Wednesday 25 June 2014

Lush Wishlist

There was a time, not that long ago actually, when I was obsessed with Lush.  I had countless bath bombs and bubble bars, as well as many a body lotion and other bits and pieces.  And while I never went off Lush, I kind of just stopped topping up my stash and used more purse-friendly bath products instead.  In all honesty though, I've missed using Lush and after receiving a little gift set from a friend for my birthday, I'm itching to build up a stash once more.

After spending a few minutes on the Lush website, I have a list of things I want as long as my arm.  I thought I'd post a little selection here (a nice easy post to get back into the swing of this blogging malarky!) so let me know if you've tried any! I've deliberately chose things I've yet to try from Lush, to make things more fun!


1. African Paradise Body Conditioner - £19.95.  This looks like a similar kind of product to the Nivea In Shower Moisturiser.  You use it in the shower (yes, really!) after your usual shower gel, then rinse of.  It saves the need to use a body lotion once you've showered, which is something I hate doing and often neglect.  I really like the Nivea version, but I'm not overly keen on the Nivea fragrance, so this version from Lush is something that really does appeal to me.

2. Brightside Bubble Bar - £4.50.  Ah the bubble bar; my all time favourite Lush product.  This is one of the larger side ones, like the Comforter, which you can certainly get at least two uses out of.  The name of this one really drew me in, as Mr Brightside by The Killers is my all time favrouite song, so I want to try this bubble far for that reason alone! It has a citrusy fragrance which makes a change from the usual Lush products I buy.  

3. D'Fluff Strawberry Shaving Soap - £5.75.  I've never really been enticed by Lush's shaving products lately, but the pretty pink colour, and the fact it's made with strawberries and cocoa butter drew me in.  I mean, it just sounds gorgeous! I kind of wish it was a body wash or body lotion instead as it sounds too nice to 'waste' on shaving.  I tend to find most shaving gels, however nice they smell at first, have the same lingering 'shaving gel' smell once you've finished shaving, so here's hoping this once will be different.

4. Granny Takes a Dip Bath Bomb - £3.25.  How funny is the name of this one?! The colours are so bright and psychedelic aren't they?! Would definitely stand out a mile in store! This is another citrus scented once, something I really like at this time of year.  Would be interesting to see what colour this one turns your bath water; there's that much going on!

5. Dream Cream Body Lotion - £11.50.  This has been around for ages but I've never got round to trying it.  It's meant to work wonders on those suffering with excema, or who have sensitive skin, and while those don't really apply to me, I do suffer from my fair share of dry patches on my arms, especially if I use overly harsh products.  With it's soothing ingredients and calming lavender scent, I think it'd be perfect to use at night time.  Definitely want to try this!

6. Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar - £5.50.  I've never tried any of Lush's hair products yet, but have heard many good things about their shampoo bars.  This particular one gives your hair a really deep clean, so I think it'd be perfect to use maybe once a week to get rid of build up from styling products etc.  I can't help but think they'd be a bit messy though, and more faff than just using a regular shampoo... let me know your thoughts on this!

7.No Drought Dry Shampoo - £3.75.  Dry shampoo - a life saver for anyone with a fringe/bangs.  I've used my trusty Batiste (and lately, Dove's dry shampoo which is amazing!) for years, and absolutely would not be without it now.  I've heard many great things in blogland about Lush's offering and have been intrigued by it forever.  But, again, is it not really messy? I can see it giving us dark haired girls some serious grey roots? Any brunettes out there tried it? Does it work?!

8. Karma Bath Melt - £4.35.  How amazing does this look?! I mean, look at it! I've used the Karma bubble bar before, and really liked it, so I'm pleased to see more products in this range.  The bath melts are lovely, always leave my skin super soft and feel more luxurious than the bath bombs and bubble bars.  Not sure I'd fancy clearing all that gold glitter out of my bath though...!

Have you tried any of these products? Or have any more recommendations?! Do share!
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Sunday 6 April 2014

Benefit Gimme Brow


Two things: First, I know you're all probably sick to death of hearing about this recent release from Benefit; everyone and their dog has reviewed it since it's release last month. Secondly, I know I'm supposed to be on a spending ban... oops.  Everyody knows the drill by now, Gimme Brow is a brow gel containing tiny fibres that help to give the appearence of fuller eyebrows.

I've mentioned before about my thin, sparse brows.  It's not a result of over-plucking, they're just naturally this way and I'm always on the look out for products that will make them appear a bit fuller, and Benefit's Gimme Brow caught my attention from the start and I highly anticipated it's UK release.  I've tried brow gels in the past in the shape of Maybelline's brow mascara and wasn't overly impressed; the wand is quite large, larger than the thickness of my eyebrows, so I couldn't get away with it. I'd end up with product everywhere.  When I saw the size of Gimme Brow I was relieved, it's so small and dainty, perfect if you don't have much brow to work with.  I have medium brown hair, so could've probably got away with either of the light/medium or medium/dark shades, but opted for the lighter one for a more natural look. I had one of the Benebabes at my local counter apply it for me, showing me after she'd done one eyebrow.  I couldn't believe the difference.  Just a few quick strokes transformed my thin, straggly eyebrow into one with a much fuller appearance and a bit of shape, without looking fake or unnatural.  I initially thought I wouldn't have enough 'brow for the fibres to cling to, but I needn't have worried; it looked great! I was so impressed, I couldn't wait for her to do my other brow so I could pay for my own little eyebrow miracle.

Gimme Brow can be used either on it's own or in conjunction with some sort of eyebrow powder.  I tend to use it on it's own for a natural, everyday look, and with my Brow Zings when my eyebrows need that bit more oomph, say for a night out.

At £17.50 it's certainly not cheap, especially for the amount of product you get (a mere 0.1oz!).  It actually makes the likes of They're Real (£19.50!) look like a bargain! I got lucky this time around as I had £10 on my Debenhams Beauty Card, and also it was a 10% off event, so I got it around £6 which is an absolute bargain! I guess I shouldn't really be complaining about the price this time around as a I got such a good deal, but I'm sure I'll feel a little guilty when I repurchase.  Yes, when I repurchase... I've been totally won over by this product and I'm sure to buy it again, despite the hefty price tag!
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Tuesday 25 March 2014

The Spring Beauty Tag



Image: weheartit.com Edited by myself.

