After every shower, I always have to moisturise, without fail! Back a few months ago I was slathering on the body butter like no tomorrow, but recently the temperature has started to pick up slightly so for the last month and a bit I’ve switched to using body lotions with my current choice being the Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion.

The Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion is an unfragranced body lotion which is suitable for dry and very dry skin types. Initially I was expecting the lotion to be thicker in consistency so it surprised me when it turned out to actually be considerably light, if a little watery!

The lotion is easily absorbed into the skin, and doesn’t leave any sticky or greasy residue. It does lock in moisture to an extent and my skin certainly feels hydrated for a number of hours, although perhaps not quite as long as 24 hours as they so boldly claim!

However having used the Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion for a number of weeks now, my final verdict is that I’ve found that it’s not quite hitting the right notes for me. Since the formula is not as dense as my usual body butters, I’m having to apply more product than normal in order to cover my whole body so I’m going through this bottle quite quickly already! In terms of its moisturising properties, I have definitely come across products such as the Dove Indulgent Nourishment Moisturiser which would fit the bill better and use less product at the same time.

Vaseline is a very renowned brand in the skin care/body care world and I’ve used many of their products over the years, so this Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion taken me aback.

A 400 ml bottle costs around £4.50 which isn’t too unreasonable, but may explain why I’ve found the formula to be a bit lacking.

Have you tried the Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion before?

Love Sophia xo

The post Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion Review appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

I tried my first BB Cream (Skin79 Hot Pink BB Cream) around 2 years ago after seeing a lot of hype around them from bloggers and YouTubers. I then went on a break from using it for a while because my complexion caught the sun and became too tan for the very light shade. However when I went to Hong Kong in February I decided to give BB cream another go and after trawling through many reviews, I purchased the Missha Signature BB Cream.

The Missha Signature BB Cream comes in a hard cased tube with pump and is decorated with pretty freehand drawn flower shapes on the back of a bronze metallic background.

There’s 3 colours to choose from No. 13 Light Milk Beige, No. 21 Light Pink Beige and No.23 Natural Yellow Beige, and I was recommended to use No. 23 by the sales assistant. This shade suited me perfectly and unlike the Skin79 BB Cream, it doesn’t leave my face with an ashy overcast and looks much more natural for my complexion.

To cover my entire face I normally use about half a pump and apply by dotting all over my face then blending with a Sigma Flat Top Kabuki Brush F80. This is the exact same routine that I follow for the application of the Missha BB Boomer too which is what I use underneath the BB cream for more long lasting results!

What I love about this BB Cream is that the coverage is light and it has a natural, dewy finish. The formula is really moisturising too and despite the somewhat colder whether we had up until recently where my skin was noticeably dryer, it didn’t cling to any dry patches but instead just blends in evenly. It has SPF 25 included as well which will be great for use in the summer (which is just around the corner hopefully!) and protecting my face against the sun.

The Missha Signature BB Cream cost $171 HKD (£14) which I think is a good price on the basis of how little you actually have to use, the excellent coverage it gives and with the SPF it doubles up as sun screen!

I purchased the Missha Signature BB Cream in the Missha store but you can also buy from Sasa.com or Yesstyle.com.

Have you tried the Missha Signature BB Cream? Have you tried any BB creams yet either from Asia or in the UK?

Love Sophia xo

The post Missha Signature BB Cream Review appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

Being a devote eyeliner and mascara wearer I need a makeup remover which can help me to get it all off swiftly when I need to, which tends to be when I’m tired and trying to get ready for bed! I normally just use my Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm or in more recent days, the Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse balm but one vital product I use now before embarking on a deep cleanse is the Ahava Eye Makeup Remover*.

The formula for the Ahava Eye Makeup Remover is made up of half water and half oil and you can clearly see the separation between both liquids in the bottle. It’s paraben, fragrance and SLS/SLES free and has been approved for even sensitive skin!

To use I apply a small amount on to a cotton pad (1 or 2 for each eye) and gently wipe off my eye makeup.

Within seconds most of the makeup on my eyes is removed, if not all of it and this is including  waterproof formulas! It doesn’t require me to do any vigorous rubbing and I don’t have to go over the same spot several times like I sometimes have to with makeup wipes. The area around my eyes is left feeling clean and soft, and I don’t experience any cloudy vision (which I have had before with other oil based cleansers). The Ahava Eye Makeup Remover is easily the most fuss free makeup remover that I’ve used in a long time and given how little you have to use, I’ve barely made a dent in the bottle!

The Ahava Eye Makeup Remover costs around £14.50 and can be bought from the Ahava website, Beauty Bay or Amazon.

Do you normally use a separate eye makeup remover or do you just stick to one cleanser?

