July Beauty & Lifestyle Favourites

It's time for my July favourites and this month, I've included an extra lifestyle/gym product for good measure. Here's what I've been loving lately!

Activbod Turn Up The Heat Roller Gel* (50ml, £12, link)

I usually like to stick to all beauty products in my monthly favourites, but I've been so impressed with this product from Activbod that I just had to include it. I discovered it in a Fitty London box that I recently reviewed for All Subscription Boxes, and it's awesome! It's basically a roller ball gel that you apply to any aches and sprains after intense workouts and it contains ingredients such as Arnica, Rosemary, and Ginger to warm and soothe aching muscles. I do a lot of Pilates and Yoga so this really helps if I've overstretched something! 

KiteNest Organic Dry Shampoo* (150g, £10, link)

I use a lot of dry shampoo in the warmer Summer months to freshen up my hair in between washes and to keep excess oil at bay, and this new one from British brand KiteNest is one of the best that I've tried in a long while. It's 100% natural, cruelty-free and organic, and it's also talc-free which is really interesting to see in a dry shampoo. Instead, it uses a blend of clays and natural powders to soak up any grease and dirt, and there are also some essential oils in the formula which makes my hair smell lovely and fresh. There are two types available; one for Light Hair tones and one for Dark (I've got the latter) and it really works a treat without leaving a white or ashy/grey cast. Definitely a brand to look into as they have some great eco-friendly ethics.

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Liquid Blush in Angel (15ml, £16.50, link)

A few weeks ago, I decided to 'shop my makeup stash' and in the process, I rediscovered a lot of favourite products that I'd been neglecting. One of them was this beautiful Watercolour Liquid Blush from Daniel Sandler. I've got a couple of these in various shades, but my favourite is definitely Angel, which is so pretty and suits practically all skin tones. It has a hint of shimmer in it so it's perfect for a little Summer glow on the cheeks.

Spectrum Collections Small Fan Brush A10* (£4.99, link)

From this month's Glossybox, I've been loving this super cute Fan Brush from Spectrum. Not only do I love the colours, but the synthetic bristles are wonderfully silky soft on the skin and it applies powder highlighter exactly where you want it, plus you can use it to apply setting powder underneath the eyes without it upsetting your concealer. I need to pick up some more of these Spectrum brushes ASAP!

Urban Veda Soothing Body Wash* (200ml, £8.99, link)

The scent of this body wash is just heavenly. It's packed full of natural essential oils such as Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang, and the SLS-free formula is really moisturising too. Fantastic for dry skin that needs a soothing pamper in the shower. Lovely stuff indeed.

Oribe Dry Texturising Spray (75ml, £20, link)

Yes, it's ridiculously overpriced (luckily I snagged this in an awesome GWP!), but I've still been unable to find anything that works equally as well for my flat-as-a-pancake fine hair, as this bad boy does. I use it very sparingly and thankfully I don't need much to guarantee a good hair day every time I use it.  If you haven't tried it yet, you need to. Just take my money Oribe!

What are your beauty favourites this month?

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July Empties: Products I've Used Up

Can you believe that another month is coming to an end?! You know what that means - it's time to rummage through my rubbish and see what beauty products I've managed to use up this month. Here are my July Empties!

Bee Good Honey & Wild Flax Daily Moisturiser

My skin can be quite fussy with moisturisers in the Summer months, but this one is a winner for oily/combo types! It's perfect for balancing the oiler areas, whilst keeping the drier parts hydrated and there's Honey and Propolis in the formula which have great antibacterial properties for keeping blemishes at bay. I've gone through a couple of tubes of this over the past few years! Repurchase? I have some other moisturisers to finish up first, but will definitely pick this up again in the near future.

STARSKIN Walk of Fame Foot Mask Socks*

Loved these, have used them in the past and they are one of the best products of this kind out there. They really do help to sort out any dry bits and they'll leave your feet feeling wonderfully soft for days afterwards. Repurchase? They're pricey, so I'll be keeping an eye out for an offer or discount code first!

