My LUSH collection

I have always loved the concept behind Lush. Their strong views against animal testing and amazing scents make this store a pleasure to visit. There is a store near my work in Kingston and often browse there on my lunch break. I have recently purchased quite a few products from there and thought I would review them for you! My LUSH wish list is constantly growing due to the release of limited editions (notably the christmas collection) and I am always seeing fantastic reviews of products on my favourite blogs.

LUSH Volcano foot mask

A tingling clay foot mask which is perfect for those of us who work on our feet all day! I often have sore, aching feet after my shift on counter and this foot mask is the perfect pamper treatment for my tootsies! I apply it all over my feet on dry skin, then put my feet into clingfilm or a carrier bag to let it soak in for about 20 minutes. It has a cooling feeling and you can feel it soothing straight away. I then wash it off and scrub the product as I do to exfoliate the skin too. This is a retail workers dream product! Soft, smooth skin and feels like a real luxury treat!

LUSH Fairtrade foot lotion

This bright pink minty foot lotion has the same cooling effect of the mask and is perfect for using afterwards. I slather it on and it instantly revives and refreshes my feet, particularly the soles. Another fantastic product for anyone who spends alot of time on their feet I always follow the mask with this cream. It is a light but highly moisturising product and smells great.

LUSH Charity pot

This body lotion has a pleasant but not overpowering smell. It is soft, hydrating and melts into the skin quickly. I like to use this morning and evening and the fact that the money goes to charity makes me feel less guilty about splurging on it. A little goes a long way and anyone who wants an everyday no fuss body moisturiser this is a fantastic option for you.

LUSH ocean salt scrub

I use this product everywhere! It is created to be soft enough for the face which I love using it for but it also feels great on the body and feet. I mix it with a bit of water in my hands then lightly buff onto the skin. The smell is like a mojito with a lime minty vodka aroma. The scrub itself contains quite large granules so I probably wouldn't use this on very sensitive skin however if you use enough water it breaks down to a softer texture. 

LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic fresh face mask

This is the only product I haven't immediately loved from LUSH. I bought it to make my skin feel refreshed and prevent breakouts as I wear makeup almost everyday for work and wanted a deep clean feeling. When I first used this my skin immediately felt soft and smooth however the next day all of my impurities seemed to have been brought to the surface and I suffered from some bad spots for the next few days. Eventually my skin recovered and felt better than ever but I was a little upset at first because working on a make up counter with breakouts is not fun! I asked the lady in Lush if this was normal and she said yes that it is meant to draw out impurities and takes a while to clear the skin so I would only use this again if I had a few days off work!

I am going to LUSH spa in Kingston on Wednesday for a massage treatment called "The Good Hour" which I am extremely excited about so I will let you know how that goes! Are there any LUSH must haves that I should pick up on my shopping trip and add to my collection?

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Beauty Wishlist

I am constantly lusting over new products online and in store and have put together a list of products that I simply MUST have in my collection. Instead of buying them all at once and spending money I don't have I might treat myself to one every 2 weeks when I get paid. My list includes skincare, haircare and makeup of course.

1. REN Glycolactic radiance renewal mask 

I have previously tried a small sample of this mask and really enjoyed using it. Although the texture is different to my usual favourite masks it seemed to instantly brighten the skin so I am keen to get my hands on the full sized product. Many of my favourite bloggers have raved about this so I know that it will be worth the investment. Anything to brighten my dull skin this winter will greatly appreciated!

2. Vita Liberata Extra Rich Silken Chocolate gel

I have tried pretty much every tan on the market but have yet to try this one which I have heard quite a bit about. It is the darkest version available from this brand but I have heard that it may not be as dark as some of my other favourites such as Xen tan dark lotion or Sienna x glowing tan. I am however keen to try it because it contains no nasties and I'd like to use more paraben free products. This will be my next tan purchase!

3. Chantecaille Just Skin tinted moisturiser 

This £57 tinted moisturiser is something that might just always stay on the wishlist. It is very pricey for a makeup product and I just don't know if i can justify that price however I am desperate to try it. I popped into Space NK the other day to try it and the texture and coverage is beautiful. I have read some amazing reviews of this product so hopefully I will be able to treat myself to it around Christmas time when I do more overtime at work!