I was recently tagged by the lovely Gillian to do the Spring Beauty Tag. Quite exciting because it's the first time somebody's actually tagged me; I've usually just jumped on the bandwagon and done the tag anyway so I'm quite chuffed that I've been tagged in this one! You can find Gillians blog here and her You Tube channel here.  I'm not as brave as her so I'm doing this tag in blog form! Hope you enjoy!

1. Do you change up your makeup when Spring arrives? If so, how?
Sort of.  I don't really think "Oh it's Spring so I must do my make up differently" or anything like that.  I always get excited over new Spring/Summer makeup releases and more often than not will purchase one or two things, but I guess I'm not using them because it's Spring, I'm just using them because they're new and I like them. Does that make sense?! I know what I mean! ;)

2. What's your favourite Spring fragrance?
Again, I don't really use specific frangrances depending on the seasons.  Although my all time favourite perfume is Stella, but I do tend to associate that more with the cooler months.  I also really like Viva La Juicy La Fleur which is a bit more floral so I'll go for that as my favourite Spring fragrance!

3. What's going to be your favourite accessory this Spring?
Hmm... I don't know.  I do tend to swich from a dark coloured handbag to a lighter coloured on in the summer months.  Nothing flash, usually just a cross over style one.  I had a lovely nude/pink coloured one from Dorothy Perkins last summer and was gutted when the strap snapped! I'll probably be on the lookout for something similar in the next few weeks. So, favourite Spring accessory will be a new bag!

4. What's going to be your most worn item of clothing this Spring?
I got really into maxi dresses last summer.  At just over 5ft I always struggled to find ones that fit but after buying a couple last summer I fell in love with them.  If we have a warm enough spring, I'll definitely be getting them out at the earliest oppurtunity!

5. What are your Top 3 favourite Spring nail polishes?
Nail polish is definitely something I change according to the seasons.  Spring is the time I'll get out my pastel and bright shades and put my darker colours to the back of my collection.  Some of my favourite Spring polishes would have to be:
Barry M - Papaya: A pretty pale orange shade from the Gelly collection.
Essie Cute as a Button: A beautiful pinky coral that I wore to death last year.
Topshop Prim and Proper: A slightly muted baby pink.  Perfect if you're not quite ready for full on pastels yet!

6. Do you prefer pumps or sandals in Spring?
I'd say pumps for the Spring.  I live on the coast so while the majority of the country is basking an early summer heatwave, it's almost certainly a bit cooler and breezier in my neck of the woods.  I tend to stay in my pumps til June at least!

7. What's your favourite Spring jacket?
It would have to be a short length, parka style jacket I got from Dorothy Perkins a good few years ago.  It has a hood and three quarter length sleeves and is just really casual.  It's a khaki/green colour and I love wearing it with skinny jeans and then pumps or sandals. That's pretty much my go to "look" for the warmer months.  In all honesty the jacket has seen better days, but I've yet to find another I like so much so it's staying put for now!
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Friday 14 March 2014

Pinterest Picks #3: Clubbing



Last weekend myself and my best girl friends ventured into town for one of the girls' birthday night out.  As with any night out, there had been careful planning before hand; what time to go out, where to go first, what everyone was wearing, and so on.  I couldn't get out of my late finish at work, so opted to go down slightly later with one of the girls and meet the others there.  The night started out well, sat around a table on comfy chairs, having a good old gossip over a glass or two of wine.  We moved onto a little cocktail bar a bit further down the road and I enjoyed a delicious frozen Strawberry Daiquiri, even if I did manage to spill half of it.  Ooops. From there the night rapidly went downhill as we went to a club...

... The thing is, I don't really like clubbing. I've never been a massive fan, but as the years go by, it interests me less and less. Give me a pair of flats, plenty of space and a good dollop of cheesy music and I'm as happy as larry, but for the most part none of these happen on your average night out.  Instead you're forced to stand/dance in uncomfortable shoes, whilst getting pushed, shoved, walked into and/or have at least one drink spilt all over you, with music so loud you can't hear yourself think, let alone have a conversation with your friends. The queues to get in, the price to get in, the toilets with no locks or loo roll... yep, you guessed it, it's just not for me.  If the musics alright, I can tolerate heels well enough, but once they start to hurt that's it, I've had enough.  I don't care if they're playing my favourite song (The Killers, Mr Brightside if you're wondering...) I just want to go home.  Or at least, wait til that song's finished, and then go home.  Via a takeaway of course. 

An ideal night out for me these days is an evening in a pub, with some good music playing in the background.  I love getting together with my friends, having a nice pub meal (with dessert!) and having a nice chat without having to risk damaging our vocal chords.  The idea of getting home at a semi-reasonable hour is also appealing.  When I first started going out, clubs would always shut at 2am.  These days I'm ready for my bed by midnight.  I don't know how folk stay out til four or five in the morning, I don't think I could do that when I was younger! Nights in are equally appealing.  There's nothing I enjoy more than spending an evening on the sofa, in our comfiest clothes, chatting the night away over a bottle (each...oops) of wine with one of my best friends.  We have quite the conversations, let me tell you!  We pretty much laugh til we cry which is much more of a stress relief than a night of clubbing, for me anyway!

I realise this post makes me sound really old and boring but in all honesty, these days it's just not for me!

Do you go out clubbing? Do you prefer nights in or nights out?
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Thursday 13 March 2014

Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturiser


When it comes to body moisturising,  I'm definitely in the lazy girls camp. I seem to have a tonne of it,  but most days I end up skipping it.  Any product that is going to make this process more appealing (i.e. quicker and easier) is going to to grab my attention so I was definitely interested when these offerings from Vaseline hit the shops a few months ago. I've used Vaseline body lotions on and off over the years and have always found they do a good job, but would this translate in the quicker, spray version? Out of the three varieties, Essential Moisture, Aloe Vera and Cocoa Butter, I opted for the Cocoa Butter as it's one of my favourite scents of all time and I figured it'd be best for my slightly dry skin.

