UK Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

GIVEAWAY // Seasons Tweetings // Lush - CLOSED

As a little thank you I'm giving away one Seasons Tweetings gift set from my favourite store in the world....Lush. It contains four amazing products featuring my all time favourite Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, along with limited edition Twilight shower gel, Snowcake soap & Tiny Hands. Oh and I've added the cute little tweeter and a sprinkle of glitter because my house is full of it. Want to know how to have a chance of winning, one of probably the last sets available?
CLOSED
Disclaimer: press sample, for review consideration only, no payment received. see disclaimer page for more.

Nourish // Golden Glow Toning Soufflé Review

I hope you all are having a lovely Christmas day wherever in the world you are, eating far too much food and although it isn't all about presents I hope you did get what you asked for. Since it's Christmas day I thought this gem from Nourish - I've blogged about their skincare range a few months back, would be fitting. I've been testing out one of their latest creations, Golden Glow Toning Souffle with Frankincense and Myrrh for the whole month of December, it's definitely contributed to the excitement. 
Since I already love Nourish for their amazing skincare range I couldn't wait to try out the soufflé. This 77% organic body soufflé contains light reflecting particles that even out your skin tone, providing a smoother, lustrous appearance and a natural sun-kissed glow. It reminds me very much of the Roger & Gallet Créme Sublime Or that I use and love. The golden resins of Frankincense and Myrrh combined with a nutrient rich phyto-active marine extract, tone the skin, boosting it's suppleness. To stimulate the production of collagen super hydrating hyaluronic acid and tripeptides refine and refresh the appearance of your skin. The formula while sat untouched in the pot remains jelly like, though only a small amount is needed due to being light and very buttery.

Now like many products on the market that claim to have toning effects, I don't see any major results other than having to drag yourself to the gym. I do however find it a brilliant, luxurious moisturiser after a long and relaxing soak in the bath. The subtle golden shimmer gives my pale skin some life without having to whip out a bottle of tan, something I try to avoid. And of course the scent is perfect for the time of year, reminds me of my Lush, Dream Cream but a lot stronger....and festive. Overall I'd pick Nourish Golden  Glow for A/W and Roger & Gallet for SS.

Merry Christmas // Thank You

Eekkk it's Christmas Eve!!? I hope each and every one of you has a very Merry Christmas and get to spend it with those who matter the most to you. Thank you for all the support you've given Lucyy Writes during 2012 it means the absolute world to me. Here's how I've been getting ready for Christmas this December, the past weekend has been absolutely crazy. <3

