Soap & Glory 'The Next Big Thing' Gift Box Offer | What's Inside?!

Ohhh Soap & Glory's Christmas gift sets... I'm sure I'm not the only one who goes a little bit doe-eyed at the sight of their big gift box?! It's become a bit of an annual tradition for me and I wait with baited breath every year for the much awaited offer to come on. I was lucky enough to work in the city centre for 4 years or so and nabbing one of S&G's BIG gift boxes used to be my pre-shift mission.  I always got into work super-early and tottled off to Boots to get my mitts on one before all the hustle and bustle.  They absolutely fly off the shelves every year and I've known colleagues to come in with 3 or 4 sets for various family members but personally - I'm a little bit selfish with it and grab one for myself (Merry Christmas to me...) I just love their products and a box like this keeps me going for months.   Let me tell you - this year's is a good'un... Here's Soap & Glory's 'The Next Big Thing'*...

This year's box design has been put together by Hattie Stewart - a british illustrator - and there are 2 different versions: one in-store and one online (but both with the same amazing contents - just take your pick over which design you prefer).  As usual, the box is a generous size, well made and sturdy, and is perfect for using for storage even after you've used all the products inside.  I still have a Soap & Glory 'hat box' from years ago in my wardrobe which I use to store belts and accessories. All products come packaged in a gorgeous drawstring bag too which always comes in handy for travelling - I always use bags like this to separate things in my suitcase when I go on holiday.  

Priced at £60, the box is already a cracker - however, Boots currently have it on their 'Star Gift better than half price offer', meaning that the set is now reduced to an amazing £29! So what's inside?!  'The Next Big Thing' contains 10 full sized products worth a whopping £76 - making it even more of a bargain! There's some of my old favourites in here: The Righteous Butter is always a winner for me and I'm never without a tub on my bathroom shelf.  The Sugar Crush Body Scrub is also a gorgeous product for fake-tan fanatics like myself and there's also a big bottle of their 'Orangeasm' body wash which I've been wanting to try for ages.  Here's the full list of contents:

Hand Dream Super Cream // £7

Orangeasm Body Wash // £6.50

Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion // £10

Heel Genius Foot Cream // £5.50

Sugar Crush Body Scrub // £8

Whipped Clean Shower Butter // £7

The Righteous Butter Body Butter // £10.50

Off Your Face Purifying Face Wipes // £4.50

Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Laquer in 'Charm Offensive' // £7

Thick & Fast Mascara // £10

Another fabulous offering from Soap & Glory - they never fail to impress me every year and there's a reason why these gift sets are so incredibly sought after.  If you're a fellow Soap & Glory fan, it's well worth fighting your way through the christmas crowds to nab one! There's some fab additions this year that I really cannot wait to try amidst a few of my old staples, and the addition of the lip laquer and the mascara is perfect for any beauty addict.  These sets sell out incredibly fast, so it's worth being snappy! You can find 'The Next Big Thing' online at Boots here for £29.00*...and also whilst stocks last in store. Not only are you saving £31.00 on the original price tag but the contents themselves are worth £76! For the bargain hunters amongst you, it's too good to miss out on... Get yer skates on girls!

Are you a fan of the S&G gift sets? Will you be treating yourself to one this year?!

Getting Bikini-Ready | Soap & Glory's 'The Firminator' Review

I don't usually buy into the whole 'apply this cream and you'll soon have a bottom to rival the likes of Kim K' claims on products, however, there's something about Soap & Glory's 'The Firminator' that intrigued me.  Maybe it was the shiny packaging, maybe it was the quirky name... or maybe it was just because Soap & Glory were on a 3 for 2 offer and I needed one more product in my basket - either way - I didn't really expect much from it but I have to say - I've been pleasantly surprised. So much so I had no issues with going out to buy my second tube of the stuff and didn't think twice about parting with the £12.00 - which, lets face it, isn't the cheapest of firming creams on the market to say you can pick up budget ones for much less than a fiver (saying that, it's not the most expensive either so one cannot grumble).  So what exactly does it do? 'The Firminator' (see what you did there, S&G...) claims to visually smooth and rejuvenate the skin around the upper thighs whilst firming and toning any lumps and bumps - generally having a tightening effect on the area.  It works best if you apply twice a day, smoothing it from the inner knees up towards the tops of the thighs - you know the score. 