The Application couldn't be easier.  Simply spray onto skin, give it a quick little rub, and you're good to go.  Not quite 'Spray and Go' more like 'Spray and give it a bit of a rub, then go', but still a definite time saver.  It sinks into the skin almost immediately and you're not left with any of that greasy, sticky feelings you can get with a traditional body lotion.  The spray really is continuous and makes moisturising those hard to reach areas like your back a doddle.  I was a little dubious as to how moisturising this would be, and while it does make my skin feel nice and soft, it's not super moisturising and if you had very dry skin this probably wouldn't be enough to use on its own.  I suffer from dry patches on the tops of my arms and need something a little richer to keep these in check.  I tend to use this as quick fix on a morning when I'm rushing to get ready and don't have time for a body butter to sink in, then switch to one of my many Soap and Glory tubs of moisturising goodness on an evening.  Best of both worlds that way!
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Sunday 9 March 2014

5 products, 5 minutes

I'm sure we all have those mornings where for whatever reason we've left ourselves five minutes to do our make up. Whether you've over slept, have some last-minute plans, or just simply can't be bothered to do a full face of make up, we've all been there.  For me, most days, it's the latter.  I just can't bring myself to go all out with my make up when I'm going to work for various reasons, but put simply I don't see the point; anyone who's worked in a busy kitchen/restaurant/cafe will completely understand! That said, I still like to make a bit of an effort to look a little bit human, and I'm proud to say I've got my "work face" routine whittled down to just 5 products, all applied within just 5 minutes

A recent discovery for me is the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation.  I've heard a lot of people complain that the shade range of Boujois isn't the best, and while there certainly isn't a great deal of shades, I'm one of the lucky ones as this is a pretty good match for my skin tone.  I'd say this foundation is leaning towards medium coverage, but it's very light weight and doesn't feel at all like you're wearing a mask.  It's quick and easy to blend into the skin, and doesn't accentuate any dry patches.  Concealer is a must for me, especially when I have a dreaded 7am start.  My trusty Collection concealer does a good job of minimising my dark circles; I've lost count of how many tubes of this I've gone through. I love it. I just wish they'd sort the packaging out; I hate how all the writing wears off after about a week!  Next up is a quick sweep of blusher to add a bit of much needed colour to my cheeks.  At the moment, I'm really liking this one by Boujois, but to be honest I just usually grab whichever one's closest! Almost done now, but not before a bit of bronzer.  I tend not to do any real contouring, I just sweep a light dusting all over, maybe concentrating slightly more under my cheek bones, nothing to drastic though, just enough to add a little shape.  Last but not least, mascara.  At the moment, I'm really enjoying the L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara.  I'd read mixed reviews on this, but decided to bite the bullet and give it a go, and I'm really pleased I did.

So that's my 5 minute face routine.  If I had a bit more time, I'd definitely do my eyebrows.  I'll occasionally use a bit of brow gel on them but for the most part I don't bother for work. Things like highlighter, eyeshadow and primer, I save for my days off.  This way, I know I'll look a bit different, and certainly feel that little bit more (dare I say?) glamorous on the days I've escaped from the madhouse that is work!
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Friday 28 February 2014

No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator

 As far as skin types go, my skin is definitely on the dry side.  It's usually pretty manageable, but if I get lazy with my skincare routine my skin does get dry, and my forehead and nose in particular, become quite flaky.   This is even more apparent with the weather we're having lately; cold wind and central heating can take its toll and my skin has been looking dry and dull.  This is nothing that can't be kept under control buy keeping up with a good skincare routine and this exfoliator is definitely a valuable part of that.  I've mentioned before that I'm a big fan of No7's Beautiful Skin range, and I actually think it's a range that is quite underrated.  The products are all of great quality, they look good and they're brilliant value for money, especially with the £5 vouchers that seem to be around more than ever lately.


I'm quite cautious of super "scrubby" exfoliators on my face, such as the St Ives scrubs.  I've never used them personally, but from what I've read online they do seem particularly harsh  and I'm not keen to use something like that on my skin and in all honesty, I don't really need to anyway.  This scrub by No7, despite being really gentle, does all the exfoliating I need it to.  It certainly isn't jam-packed with exfoliating particles, in fact there seems to be hardly any visible pink grains at all.  That said, I can still feel them working as I massage the product into my skin, and upon rinsing away, any dry or flaky patches are gone and I'm left with really smooth, clear skin that actually feels really nice and soft to the touch. It also has a nice, delicate almost floral scent to it, nothing too over powering or artificial which is good for those amongst us who don't like heavily scented products on the face.  This scrub is aimed to those of us with dry skin, though I believe No7 also do a version for more oily skin types.  I'd definitely suggest giving this ago if your skin leans more towards the drier side of things.  It's very gentle, so I'd say it's certainly worth a look if you're worried about a harsher scrub affecting your skin. 


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Thursday 27 February 2014

Dove Refersh & Care Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo has, in recent years, become an absolute staple in my haircare arsenal.  It was a life saver when my hair was dyed red as less hair washing meant a slowing down of the dreaded fading.  Even now my hair is a more natural colour, I'm still a big fan.  I normally stick to good old Batiste as it's cheap and cheerful, and almost always on offer somewhere.  However while going a bit mad in Boots during their 3 for 2 offer, I opted to give Dove's version a go and, in all honesty, I'm really pleased I did.

One thing that tends to bug me with most dry shampoos is that even though they do a great job of making your hair look a lot better, it doesn't always feel it.  They often leave a bit of a residue in my hair that makes it feel quite chalky to the touch.  For this reason I'll usually still end up wearing my hair in a ponytail or top knot.  I'm pleased to say this was not the case with Dove's dry shampoo.  My hair actually felt really nice and soft, and I could feel no residue at all.  I still wore a half-pony, but that was mainly because my top layers were looking a bit unruly and I didn't have time to go over them with straighteners.

