Lockdown Loungewear with Femme Luxe

Our current lockdown has very few benefits but thankfully their are some - being able to try new hobbies, indulging in more time for reading, helping others in our communities and being able to wear all of our comfy clothing! I have been self employed and working from home for years and while I do like to have a routine of getting dressed in jeans or comfy trousers everyday, I think it is more than ok for us to work from home in loungewear or pyjamas now and it is something I have easily become very used to!

I was very kindly gifted a couple of petite loungewear sets from the lovely people over at Femme Luxe which is a Manchester based company that has a huge range of loungewear to choose from. Since the lockdown has been in place, I've realised that I own very little that could be described as 'loungewear' apart from a couple of pairs of leggings and jumper dresses so I was very excited to choose a couple of sets from Femme Luxe to add to my wardrobe.

 

*Oversized T-Shirt and Leggings Loungewear Set (£13.99, sale) 

Let's start with the Everleigh set which comes with an oversized, long t-shirt with short sleeves and a pair of leggings. I have the size Small (UK 8/10) and the black colour option which is currently out of stock but there are white and grey options too. I initially wanted to choose the grey version but it was out of stock at the time, although I am happy with the black set. I never usually wear leggings but they are so comfortable and perfect to pair with an oversized t-shirt - it's the ultimate, easy loungewear option that still looks put together.

I have a size Small in both petite loungewear sets and they fit perfectly! I am a size small in most clothing brands or between a UK 8 to 10, depending on the brand so I think they are very accurate in terms of the sizing. The leggings are a little see through but with the oversized t-shirt it's something I don't have to worry about. If you're looking for an everyday, lightweight and simple loungewear set, I can't recommend it enough, especially as it is currently on sale.

*Loungewear Tracksuit Set (£18.99, sale) 

Even though I love the previous set, I think this grey tracksuit set has to be my favourite and I know that I'm going to be wearing it constantly while we are still in lockdown. The fit is perfect, the length of the trousers is ideal (which I was very happy about as most loungewear trousers are ridiculously long on me) and they are both so soft. I thought the material might be a little heavy or not as soft as I hoped it would be but thankfully I was wrong as both the long sleeve top and trousers are both super soft and stretchy so they are very comfortable. It is a loungewear set I have wanted to wear constantly since I received them, they are that comfortable.

Overall, this is my first experience trying anything from Femme Luxe and I'm impressed with the quality for the price point, the huge range of styles available and the fit which is very true to size. They currently have so many of their loungewear items and sets on sale so go, go, go to grab yourself some lockdown loungewear!

Have you tried anything from Femme Luxe? 

*gifted

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The Ultimate Spring Fragrance with Perfume Direct

While autumn may be my favourite season, spring is a very close second place and there's nothing more spring-like than blue skies and the scent of newly bloomed flowers. Every season I alternate the skincare, makeup and fragrances I'm using to suit the season, weather and trends. Floral fragrances are some of my favourites and there are a couple that I've loved for years that always remind me of spring and summer holidays and happy memories.

One of the fragrances is Daisy by Marc Jacobs which I've tried a few variations of and adored all of them but I think the original will always be one of my all time favourites, closely followed by Daisy Dream. I was very kindly sent a bottle of the original Daisy by Marc Jacobs fragrance from the lovely people over at Perfume Direct - thank you for reintroducing me to one of my all time favourite fragrances!

*Daisy by Marc Jacobs (EDT, 50ml)

Let's take a moment to appreciate how utterly adorable the bottles are for all of the entire Marc Jacobs Daisy range! My favourite bottle design is the original Daisy fragrance but the Daisy Dream is a very close second - I reviewed and included it within my January 2016 beauty favourites post! The box is also adorable so it would make a lovely gift and it is very spring-like too.

The fragrance itself is described as a sparkling, fresh and youthful fragrance which I think makes it ideal for spring and for any age as it is a fragrance that I think would suit anyone and almost any occasion. It has a range of uplifting floral notes combined with fresh fruit and creamy musky notes which makes the most intoxicating spring and summer fragrance.

