Thursday, 21 August 2014

90s Inspired Outfit


Top - ASOS
Jeans - Topshop (Hayden)
Shoes - Topshop
Hey guys! So today's post is a quick one, detailing my outfit for tonight's meal that I'm going to in honour of celebrating mine and my cousin's results, and also my aunt and uncle's 21st anniversary! 
The weather's not great at the moment so I opted for ripped jeans (I secretly still want it to be summer) and a cream turtle neck, which is a fine knit top. My shoes are from Topshop, which I think are still in stores now, and are my absolute favourite pair of heeled boots, as you can dress them up or down! I feel like I'm following the 90s trend which is quite wildly worn at the moment, as it should be, the 90s will forever be my favourite decade!

Hope you enjoyed this quick update!

Jazz x 

Sunday, 10 August 2014

The Body Shop - The Wild Argan Oil Review



There's nothing like a new set of The Body Shop products to get a girl excited! 
So the other week, my mum went to fetch my usuals, (the seaweed collection) and got talking to one of the lovely ladies working that day, and she happened to mention that I have a blog, bless her. Anyway, the lady who was working there (her name's Rachel, working at the Solihull branch, she is an absolute gem and is so so helpful!) asked for me to come in to review some products that are launching on Tuesday!



These new products that are launching on Tuesday are the 'Wild Argan Oil' range, and the products that are included are: Wild Argan Oil Bubble Bath, Wild Argan Oil (for body and hair), Wild Argan Oil Body Butter and a Wild Argan Oil Exfoliating Scrub.



Wild Argan Oil - Bubble Bath

Wild Argan Oil - Body Butter

Wild Argan Oil - Exfoliating Scrub (Middle) and Oil for body and hair (Right)
Now, I don't usually take a liking to products very easily, I have to use them a few times before I've formed a solid opinion on them, and I suppose thats normal for most people.
However, having tried and tested these products with the three samples of each that I was given (I used them in conjunction with each other), I can safely say that I will definitely be investing in the majority of these products.

Wild Argan Oil - Bubble Bath

Bubble bath is one of those products that I get excited purchasing.. sounds strange right? Well it probably is. I usually have a lovely little collection built up courtesy of Lush, however after trying out this particular range, I have a new favourite! The fragrance is light, slightly sweet, and floral but very gentle on the skin. 

Wild Argan Oil - Exfoliating Scrub

THIS SCRUB! I absolutely love it. Seriously though, I was a bit apprehensive before using this because I'm usually quite sensitive to scrubs, and they tend to dry my skin out a lot, therefore I usually make my own, using either almond or coconut oil and a dark brown sugar. BUT, after using this twice, my skin has already started to show signs of improvement, its more supple and definitely not dry after use. The beads in the scrub are smaller than most scrubs and dissolve so much better than others that I've previously used, however still end up exfoliating your skin extremely well! As the scrub contains Argan Oil, you can actually feel that your skin is being moisturised as well as cleansed. Just like the bubble bath, the scent lasts on your skin for a good while, and is so pleasant!

Wild Argan Oil - Body Butter

I used this body butter straight after my shower, and after the scrub had been used. It has the same scent as the rest of the products, which added to the lasting power on my skin (which I was over the moon about!) and above all, sorted out my dry skin in no time! I usually get dry patches on my arms and my usual moisturiser wasn't cutting it, so I'd been meaning to find a new one for a while. I've decided that when this product launches, I am definitely investing in the body butter! My skin stayed soft without a need for reapplication, which I do sometimes need to do. A total life saver! (It's also grease-free, and sinks into your skin very quickly.. so no need to fret about sticky clothing!)

Wild Argan Oil - Oil for Body and Hair

I must admit I haven't tried this as a body oil yet, however having tried it on my hair I am recommending this a product for those who want to try the original Moroccan Oil hair product, but are afraid to because they don't want their hair to become greasy! As that product is quite thick, I can empathise with those with finer hair, as it can tend to become greasy. But, this new body oil by The Body Shop is very thin, and is suitable for any hair type, as it doesn't coat the hair, it simply disappears when you've massaged it into the ends of damp hair. (It also smells gorgeous too.)

So there we have it, my complete review of the yet to be released, Argan Oil range of products by The Body Shop, launching on Tuesday 12th August. Definitely a must have set of products for people who enjoy using argan oil, and I think it is perfect for those suffering with mild dry skin. 

Jazz x

Monday, 4 August 2014

Skincare and Seaweed

Back - Seaweed Cleansing Facial Wash
Nivea Soft Moisturiser
Seaweed Purifying Facial Cleanser
Right. Skincare. I don't know about you guys, but skincare products are literally THE most important products in my life! I've been through loads of different brands before finally finding 'The One.'

Front - Seaweed Clarifying Toner
Seaweed Pore Perfector
Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream
Swatch - Seaweed Pore Perfector
Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream
So back in 2012, I was advised by my mum to visit The Body Shop after suffering a mass breakout of spots, which I couldn't control by using the current products I was using, which was the Forever Living, Aloe Vera range. 
When I walked in, as some of you may know, there are a wide range of different products to suit different skin types which at first baffled me quite a bit! However, once a member of staff approached me and started talking to me about my skin type, we quite quickly figured out which products would suit me.

Since I have combination skin, which is a combination of both dry and oily skin, the seaweed range of products are developed specifically for that skin type. At first I was skeptical as to whether or not this was going work, as nothing else had! However, after using these products for a good two years, I can confirm that I don't think I will ever be able to use anything else! In just one week I had noticed a definite improvement, my skin looked brighter, and my spots had reduced significantly, leaving me with an even complexion. 

My Regime

I follow the basic 3 step routine, which involves cleansing, toning and moisturising.

- Every morning, I'll rinse my face with water, and then taking the Deep Cleansing Facial Wash, squeezing a little larger than a pea sized amount onto my fingertips, I'll massage it into my face in circular motions, I'll then rinse it off with luke warm water.
- Following this, using some cotton pads and 2-3 droplets of the Clarifying Toner, I'll (again in circular, clockwise motions) rub that all over my face, concentrating on areas that get oily very quickly, because for me those are the areas which build up dirt the quickest. I'll do this using about 2 or 3 cotton pads, usually. (You'll probably feel a tingling sensation when you use it, which I was told isn't an issue.. just means it's working!)
- Lastly I'll moisturise using my favourite moisturiser, Nivea Soft Cream. Some days I'll also use the Mattifying Cream, but only if I'm wearing makeup for an occasion that day, so it provides extra protection against oily skin.

- I repeat those steps in the evening also - however if I've been wearing makeup I'll use the Purifying Facial Cleanser in the same way that I use the toner, right after I've cleansed my face using the Deep Cleansing Facial Wash. This removes excess makeup quickly before toning, which then removes impurities and dirt. 
- I sometimes also use the Seaweed Pore Perfector, which I find minimises the look of pores quite significantly, however can also dry out my skin. 

Why?

Cleansing and toning is extremely important, whatever your skin may be like! It helps to remove traces of makeup that may not be removed from just using a make up wipe, and if this isn't done, can lead to clogged up pores which results in spots (ew)
Just something to bare in mind!

I hope this helps any of guys who are struggling to find a good skin care routine, and products for that matter! I can't express how well The Body Shop products work on me, there aren't any unnecessary chemicals in any of the products, and every skin type has a specific range of products, which I'm sure work just as well as these that I've tested!