NUXE Splendieuse Anti-Dark Spot Perfecting Mask*

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my rather unflattering selfie wearing this last night in my Instagram Stories and it was the last one in my pack. I really like these ones for brightening up a dull complexion as they have Vitamin C in them so they're great before a special occasion or a night out. Repurchase? I have a bunch of sheet masks to use up from various brands before I can justify buying anymore, but once I've got a handle on my stash I will be treating myself to some more of these!

Masque Bar Eye Treat Dark Circle Reducer Minimizing Patches*  

If you have dark circles and need help brightening them up, these eye masks from Masque Bar are fantastic. They're not a miracle worker but they do give me a noticeable difference whenever I use them and are perfect to use the next morning after a late night or before a special occasion. Repurchase? Like the sheet masks, I have a couple of eye masks to get through, but I'd definitely pick these up again.

Vita Liberata Self Tanning Night Moisture Mask

This travel size sample was from a recent GWP and although I've gone through a full size tube of this mask before, I'm still undecided about this product - how weird is that?! Sometimes I put it on and love it, other times I just think it's a bit 'meh' as the colour is very subtle. Repurchase? No, I think I'm just going to stick with the James Reed Sleep Mask Tan for the time being.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I've lost count of how many tubes of this cleanser I've gone through over the years and I always, always have one or two in my skincare stash. It gets rid of every single trace of makeup so effortlessly (including waterproof mascara), and I really like using it as a first cleanse in the evenings to remove everything else like daily grime and sunscreen. Repurchase? Already have!

Caudalie Premier Cru The Elixir

Another sample freebie from a GWP, I actually have the full size bottle of this which I'm about halfway through, but I used this up first as it was in my travel bag. It's a beautiful half oil/half serum type of formula and is amazing for keeping the skin hydrated. Feels like such a treat whenever I use it! Repurchase? Will do after I've used up the full-size.

Urban Veda Purifying Hydrating Toner

This is a lovely summer skincare product for my oily/combo skin. It contains Ayurvedic Neem, Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil to rebalance and detoxify congested skin, but there's also Rose Water in the formula to put some essential moisture back in so you get the best of both worlds. If you have blemishes or breakout prone skin, you need to try this! Repurchase? Will do after I've used up some other toners first.

Hairy Jayne Pre Shampoo Treatment Oil*

If my scalp feels dry or itchy, I'll use something like this to re-balance and rehydrate it. This one from Hairy Jayne has an Olive and Argan Oil base, plus several key essential oils like Clary Sage and Lavender to make my scalp feel happy again. You only need to use a few drops per treatment, so this bottle has lasted me a long time! Repurchase? Yes.

Hairy Jayne Citrus Hair Perfume with Heat Protection

Another product that I love from Hairy Jayne are their all-natural hair perfumes as they also double up as a heat protector for blow-drying and straightening. I've tried all of their scents, but this Citrus one is my favourite and I think this is my second or third bottle that I've gone through. Again, a little goes a long way so they're great value for money and last ages. Repurchase? Yes. 

Origins Maskimiser 

Despite initially liking the concept behind this product (it's designed to be a hydrating spritz that you use before applying any face mask to 'maximise' its benefits), I didn't notice any differences from using it. It just feels like a regular hydrating toner which is nice, but it doesn't seem to enhance or 'maximise' anything in the short or long term. Repurchase? Nope!

Weleda Arnica Sports Shower Gel

Although I absolutely love Weleda's Creamy Body Washes, this shower gel is something that I like to go back to during the summer months because it's so lovely and refreshing to use. Great for using after a workout or just if it's been particularly hot and sticky that day. Repurchase? Yes. 

Aveda Stress Fix Composition Oil

You guys all know how much I adore the Composition Oils from Aveda and their Stress Fix scent is one of my all-time favourite fragrances from a luxury pampering brand. Whenever I use this, I always feel instantly more relaxed and you can use these oils in the bath, all over the body and as a scalp and hair treatment too. It's a multitasking superstar! Repurchase? Definitely.

What beauty products have you used up this month?

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Foodie Friday: Beetroot & Quinoa Burgers (Vegetarian/Gluten-Free recipe)

Bored of traditional Veggie Burgers? Can't stomach another Portobello Mushroom in a bun? Try these tasty Beetroot & Quinoa Burgers instead! 