Another major plus is that Dove's dry shampoo is virtually invisible in my medium/dark brown hair.  I've found that even those dry shampoos designed for darker hair still leave a bit of a white cast at my roots, and I've enough greys to be worrying about as it is without spraying more into my hair! Although there still is a tiny bit of a white cast with this, especially if you're using loads, it really is very minimal and much less than I've noticed in other dry shampoos.  It blends in so easily, and once brushed though you can't see it at all. It also has a really fresh, clean smell.  I often find some dry shampoos lose their scent once in the hair, and just "smell of dry shampoo" if that makes sense? With the Dove, the scent is long lasting, yet not at all over powering.

At £4.99 for 200ml it is more expensive than the likes of Batiste, but it seems to work much better, for me anyway.  I've also read it makes a pretty good texturising spray, similar to the infamous Oribe spray, but for a fraction of the price.  I've not tried using it like this as yet, but I can certainly see it working as it's much lighter than a lot of dry shampoos out there and £4.99 for a multi-purpose product isn't all that bad.  I've been tending to use Dove for days when I still want to wear my hair down, and keeping a bottle Batiste on my fringe for days when my hair is tied up for work. 

What's your favourite dry shampoo?



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Wednesday 26 February 2014

Recent Empties #2

A little round up of what I've used up lately...

URBAN DECAY NAKED SKIN FOUNDATION: I've had this for about a year and have been using it on and off, alternating with a couple of others.  One of the reasons I bought is was because it doesn't contain any SPF so I thought it'd be good for nights out or any other occasion where there would be a lots of flash photography.  Having said that, on the few nights out I wore it for, I still noticed a white cast on my face, making me look paler than I already am.  It still made a nice foundation for day time though, it blended in quickly and didn't feel too heavy or cakey.  I'm always trying out new foundations though, so I won't be repurchasing.

BENEFIT CORALISTA:  I know, I know, this box is in a bit of a state! In my defence though, I have had it for years, quite possibly longer than I should have kept it. An absolutely gorgeous blush; Benefit's boxed powders are definitely one of my favourite products of theirs.  I'll definitely be purchasing this again at some point.

NO7 BEAUTIFUL SKIN DAY CREAM:  I've been using No7 moisturisers pretty much since I started even using moisturiser.  I've used the odd pot of something else, but have always gone back to this.  A good, basic moisturiser that does the job brilliantly.  Great value for money, especially with the vouchers.  Although I'm using a different moisturiser at the moment, I've no doubt I'll be using this again in the not too distant future.

NO7 BEAUTIFUL SKIN MELTING GEL CLEANSER: You can see my review of this product here.  Originally using this as a makeup remover, I was disappointed that I couldn't use this to take off my eye make up.  I switched to using this as my morning cleanser and I actually really liked it.  The feeling when you add water and make into more of a milky cleanser is so refreshing.  I haven't yet repurchased as I've other things to use up, but I may well in the future.

CHAMPNEYS DISTANT SHORES BUBBLE HEAVEN:  There's still one or two baths left in this bottle, but I'm mentioning it now so I can get rid of the rest of these empties that have been cluttering up my room.  This was a treat out of my Boots points, all 12,00 of them.  It certainly looks very luxurious in its large, glass bottle.  It also smells divine, as does all the Champney's range.  Although you definitely get more baths for your buck from this than you would from a Lush bubble bar, it still isn't the cheapest out there, and so I don't think I'd be repurchasing this any time soon.  I may treat myself again when I have enough Boots points though...
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Monday 24 February 2014

Spending Ban Starts NOW!


As happy as I was with my recent Boots 3 for 2 haul, I couldn't help but feel more than a little guilty for spending over £60 on stuff I didn't really need.  Aside from the shampoo and conditioner, the rest of it I could quite easily have done with out.  I didn't need the foundation I picked up, or the Garnier Micellar water as I try to cleanse 'properly' each morning and evening.  And let's face it, picking up another Real Techniques brush set just because I had a voucher for 150 extra points for buying something RT was just silly.  It just goes to show that offers like that really do suck you in, and instead of buying just what you need and getting something for free (and there for genuinely making a saving) you just buy stuff for the sake of it, so you're not really saving money when you think about it.

With this, and all the things I bought last month (Naked 3, Lollitint, the list goes on...) I've decided enough is enough.  I really need to cut down on my spending and actually use what I have, instead of getting bored of it when something new comes along.  I've seen many posts on 'spending bans' recently, especially at the start of the new year, and I've decided that I'm going to give it a go myself.  So from today, Monday February 24th 2014, I am going to embark on a 100, yes one hundred day spending ban. 
100 days from now takes us up til June 4th 2014, which coincidentally is my birthday, so that kind of works out quite nicely.  Until that date I will NOT be buying any of the following

Make Up
Hair Products
Skincare Products
Accessories
Shoes
Clothes
Bags
Magazines

The only exceptions to this is what anyone would consider as 'essentials' - shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and so on, but only when my current ones have ran out.  No more having half empty (half full?) bottles of products lying around.  The only other exceptions are trips to the hairdressers (colour every 12 weeks and cut in between if needed) and the occasional trip/meal out.  Obviously things such as food, bills, gifts for others are allowed.  Any items featured on my blog from the above list will have been purchased prior to February 24th, or with a gift card I already own (I have a £20 New Look card waiting to be used!).

I must admit, seeing everything written out like that is very daunting, and while I'm looking forward to the challenge and actually having some money building up in my account, I am definitely a bit apprehensive. I'm determined to give this a good go though, and hopefully I can resist the urge to make so many impulse purchases.

Wish me luck!