I have to say I've been applying it pretty religiously and after about a few weeks, I noticed a difference. Now then, I'll admit straight away that it's probably not entirely down to this cream that I've clocked a change. If you follow me on Twitter you'll know I've been on a bit of a toning mission the past few months and have been working mainly on my legs/bum - I've been doing the typical squats, leg lifts and lunges thing since the beginning of April/mid-March so it would be fair to say I cannot claim my results have been entirely down to using this - but I really do believe it's helped along the way.  If ever I've had a day where I just haven't felt like doing any exercise (i try and give myself one rest day a week anyway), I'll apply some of this and it feels as if it's doing some good. It does say on the tube that you'll be more likely to notice the combined results of your efforts if you eat healthily and take up regular exercise whilst applying the cream daily (which I guess is kind of obvious) - and I'd say it's helped to smooth out the appearance of my skin considerably.  In fact, I did the 'changing room' test the other day and for once I really did notice a difference (if ever you want to see results of your hard work then get in a changing room - it will either make you or break you ;)) Again, please bare in mind I have been doing regular exercise but I think combining it with this cream has without a doubt helped to reach my goal quicker - the exercise lifts and tones the area whilst the cream has visibly smoothed the skin and helped to get rid/prevent any lumps and bumps.  Obviously, don't expect miracles - it's not going to act as a replacement for regular workouts but what it will do is give you that extra little boost along the way.

The cream has a gel-like consistency and feels cooling when applied to the skin.  It smells undoubtedly very minty (it contains peppermint and citrus toning oils) and this only adds to the cooling effect - I wouldn't say it feels tightening but it does feel a little tingly. Sometimes, I'll apply it before I do my workout as I believe it helps (of course, I might just be imagining this but it's worth a shot, right?)  It sinks in really quickly which is a bonus for in the mornings when you need to apply and go - it doesn't leave a greasy film like some creams I've tried in the past.  I apply quite a generous amount both in the morning and at night, taking time to massage it upwards - once it's sank in properly it really does leave your skin feeling smooth to the touch.  Overall, I'd really recommend this if you're after a cellulite busting formula or something to help generally tighten and firm your thigh area.  I've actually read a few reviews on the Boots website and a lot of people seem to be in agreement with me that this cream makes a difference to the overall appearance of the skin (interestingly, it seems to have better reviews than their similar product 'Sit Tight').  Like I said, I'm usually very sceptical about these gels and formulas and I wouldn't have written this post if I didn't believe it's genuinely helped me.  For £12.00, it's actually pretty reasonable and one tube lasted me a good few weeks - It's extremely rare I'll ever repurchase a cream like this so it speaks volumes as to how much I've grown to love this stuff. If you're willing to be quite disciplined with it and apply it religiously morning and night (if I'd been more 'slapdash' with it I don't think I'd have noticed a difference) then I reckon you'll notice results.  Combine it with a bit of exercise and a dose of patience and I guarantee you'll be laughing all the way to the beach... Kim K? Eat your heart out!  You can find 'The Firminator' on the Boots website here.

Have you tried Soap & Glory's 'The Firminator'? Have you managed to find a firming cream that actually works?

Last Minute Holiday Buys

Evening my little cupcakes.  I hope you've all been enjoying today in the sunshine - it's sure been a scorcher i tells ya! I arrived back from London late last night so it's fair to say I've been absolutely cream-crackered all day. For those of you who don't know, I've been on a trip with uni to a big exhibition for 6 days and it's been so exciting to be showing my work - I've had lots of good things come from it including interest in my children's book and potential jobs for the future/placements for summer - I've even had my work featured on a very well known graphic design site so to say it's been successful is an understatement! I'm grinning like a cheshire cat right now (and a very tired one at that...that'll teach me to wear wedges for 10 hours straight ;)).  There's no rest for the wicked though - I jet off on holiday in the early hours of Tuesday morning, so I'm currently in the process of unpacking one case and packing another (nightmare! my floor has never seen so many carrier bags and clothes!) - I definitely feel as if I'm ready for a holiday - I really need to recharge my batteries. Anyway,  I took a drive down to the nearest retail park last week to pick up some last minute bits for my holiday as I won't have chance tomorrow and I thought I thought what better thing to do than show you what I picked up... Everyone loves a holiday haul right?