Top notes: Violet Leaf, Blood Grapefruit, Strawberry
Middle notes: Gardenia, Violet, Jasmine
Base notes: Musk, White Woods, Vanilla

The notes are perfect and it makes me instantly happier when I spray the fragrance onto my skin and clothing. As well as being such a glorious, spring-like fragrance, it is also one of the most long lasting fragrances I've ever tried. It is an EDT which tend to be less long lasting and weaker compared to EDP equivalents; however the longevity of the Daisy EDT is very impressive as I can smell the fragrance clearly on my clothing or accessories the day after I initially applied the fragrance.

Over the past couple of years I've slowly decreased the amount of beauty products (and all items in general) I've been purchasing but fragrances are always items I'll invest in as they are little luxuries that I love to use everyday. I think that finding not only the right fragrance for you is important but one that is as long lasting as it can be too and I think the balance is perfect with the Daisy range from Marc Jacobs. The range is a little pricy but the quality, heavenly scent and impressive longevity (so a little goes a long way) more than makes up for the price tag.

Have you tried any of the Marc Jacobs Daisy range?

*gifted

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Eco Friendly Choices with So Natural Cosmetics

One of my goals for the year was to make more environmentally friendly choices; I am already vegan which is my most significant eco-friendly choice and I recycle as much as I can but I think I can make better choices when it comes to the everyday products I'm using in terms of the packaging used, ingredients and if the items are recyclable. Thankfully there are many more natural and environmentally friendly options now and one of the new-to-me brands that ticks all of the boxes is So Natural Cosmetics.

I was very kindly sent a few of their products to try out and I've been loving using them. They have a wide range of natural, plant-based skincare, body care products and accessories. I was sent the waterproof makeup remover, lip balm, deodorant stick and the reusable makeup pads and wash bag, the latter is an item I've wanted to try for months.

*So Natural Cosmetics Moisturising Lip Balm (£4.99)

Let's start with the lip balm which is packaged in paper tube that is not only utterly adorable but it is also made in the UK and is fully recyclable. The lip balm is vegan and contains organic ingredients including: castor oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and more - check out their website for a full list of the ingredients for each product.

The lip balm also contains peppermint essential oils so is smells lovely and it makes it feel very refreshing to use. On the topic of using the product, as it comes in a paper tube, you have to push up the base to dispense more of the product rather than twist the tube as you would with plastic packaging. It's a very effective, moisturising but gentle lip balm that I can't recommend enough.

*So Natural Effective Deodorant Stick (£8.95)

Next up is probably my favourite product of the four I was sent, very closely followed by the makeup pads, it's the So Natural deodorant stick. They offer a gel deodorant and a stick version, the latter comes in a paper tube like the lip balm. I love the packaging and that it is vegan! The deodorant contains lovely natural ingredients such as coconut oil, rosemary leaf extract and castor oil, to name a few.

I love the scent as it is minty, coconutty (not a word) and very food-like to me which might be something you love too or it might be a little too unusual. I've tried a couple of natural deodorants and I did like them but they were both in glass pot containers which made them a little less convenient to use so I'm glad this one is in a handy stick format. It isn't irritating on the skin and it doesn't feel heavy or sticky thankfully. For me personally it is a gentle but effective deodorant and I'd highly recommend it if you want to switch to a natural deodorant without having to make any compromises.

*So Natural Waterproof Makeup Remover (£9.95)

The penultimate item from So Natural is their waterproof makeup remover which contains vitamins, castor oil and olive oil as well as a few other natural ingredients to create a gentle and soothing makeup remover. I haven't been wearing much makeup while we've been in lockdown apart from brow pencil and a little mascara so I don't think I've really tested this makeup remover to it's limits just yet but it did work well removing my CC cream, brow pencil, lipstick and non-waterproof mascara. I haven't used it on my stubborn waterproof mascaras yet or my long lasting lipstick but I hope it will work equally as effectively as it has been.

*So Natural Eco-Friendly Reusable Makeup Pads and Wash Bag (£18.95)

Last but definitely not least is an item I've wanted to try for months and I had a set in my Amazon saved list ready to purchase so I'm glad I was able to review this set from So Natural. I have the set that comes with the wash bag but you can buy the pads and wash bag individually too. The pack contains 10 pads (8cm in diameter) as well as the mesh wash bag which is made of recycled cotton.