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Sunday 23 February 2014

Pinterest Picks #2

A slightly different approach to this Pinterst Picks edition.  This is a poster from 1940 announcing the New York Department of Parks are to be conducting swimming lessons.  How is this relevant you ask? Well, in short I can't swim.  Not even a little bit.  I'm one of those people who panics the minute their feet aren't firmly touching the bottom of the pool.  Like any child in primary school in the late 80s/early 90s, we had swimming lessons.  I still remember getting on the coach every Monday after morning break, and taking the short journey to the local baths where a lady called Ms Scott would conduct lessons.  I can remember holding onto a hoop that was attached to a big stick, kicking our legs as Ms Scott would 'pull' us along the width of the pool, one at a time.  While the rest of the class progressed quite well, earning their 10metres, 25 metres some even 50 or 100 metres, I lacked the confidence to even manage the first landmark.  With armbands I was fine, but take those off me and I'd panic and cling to the side of the pool, willing that hour lesson to be over.  It even got to the stage where I was allowed to go to lessons with the class below us; I simply had to at least get my 10 metres before I left primary school. And sure enough, on the very last lesson, I did it.  I swam 10 metres and got my certificate... sort of.  My foot actually touched the bottom about half way along.  I just carried on, hoping nobody noticed.  Whether they did or not, I'll never know.  I did feel a slight pang of guilt as I went up to get my certificate, but a large part of me was just relieved I'd never have to swim again.

Fast forward a couple of years, and my Grandmother decided I really should learn to swim, and booked me into some lessons after school, on a Tuesday evening.  I was 12 years old and by far the oldest one there.  I can still recall a kid of about 9 saying "you're 12 and you can't swim?!" and basically left me feeling so embarrassed.  I think I only went about 6 or 7 times and gave up.

It's only in the last few years that I've come to realise that I would actually like to learn to swim.  I've been on some great holidays in the last few years and not really been able to cool down in the hotel pool, or gone to Center Parcs and been too scared to go down any of the water slides, or stayed in a gorgeous hotel/spa with my boyfriend and spent most of the time in the jacuzzi or dangling my legs over the side of the pool.  Unfortunately, no longer having a pool in my home town, I could never really attend any adult lessons.  However, this spring sees the opening of a brand-new leisure literally a 10 minute walk from where I live and I'm determined to learn swim once and for all.  I'd already decided that 2014 is the year I get fitter, and in better shape, and with the opening of the new pool it just seems like the right time to learn. We all know swimming is a great form of exercise; it's low impact and you're working all your major muscles.  It also reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.  It's a great mood booster and can help with weight loss and toning up.

I'm currently in contact with the swimming lessons coordinator for the new pool and will hopefully be booking into some lessons when the centre opens in April.  I'm sure I'll be nervous when the time comes for my lessons and I really hope this doesn't get the better of me.  My goal is to be confident enough to be able to go swimming alone  a few times a week; the location is so handy, right near work so would be perfect for squeezing in a few lengths on my way home.  

Have you ever had swimming lessons as an adult?  I'm actually thinking about doing a series of blog posts, to keep track of my progress and maybe encourage other non-swimmers to take up lessons? What do you think?

Hopefully before long I'll be like this...

...and not like this!





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Thursday 20 February 2014

Max Factor Excess Volume, Extreme Impact Mascara

Max Factor's False Last Effect is one of my all time favourite mascara ranges.  I love the original, and also the 'fusion' version, in the purple tube.  As much as I love it, I don't buy it religiously but I do find myself going back to it time and time again.  I went into Boots expecting to pick this up but instead was drawn to another, the Excess Volume, Extreme Impact mascara which was at the introductory price of £9.99.  This double ended mascara features False Lash Effect on one end, combined with a more glossy 'lacquer' on the other.  The latter is of a thinner consistency and has a more traditional, tapered brush with longer bristles.  This is meant to act as a 'top coat' to give your lashes a glossy finish.

My main issue with this mascara is the application.  I'm right handed and have always applied mascara to both eyes with this hand.  This is fine for my right eye, but the short wands of this mascara make it really hard to do my left eye, particularly the inner lashes.  I am getting a bit better with practise, but if I'm in a rush to get ready (which is often the case!) I don't have time for any extra faffing about.  I've tried using my left hand to my left eye, but I end up with clumpy lashes which isn't a good look at all!  Having said that, it applies well and holds a curl, and doesn't really flake or smudge during the day.  I don't think it's actually classed as being waterproof but it does need a decent makeup remover to take off at the end of the day.  Max Factor recommend an oil-based eye makeup remover, but I manage to get it all off pretty easily with my Clinique cleansing balm.  

Max Factor's Excess Volume, Extreme Impact mascara is currently £9.99 in Boots and is due to increase to £12.99 at the end of this month.  

Have you tried this mascara? Do you have the same issues with the application as me?




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Wednesday 19 February 2014

First Impressions: Soap and Glory Moisturisers

I didn't want to call this a 'review' since we all know you're meant to use new skincare products for a while before you know a product is really working for you.  I've not had these quite that long but I'm that pleased with them so far I really want to share them with you.  Soap and Glory's skincare range is something I've pretty much over looked until now; I'm sure any regular readers will know how much I love their makeup and body care ranges, but I've never bothered with any skincare items despite reading many a good review.  After my usual day and night moisturisers ran out, I made my way to Boots and after a bit of browsing I decided to take advantage of their 'third off Soap & Glory' offer and give these a go.  I picked up the For Daily Youth moisturiser to use as a day cream, and the Beauty Sleep Accelerator to use as my new night cream. Soap and Glory recently changed all their skincare packaging to give it a more minimalist and 'grown up' look.  The quirky names and fun outer packaging still remain, but the actual pots and tubes are plain white with bold fonts and much less of a 'retro' feel about them.  I actually really like this combination of stark white packaging, with fun product names and typical Soap and Glory advice like "If you accidentally get product in your eyes, rinse well repeatedly until you no longer feel sorry for yourself." While it's definitely more grown up, you  can still tell it's a Soap and Glory product.

One thing that did worry me about using these products was the fact that they're quite heavily scented. They both smell really fruity, and actually remind me of peach schnapps, which is a little odd!  I don't really have sensitive skin as such, but I've always been a little wary about using scented products on my face just incase. For this reason, I did a sort of 'patch test' on each of them, one at a time, just to make sure I wasn't going to react.  I put a small amount of the night cream on my neck, waited 24 hours and then did the same for the day cream.  With no signs of irritation from either, I was good to go.  