| St Tropez Self Tan Dark Mousse |

Call me high maintenance, but one cannot simply arrive in a sunny country looking like a milk bottle on legs.  Whenever I go away, I fake tan beforehand so that I don't stick out like a sore thumb once I arrive.  St Tropez is my go-to fake tan. I find the mousse so easy to apply and fuss-free and I like the colour it gives.  I've never tried their dark version before but I thought I'd give it a whirl. I've since tried it and I have to say I think I prefer the normal version - the dark just looks a bit too muddy on me.  I can usually get away with not washing the guide colour off the normal version if I'm going out, but with this one I absolutely have to make sure it's off before I pop out as it looks too much. Oh well - atleast I've tried it.  I'll still use it but I much prefer my St Tropez normal mousse. 

| Tangle Teezer Travel |

I cannot live without my Tangle Teezer - me and that hairbrush are like the ultimate little dream-team and without it i simply can't function and my hair has a mardy.  I travel quite a bit, so I figured I'd whack the travel version in my basket.  It's really handy because it's slightly smaller and has a little protective case so that the bristles don't get damaged in your suitcase.  I took it to London with me and it was a little life saver - it kept my hair from throwing it's toys out of the pram and going all frizzy on me! Just what you need if you're a fellow traveller like me.

| Sanctuary Pore Refining Toner- Travel Size |

Ahh mini products... Every time I go away I relish shopping for mini bottles of stuff.  They're much more interesting and cute than normal sized bottles of stuff!  Sanctuary do some lovely skin care and this is my favourite of the bunch - their Pore Refining Toner.  It keeps my skin looking and feeling fresh and gets rid of any cack (Cack - be gone!) If you're in need of a good toner then it's worth trying this one. I loves it.

| Bourjois Bronzing Primer & Maxi Delight Bronzer |

I really tried not to get sucked in by Bourjois new summer offering. I failed.  Their new bronzing range is really tempting and as soon my holiday was booked I justified grabbing their bronzing primer as I've had my eye on it for a while.  It's said to be similar to the infamous Chanel Bronzer so we will see if it lives up to those claims (i own both so I shall be testing on holiday!)  Their products were on offer so I picked up the Maxi Delight bronzer too.  It's flipping huge. Honestly, the photos don't show the size but it's almost bigger than my head (slight exaggeration there...) I have a review coming up shortly of these 2 - I'm really liking the Maxi Delight at the momento.

| Charles Worthington Mineral Hair Rescue Masque |

My hair is partial to a masque or two.  I picked this one up for my jollydays as my hair tends to get a bit straw-like in the sun. Being blonde it often has the tendency to look really brassy too so I always pick up a conditioning treatment to use half-way through the holiday to refresh and revive my poor little frazzled ends. I really liked the sound of this one.

| Soap & Glory - Archery Brow Pencil |

I've never really tried Soap & Glory's make-up offerings but really wanted to give their eyebrow pencil a whirl.  It has a pencil on one end and a brush tip on the other that works more like a pen.  I really like this so far although I have to say the colour is really light. Now, I'm not a fan of a 'scouse brow' but I do like my eyebrows to look defined and the blonde version is possibly a touch too light - but I still like it anyway as the pen works as a great base for my HD Brows.  Nevertheless, I'd definitely buy one of these again - i really like it so far.

| Batiste - Conditioning Mist with Argan Oil |

When I saw this I had to grab it.  I'm a big fan of Batiste and I'm also a big fan of conditioning hair oil so the two combined was just a must-have! I often smooth a bit of oil over any frizzy-bits after I've styled my hair so this sounded like the perfect finishing touch without the risk of over-doing it with the oil.  I haven't yet tried this but I really cannot wait to give it a spritz - It's such a good idea and something that I haven't really seen on the market yet.  Thumbs up Batiste - you have pleased me.