I did wash the pads by hand before I used them and I have been using them for removing my makeup since I recently them a couple of weeks ago. The pads is the perfect size, they are hand sewn and they can be reused over and over again. The pad is soft and smooth but one side is slightly rougher than the other which makes it great for makeup removal. I'm so happy with the pads and now I don't have to purchase any more cotton pads!

Have you tried anything from So Natural? Are you trying to make more environmentally friendly choices? 

*gifted

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DegustaBox - April 2020

It's that time of the month again for my DegustaBox review! If you've been following my blog for the past week or so then you may have read my previous post all about subscription boxes that can help you get through lockdown and I think that DegustaBox is a great option if you're looking for a monthly subscription box filled with snacks, drinks and cooking ingredients.

*DegustaBox - April 2020 (£7.99 with the code DTPL4)

Each DegustaBox contains a plethora of amazing items from well known and smaller brands as well as a variety of items for numerous dietary requirements. The box theme varies each month and the April theme is 'UK vs international' which I'm not entirely sure about but it does contain a few fantastic items. The brands included range from Very Lazy (which I love), Terrys and Tilda to lesser known options such as Sxollie, Remedy, Growers Garden and more.

*Terrys Chocolate Orange Minis - Popping Candy

I'll start with the sweet treats and the first is from Terrys but it is a variation on their original and well known chocolate orange as they now have a popping candy flavour. The change was made for Easter, although I don't think many people were able to celebrate with friends or family this year; however I hope you all received or bought some chocolatey goodies anyway! There are two bags of the popping candy mini chocolate orange segments in the box to share.

*Bynmor Flapjack (£1.29)

The second sweet treats are flapjacks from a British company I haven't heard of before! There are two bars in the box in the following flavours: caramel fudge and apple & raspberry. The apple and raspberry option is vegan and the other is vegetarian. I have tried the apple and raspberry flapjack and I love it - I knew I would as I used to eat flapjack bars either as part of my lunch in secondary school or as a treat from my aunties.

*Percy's Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Sticks (£3)

Another sweet treat that would have been perfect for Easter to share were these adorably packaged caramel chocolate shortbread sticks from another brand I haven't heard of. Sadly, they aren't vegan but if they were I think I would have loved them as I adore the combination of biscuits, chocolate and gooey caramel.

*Remedy Kombucha (£1.85 each)

I've tried a few different flavours and brands of kombucha and while I don't hate it, I haven't found a flavour that I would want to buy again, until now. There are two flavours within the box: raspberry lemonade and cherry plum. Out of the two flavours, the raspberry lemonade sounds like it would be perfect for me but it didn't have much of a flavour aside from being quite bitter but thankfully I loved the cherry plum flavour - I would buy it in the future.

*Sxollie Cider (£1.80)

Sticking with the drinks included in the box is a rather unique alcoholic drink as it is award winning, vegan and gluten free cider. Also, the apples are all sourced from the Elgin Valley in South Africa. I don't drink very often but when I do, the easy option is always cider as I know that I'll probably like it; however it's a little difficult knowing if any item is vegan (unless it is specifically mentioned on the label) so I'm glad this one is clearly labelled as vegan. Additionally, on the bottle, it states that every purchase helps empower women in South Africa which is fantastic!

*Tilda Peri Peri Microwave Rice (£1.59)

I personally can't stand microwave rice as they all taste like plastic to me but there's one that is the exception to my rule - the Tilda lemon and herb microwave rice which I adore! I hoped I would like this one too (it is suitable for vegans) and I do, thankfully. I think these packets are perfect for a super quick and easy lunch with veggies.

*Growers Garden Fresh Broccoli Crisps (£1.99)

This brand and product has been included within a previous DegustaBox and I'm glad it has returned, in my favourite flavour, as I really liked them. The flavour is sour cream and onion which is the best crisp flavour ever, don't argue with me. They are so addictive and I cannot recommend them enough although I think it will be a bit of a love it or hate it product.