The humble Beetroot seems to be making something a comeback in its pure, raw and unpickled form. I've seen countless Instagram snaps of beautiful salads featuring a smattering of freshly shredded raw beetroot, and I've seen even more people using it as a key ingredient in many Summer meal recipes. I like raw beetroot, but I love it more when it's lightly cooked as it takes the edge off the sometimes overwhelming and distinctive earthy flavour that this vegetable has.

I recently tried out a couple of Beetroot burgers from the supermarket (they've been popping up everywhere in the chilled vegetarian sections) and whilst some brands have been better than others, I've been a bit disappointed with them flavour wise. So I decided to try and make my own!

This took a little trial and error with a couple of recipes, but I finally found one that I absolutely loved and I just had to share it on here. It's from the cookbook, Cook Yourself Young: Harnessing The Power of Food by Elizabeth Peyton-Jones, and these burgers are oh-so good when you fancy something different. The extra Quinoa in the mixture makes them really substantial and filling, and you can enjoy these in traditional seeded Burger Buns with some Sweet Potato Fries on the side, or have them as the star attraction of a large mixed Salad for a lighter lunch option.

Ingredients (makes 4 burgers):-

• 2 medium sized uncooked, raw Beetroots
• 1 large Carrot
• 110g Quinoa
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 2 free-range, organic Eggs, lightly beaten
• 100g Buckwheat Flour
• 1/2 tsp Fennel Seeds
• 1tsp Coconut Oil
• 4 Burger Buns (to serve)
• Mixed Salad & your favourite Sauces (to serve)

Method:-

1. Cook the Quinoa according to your packet instructions, drain and allow to cool.
2. Peel the Beetroots and Carrot, and then grate them into a large bowl.
3. Add to the bowl the Quinoa, Onion, Eggs, Buckwheat Flour and Fennel Seeds, and mix everything together well.
4. Place a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the Coconut Oil.
5. Using your hands, shape four burger patties from your bowl mixture (they should feel a bit sticky and hold together well).
6. Place the burger patties in the frying pan and lightly fry for a couple of minutes on each side until they're hot throughout and crispy on the outside, making sure to turn them over halfway through.
7. Add to Burger Buns with your favourite sauces or serve with a large Mixed Salad - enjoy!

Do you like Beetroot?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treat: Westlab Detoxing Salt Body Scrub & Bath Soak review

For this week's pamper treat, I'm shining the spotlight on a seriously underrated product from an equally underrated brand. Meet my current favourite 2-in-1 bathroom treat from Westlab.

If you've ever been waiting in a queue in a chemist, you may have spotted some huge white bags of Magnesium Flakes and Epsom Salts on the shelves from a brand called Westlab (which are amazing by the way!). You may have thought that they didn't sell anything other than these skin-softening minerals because I've never seen any other Westlab products on sale anywhere, but this British brand have been strangely hiding an amazing secret product; their Detoxing Salt Body Scrub and Bath Soak.

The minute that I cracked open the tub, I knew I was going to get along with this product. To start with, there's a lovely subtle scent of Mint and Lemongrass - it's not too strong or overpowering, but there's enough of it to make me feel happy and uplifted. 

Secondly, I could see a really good amount of oils (Rice Bran Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Apricot Oil) in this mixture of naturally Pink Himalayan Salt. All too often, salt based scrubs can be way too harsh on the skin because some brands skimp on the oil content to keep costs down, but Westlab have got this salt-to-oil ratio perfect. The formula consistency is also bang on, as you can easily scoop out the right amount of scrub to use without it going everywhere.

Best of all though, as the name suggests this is a 2-in-1 product as you can use it as a Body Scrub and as a Bath Soak. I love using this all over my body as an effective way to exfoliate dull, dead skin cells and it's great to use as pre-fake tan prep as it makes your skin feel so wonderfully smooth and moisturised. It's also fantastic as a Bath Soak; all you need to do is throw a handful into a bath and let the salts work their detoxing magic. I always feel so much more relaxed and de-stressed after having a bath with these, and the oils make your skin feel so soft afterwards. 

It's the perfect product to use for a multi-purpose pamper at home and one that's an affordable price point as well!