Like I said, I've been using the For Daily Youth each morning after cleansing and toning (when I remember to use my toner that is!). This toothpaste like tube is said to contain a "6-in-1" formulation which maximises moisture levels, soothe stressed skin, rejuvenate tired skin, improve elasticity and soften and smooth the skin.  That's a lot of claims for just one product, and I do think some of them are the same 'claim' but just worded differently.  It's too early to say whether all these claims actually hold up, but so far I've really been liking this moisturiser.  It's lovely and light to apply, sinks into the skin quickly and feels really refreshing. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated, and creates a lovely base for applying my makeup.  It's definitely becoming a welcome addition to my morning skin routine.


Although not technically an anti-ageing product, many a review of the Beauty Sleep Accelerator have commented on how they've noticed a vast improvement in the appearance of any fine lines and wrinkles.  Being in my (early!) 30s this is something that I'm starting to become more aware of.  Since using this my skin certainly feels plumper and the few fine lines I had are less noticeable.  I've been using this in conjunction with my Body Shop Vitamin E Serum-in-Oil each evening and my skin is so soft and hydrated when I wake up.  On the odd occasion where I've fallen into bed without using these, my skin looks so dull, feels dry and just generally uncomfortable.  The tub itself is smaller than I was expecting, but you only need a small amount of product each time so it should hopefully still last a while.  Soap and Glory also suggest you use this if you're on a long flight, but to be fair I'm pretty sure any good moisturiser would suffice for this purpose.  However, if anybody wants me to test it out at 33,000 feet I'll happily let you pay for me to go on holiday! ;)

All in all, I'm so pleased with both of these moisturisers so far.  They smell nice, sink into the skin quickly, and most importantly have really made a difference to my skin.  My skin feels softer and more plumped, and I'd recommend them to everyone.






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Sunday 9 February 2014

Pinterest Picks #1

Hello, my name is Sarah and I'm a Pinterest-aholic.  Most evenings I can lose at least an hour of my life by browsing, pinning and liking; it's very addictive.  I love looking through other people's boards to see what they've pinned, and maybe repin some things onto my own boards.  Two of my favourite categories to look through are quotes; for a bit of inspiration or motivation, and humour; for a good old giggle.  As my blog is lacking in the 'Lifestyle' posts of late (I can't wait for nicer weather so I can blog about fun days out!) I thought it might be a good idea to share a pin or two from these sections and perhaps give my thoughts on them.  I'm not sure how often, just every now and again when I come across pins that really strike a chord with me.  I'm not saying it's a unique idea, I've seen similar things on a couple of other blogs and have always enjoyed reading them; I just want to give it a go myself!


First up is once I can most certainly relate to.  Pretty much everybody has had one of those nights where you're worried about something and instead of sleeping, you spend the night tossing and turning, with the same problem going through your mind and you just can't switch off.   During the day you can busy yourself with work, or uni, or seeing friends or whatever, and you can easily put your worries to the back of your mind and not give them a second thought.  Yes they're still there, but they're small and not too much of a big deal, or maybe they're a bit more significant but you have a clear idea of how you're going to deal with it, or what the outcomes going to be, or you just know that it'll be okay.  But once your tucked up in bed, those problems suddenly seem HUGE.  With out the distractions of day to day life, your imagination runs wild and you're playing out different scenarios in your mind, each getting a bit more exaggerated, resulting in you getting even more freaked out and restless and getting zero sleep.  

I'm a firm believer that everything seems worse at night.  When you're laid in bed, in the dark, in the silence, with no distractions, even the smallest problem can seem like a huge drama.  And any noise is almost certainly a mouse, or a ghost, or somebody trying to get in, when reality it's probably coming from outside, or maybe nextdoor's TV or even just those random creaking noises that older houses can sometimes make.    

It's pretty much a guarantee that once you manage to drop off to sleep, when you wake up, that problem will seem much more manageable, it may have even gone completely.  So next time you're laid at wake at night, worrying yourself silly just try and relax and tell yourself that things will be better in the morning...

Phew! That was all a bit deep and serious wasn't it? Here's one of my favourite funnies of the week to lighten the mood a little...

 Teehee!

Hope you liked this post. Should I make it a regular thing? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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Wednesday 5 February 2014

Bathtime on a Budget

There's nothing I enjoy more than getting into a nice, hot bubble bath at the end of a long day at work.  I'm definitely a bath person, and would prefer a long soak than a quick shower any day.  I always have a stash of Lush bath bombs and bubble bars on the go, love the giant glass jars of Champeys bath soaks, and have gone through more bottles of Soap and Glory's Calm One, Calm All than I care to remember.  But the thing is, they're all a little on the pricey side.  At £6, even Soap and Glory's bath time offering isn't exactly cheap when you go through it as much as I do.  Plus, I don't know if this is just me but, sometimes I don't want colour changing water, bits of confetti floating about, or a load of oil that makes the bathtub turn into an ice rink.  All I want is a good old bubble bath; just bubbles. Plain and simple.  A "no frills" bath if you like. Especially if I'm going to be shaving, exfoliating, and doing all that girlie stuff; I don't want to "waste" my good bath things on that. This is why I always have a bottle of bog-standard bubble bath on the go. My latest find is Morrisons own-brand bath soak, which bares more than a bit of a resemblance to the Radox bottles it was next to on the shelves. 

I opted for two bottles from the "Exotic" range, Moroccan Fusion with Argan Oil, and Oriental Fusion with Orchid and Lychee Extracts.  They also had their own versions of the Relax, Soothe, De-stress bath soaks, but I'm personally not keen on how these smell.  I used the Moroccan Fusion last night, and was impressed with the amount of rich, creamy bubbles I got, even though I didn't use that much product.  That's what's good about these though; at 89p a bottle you can pour in as much as you like (maybe not the whole bottle though, that'd just be crazy...) as it's not breaking the bank if you go through it in a week or two.  Obviously it depends on what type of bath you need; if I've had a super crappy day, I'm not going to mess about with this stuff; I'd want at least one whole bubble bar, candles, a bottle glass of wine and a book.  But if I'm in a bit of rush, doing the above mentioned "maintenance" or just don't want all the faff on of a proper bath, this stuff is ideal.  It's cheap, smells good, gives decent bubbles and isn't too harsh on my skin.