And so that's yer lot! I have a few reviews coming up involving some of these products I'm sure - but these are just my first impressions.  I'm currently in the middle of packing my suitcase so wish me luck with that - I'm always always overweight with suitcases - give me a weight allowance and I'll bloody well use it (and more!).  Any tips on efficient packing for a girl who loves to take everything including the kitchen sink will be welcome...

Have you tried any of these products?

My Love For.. Soap & Glory 'Clean On Me'

Soap & Glory | Clean On Me | £5.50 - 500ml

Just recently, I've been quite stressed to say the least.  I've had uni work to do on an almost constant stream and haven't had a great deal of 'me time' the past month.  I cannot wait until my deadline is done and dusted and I can finally treat myself to a nice hot bubble bath and a pampering sesh!  A relaxing soak has been totally off the cards for me of late, but I've re-introduced an old favourite into my shower-time regime that has made things just that little bit brighter.  Soap & Glory's 'Clean On Me' shower gel. I know there's only so much one can say about a shower gel, but don't knock it until you've tried it. You'll be brushing aside the Imperial Leather rather quickly once you've copped a sniff of this little beauty (not that I'm knocking Imperial Leather, but sometimes in a girl's life you just need a little dose of pink, right?) If you're a fan of Soap & Glory, you'll love this. It smells really light, fresh and creamy - and lathers up like a dream.  Once I step out of the shower my skin feels moisturised, soft and totally pampered.  With a built-in body lotion, it gives you an excuse to skip the moisturising ritual (I hold my hands up and admit I've been slacking just recently!) and it leaves your skin feeling squeeky-clean and soft to the touch.  The consistency is more like a luxurious cream - it's very rich and smooth, meaning it's a fabulous option for dry skin.  I tend to follow up with their Righteous Butter and together I find them the perfect combination.

At £5.50, it isn't the cheapest of shower gels but this bottle will last an age - the little pump means that it's virtually impossible to waste a single drop and you don't need handfuls of the stuff to get a good lather going on! Not only that, but it looks adorable sitting on your bathroom shelf!  I can't say I'm one to get excited over a shower gel, but Clean On Me will forever remain one of my firm favourites and for me, it's worth every single penny.  It's something I tend to buy when I feel like a little pick-me-up and I know a lot of you will agree.  If you love Soap & Glory but haven't tried this - I urge you to grab yourself a bottle...

What are your thoughts on Clean On Me? What's your current favourite Soap & Glory product?

January Favourites

Swatches | L - R | Chanel Tan De Soleil - Bronze Universal / Mac 'Blushbaby' / Revlon 'Red Lacquer' / Mac 'Lady Danger' / Rimmel Apocalips in 'Galaxy, Luna & Big Bang

January is a strange month, isn't it? All the excitement of Christmas is over, the Quality Street tins that once adorned our coffee tables are replaced with credit card bills , and the bank balance looks a little sorry for itself to say the least. It's safe to say I'm ready for Summer to come around the corner now!  Here's this months picks of my favourite and most used beauty items of January...

The Body Shop | Indian Night Jasmine Fragrance Mist | £7.50 - This scent is the most glorious aroma to ever pass my nostrils, let me tell you! It's one of those fragrances that you find yourself walking past on your dressing table and spritzing the air around you just for the sake of it! Now, I'm not a massive fan of floral scents, so don't let the name put you off - it has a certain spice to it that hints towards more oriental notes. It is both refreshing and light, and smells just as 'expensive' as any perfume would, just with a little less staying power! The next time you pass The Body Shop, give this a spray - I bet you'll be as addicted as me!

Soap & Glory | Girligo - Spray On Body Moisturising Mist | £6.50 - I have a review coming up on this little beauty, so I won't say too much about it.  It's fabulous for lazy days when you step out the shower and just want to get ready and go! It saves the need for body butters and also acts as a regular body spray with moisturising benefits - and it smells amazing.