Westlab Detoxing Salt Body Scrub & Bath Soak* (500g, £14.99) is available from HelloSkinshop.co.uk

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Beauty News: DHC Bestsellers now available at Harvey Nichols!

Harvey Nichols' Beauty Stores have turned into a must-visit destination for many beauty fans, and now you can pick up some of DHC's best sellers during your next shopping trip.

DHC, one of Japan's most cult skincare brands that is loved worldwide, has launched an exclusive edit of some their best selling products into eight Harvey Nichols Beauty Stores this month. Here's what you can pick up:-

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil* (70ml, £12.50)

I've used this cleansing oil on and off for years now and it's something that I always have in my skincare stash. It's one of the best cleansing oils that I've used to remove makeup with, as it literally dissolves and melts away all traces, including stubborn waterproof mascara formulas. I love using this as a first cleanse in the evening to completely get rid of any dirt, grime and of course makeup, and as the oil transforms into a milky cleanser when you add water to it, you can get a really good massaging action going on. Afterwards, my skin always feels thoroughly clean and silky soft, so I can't recommend it enough. Apparently, one is sold every 10 seconds somewhere in the world and I can see why!

DHC Lip Cream* (1.5g, £8.75)

Although it's called a lip 'cream', this product is actually an intensely moisturising twist-up lip balm, and it's a fantastic lip balm, to say the least. Enriched with nourishing ingredients such as Aloe, Vitamin E, Lanolin, Beeswax, Olive Oil and Squalene, this lip balm is perfect to use underneath your matte lipsticks and is ideal to swipe on before going to bed so that you can wake up to soft, moisturised lips every morning.

DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs* (pack of 50, £6.75)

For the ultimate beauty quick fix, these clever little cotton swabs are soaked in 100% Olive Oil and you can use them to clean up and fix any eye makeup mistakes, so you can quickly say goodbye to wonky eyeliner and mascara smudges! The swabs are individually wrapped which means you can pop a few into your handbag, desk drawer at work, flight carry on bag etc, to also use as a cuticle and nail softener whenever you want to.

DHC Oil Blotting Paper* (pack of 100 sheets, £4.50)

Having an oily t-zone means that I always carry a pack of blotting sheets in my handbag, and these ones from DHC are made from natural hemp fibre to fully absorb any excess oil and they will mattify your complexion within seconds. The packaging is super pretty too!

This edit of DHC products are now available at eight Harvey Nichols Beyond Beauty stores, as well as online at harveynichols.com

Have you tried any of these from DHC?

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Foodie Friday: Shake That Weight - Taste Test & 2 Week Trial review

Trying to lose some weight for the Summer can be the first step towards achieving your personal health and fitness goals, but what if you need a helping hand to start you on your way? This is where Shake That Weight comes in.

Dieting is hard. Whether you want to lose a couple of pounds or twenty, it takes effort and determination. I've struggled with diets in the past and have now adopted a more long term 'lifestyle change', but I know that for many people it can take some time to change bad habits and get into a new, healthier routine and mindset.

When Shake That Weight contacted me about doing a two week trial of their products, I wasn't sure whether to accept as I don't believe these kinds of very low-calorie diets are useful for long term weight loss i.e keeping the weight off after you've lost it. However, after I'd looked into their diet plans on their website, I found one called 'Woman With Meal' which seemed much more do-able for me so I thought I'd try it for a fortnight as I was curious to see what their meal replacement products tasted like.

On the Woman With Meal plan, you consume 800 calories per day which includes three meal replacement products for Breakfast, Lunch and a Snack, and then you make your own healthy self-prepared meal for Dinner that's no more than 400 calories. You can also enjoy a Shake That Weight snack, and all of their products are high protein, low carb and low calorie. As always, I chose vegetarian-friendly products for this trial and taste test. Here's how I got on! 

Breakfast - Shakes

 Shake That Weight Chocolate Heaven Shake  (135 calories / 12.5g protein)

I'm never very hungry in the mornings and often skip breakfast (a big no-no I know!), so having a shake was ideal for me and this was by far the easiest part of the diet plan to stick to. The shakes come packaged individually in sachets and you just mix them with water - super easy.