4.  Kerastase Elixir ultime imperial tea

I got given the original version of this for Christmas last year and have nearly come to the end of it so I was thrilled to hear that there is a new version which is ideal for coloured hair. I change my hair colour alot and often get highlights so despite having normal to oily hair I do like to treat it before using heated styling tools and this product is the ultimate in hair luxury. It is an oil yet somehow not heavy in the hair and with only one pump needed in the hair it really is an investment worth making!

There are many other products that i'm interested in trying but these are the very top of my list at the moment! Have you tried any of these and which should I treat myself to first?!

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September MAC favourites

I can't believe it is October already but this new month is the perfect time to look back on my favourite products of September! I have chosen my favourite MAC products but will be doing a general updated skincare, bodycare and haircare favourites post soon too. As a MAC retail artist I am constantly surrounded by the products and am always drawn to certain products whether it be because of the pretty packaging, impressive colours or how it helps me to create a flawless finish. It is always hard to pick favourite because they change almost daily but here are the products that I have been using or loving the most during the last month.

MAC Studio Sculpt foundation in NC37

I do like to wear a good coverage foundation particularly on counter and this is a great alternative to my usual Studio fix Fluid. Studio sculpt is a hydrating gel based liquid foundation which is fantastic for normal to dry skin types. As a normal/combination skin type I have always used studio fix which provides great coverage but I wanted to see if my skin took as well to this more hydrating formula. And I love it! It feels so comfortable on the skin despite giving a flawless finish and covering all my problem areas. The tube is so handy for carrying round and the formula lasts all day on me without going patchy on my dry areas. NC37 is a great colour for my skin with a layer of self tan on and it blends in beautifully with a 188 brush. I would highly recommend this for those of you with any dry areas or fairly normal skin who want a beautiful natural finish with impressive coverage.

MAC Supercontinental blush

This peachy toned shimmer blush is part of the limited edition Styleseeker collection which launched last month. It is almost like a mix of my favourite two blushers Melba and Margin to create a soft peach with a sheen to it that makes the skin look radiant. I would recommend this blusher to anyone who likes coral or peach tones and would suit any fair to medium skin tones. Because this is limited edition you may want to order online as the product is sold out in many stores! It is lovely to find a peach tone which is soft enough for Autumn but would still give a great pop of colour when used a little stronger in Summer months.

MAC 209 brush

I am a gel liner addict and have always been on the hunt for the perfect liner brush for applying on top and bottom and to create flicks at the edge. The 209 is the perfect brush in my opinion. It is soft enough to use in the waterline yet firm enough to apply enough product for strength of colour. I use it right in the inner corner with its pointed end and the shape allows you to produce a vintage flick in an instant. It is the perfect size for a line on the top lash line glides like a dream! If you use gel liner this is a must have!

MAC Soft and Gentle

This product is a highlight junkies dream. It is a soft mineral powder formula with a warm skin coloured tone and shimmer texture for highlighting any areas of the face. I use this to highlight the cheekbones, the nose, the top lip and the brow bone. The shimmer itself is not too glittery and therefore not too unnatural for day wear however this is a product that I use mostly for nights out. The sheen picks up incredibly well in photos and when used with a contour powder or bronzer makes the cheekbones really stand out. It is a flattering colour on many skintones and I like to use it with a 109 brush on the cheekbones and a 224 on smaller areas.

MAC Impassioned lipstick

I have been wearing this colour a lot recently purely because it makes such an impact on its own that it allows me to do more simple eye looks such as mascara and liner on my days off and I am ready to go! Impassioned is a popular colour on celebrities such as Rhianna and Jessie J because its neon pink tone is modern and fresh but flatters many skin tones. It is a brave choice of lipstick there is no doubt about that but I always invite people to try it because despite its neon appearance in the packaging it actually comes out a little softer on the lips and is a beautiful hot pink shade with an almost coral undertone. It is a real one of a kind in my opinion and a must have for any lipstick addicts

Of course there are many other products which I adore but these have been my must haves this month and I seem to use them time and time again. 

What are your current MAC favourites and have you tried any of mine?

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