Morrisons bath soak is only 89p and is currently on offer at 2 for £1.50... bargain!
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Tuesday 4 February 2014

Recent Treats





I've definitely been treating myself far too much lately, naughty I know. There has been so many new releases in the last month or so, that I've just had to get my hands on.  First up is the Naked 3 palette from Urban Decay. You'd think that owning the previous two Naked palettes that I didn't need this one.  And that's what I thought too, until I saw it swatched here, there and everywhere. It had to be mine.  Unfortunately my local Debenhams had sold out when I went to buy it.  Instead of rushing home and hastily buying it online, I opted to put my name and number down in store to be contacted as soon as they were back in stock, and they would keep one for me. At least then, I can have another think about whether I really wanted it.  Of course I did, and I was so excited when they called to say my palette was in stock, and waiting to be collected.  I've not had a great deal of time to play around with it yet, as I don't wear a lot of makeup for work, but I've seem some gorgeous looks online that I can't wait to recreate.  Another highly anticipated release for me was the new lip and cheek stain from Benefit; Lollitint.  I've used Benetint on and off for years, and I'm also a big fan of Cha Cha tint and Posietint.  With my Posietint all but ran out, I knew this was a sign to invest in the latest tint release. I absolutely love the colour of this and I think it'll make a gorgeous accompaniment to the shades in my Naked 3 palette.



I've been wanting some decent eyelash curlers for ages and ages.  I've bought cheaper ones in the past and had never been overly impressed.  I'd heard great things about the Shu Uemura and Shiseido curlers online, but could never bring myself to shell out that much on an eyelash curler. However, last week on a  trip to Newcastle (while shopping for a wedding outfit. Oops.) I spotted the Shiseido range in Boots.  I quickly grabbed the curlers, and dashed to the tills before I could change my mind.  I'd actually gone into Boots to pick up a new mascara.  After deciding to revert back to my beloved False Lash Effect, the lady on the Max Factor counter showed me their newest release; the Excess Volume, Extreme Impact mascara.  It's a double ended mascara, featuring False Lash Effect at one end, and a dark lacquer 'top coat' on the other, to give our lashes a jet black, glossy finish.  As it was on offer for £10, I decided to give it a whirl.  I've not used it yet, but I'm excited to try it out and will let you know my thoughts.  There was also a promotion on where you received a free lip liner with any purchase. This pink one was the best of the bunch so in my basket it went. Last up is the latest addition to the Body Shop's Vitamin E range.  This serum-in-oil is a new concept to me at least, and is supposed to have the benefits of a serum and a facial oil all in one.  I've really been enjoying using this each evening after cleansing and my skin is definitely feeling softer because of it.

 Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

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Sunday 2 February 2014

Most Wanted: Pretty in Pastels



Green Top - £16 - Topshop
Pink Tee - £16 - Topshop
Pink Coat - £54.99 - New Look
Brogues - £27.99 - New Look
Bag - £40 - River Island
Jumper - £38 - Topshop

It may still be cold, wet, windy and miserable out there, but slowly but surely spring/summer clothes are creeping into the shops.  Now that January is over and done with, the warmer weather will be here before we know it.  Topshop's basic vests and tees are always a winner, and I really love the scalloped detail on this mint green tee.  The pattern on the pink tee is super pretty too, and both of these will look great with a chunky knit cardigan until the weather's warm enough to go without.  The detail on the shoulders of this lemon jumper is a lovely touch, and I think this teamed simply with jeans and pumps will make for a comfy, casual outfit for lazy days.  I wasn't a big fan of this style of coat originally, I was always worried that the over-sizedness off them would just swamp me as I'm short, but I really do like this one from New Look and am temped to at least try it on in store.  On a sunny-but-cold day like today, I don't really want to wear a dark winter coat, although one still is needed! Something like this would be perfect; it looks a bit more summery yet will still keep you warm.  I always prefer to carry a light coloured handbag in the warmer month and I currently have my eyes on this one from River Island.  I've had bags from there in the past and they've always lasted well.  This one looks more than big enough to hold all my bits and bobs and looks more expensive than it actually is.  I'm definitely going to invest in some brogues this year; I live in my boots throughout the winter, but think brogues are a great transitional item that will keep my feet dry yet not look out of place as the weather starts to improve.  Lastly, I cannot wait to start painting my nails in more summer-like shades.  I've yet to try any Ciaté nail polishes but I really want to.  I've lusted after them for so long. They look so pretty with their little bows tied around the bottles. I love how these aren't too light;  The pink shade, Empress, is part of the Dragonfly collection; a gorgeous pinky nude with a slight pearl finish.  The green, Apple and Custard, has been around for a while.  I'm not a fan of the likes of Barry M's infamous mint green polish, and much prefer a slightly darker finish like this.  

What are you lusting after this spring?
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Sunday 19 January 2014

Young hearts run free

Image: We Heart It.
We all know that,  in the grand scheme of things, age doesn't really matter. This is definitely true in the blogging world.  At the end if the day, we blog because we're passionate about makeup, or fashion, or skincare, or photography,  or parenting, or a combination of those things.  We like to share our thoughts on those things with like minded people, who in turn share their thoughts with us. And because we have these things in common, it shouldn't matter if there's a 3 year, 5 year or even 10 year age gap. And you're right, it doesn't matter. Not in the slightest. Im pretty good at finding common ground with just about anyone, regardless of age.  That said, I do sometimes feel a little self conscious of the fact that I'm generally a fair bit older than your "average" blogger, if there is such a thing. I wonder if I'm "too old" for this kind of thing, and if people are really that interested in what a 30 (yes, 30!) something thinks about a foundation,  or an eyeshadow,  or whatever.  This week during the #bbloggers chat I asked if there were any more "older" bloggers out there, and I got chatting to some lovely ladies who, like me, were that bit older (but still young at heart, right ladies?!) and sometimes felt a little out of the loop.We reminisced about our first makeup experiences; dodgy lipstick, hair mascaras,  using concealer as lipstick, velcro-like applicators... thats the 90s for you!