The Chocolate Heaven flavour was my favourite out of all the shakes that I tried. It had a surprisingly rich and sweet chocolatey taste which was delicious. If you're a chocoholic, you'll love it! The high protein content kept me full until lunchtime and I found that I didn't need that mid-morning snack anymore.

 Shake That Weight Hazelnut Crush Shake (130 calories / 12.5g protein)

Hazelnut Crush was really good too. It blended well into a creamy shake and the hazelnut flavour was quite strong which I liked. Like the chocolate one above, I found this very sweet and satisfying.

 Shake That Weight Lively Latte Shake (131 calories / 12.5g protein)

Coffee fans will love the Lively Latte shake and this was great as a pick me up when I had a busy morning ahead of me or if I was running late. It had a delicious latte flavour, but I could taste that added protein in this one.

Shake That Weight Gorgeous Gingerbread Shake (140 calories / 13.3g protein)

This Gorgeous Gingerbread shake has a few more calories than the ones above, but it also packs in more protein. Unfortunately, this flavour was much too sweet for my liking and I could only manage one of these during the two-week trial.

Snacks - Protein Bars

 Shake That Weight Dreamy Dark Chocolate Bar (130 calories / 8.5g protein)

For an afternoon snack, I had sometimes had one of these high-protein bars which also serve as a meal replacement product if you don't fancy shakes or want to mix things up a bit. The Dreamy Dark Chocolate Bar really soothed my chocolate craving and stopped me from reaching for a proper chocolate bar which definitely helped me to shift some pounds! This one was very chocolatey, rich in flavour and chewy, but not too dry.

 Shake That Weight Maple & Almond Bliss Bar (135 calories / 8.5g protein)

For a change from pure chocolate, I tried the Maple & Almond Bliss Bar which has a sweet, soft, slightly chewy and nutty centre, covered in a light layer of milk chocolate. This was very satisfying and helped with those sugar cravings!

 Shake That Weight Honey Nougat Harmony Bar (130 calories / 10.2 g protein)

You can really taste the extra added protein in this Honey Nougat Harmony Bar and sadly it makes the bar very dry, densely chewy and not very palatable. Wasn't a fan of this one I'm afraid. 

Shake That Weight Milk Choc Joy Bar (130 calories / 8.5g protein)

Milk Choc Joy indeed! This was so good and like the other dark chocolate bar, it really hit that chocolate craving sweet spot nicely. It is chewy and you can taste the whey protein, but it's also very chocolatey which helps to balance out the overall flavour. Yum!

Lunch - Soups

 Shake That Weight Vegetable Medley Soup (136 calories / 10.7g protein)

For lunch, I tried a mixture of soups, noodles and rice meals. I'm a big fan of soup and regularly make my own from scratch when I have time (I like to batch cook and freeze them in portions for later), but I didn't like these ones at all. They come in powdered sachets like the shakes, where you add water and then heat them up in the microwave. This Vegetable Medley Soup was just awful flavour-wise, with the dominant taste being onion and little else.  

Shake That Weight Tasty Tomato & Basil Soup (132 calories / 12.5g protein)

The Tomato & Basil Soup didn't fare any better either, with the tomato flavour being particularly weak with a slightly bitter undertone to it and the texture was much more on the thin side which I wasn't a fan of.

Lunch - Noodles & Rice Meals

 Chicken Tikka Massala Rice Meal (167 calories / 12.5g protein)

I've been a vegetarian for many years now, but it never surprises me how many 'chicken' flavoured products are actually vegetarian-friendly! Pretty much all of the 'meat' flavoured meals from Shake That Weight are suitable for vegetarians so it was interesting to try some of them out. 

The first one that I tried was the Chicken Tikka Massala Rice Meal which has a mixture of soy based protein, white rice and a curry-meets-tomato based sauce. It comes as a powder mixture that you stir into water and then microwave. It wasn't too bad, but it wasn't great either. The overall flavour was just too weak in my opinion and some of the rice was quite hard and bitty in places.