Soap & Glory | Clean on Me Shower Gel (mini) | £2.50 - How did I ever live without this little bottle of yummy-ness sitting on my shower shelf?!  Definitely going to purchase the full size once I've used up the rest of my stash.  Lathers like a dream, smells good enough to eat and is really creamy and luxurious. Perfection.

Liz Earle | Cleanse & Polish | Hot Cloth Cleanser (Starter Kit) | £14.25 - I have a review of this little beauty here. It's been a little skincare saviour for me and it's such a good little cleanser. I really recommend it.  I have sensitive skin and I've had no problems whatsoever - in fact, I'm yet to read a negative review!

Nivea Essentials | Rich Regenerating Night Cream | £4.07 - My skin has been really, really dry just recently. My usual nighttime moisturiser just wasn't cutting the mustard to be honest, so I bought this on a whim.  It's quite heavy, so I don't use a lot of it - just where I feel I need it.  When I wake up in the morning my skin feels really soft.  It's not for everyone - if you struggle with shine I'd stay away from this - but I've got on with it very well and it's solved my temporary skin woes!

Chanel | Tan De Soleil Bronze Universal | £30 - I love this so much I actually cannot explain in words... I'm thinking of doing an in-depth review on it soon.  I use it for contouring every day and I just can't imagine my life without it now! I've used it every day since Christmas and I've barely touched the surface.. suits my winter skin perfectly and looks natural and light.

Mac | Sheertone blush in 'Blushbaby' | £17.50 - This blush is excellent for those days when you aren't sure what to wear as it's a fairly understated colour. It's fabulous for effortless contouring, as using this alone defines the cheekbone area and makes your face appear more structured.  

Rimmel | Apocalips | £5.99 each - Ohhhh how I love these little beauties! The perfect mix of a lipstick, lip gloss and a lip stain.  I cannot wait to pick up some more shades - I'm addicted. You can read my full review and see swatches of them on the lips here.

Mac | Lipstick in 'Lady Danger' | £14.00 - This lipstick is perfect for nights out when you really want to make a statement with your lips.  I've had a couple of nights out just recently and have worn this countless times - even in the day! It's the most perfect coral red, is beautifully bright and just oozes sex appeal! Oof ;)

Revlon | Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Red Lacquer' | £7.49 - I wore this on Christmas day (you can see my FOTD here) and it's just the perfect understated red for when you want a pop of colour without going 'OTT'. Perfect for day wear, moisturising and has impressive staying power. It has the same sort of undertones as Mac's Lady Danger but is slightly more sheer in finish - if you're not a fan of matte, opaque reds, then this is a good one to opt for.

Have you tried any of these products? What have been your favourites this month?

 ♥ 

My Love For.. Soap & Glory's The Righteous Butter

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter | 300ml £10.50 (here) | 50ml £2.50 (travel size)

One thing I really enjoy using as part of my shower routine is body butter.  I have had a copious amount of tubs over the years, and have tried so many different brands and variations; my poor motherbear must get very annoyed at how many lotions and potions of mine adorn her bathroom shelves! I have recently rekindled my love for a very well known product - Soap & Glory's Righteous Butter.  I was recently sent the travel size in a giveaway win from the lovely Natalie over at youralmostalice (thankyou so so much I owe my re-discovery of this product to you!), and remembered how much I adore the scent of it (so much so it's sat in my handbag for a multipurpose little cream and for daily sniffing purposes - wow that makes me sound like an addict!). If you have never tried Soap & Glory then this would be the first thing I'd recommend to you - it's fabulous for all year round (I used to buy the travel size for taking away on holiday with me as it's really soothing).. but I usually use it after I shower to lock in moisture and to keep my skin smooth and soft in the winter.With 'softening shea butter and aloe vera' it's deliciously creamy and sinks in amazingly quickly to say it's a rather thick in consistency. It leaves your skin feeling smooth all day and I can still smell the scent hours later.