Wash! Skincare Products // Review

I didn't think I'd be sat down at my macbook so excited and raving about wash cloths, but I am. Most of you will be familiar with muslin cloths and how they're quite the hype in the blogging community I however don't get on with them. They're incredibly thin, stain easily, don't retain heat & after one use I might as well chuck them out because they never return to their original state. 
For quite some time now I've been using Washi products, I could have easily sat down and wrote a review after my first few uses but I wanted to see how they all washed, dried and performed after. The Washi brand has been designed with inspiration from Louise's time spent in the Far East observing their skin care. Louise set about finding a manufacturer and designing every little bit of Washi which is Japanese for organic hand made paper used for origami. Packaging has even been designed to suit personal taste, males and work places such as spa's & hotel's. Washi cloths sit in between both muslin and micro fibre flannels, they're made from the finest pure cotton around. The hot cloths have been designed to reach target areas such as your eyes & nose to remove all traces of makeup as well as the hairline while the white cotton towels compliment them to bring a little extra to your routine when your skin is looking dull. Size and texture were important issues for both products, needing to be the right thickness so they dry fast, hygienically & still work efficiently. 
Take your Washi hot cloth and your favourite cleanser, mine is currently Amie, Radiant Dawn Exfoliating Daily Wash. Start applying and working your cleansing around your face before dampening your cloth in warm water before polishing off. You can use these cloths to remove cleanser, makeup, face masks, face scrubs, oils and serums before you apply your moisturiser. They're also great for tanning products, from hairlines, hands and feet, while being thin enough to get between your toes, fingers. Of course you can use them with any hot cloth cleanser, I find the cloths keep the heat a lot longer than Muslin cloths. Muslin cloths would be cold by the time I'd walked from the bathroom to my bedroom.
To use a Washi Skin Polishing Towel you simply splash water onto your face and neck before gathering up a section of the towel and lightly use circular motions to gently polish your skin and repeat as needed.
The Spiral Cotton Buds were a lovely surprise in my package and something I hadn't come across before. Louise is actually the only UK retailer and spotted them while in Japan - A LOT has gone into Washi. I use mine to remove clumsy mascara smudging, nail fix ups & any other mistakes. The spiral design not only looks cute but it definitely makes clean ups quicker and more effective.
I go through one Washi hot cloth a day, each morning after using it I rinse in hot water before leaving it to dry then that evening after I've completed my skin care routine into the wash it goes. Whether you wash them at 30-40 degrees or 60 each and every wash the cloths come out just like their original new state with not a single stain. The polishing towel doesn't need washing as often due to the fact I don't use every day, nor do I for removing makeup but it is recommended to not use fabric conditioner.
Since day one of adding these products to my routine I not only noticed an improvement in how my skin felt but how it looked. Washi products have gently polished away dry skin, makeup, dirt & given me a healthy glow in return. Paired with a good facial product or used as a hot cloth cleanser I have my very own spa at home, especially when I use the polishing towel. I've also started going without foundation on occasion, without a single worry and a little concealer for any minor breakout if I ever have any.
I'd highly recommend adding Washi to your routine, throw away those nasty flannels & muslin cloths because you too will be amazed I'm sure. I especially love how proud Louise is and how much hard work she's put into designing them & the brand. The little finishing touches of how my packaged arrived - wrapped in pink and green tissue, ribbons, letter and complete with a sheet of Washi stickers & miniature card. Louise you have me hooked for life.

Urban Decay // Naked 2 Review

When Urban Decay launched Naked 2 earlier this year I was somebody who sat wondering whether to order it early or not, who remembers the hidden link on Debenhams? Somehow I've managed to go most the year without this array of cooler toned, buttery shadows.
Along with twelve pans of eyeshadow Naked 2 contains a double ended brush and mini lip gloss in the shade 'Naked' of course. The lip gloss isn't for me, the formula is incredibly sticky along with being a shade I won't wear. I would have preferred their regular primer potion. Though my Mum quickly snatched up the mini lip gloss and loves the minty scent. I personally think it smells more like The Ex Factor from Lush? Double ended brushes are usually created by cheaper brands hence their poor quality but since this is Urban Decay I'll make an exception. The shader brush is smooth, compact and picks up product well, I also find they work well with concealer, while the blending brush is equally as good.
Naked 2 sees five exclusive eye shadow's, seven original with one being my personal favourite Half Baked. The poorest shadow of the 12 has to be Foxy, Foxy remains very chalky instead of Urban Decay's buttery smooth texture & high pigmentation. The top five shades in this palette, since I'm sure most of you have read Naked 2 reviews hundreds of times already? Blackout, Tease, Chopper, YDK & Snakebite. Blackout is a highly pigmented black, I use with the flat edge of the shader brush along the lash line. Tease is the last of the three mattes in Naked 2 and my favourite being a matte purple toned taupe. Chopper is clearly a bloggers favourite being a beautiful rose gold with silver glitter. YDK a metallic taupe and lastly Snakebite a very deep satin bronze.
 Here are the all important swatches.
Urban Decay have definitely upgraded Naked 2's packaging. I've always loved how the original looked but the velvet & cardboard palette picked dirt up easily just sat at home let alone if I travelled with it. Carrying the original was always a problem in my handbag, there's always going to be the risk of it opening in your bag however with Naked 2 the tin clicks closed securely and contains a much larger mirror. Naked 2 just looks classier!? I don't know how I've lasted this long without it.
Which Naked palette do you own? I'd love to know your opinion of the Basics palette, I'm still undecided over its value for money and shadow range. 
Disclaimer: press sample, for review consideration only, no payment received. see disclaimer page for more.
© Lucyy Writes

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