 Shake That Weight Simply Chicken & Veg Flavoured Noodles (169 calories / 13.8g protein)

This meal consisted of low carb 'diet' noodles made from durum wheat and egg, and soy and pea based protein in a chicken soup style broth. Again, it wasn't awful, but it wasn't fantastic either - it just had a very mild flavour that bordered on being bland.

 Shake That Weight Cheeky Chicken Curry Flavoured Noodles (171 calories / 14g protein)

The Chicken Curry Noodles, on the other hand, were much, much, much better! They had a strong typical 'curry' flavour and tasted similar to what you'd expect from a Pot Noodle, but without all the calories and fat. Very filling with soy protein and a good taste and texture all round. 

Shake That Weight Blazing Beef Chilli Noodles (166 calories / 14g protein)

The Blazing Beef Chilli Noodles were also really good and full of flavour and I used less water than stated to thicken up the sauce. They weren't as hot or spicy as the name suggests, but they have a little kick to them which makes you feel like you're eating a much more comforting meal. Texture and flavour was on point with these!

Did I Lose Any Weight and My Overall Thoughts?

At the end of the two week trial, I hopped onto the scales and it showed that I had lost 3 pounds. I could only stick to about 60% of the diet plan and I did end up eating over my calorie limit for some of the days, so I wasn't really expecting to see much of a weight loss difference. 

The breakfast shakes and swapping my regular chocolate bar treat for one of the protein bars instead, was definitely the easiest part of the diet for me. The hardest part were the lunches as I hated the soups and only really liked two of the noodle meals that I tried, so I found myself making my own lunches on at least half of the days. Sticking to a 400 calorie self-prepared meal for dinner was also incredibly hard (you really don't realise how few calories that is until you try to make a meal out of them!) and most of my evening meals ended up being around 500-600 calories instead.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't think that very low-calorie diets are sustainable in the long term, but they may help some people to kick start a diet, especially if they struggle with portion sizes and don't have any time to cook proper meals at home. Weight loss is definitely a very personal journey and there are lots of different ways to achieve your goals, so if starting on a very low-calorie diet is appealing to you, check out Shake That Weight.

*All products for the two-week trial were provided by Shake That Weight. Opinions by own as always!

Have you tried a diet like this before?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - July 2017 review

This month's LoveLula Beauty Box arrived last week and it's another fantastic mix of brands and products, with haircare, skincare and makeup included in July's box.

Here's what's inside:-

John Masters Organics Scalp Spearmint & Meadowsweet Scalp Stimulating Shampoo (60ml travel size)

I was really pleased to see another John Masters Organics product because I've gotten on so well with their other products from the previous boxes. This one's their popular Scalp Stimulating Shampoo which uses six certified natural ingredients to help remove any build-up so that the scalp can be kept healthy and clear. It's like a deeply clarifying/purifying shampoo and is great to use at the end of a busy week if you've been using a lot of styling products. I love how fresh and zingy this feels!

Lyonsleaf Marshmallow Soften and Rejuvenate Facial Oil (full size, RRP £14.99)

This is Lyonsleaf's newest release and having used several of their products for the past couple of years, (they do some amazing moisturisers, cleansing balms and body butters), I was thrilled to see them now branching out into the world of face oils. Their Marshallow Soften and Rejuvenate Facial Oil is incredibly rich in antioxidants which help to protect against ageing and damaging free radicals, whilst a broad range of natural fatty acids keep skin happily hydrated. I've only been using this for about a week since the box arrived, but I'm loving it so far as it makes my skin feel wonderfully plumped up and super soft. 

Madara Smart Antioxidants Fine Line Minimising Day Cream (20ml travel size)     

Another new release comes from Madara, and this Day Cream is part of their latest Smart Antioxidants range. Unfortunately, it's not for my skin type as it's formulated for dry to very dry skin, but I will be passing this onto my mum as I think she will love it!

REN Satin Perfection BB Cream SPF 15 (3ml sample)

I've used this before a few times in the past, and it's a brilliant silicone-free BB Cream for the summer months. It uses some clever colour adaptive technology to adjust to most skin tones and it blends beautifully for a fresh and light level of coverage. This is something that I like to wear on holiday when I don't want a full face of makeup, though I do like apply a separate and higher SPF under it. 