Love Sophia xo

The post Ahava Eye Makeup Remover Review appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

I picked up a jar of the Essential Rich Premier Ultra Honey Hair Mask when I was in Hong Kong a few months ago. Having dyed my hair previously, the ends of my hair can easily become dry and brittle so a hair mask at least once a week should have been an integral part of my routine! Anyway, better late than never I suppose and since using the mask I’m starting to see the benefits.

To use, I slather a generous handful into freshly washed hair focussing mainly on the ends. I leave on for around 10 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly. I then let my hair dry naturally (about 80-90%) before finishing off with a blast from the hair dryer. Once completely dry, I’ve noticed that my hair feels like it has been coated in a layer of moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It also gives a healthy shine and is so soft to the touch! The smell of honey is quite strong but this adds to the delight of using the mask. It’s certainly doing an excellent job of helping me to keep my hair in a more decent condition!

The Essential Rich Premier Ultra Honey Hair Mask cost around $62.90 HKD (approx £5.20) it can be bought from Sasa, Amazon or eBay.

Do you use a hair mask regularly? What’s your favourite mask?

Love Sophia xo

The post Essential Rich Premier Ultra Honey Hair Mask Review appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

Well I can’t quite believe it’s already been 3 weeks since I posted the giveaway, now it’s finally time to announce the winner! So without further ado, the winner is…

Georgina Davies!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered! Please keep an eye out on my blog, because there will no doubt be more giveaways to come in the near future!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend guys!

Love Sophia xo

The post Hong Kong Haul Giveaway Winner appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

Whilst I’m on a mission to finish up all the miscellaneous samples I’ve accumulated that’s not to say I can’t think about the new products that are on offer! I haven’t done a wish list in a while, but this month is going to be my Beauty Product Wish List.

1. Stila ‘In The Light’ palette – I already own the Stila ‘In The Moment’ palette, but since buying it I also kept my eye on the ‘In The Light’ palette! For £25 you get 10 shades which works out to be just  £2.50 per eyeshadow which I think is real value for your money. The colours are all neutral base colours which can be paired with similar or contrasting colours to create a variety of different eye makeup looks.

2. L’Oreal Micellar Water – A much more purse friendly alternative to the ever popular Bioderma Cleanser and with additional functions such as, dissolving makeup, unclogging pores and toning and smoothing skin! All this for £4.99! Now that I’m wearing makeup a bit more regularly, I’ve started double cleansing my face to ensure all traces of makeup have been removed so this would fit in nicely within my new regime.

3. Glamglow Super Mud face mask – After finishing up my sample last month this face mask has shot straight to the top of my wish list! You can really feel the mask drawing out all the impurities in your face without drying it out. Best face mask I’ve used in a long time!

4. Stila Convertible Colour Lips and Cheeks in Petunia – I haven’t bought a new blusher in a while now and with the sun shining my skin will naturally catch some colour so I thought this corally pink shade would be perfect to compliment a summer glow! It’s a multi purpose product too and can be used for both lips as well as cheeks so it’s the perfect bag friendly makeup item to have with me.

5. Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm – I’m a die hard fan of the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, but it’s always nice to try something new. Having seen this cleansing balm do its rounds on a number of blogs, it sounds just as good as the EH cleansing balm. This would go hand in hand with the L’Oreal Micellar Water for cleansing my face.

6. Phyto Detox Shampoo – I was previously using baby shampoo to cleanse my hair of all the product build up, but I’ve just run out so have been looking at alternatives! Having done some research, the Phyto Detox Shampoo has come out top and since you only have to use it once a week if that you’ll definitely get your monies worth and have fresh clean hair at the same time!

That’s all the products I’ve been lusting after this month! What products do you have your eye on this month?

Love Sophia xo

The post Beauty Product Wish List appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

I think the Revlon Lip Butters were the most anticipated lipstick launch of 2012, therefore it’s no surprise that a year on they’re still causing quite the stir amongst the blogosphere! I like many cannot pass up an opportunity to take advantage of the Boots 3 for 2 offer so on my most recent trip I couldn’t resist picking up 2 more shades, Sweet Tart and Watermelon (review to follow!)

Having looked through my lipstick collection, I already own many a pink lipstick but Sweet Tart honestly has to be the most perfect pink that I own. Sweet Tart is a cool toned raspberry pink and upon first swatch it looks quite bright, but when applied to the lips it’s lovely. It’s a fun colour for spring/summer and has been ideal for all the gorgeous sunshine we’ve been having!

Compared to the other 4 shades that I already have, I find that the colour pay off for Sweet Tart is a lot richer. It’s much more long lasting than I remember too which is great because now that the weather is warmer I’m drinking more water than normal, so it’s nice that you don’t have to constantly keep reapplying your lippy! As with the other shades the Lip Butters are moisturising, so you get balm and colour in one. I love having versatile products in my handbag, it’s so convenient, especially when you’re on the go!

The Lip Butters remain the same price of £7.99 each and can be bought from all good high street drugstores like Boots and Superdrug.

