My Beauty Birthday Wish List

I love September, not only do I find this is one of the most beautiful months of the year as the summer goes into autumn. Sept also sees my birthday. I will be 31 this year and I so do not feel I have reached my 30's at all. My head still thinks I am in my 20's and young lol.
Now as my regular readers now, I have recently had a baby, and unfortunately due to some problems we have been having, and also having my 5 year old home for the summer hols, my beauty blog has been a bit slow. So I do apologise but now that school is back on, and things are getting better with LO I plan to get back on track with this.

So I thought I make a fun post today and as seeing my birthday is at the end of the Month ( 28th ), I am going to create a wish list of products I would like to receive.

1) First on my list has to be something  I can not live without at the moment, especially with the lack of sleep I am getting and that is my favourite eye cream by Biotherm - Blue Therapy for the Eyes. It does wonders to your eye area and erases dark circles.

2) I would love to have a Spa Day. I never have had one and right now, I certainly could do with some downtime and spend a few hours just having some time to myself and relax.

3) As I get older, I am getting more concerned about the hair on my face and as I seem to be allergic to the face creams that get rid of face hair ( yep, I have had some horrible reactions to them ). I need a tool that can do it without out any problems. So I am thinking a NO NO? 


 4) I really need some mascaras, this is one product I have to wear each day even if that's all I put on after my skincare routine.
So a good mascara ( or a year's supply LOL ) would be nice.


5) Would love a new wardrobe by MINT VElVET, their clothes are gorgeous and makes any mum feel yummy again.

 6) I love my showers, I shower every day and so always need a wash of some sort. The Molton Brown - Bathing Treasures Set would be perfect for trying out some new scents with a collection of 12 miniatures.



7) I love trying out new skincare products and I have good things about this company. Anything from here would be a great gift - NUXE

 8) As gift subscription to a beauty box would be fab too. I love trying out new beauty products and what could be better than to receive a box or two.  There are a few available - Birch Box, Be-Box, glossybox, lovemebeauty,  to name a few.


9) I would like to get my teeth whitened, I have tried a number of toothpastes that are supposed to make your teeth whiter but they don't seem to make them as white as I thought they would. However, I would prefer to get this done via my dentist or a dentist than home kits or salons.

10) Finally,  I would love to go on one of those Fit Boot Camps to get my post baby body back in shape. As much as I tell my self beauty is from within, you still have to feel comfortable in your own skin, and with having two kids my thoughts about body isn't great and gets me down at times. Although I am not fat in any way shape of form, I am very conscious of my baby belly and the baby weight I have put on.

Lack of sleep = poor health/skin

They talk about how a good nights sleep does wonders for you health and with having a new baby, I can certainly say that the lack of good sleep has caused number of issues with my health and skin.

At first the lack of sleep didn't show , it was only 6 weeks in that my eyes started to look terrible, with big dark shadows appearing. It didn't help that I had run out of my favourite eye cream ( Biotherm Blue Therapy ) either which would have stopped these horrible bags appearing. However, I have since managed to get a good sample of the eye cream and within days of using it again my bags have disappeared.  Now 3 weeks on from using the cream and using it every day my eyes are super bright which I really need a the moment as my sleep is still being interrupted by the little one.

The lack of sleep and the fact I am constantly on the go with having a 5 year old and 9 weeks old to look after my health has come to ill affects too. Not sure if its a cold or flu or something in between but for whole of this week, I have an awful head full of blocked up/runny/sniffy nose, a headache, feeling of run down and my parts of my body aching.

My skin, although I do look after it very well has seemed to have suffered too, whether that is again though lack of sleep or my hormones sorting themselves out, or mixture of both but for the first time in a good year, I have spots and my skin feels dry and bumpy. Yet my skin routine has always been the same, cleanse with electronic brush, tone, serum/oil, moisture and than exfoliate/mask at least once a week.

The strange thing, and I sure it is just people being nice, but I still seem to get a lot of comments on how well I am looking!

Nokia Lumia 925 - Review

I wasn't sure which blog to put this on, so I decided to put it on both.

I was very lucky to have received for just 2 weeks, a Nokia Lumia 925 to test and review. I was shortly due my upgrade ( July ) and although my first phone was a Nokia and for many years after I was Nokia fan. The last 8 years, I have had other brands due to the fact I felt other brands were more advanced, stylish and head of the game.