PHB All In One Natural Mascara in Black (full size, RRP £15.95)

I think LoveLula may have heard our call for more makeup to be included in the beauty boxes because they've included a mascara this month! I've actually been wanting to try out this one from PHB for a while because it's got so many positive reviews and I have to admit, it may be one of the best natural mascaras that I've used so far. I've only used it twice, but so far, so good! I will be interested to see how it holds up in the heat when the sun comes out to play again.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treat: Urban Veda Soothing Body Ritual review

Happy Humpday! If you fancy treating yourself to some mid-week pampering, I'd highly recommend checking out Urban Veda's Soothing Body Ritual set. Get ready to relax and unwind....

Urban Veda have been on my radar for a while, but I've only tried out a few of their skincare products before, mainly from their Purifying range. I've actually nearly finished using their Purifying Hydrating Toner, so keep an eye out for my Empties post at the end of the month for a mini review on that one! 

As the name may suggest, Urban Veda are a natural skincare brand who utilise the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda in their formulas, and they use a variety of beneficial Ayurvedic herbs as key ingredients in their products. Ever since I read Sebastian Pole's book, A Pukka Life, I've been intrigued to find more ways to bring Ayurveda into my daily life, so Urban Veda instantly appealed to me and I was keen to try out more of their body care products.

In Ayurveda, you have a 'dosha' which is like a 'mind and body type' based on your physical, mental and emotional characteristics. The doshas are sorted into three main groups; Pitta, Vata and Kapha, and there are numerous online quizzes that you can take to find out which one you are - check out Urban Veda's quiz here. Each dosha is linked to certain skin types, so for example, you may be a Kapha if you're oily and prone to breakouts, or a Vata if you have dry skin. You can also be a combination of doshas and you can use them as a guideline to find Ayurvedic products that will work best for you.

I tend to fall in between the Pitta and the Kapha doshas, and as they are related to the elements, I find that Pitta products tend to be best for me during the Summer months as they are formulated to calm and soothe excess heat or 'fire' which is why the Urban Veda Soothing Body Ritual set was perfect for me to try out. Even if you're not interested in Ayurveda, this set is still a lovely soothing pampering treat for anyone who has sensitive or stressed out skin.

The Urban Veda Soothing Body Ritual set contains three full-sized products:-

Urban Veda Soothing Body Scrub (200ml)

This microbead-free Body Scrub uses tiny natural particles derived from crushed Walnut and Volcanic Pumice to gently but effectively, exfoliate away dull dead skin cells. This exfoliating formula is enriched with Orange, Lemon, Geranium, Arjuna, Palmarosa and Vitamin E to help stimulate circulation and hydrate the skin, and there's also Clary Sage, Sandalwood and Myrrh essential oils to help fight fatigue and stress with their uplifting natural properties and scent. This all results in a beautifully fragranced body scrub that is a real pleasure to use in the bath or the shower.

Urban Veda Soothing Body Wash (200ml)

The Soothing Body Wash is SLS-free so it's very gentle on sensitive skin and won't irritate or dry it out. Instead, it feels really moisturising and soothing thanks to a blend of natural ingredients which include Sandalwood, Aloe Vera, Glycerine, Vitamin E, Rosemary, Patchouli, Geranium, Palmarosa and Peppermint. Like the Body Scrub, this Body Wash has a blissfully relaxing and mood-enhancing scent which I just love. It's perfect to use first thing in the morning to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day, or as a night time shower product to help you to relax before going to bed.

Urban Veda Soothing Body Lotion (250ml)

To complete the set, there is a Soothing Body Lotion which is incredibly moisturising and ideal for tight, dry and sensitive skin. It shares a lot of the same natural ingredients as the other two products and uses the likes of Ayurvedic Arjuna, Aloe Vera, Sandalwood, Glycerine, Vitamin E, Clary Sage and Myrhh, to calm down irritated skin and rehydrate any particularly dry areas. This Body Lotion is fantastic as an after-sun moisturiser and is definitely something that I would pack in my next holiday bag!

Urban Veda Soothing Body Ritual Set* (£34.99) is available from urbanveda.com

Have you tried any Urban Veda products?