'Relax and take in the wonderful aroma's of leafy greens, bergamot and mandarin, with a floral and fruity middle note that makes your nose tingle a little, followed by soft, sexy, musk, oakmoss, amber and woody notes'.

I'm still yet to find a body butter than keeps my skin moisturised for as long as this one. It's not greasy, sinks in like a dream and is easy to massage - it's really rich and creamy and smells good enough to eat. I really recommend this for dry skin - it's instant nourishment in a tub.  I'm so chuffed to bits Natalie sent me the travel size - I've certainly rediscovered the love for The Righteous Butter - it really is pampering heaven!

What's your favourite Soap&Glory product right now?
♥

November Favourites

Before I dive into this month's favourites, I just want to apologise for my slight lag in usual blogging habits. I've had a tonne of uni work on my shoulders and as a result I had completely and utterly lost my blogging mojo. Fear not though my pretties, the blogging mojo is BACK. I found it. And I've very much missed it. What better way to kick off a month of normal blogging than with my monthly favourites?

Yves Saint Laurent | Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation | £28 - I recently posted a full review of this product here - I've been using it non-stop since I caved in and bought it, and I really do love it to pieces. It's not the most long-lasting foundation on the planet but the finish is just incredible and it blurs every single imperfection making your skin appear perfectly smooth. It's very creamy and luxurious in texture and glides on like a dream.

Soap & Glory | For Daily Youth 6 in 1 Superboost Moisture Lotion | £12.00 - Oof, what a mouthful! I've had this moisturiser for a while and use it when my skin is in particular need of a good bit of moisture. I've had dry patches around my cheeks just recently, and this has cleared it up with ease. My skin gets slightly oily around my t-zone, so I don't like to use heavy moisturisers - this one is just the perfect in-between and just the right amount for me. It use it in the morning before applying my primer, and again at night so it can sink in overnight. It claims to help to renew the skin and boost collagen, and with regular use I often notice my skin appears smoother and brighter.

Maybelline Volume Express Lift-Up Mascara | £6.19 - I have an addiction to Maybelline mascaras. Ever since I tried their 'Falsies' mascara, i've never looked back and I just find their mascaras work for me. I have long lashes, but very straight ones that mean I have to curl them every morning to get any kind of volume. I still have to curl my eyelashes when I use this, but it keeps them in place really well, and gives an amazing bit of volume. I usually prefer my mascaras once they've dried out slightly, but this one was perfect from day one and the wand has just the right amount of curve to it. A new favourite - I hope they bring out a waterproof version.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer | £20 - Ever since I discovered Estee Lauder's concealers, I haven't touched my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection (a very much loved concealer amongst the blogger community!) They last longer on the skin, they don't cake when reapplied and they last for ages in the tube. I did a review earlier this year on their 'Smoothing Creme Concealer' here, but I find the Double Wear slightly better for my winter skin. Honestly, if you want a really good concealer for both blemishes and under-eyes, look no further.

Mac Lipstick in 'Creme Cup' | £14 - A firm favourite in my lipstick collection. I use it through summer and winter for an everyday nude/pink lip. It's a cremesheen formula, which has to be my favourite formula from Mac - slightly more moisturising and adds a lovely finish to the lips.

Revlop Lip Butter in 'Creme Brulee' | £7.99 - I love the Revlon Lip Butters - especially now winter has crept around the corner and my lips are feeling a little bit deprived of moisture! This is my second tube of 'Creme Brulee' now - it's just the perfect addition to my make-up bag and I wear it every day without fail. I apply it like a lip-balm every couple of hours or so, and it just adds a really subtle wash of nude to the lips which is really flattering and effortless. The lip butter formula means it looks slightly glossy when applied, and it masks any imperfections.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Lip Liner in 'Spice' | £16 - I've been using this lip pencil a lot just recently, it's a slightly reddish-nude shade that manages to blend well with most lipsticks. It lasts for ages, and because it's only slightly darker than my natural lip colour it looks really natural and adds a lot of volume to the lips without looking false.

♥