Mini Body Shop Haul Review

Hey Guys & Dolls 

So a few weeks ago i nipped in to my local Body Shop for some "essentials". I say essentials - i didn't actually need anything, but i struggle to walk past without going in, it just smells toooo good!

These are the products from my "mini haul"

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion: 

I bought this on a bit of a whim to be honest as i keep reading about how fabby tea tree oil is, but i'm so glad i did! As i've mentioned before, my skin is really temperamental; i think its a combination of stress, air-conditioning and falling in to bed with make-up on after a night out (i know, SLAP MY WRISTS!) so therefore i pay the price of naughty-behaving-skin. Boo.

I use this every night after my normal routine before i go to bed. It isn't at all greasy and absorbs SO quickly, it's like it wasn't even there in the first place. Speedy Gonzala's style! It must be working, as i've noticed my skin is a lot clearer than usual, more so on my forehead and chin, where i tend to get the naughty little spots. 

I'm about half way through this little bottle, but i can imagine that when it ruins out i will be re-purchasing it. Why mess with something when its obviously working? I think the saying is "Don't rock the boat"? 

This retails at £3 per 15mls, with i think its a little bargin! Especially as it lasts so long. So i would thoroughly recommend this for anybody with naughty-skin like mine!

Camomile Gentle Eye Make Up Remover

I'm going to be honest - i'm a bit sat on the fence with this product. Hmmm. It certainly is gentle, TOO gentle as i find it doesn't actually remove my mascara. Which kind of defeats the object!

Of course it is gentle as in, it doesn't sting my eyes or leave them looking like i've been crying all week. But it also doesn't actually shift any eye makeup, which is quite disappointing. I spoke to the girl in store and said how much trouble i have removing my Benefit "They're Real" mascara and she reassured me that this product would get it off no problems. I've tried soaking it on my lashes for a few minutes in the hope that it will sliiiide my mascara off, yet it takes off the smallest trace. 

So overall, i'm not very impressed with this, and won't be running back to buy more when this has all gone. I'll be sticking with my Mac remover. Of course, this is only my opinion and you may find it works wonders! This retails at £8 for 250mls.

Last but not least...

Vitamin C Skin Reviver

This product is simply a delight!! I was casually browsing the shelves, as you do in Body Shop and before i knew it, this little number was in my basket. Oops. It was the lovely bright bottle that first attracted me, and then the words VITAMIN C jumped out, and that was it, i was sold there and then.

It has the most beautiful scent - just like oranges, it reminds me of Summer. I don't normally like smelly things on my face, however this was just so fresh that i had to swatch it. And once i did then i knew i'd be purchasing it. The cream instantly soaks in to your skin and you can feel the magic working. It leaves your skin feeling like velvet, and gives you such a smooth finish. It also has light reflecting particles so can be used alone or with make-up. I've been using it as a primer and have found it holds my make-up in place all day. If my skin was clearer, then i would have no issues wearing it with no make up. I can thoroughly recommend this. And its also full to the prim of Vitamin C so its a goody all around! This retails for £14 - probably the best £14 i've spent lately!

As if the Body Shop wasn't tempting enough, its currently holding a 

"Buy 2 and Get 2 Free" for Mothers Day... another excuse to spend money in there, which is so easily done!! Just enter the code SPRING when your checking out, Easy!

Sai-Sei ; Space.NK

As i mentioned in my previous post, Space.NK where kind enough to send me some products. They didn't ask me to review them, but i've fallen in love with some of the products.. so i'm going to review them as if they were any other product i'd bought in store.

I received a selection of products from the Sai-Sei range. This is a Japanese range, meaning "rebirth and renewal". Seeing as i work in a fairly busy and somewhat stressful environment, the word Renewal instantly jumped out at me. This range claims to "cleanse, restore, and reinvigorate the mind, body and spirit". Again, due to the nature of my job i was SO keen for this!

(please excuse the quality of photos; its dark but i wanted to get this done whilst i had the time!)

So the products arrived in this rather large wooden box. As i didn't know it was coming, it was actually quite exciting trying to get in to the box to see what was awaiting for me!

Although as i was so excited, it took me a fair while to get this bad boy open, i seemed to be all fingers and thumbs!

Once i had cracked it open, these little beauties awaited me

I absolutely LOVE anything that's all hidden in tissue paper, i'm literally like a child at christmas.. it just adds to the excitment! In this box i received the Mineral Refresh Bath & Shower Gel (on the left) the Mineral Deep Moisture Body Cream (top right) and the Mineral Loofah Body Polish Soap (bottom right). 

I haven't yet used the Body Polish Loofah, so that will have to be reviewed at a later date.