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Holiday Haircare with Philip Kingsley's Summer Solutions

Holiday haircare can be tricky as all that extra sunshine, sea salt and chlorine can leave your hair feeling dry and damaged, but don't worry.  Philip Kingsley have got your back with these clever summer friendly solutions.

My hair is naturally very dry, and in the summer months, I notice that it can get even drier, especially if I'm outside all day. I try to wear hats when it's super hot, but they're not always practical (e.g swimming!) and sometimes I just want to let my hair down and relax without worrying about my hair getting frazzled!

To stop this from happening, I like to switch up my haircare routine with a couple of summer friendly products to keep my hair in tip top condition. Think incredibly hydrating formulas, leave-in conditioners, anti-frizz and humidity protectors and UV filters to prevent any further damage. 

I tend to use different products from various brands (I mentioned Aveda's products recently here), but I've been testing out a whole bunch of new ones from Philip Kingsley lately and they are really good. Really, really, really good in fact!

Philip Kingsley Sun Shield* (100ml, £22) 

Sun Shield is basically like a sunscreen, but for your hair. It provides UV protection against the sun's damaging rays, and also offers protection against colour fade which is caused by sun exposure. The sun is really harsh on colour treated hair so this is definitely one to pick up if you like to get your hair done before going on holiday! Sun Shield is enriched with Sunflower Seed Extract which helps to stop the hair from drying out and it has frizz control that will keep your locks sleek for longer, even in humid conditions. What I love the most about this product is that it's so easy to use - just spritz on the lightweight mist to dry and wet hair, and you're done. 

Philip Kingsley Instant Beach Texturizing Spray* (100ml, £22)

If your hair is already dry like mine, you may find that most texturizing sprays only further exacerbate this problem as they usually contain added salt to get that desired finish, which dries out hair in no time at all. Instant Beach, however, has been formulated without salt, and instead feels more like a regular leave-in conditioning mist, but one that will add that much-needed texture for those coveted beachy waves. It won't dry out your hair and it doesn't leave it with any 'crispy' feeling or crunchy residue - hooray! A must try for the Summer.

Philip Kingsley Swimcap* (75ml, £12.50)

Swimcap is such an interesting product and I don't believe I've tried anything similar to it before. It was originally created especially for the US Olympic synchronised swim team and remains a favourite amongst professional swimmers to this day, and I can certainly see why. It's a water resistant cream which you apply to your hair before swimming or sunbathing, and it contains an innovative formula which protects against chlorine, salt water and the sun. Blondes will especially love it as it stops blonde hair from turning green in the swimming pool, and brunettes like me will love it for its all round protection and hydrating qualities. Win win!

Philip Kingsley After Sun Scalp Mask* (75ml, £17)

We're all familiar with the blissfully soothing benefits of a good after sun moisturiser when we've had too much sun, and this After Sun Scalp Mask is the one for reach for if you have sensitive skin or have scorched your scalp after a long day in the sun! Packed full of soothing Aloe Vera and Chamomile, it will calm down any irritation and re-hydrate any burnt areas. You can also use this as a weekly hydrating scalp treatment all year round, so remember to pop it into your bathroom when you get back from your holiday in the sun.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Coconut Breeze* (150ml, £33)

Another product that you can use all year round, but one that I feel really comes in useful during the summer months, is the award-winning, celebrity favourite Elasticizer. I've lost count of how many times I've seen someone rave about this and I've used it myself on and off for years. The Elasticizer is an intense, super conditioning pre-shampoo treatment which will rescue and revitalise any hair type, and I'd highly recommend it for anyone who has dry, damaged or brittle hair that's prone to breaking. 

To use it, you just need to apply the Elasticizer to your hair before shampooing it, and leave it on for 10-20 minutes. I generally leave it on a little longer if I can (for around half an hour) because it really helps the treament to penetrate the shafts of the hair and work its magic for the full effect. Afterwards, I shampoo and style as usual, and my hair feels much softer, bouncier, hydrated, and noticeably shinier. This summer version Coconut Breeze also has a wonderful scent of Coconut, Jasmine and Almond - it honestly smells good enough to eat!

All of the products above are available from philipkingsley.co.uk

Have you tried any of these Philp Kingsley products?

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