Whilst I was looking around for a new phone, my current which I have had for the 24month contract is the Samsung Galaxy S2, I stumbled across the opportunity to test a Nokia lumia of a choice of models. As the 925 was the latest and I am very much into having a good camera on the phone, I choose this model. I wanted to fall in love with Nokia again, a phone manufacture that brought me my first phone.

And I have got to say, I am not disappointed. Nokia certainly has up'd their game again in both style and the technology behind the interface.

I really like the sleek design of the Lumia which is signature to the Lumia family.  One thing that put me off the new Galaxy's S3 and 4 were they became to rounded for my liking ( I prefer edges to my technology, even though I am a women, I like manly edges and not girlie curves, for instance I love the Pagni Zonda but not a Porshe fan ).

What strike me first and I have seen the pixels of the newer Galaxy's is that the picture resolution is so liquid like, smooth and very clear and bright.  I also loved the user screen just like you have on your PC or Laptop.
Although the phone has a wizard to guide you though, I actually found the phone really easy to use, apart from the camera took my a few goes to get used to it as it was different in the way it responds to than my Galaxy ( I will talk more about the camera in a moment ).

One of my favourite apps on the phone installed and if your mother like me, you going to love this about the Lumia, is the Kids Corner. If you have kids, you know they love to play with your phone. You give them apps for them to use but manage to get on the Internet, and accidentally pay for something. This is the thing of the past with Kids Corner! Your child can access the games, apps, music and videos that you’ve already chosen for them, yet everything else on the phone is out of bounds, with only a password allowing access.
And the best bit - is the can not make calls or download anything whilst in Kid's Corner.

Unlike my Galaxy S2 whom had many Home Screen's that gets filled with apps or widgets, the Nokia Lumia has just one Home Screen just like the Windows 8 Home Screen on your PC. This can be tailored to your own preference but as I was just loaning the phone for 2 weeks, I didn't bother doing this.  I also like the tidiness of the Nokia/Windows format of folders rather than screens and screens of again apps that you have to scroll though. Instead your apps are in the apps folder.

Other features I like was the Family Room, again a feature I didn't really get to explore. Basically you can set up rooms with your contacts to privately share calenders, photos, group chats and notes in one place.

The feature that I was very keen on though, and one that influences me buying a phone was the camera. As I mentioned above, it did take me a little while to get used to it as it was so different to the Samsung phones that I have been using for a few years now. However, once I got my head around it, it worked fantastically and I loved using it. I really wanted to try as much of this out as I could as I was to covert back to Nokia, the camera would be its biggest influence.
Will the first thing is the advert you have seen on TV regards to taking the best shots in poor light conditions or at night, I confirm is true. Here are two photos I took in my bathroom to create the poor light condition ( as my en suite hasn't got windows ).

The darker image is from my Galaxy S2
The lighter image is from the Nokia

 This wasn't the only great feature about the phone. It was also able to capture really good moving pictures. Different lens can be downloaded too, some are free and some you have to pay for. Here are some pictures I took with the Nokia using different lens.

 All I can say is that I was very impressed with the Lumia 925, I was going to upgrade to the Galaxy S4 Zoom. However, I found out that Nokia are releasing a camera phone that reviews on it have been in more favour to the Nokia than the Samsung. The Nokia Lumia 1020 is due for release this Sept, and I am patiently awaiting for it. Thank You Nokia for making me fall back in love with you.

Get cellulite free, smooth legs with Biotherm

Looking to get smoother, cellulite free legs? Have you tried cellulite creams by other brands and have they worked???

I haven't used any anti cellulite products before, so I was a little sceptical as to whether this will work. I had heard good review from it's predecessor D-Code which tackles both sets of cellulite - Genes and Lifestyle.

However, the Celluli Eraser is a more advanced product to produce a more smoother and firm body even after 1 month of use.

As I had gained a little weight on my thighs during my pregnancy, I was very keen to try this.  What immediately draws you to the product is its gorgeous packaging with its sea green tube. As you know Biotherm is from the deep, using ingredients from our oceans, lakes and rivers, so with a product containing an algae extract ( Coralline algae extract ), it seems fitting to have this vibrant colour. This is carried on in the colour of the gel too. I totally love the lime green gel which has a gorgeous fresh citrus smell.

From almost first use ( that is one day of use, Morning and Night ), my skin was noticeably smoother. I have used this for just under a month now and even my partner has remarked how smooth my thighs and bottom are.

I use the gel morning and night, using circular motions until absorbed. I than apply my daily moisture on top. For £32 available at selected Boots stores or online, I would definitely recommend going and giving this product ago. I have started proper exercise yet as just had my baby, and supposed to wait at least 6 weeks before exercising ( just one more week to go ), but I hoping when I start, using this combined with excerise will help aid some slimming of my thighs where it is needed ( excess baby weight ).