The Bath & Shower Gel - absolute heaven. I haven't yet used it in the shower as i'm using the last of my Lush Snow Fairy (sad face) but i have used it as a bubble bath and its delightful. It smells beautiful and is full of lovelyness for your body; minerals such as Potassium, Softening ingredients including Orange and Blueberry, and Smoothing ingredients Maple and Sugar Cane. Yum Yum. 

It left a beautiful smell on my skin, it felt ever so soft and smooth and the bubbles were lovely and fluffy. It is quite pricey, retailing at £22 for 200mls, and if it wasn't a gift then i don't know whether i would of purchased it, as i am a poor student. However, if you DO splash out - then you won't be disappointed.

The Moisture Body Cream - oh HELLO luxury!!! Literally, heaven on your skin. From a little green tub of softness. Anyway - yes, it looks like a cream, but don't be deceived - oh no - its actually more like a gel. You only need the smallest bit and it goes a long long way, as i discovered when i practically drowned myself in it last week. Ooops. So yes, the cream thats actually a gel.. it is just like the bubble bath, it leaves a divine smell on the skin and soaks in instantly. It also contains minerals, and other yummyness such as Green Tea, Rice Bran and Olive Oil Extract.
Again, this is fairly pricey at £32 for 200mls, but i can honestly say i would re-purchase this when it runs out. I just cannot compare it to any other moisturising body product.

I cant comment on the body loofah as i haven't used it, yet i'm sure its as fabulous as these little beauts.

So a massive thank you for Space.NK for sending me such lovely items.. i will without a second thought be re-purchasing the body cream, as i know my body will thank me for it!

These obviously sell in Space.NK and i'm not sure whether you can get them from any other retailer.. however if you want to purchase them then just click HERE

Fave Blogs

Hey Guys & Dolls 

So i haven't been beauty blogging (or attempting too!) for long, but there are a few lovely ladies that i have to thank for inspiring me - and rinsing my poor poor bank balance!

The majority of you have probably been faithful followers of these blogs for a wee while, but if you've been hiding under a rock and have missed them, then these are the beauty blogs that i spend far too much time reading!

British Beauty Blogger

This is the first ever beauty blog that i somehow stumbled across, and i have't looked back since. I am now obsessed, and its thanks to this lovely lady! For daily updates on all the new beauty/skincare/fragrance, this surely is the go-to. Every time i peruse this website, i end up having more to add to my Wish List - which isn't necessarily a good thing, Eek... i think its time my Debit Card ran away if it hasn't already!

Couture Girl

Ah the lovely Kayleigh! Kayleigh mixes beauty reviews with fantastic photos, and i'm hooked on her OOTD posts - i've discovered clothing brands/websites that i've never heard of before. Kayleigh is honest and open in her reviews, and reviews everything from body scrubs to lipsticks (lots of lipsticks!) Its no wonder she has a huge following on GFC. 

Em Talks

Em is currently celebrating a whole year of blogging - and what a year it has been for her! Aside from winning a Cosmopolitan Blog Award 2012, Em has just returned from reporting on the BAFTA's for Charles Worthington *oooooh!* So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Em is one of the most successful bloggers out there, yet is also one of the most down to earth & lovelieststs (that is a word. Now.) girls. 

Sprinkle of Glitter 

Oh dear good God. Louise - the creator - is absolutely hilarious. Whether she means to be or not, i don't really care! All i do care about, is that i LOVE watching her videos on Youtube. Not only are they super honest, but they are also super funny. There's more than beauty over here, there's also a sprinkling (get what i've done there?!) of lifestyle and baby posts. Louise is the kind of girl i could be friends with, and i can't get enough of her blog. 

Sophia Meola 

What a fabby blog - always full of beauuuutiful product reviews. My inner-bank-manager dies a little inside when i view this blog, as it knows i'm going to be adding yet MORE products to my wish list! I love the haul posts that Sophia does, and her reviews are always honest. I also love following her on Instagram - simply because i'm such a nosey parker!!

So, these are the blogs that i cannot help but view, and my list of favourites is getting longer by the day!

I love what a lovely little community the beauty blogging world is, and how supportive every one is. 

Basically, i have a girl crush on the above Bloggers!!!!

So if you haven't already - go check them out! The links are in their names :) 

Over & Out 

Space.NK Customer Service

Hey Guys & Dolls

I've been away working some crazy hours (as in, 3 night shifts in a row, ergh!) and i've also had a huuuge pile of studying to contend with in between working, eating and catching up on sleep. Oh how its lucky i love my job.

So after my little moan/rant on twitter about the poor service i received in Space.NK, they got in touch with me and we had a good old chin-wag about it all. First of all, the customer service team are actually lovely - the nicest i have come in to contact with in a long time. They were quick to respond, very polite and totally apologetic. I was really touched by just how attentive they were. So - BIG round of applause to them!