*Very Lazy Pastes (£1.85 each)

The penultimate items are two of the pastes from Very Lazy which is a brand I already love and buy from. I currently have their garlic in the fridge so I'm very happy to try more. I've only used the ginger paste so far but it is fantastic. I love to cook but I hate cleaning up and I also hate having to chop up ingredients like garlic and ginger as it can be a little fiddly and tedious so these pre-made pastes are very convenient - I can't recommend them enough.

*Peppadew Sweet Piquante Peppers (£3)

The final product is one of the international items (four of the items in the box were International and the remaining six were from brands in the UK) and it is an ingredient I haven't tried before, sweet piquante peppers. The peppers are apparently great to add onto pizza, pastas, salads, wraps and burgers, among other meals so I'm interested to try them!

Don't forget to use the code: DTPL4 to get your first box for only £7.99!

Have you tried any of these products or a DegustaBox? 

*gifted

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Latest In Beauty: April 2020 Edit

Today's post is all about the April edition of the Latest In Beauty box, which you can still purchase, and it's one of the best ever! As some of you may know, if you have been following my blog for a while, I am lucky enough to review the Latest In Beauty boxes each month. I am sent the *Latest In Beauty Beauty Guru Box (£22, one off box) and it contains six items, although there are two other box options to choose from if you want more or less products within your box. 

There are so many aspects about the Latest In Beauty boxes and the subscription in general such as the wide range of products each month, the packaging, the brands included and the flexibility that I love but one of my favourite things is the monthly theme and daily product additions to the monthly selection. At the start of each month, there's a sneak peek of all the items in the box so you can see what will be included. I had my eye on a couple of products I waited to order so my review of the April box is a little late, oops! 

*Oh K! Three Step Sheet Mask 

I'll start with the one skincare item I added to my box for April and it's a Korean sheet mask from Oh K! I have tried masks from this brand before and loved them so I was interested to try another especially as it's unlike any other mask I've tried before. I have tried a two step mask but this one contains not one, not two but three steps. Firstly, you use the detoxifying cleanser, followed by the anti-pollution sheet mask then the soothing serum. I cannot wait to try this mask!

*Schwarzkopf Colour Expert Permanent Hair Dye - Dark Brown

I'm always so intrigued by the items included within each months selection because they can be so varied and I think my April box is a great example of the range on offer as I was able to add a makeup item, shampoo, Korean sheet mask, makeup sponge cleanser, luxe body care products and a hair dye in my box. Where else you you receive such a wide variety of products in one subscription box!

As we are currently in lockdown, I wanted to choose items that would be useful for the next few weeks so I had to choose a hair dye as the greys are getting too out of hand! I am in my late twenties but I have had to dye my hair since I was around 22 because of grey hairs so I think hair dye is a lockdown essential for me! I haven't tried the dye yet but I will be very soon especially as it claims to provide long lasting colour and 100% grey coverage that also protects the hair from damage.

*System Professional Inessence Shampoo (50ml)

The second haircare item I added was a mini shampoo from System Professional which is a brand I haven't heard of before. The shampoo claims to reduce frizz (which is something my hair has in abundance), improve manageability and provide instant refreshment. It has a very salon-like scent which I love and I can't wait to give it a go as I'm not loving the shampoo I'm currently using.

*Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Shower Gel and Body Lotion

Every month there will be a Hall Of Fame product (or in this case, two products), that are the highlights of the box. I'm always very happy with the Hall Of Fame products and I typically choose them to be included in my box and when I noticed that the April products were from Molton Brown...I was very excited. Molton Brown is one of my favourite luxury body care brands and I love all of their scents so I knew these two products would be heavenly, as the name suggests.

Typically the Hall Of Fame product is one item but the April box contains both the 100ml shower gel as well as the 100ml body lotion, in the same scent. The scent is so perfect for spring as it is very floral, fresh and uplifting to match the glorious sunny weather we've been having. I'm very happy with both Hall Of Fame products this month and I can't wait to see what next months selection brings.

