for each product, it's not a bad deal and they would make perfect stocking fillers if you didn't want to keep everything for yourself! I have to say that the hand cream and the moisturiser sliiightly top the mark for me, but I've enjoyed using everything in this bundle and there's nothing I've tried from the brand so far that I haven't liked. You can purchase the blogger bundle at the discounted price through this special link, or take a look at what other fabulous products they have to offer here - even if you don't fancy everything in the bundle, it's worth having a look through their stuff! Everything is really reasonably priced and they also do a selection of other bundles if you're looking for Christmas presents. I've also recently reviewed their 'First Class Face Mask' here.

Have you tried any Organic Surge products? What have you got your eye on?

Organic Surge | First Class Mask

Organic Surge | First Class Mask | £8.49* | Link

It's fair to say that my skin has been in need of some TLC the past few weeks.  The colder weather really does take its toll on my skin and it's been feeling dryer, more 'clogged' and generally a little worse for wear.  I've been trying to detox a little bit in the hope of brightening my complexion as it does tend to get a little dull throughout the colder months - I've been putting extra effort and time into my skincare regime in order to get my skin looking tip-top once again.  I've been using this Organic Surge face mask now for a good number of weeks and it's fast become one of my go-to products for when I feel my skin needs an extra bit of rejuvenating! Their 'First Class Face Mask' deep-cleanses the skin and provides added moisture if it's feeling dehydrated - perfect for my combination skin! It contains calming chamomile and 'soothing marshmallow', as well as natural oils and plant extract.   The rosemary and lemon oils really come through in the scent of the product - it's very fresh,calming and gentle - with a little citrus kick!

I find the consistency very creamy - it works a treat on my combination skin and it adds moisture to any drier areas without being overly heavy.  It smooths out really easily and I find it very easy to get a smooth, even coverage across my face.  I simply cleanse my skin as normal, massage some of this on afterwards (I find 2-3 pumps works best for me) and leave it to sink in for 5 minutes or so.  It really is that simple.  Sometimes, I get put off using face masks because I can't be bothered with the mess of removing it or the whole twiddling my thumbs and waiting for it to dry thing - but the First Class Mask is so quick and fuss-free that I can even apply this in the morning before uni.  It doesn't harden like other face masks, and the cream sinks in to the skin without leaving any white residue - in fact, I walked downstairs with a full face of this and nobody batted an eyelid! After the 5 minutes is up, I simply wash off with warm water and pat dry with a towel and my skin is left feeling fresh, smooth and ready to face the day.  I find it leaves my skin feeling moisturised, looking brighter and in better condition - any blemishes or red areas feel calmer and I always feel that my skin feels much healthier afterwards.  The bottle says that you can actually apply this and leave it overnight for an intense treatment if your skin really is crying out for some love -  I can imagine this would be a fabulous way to use the product if you were suffering with dry skin.  It really is so gentle that you can leave it on as long as you like.

The Organic Surge First Class Mask retails for £8.49* - in my opinion, a really good price for such a versatile, gentle face mask. I use this once or twice weekly and I feel that my skin instantly feels and looks much better once I've used it.  The fuss free, easy to use pump action bottle only adds to its appeal for me and it's worked a treat on my sensitive skin. If you fancy having a read up on ingredients (there's some good stuff in there!) or further details, you can find the Organic Surge Website here. You can also find their products on the John Lewis website.

Have you tried any Organic Surge products? What's your favourite face mask currently?! I'd love to know some more good'uns!