As i said, we had a discussion about my experience and everything was resolved. Its nice to be told that all comments are passed up the food-chain (i can't think of a better word? You know what i mean!) and i was even given the names of the Big Bosses for my area. 

Literally the day after we had spoken, a parcel turned up at my front door. Now, this doesn't happen often so i was VERY curious and thought maybe i had a secret admirer ;) But alas - i do not. *awww*

HOWEVER - it was a large box which contained a few goodies from Space.NK. Now, i was TOTALLY excited about this, especially as it was unexpected. The box contained some skin care goodies which i'm DEF going to review as they are beautiful. As i said, this was totally out of the blue, and goes to show just how much Space.NK value their customers. They really didn't have to do that, but it was such a lovely gesture.

So all in all, my experience with Space.NK as a company has been fantastic - the Customer Service Team are genuinely lovely, helpful people. 

Have you ever had experiences with Customer Services that has really surprised you - for better or worse?

Space.NK

Hey guuurls!! Hope you all had a lovely weekend and HAPPY MID-WEEK!!

Unfortunately i have been working the past 10000 days (it feels like that anyway) And my first day off was yesterday. Que - Shopping time!

It's a close friend's 21st this week so i met another Med student girlfriend of mine and we had a spot of lunch in town, and went browsing for a present. We ended up in Pandora - surprise surprise! We planned to buy a penguin charm, but Pandora have discontinued them which is a shame as they were so cute! So instead we bought her a "dangly" 21 charm. 

I should of stopped the spending there and then, however i knew Space.NK was around the corner.. big mistake! Firstly, after the terrible service i had in there last time, i shouldn't of gone back. However, they are the only retailer in this area that sells Nars and i HAD to purchase something. So, back i went. I should of learnt my lesson. Again, the service i received was just as terrible as last time *sigh*. I went hunting for Albatross - i HAD to get my hands on it - i read about it everywhere and its just so beautiful. I asked the assistant (a different one to last time) if they had any and she answered with "i dont know." So i requested (politely!) that she have a look for me. She huffed and puffed, rolled her eyes...... and then walked the 5 paces to the cupboard. Honestly, anyone would think i asked her to climb a mountain! When she returned with the albatross, she literally threw it down at the till point! I also purchased a Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil (Frivolous) and asked about their foundations. She told me they were fantastic, but before i asked - no they don't do samples. As a matter of fact, i wasn't even going to ask about samples - i was simply going to ask which foundation she would recommend for a dewy finish! However, i decided i couldn't be bothered to argue so purchased just my Highligher and Lip Pencil.

Again, this left me in such a foul mood. I know - i had a bad experience first time around, but like i said before, nowhere else in this area sells NARS and i was simply desperate to get my hands on Albatross!

Half of me is tempted to email the customer service department at Space.NK and inform them about my bad experiences, but the other half of me says don't rock the boat. I don't think its fair that these shop assistants treat their customers the way they do in there - so much for customer satisfaction! Its people like them, that give other shop assistance's a bad name, which isn't on! 

On a brighter note, i now have my laptop back and working (YAY!) so i can do a full review on my beauuutiful new Albatross and Lip Pencil. 

Has anyone else had a terrible shopping experience? How did you manage the situation? 

My Identity

So i know that most Bloggers will happily tell you their names and post pictures of themselves. However, i'm different. 

I received a message asking why i'm "hiding" behind a "false identity". Instead of replying to the message i thought i'd post on here, so nobody would have to ask me again and it might answer some of your questions!

There is nothing "false" about me, aside from my Username. I'm not "hiding" behind the username, i just don't feel comfortable publishing my real name and any photos of myself. I study a form of medicine, i am regulated by a Professional Body and there are strict rules about Social Media. I don't think i would be able to reveal my "true identity" as i would be worried about any backlash. Not for what i post - everything i post is my own opinion, but i don't want to rock the boat with my Professional Body. I have heard numerous stories of other medical/nursing students having complaints filed against them for being Unprofessional.

Again, i won't be posting anything regarding my job, my status in the medical profession, or thoughts/views on my job. 

I just don't want to risk it. Unfortunantly there are people out there that will go out of their way to try and cause you problems, and as much as i love beauty and products, i love my job more and have worked hard to get to where i am today.

So if you think i'm "hiding" by not posting my true name or photographs, then that's your own opinion, which you are entitled to have. But at least now i have told everybody why i am using an anonymous username, and i believe my reasons are valid. 

Obviously i would love to be able to use my real name, and if i happen to make friends via beauty blogging, then of course i would tell you my real name!! However currently as things stand, i'm more than happy to "hide" behind a username.

I hope this has cleared a few things up - if anybody has any questions then please feel free to ask. Just please don't accuse me of being fake and hiding, because i'm not!

Have a great weekend girlies xx