*Sponge Clean Cleanser 

There are new products added to the selection each month but a few remain for a while and one item I've been intrigued by is this beauty sponge cleanser. It comes in a 250ml bottle and claims to wash beauty sponges (such as a Beauty Blender) easily and effectively so they are like-new after washing. I haven't tried the sponge cleanser yet but I'm interested to see how it differs from just using soap and water. It has a lovely summery scent and I hope I'll be able to use it on my makeup brushes too.

*Evalina Beauty Shimmer Shadow Stick - Stardust 

Last but not least is a makeup item and I typically don't choose the makeup items from the Latest In Beauty selection as they tend to come in a randomly selected shade but thankfully for this beautiful eyeshadow stick, I loved all of the three shades on offer. I received the shade 'stardust' which is a gorgeous and very summery peachy pink shade that looks so pretty on the eyes as a single wash of colour for a quick, easy makeup look. I've only tried it once so far and I love the shade as well as the formula but it creases almost instantly on my fairly deep set eyes so I will have to try it with a primer in the future and hope that it prevents creasing.

I recently published a new post all about my subscription box recommendations for self isolation and those in quarantine, if you want more subscription box reviews. 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of the April selection? 

*gifted

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*Get Your Skin Ready For Summer

Image from Pinterest
*This is a sponsored post 

As summer approaches, there are loads of companies out there pushing exercise regimes, diet plans and products all aimed at getting you ‘beach body ready’. Whilst you’re so busy focusing on your physique, it’s easy to forget about one of the most important parts of your body: your skin. Your skin is a prominent feature no matter what you’re wearing, but especially in the summer when you’re wearing fewer clothes and keen to show off your dewy, sun kissed complexion. With this in mind, here are some of the ways you can prepare your skin for the summer, so that you look as fresh and ready for the sun as you feel.

Learn About Your Skin Type 

The first step to changing any part of your skincare regime is to learn about your skin type, if you don’t know it already. If you’re using the wrong type of product for your skin, then it simply won’t work, or could even exacerbate any problems you may have. As well as the type of skin you have, consider any allergies you have and any past experiences you’ve had with certain products or ingredients. This will save you a lot of time and effort finding the skincare solutions that will work for you.

Exfoliate Properly For Smooth Skin 

Before you start slathering on expensive skincare products and face masks to get your skin ready for the summer, it’s important that you exfoliate. When done properly, exfoliation can get rid of all of the grime and dead skin cells on your body and leave the surface primed and ready for your skincare regime. Don’t just exfoliate your face: your entire body needs to be scrubbed clean before you start using products and techniques to improve the look and feel of your skin.

Clear Out Your Makeup Bag 

While you’re out there spending time and money on a flawless skincare regime, the makeup you put on every day could be sabotaging your efforts. If your makeup is old and your tools are unclean, then you’ll be covering your face in germs and dirt everyday. Check the expiry dates on your makeup, and if in doubt, throw it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the makeup you use, as poor quality, dirty or expired products could be having a detrimental long-term effect on not only the appearance of your skin, but also its health. Your skin is the biggest organ on your body, so it’s important that you take good care of it, even if that means sacrificing your favourite, out-of-date eyeshadow palette.

Rejuvenate Your Face 

A harsh winter and months of hard living can leave your face looking worse for wear. To get it back in peak condition in time for the summer, work with the aesthetic treatment specialists at Clinetix. From Botox to non-surgical facelifts and beyond, the team has the experience to help you find the treatment that will suit your face and give you the visage you desire.

The Food You Eat Can Affect Your Skin 

Your skincare regime shouldn’t just revolve around the products you put on your skin: you also need to think about the food you put into your body. Some foods will help your skin to rejuvenate and look great in time for the summer, so try to incorporate them into your diet to get the best skin you can in time for the warmer weather. Following these tips will help you to achieve the glistening, tanned summer skin you’ve always dreamed of. Once summer arrives, remember to protect your skin with sun cream. Healthy skin looks and feels beautiful, so it’s important that you use these tips to keep your skin looking great in the run-up to summer and beyond.

Do you have any summer skincare tips, advice or product recommendations? 

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