**We also talked about maybe starting our own little Twitter chat. After much deliberation, we decided on the hashtag #30sbloggers. 30s because we wanted to keep the hashtag as short as possible, though those approaching their 30s are more than welcome too!  The chat will take place each Sunday at 9pm UK time, after the main bloggers chat and we'd love to see you there!**

The lovley ladies I was chatting to are listed below, be sure to check out their blogs if you haven't already!

Adela - Miss Pink Style 
Caroline - Notes from Caroline 
Caroline ("Miff") - Blot and Reapply
Karen - My Beautopia 


 
Sarah xx
#30sbloggers Twitter chat, Sundays 9pm UK time.
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Recent Favourites



Urban Decay 'Shattered' Face Case - Debenhams
Santa's Lip Scrub - Lush (no longer available)
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - Boots
Viva La Juicy, La Fleur EDT -  Boots 
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, 8.0 - Amazon

As much as I enjoy reading monthly favourites posts, personally I don't change what I'm using enough to have different favourites every month.  So I thought doing a 'recent favourites' posts is the best way to show what I've been loving, just not on such a regular basis. First up is the Urban Decay 'Shattered' Face Case.  I picked this up a few months ago and it's pretty much all I've been using since.  With five eyeshadows, two blushers, a highlighter, lipgloss and brushes.  Speaking of brushes,  I bought the Real Techniques expert face brush as a back up for my buffing brush. as I couldn't justify buying another Core Collection set.  It's just as good, if not better, at applying liquid foundation, and I'm planning on doing a comparison post soon.  I've been quite restrained with Lush recently, however I did pick up the Santa's lip scrub in the run up to Christmas.  The cold, windy weather has taken it's toll on my lips, but this little pot has really helped them stay soft and flake-free.  I love the smell too, it reminds me of fizzy cola bottles!I managed to get a sample of this Viva la Juicy, La Fleur perfume on a shopping trip back in November; they were giving them out in Dorothy Perkins.  I'd actually forgotten about it, til a weekend away when I hastily put it in my bag as my trusty Travalo had temporarily gone AWOL.  I was actually really pleasantly surprised by it, it smells gorgeous! So much so, that I bought myself a full size bottle for Christmas. Sneaky, I know! Last up is my Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, which was a bit of a post-Christmas treat, using my Christmas money.  I'd resisted gettng a tablet for so long, but now I wonder why! This one is the perfect size for curling up and reading; whether it be a book or a blog post, not to mention browsing Twitter and Facebook, and another set of lives for my Candy Crush addiction. If you're debating on whether to get a tablet, I definitely recommend you do!
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Friday 17 January 2014

Travalo


 
If, like me, you like to top up your fragrance throughout the day, you'll know how doing so isn't always practical.  As beautiful as many perfume bottles are they're not the safest things to carry around. Even the smallest and most compact bottles could still easily smash, ruining your handbag,  your perfume, and risk cutting yourself. Not good! 

This is where the Travalo comes in. It's basically a miniature, refillable spray bottle (or perfume atomiser if you want to get technical!) that makes taking your favourite scent with you so much easier, wherever you go. Originally designed with air-travel in mind, the Travalo is made from aeroplane grade aluminium, and contains no glass parts. However  whether you're a frequent flier or not, the Travalo is SO handy. Its tiny, less than 9cm, size means it can fit into pretty handbag. It's super sturdy too and has withstood many a night out, train journey and shopping trip with barely even a scratch.

There are a few different variations of the Travalo,  but I think mine is the excel model. I paid around £10 in House of Fraser for mine, but you can find them cheaper online.  Regardless of which one you have, they all fill up in the same way.  Simply take your perfume of choice and remove the little metal spray cap; it goes back on, don't worry! Then place your Travalo onto the little spout where the cap was.  All you need to do then is pump it up an down and your Travalo will fill up. You can keep an eye on how full it's getting through the little 'window'. It's important not to fill it more than 3/4 full as this can stop it from working properly.   That's all there is to it! This particular model contains around 65 sprays which would easily last you a trip away. 

Travalo is available in a variety of colours, and as I've said, a variety of styles. I definitely want to pick up a few more in different colours. If you like your perfume, then this is something I can't recommend enough.

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Wednesday 15 January 2014

Charles Worthington Instense Rescue Balm

After having a touch of ombre added to my hair last month, I noticed that the ends were feeling rather dry, so off I popped to Boots to see what they had to offer.  I actually posted about the things I bought here and I thought I'd do a post about my favourite of the three; the Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm.  This is part of the 'Salon at Home' range which, as the name suggests, is designed to give you the "salon experience" in the comforts of your own home. 

At £16.99 it's not exactly cheap, but the fact that all the Professional Haircare range was on a 3 for 2 offer, it didn't work out too bad.  The pot itself is also tiny, so it does feel like you're not getting a great deal of product for your money.  However, where this hair treatment is different from so many others out there is that it is in fact a hard, solid wax, almost like a cleansing balm, or coconut oil.  You only need to scoop out a small amount as when you rub it between your palms, it transforms into a light oil.  You then apply this to dry hair, and leave on for around 20-30 minutes.  It's entirely up to you; you can even leave it on over night if you so wish. I definitely prefer this method; you can carry on doing other things while the balm does it's magic, and you don't have that annoying loiter in the shower like you would with the usual post-shampoo treatments.  With it being an oil, you hair will feel rather greasy after application, but clipping it up out of the way stops it being too annoying, you could even wrap it up in a warm towel as the heat would help the oil penetrate the hair.

After this time you simply wash your hair as normal. From the first time I used it, the condition of my hair has improved loads, especially the ends where the, albeit diluted, bleach had dried my locks out somewhat. I think I've used this about 3 or 4 times now, alternating with my Lee Stafford conditioning treatment.  I definitely prefer this one though, even if just for the convenience of applying it before getting in the shower.  The smell is also gorgeous. I can't quite put my finger on what it is that is smells of, but it's really light, yet luxurious, and lingers on your hair afterwards. This product has been around a good while now, and I think the initial hype surrounding it has definitely eased.  However, if like me you didn't succumb to the wonders of it then, I suggest you get yourselves to Boots pronto and give it a whirl! Yes it's expensive, but a little bit really does go a long way and more importantly, it really does work.



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