Keep your skin hydrated in the summer heat

There are four skincare products that I can not live without, especially in this heat. All are products are  from Biotherm.

Skin needs water as much as the body does, but the skin is the last place water is given too when you drink water, and no matter how much you drink either, it always goes to your organs first.

One way of giving your skin the water it needs is though your skincare products and for one brand, water is the heart of its skincare.

Now you know I have written about Biotherm many times before, with reviews on the Skin Ergetic and the Blue Therapy range.  If you would like to know more about the company history visit the Biotherm Website.

The four products I use on a daily basis are;

• The Blue Therapy Serum
• Aquasource Normal/Combination Moisturiser
• UV Supra D-Tox SPF 50 
• Aquasource Nuit

The Serum, Moisturiser and Nuit are good for all year round. The White Detox SPF 50 I use in the summer periods.

So why do I love these products so much?

You may have already read about the Blue Therapy Serum review, and so this is a great product to use to keep the damage of the UVA and UVB's at bay in the summer time, as well as a good anti ageing serum to firm and give radiance to your skin.

 The Aquasource moisturiser is a very light weight and refreshing cream/gel and within it, it has the equivalent of 5000 litres of the thermal plankton cellular water, which is the spring water that Biotherm obtains its unique ingredient from - Thermal Plankton. Unlike most moisturisers, the Aquasource keeps you hydrated for 24hours. My skin always looks plump, radiant and constantly hydrated when using this moisturiser. The best bit is you do not need a lot of it to go a long way either. I use a 20p size amount on my face and neck. A 50ml pot definitely gets you a good 6 month worth of usage too and for just £28 I find that very reasonable. More information on the Aquasource Moisturiser can be found here

For the summer months, I wouldn't leave my door without putting on my sun block, UV Supra D-tox SPF 50, on my face. Like a lot of us, there are have been many years where I have forgotten to put my sun cream on my face. Yes I have natural freckles but I have notice I have a few more at recent times, than those I was born with. This is sun damage ( which the blue therapy will help but you also need to wear a sun cream/block to help protect too ) and since working in skincare, I have become more aware of the damages the sun can do to your body.
What I most like about this product though, is that it is still very light weight and not sticky as you would expect from a spf 50 or sun block. This can be used a primer under makeup as well and even applied on to of makeup if need to re-apply during the day. Price is £19.50 for a 30ml.

For the evening, and I use this all year round as I totally love this product for night time, is the Aquasource Nuit. As part of the Aquasource range, you instantly know it is going to feed your skin with the water and mineral nutrients it needs. The blue gel which as it touches the skin turns in a liquid/oil like texture, boosts your skin though the night with moisture. results is you wake up to fresh looking, luminous skin which feels more elastic and radiant, as if reawakened. I call this a facial in a bottle. It is suitable for all skin types too and just like the moisturiser you don't need alot. One pump is enough to do your whole face. Price is £28 for a 50ml and again, I get a good 6 month use out this bottle.

For more information on Biotherm's product visit www.biotherm.co.uk or visit facebook.com/Biotherm

Win one of three luxury experiences in Bath from redspottedhanky.com!

What a great way to come back after having a couple of weeks off with my New baby. 
 I open my email to invitation to promote this wonderful competition in a chance to win one of three luxury experience s. One of them is at a Spa I have written about before -Thermae Bath Spa


 The competition is host by redspottedhanky

All you have to do is simply follow the link ( redspottedhanky competition page ) to like redspottedhanky’s Facebook page and enter the competition to win a weekend stay at the luxurious Francis Hotel in Bath and your choice of one of three Beautiful Bath experiences! 

Choose from a session of luxury spa treatments at the Thermae Bath Spa, 

a torchlight visit to the historic Roman Baths, 

 or a gourmet dinner for two at Brasserie Blanc!

The competition is free to enter and open to UK residents 18 and over. Ends 5^th August 2013.

Competition Link

Just to Let you Know........

Hi all,

I have just had my baby girl 3 days ago, so I will be a little quite on the blogging side for a few days whilst my little one gets settled at home and into routine with feeding. I am trying to breastfeed ( as they like you do this very much so these days ) and with an already 5 year old in the house, I need to find sometime with her too so she is not feeling left out.

Don't worry though, I have some fab products to try out that I could use whilst pregnant due to ingredients, so they will up soon xx

Much Love

Rachel