Have you purchased any more shades from the Lip Butter range? Have you got any of the new Spring Shades?

Love Sophia xo

The post Revlon Sweet Tart Lip Butter Lipstick Review appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

Aside from the odd diversion to catch reruns of her favourite show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, singer Nicola Roberts has been a busy girl of late.

The 26-year-old has finished a final round of promotion surrounding her debut solo album ‘Cinderella’s Eyes’, wrapped filming for ‘Styled to Rock’ (a fashion talent search executive produced by Rihanna), and even found the time to team up with the Sumatran Orangutan Society charity to raise awareness for the endangered primate species.

But fashion is the singer’s ultimate calling this year, with the Runcorn-born star having unveiled the latest instalment of her new make-up range.

“I’m lucky to have been able to apply some of my creativity to fashion,” she begins, “and the experience has certainly opened my eyes to what’s out there.

“I think there are some really important messages coming out of fashion this year. For me, I’m hearing the fact that people know what they like. Fashion is becoming more and more individual these days, which is great. The internet has meant people can really express themselves in different ways, taking influences from anywhere, not just the High Street.”

And the make-up range?

“It has taken up a lot of my time. We’ve been really interested to find out what people want. And at the heart of it is versatility and authority; and that goes for fashion as a whole.

“Before I started working on the brand I had no idea how much thought process went into it. It’s a full-time job in itself. Consumers want to see products and brands constantly evolving and improving.

“I think people are taking back the authority over how they dress and what they wear – that’s why I started up the Dainty Doll make-up range in 2007. We had to breathe new life into what was being offered for girls with pale skin. It’s not an area that has been deemed as important in the past, but surely that makes it all the more important now. That whole idea of style only catering for the masses angered me. We must be past that stage now.

“Obviously, it’s been lots of fun, but one of the most rewarding things has been the feedback we’ve had from women who struggle to find brands that are pale enough for their skin tone.

“It’s the same issue for those who can’t find good sizes or smart fits. Manufacturers are now realising that people know what they want. Consumers are very savvy these days, and they’re not going to settle for anything less than what’s perfect on them. That’s a great thing to see, and the result is great clothes and great accessories.”

So what’s Nicola’s best fashion tip for autumn/winter?

“Dress for the season and wear make-up to match. In the past, I’ve always been really careful about the shades I wear because my pale skin means I don’t have the versatility that some do, but when the mood around you changes you have to go with it. Not only is it fun to adapt your style to your surroundings, but in this country we have to make the most of any opportunities to slip on a new pair of shoes or go for a shorter dress! Sunny days are few and far between, as we know.”

If that sort of spontaneity is the buzzword this year, maybe Nicola can see herself extending the range into the ultimate versatile fashion item – the shoe. Could we see a wedge sandal or trainer range in the offing, perhaps?

“I think I’ve got enough demands on my time as it is with Dainty Doll and the studio!”

The post Red Or Dead – Interview With Nicola Roberts appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

Bath time is a sacred time. It’s a chance for you to wind down and relieve yourself of the day’s madness. Now while I’m not one for having baths much (I suffered from eczema in the past and found baths seemed to irritate it), a refreshing shower is just as good for helping me relax. Therefore I’m quite particular about what shower gels I choose to use and like most people, a good scent and pretty packaging tends to win me over as this Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Shower Cream* does!

The packaging is really vibrant with the rich purple tube and the paisley pattern decorated all over; it’s certainly been a stand out product in my bathroom lately! The Amber Heaven Shower Cream smells absolutely incredible which is down to the luxurious mix of ingredients including rice milk, hibiscus flower milk, shea butter, sandalwood, patchouli and ylang ylang. The fragrant scents are soothing and instantly puts me in a state of calm, creating a semi-spa like experience in the bathroom. The shower cream is rich and lathers up very well in the water, meaning a little goes a long way!

Another great thing about the Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Shower Cream is that it’s free from SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), Parabens, Mineral Oil and DEA (diethanolamine). Sometimes I must admit I forget to check the products for the ingredients to see if they’re free of chemical nasties. It’s great that Mandara Spa have made that clear on their packaging so you know exactly what you’re getting from them!

The Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Shower Cream Review costs around £5.00 which is quite reasonable given the luxuriousness of the product. For 150ml I’ve had plenty of uses out of it, and actually still have some left! Mandara Spa products can be bought online at websites such as Time To Spa or even from supermarkets like Sainsbury’s.

So have you tried any Mandara Spa products? Are there any other products from the range that you’d recommend?

Love Sophia xo

The post Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Shower Cream Review appeared first on Beauty In My Mind: Beauty Blog UK.

In a bid to cut down my spending, I’ve been trying to use up the products I currently own and more importantly use up some samples! As you will have seen from Sample Selection #1 which was my first post showcasing my sample empties, I’ve steadily used up more things so here’s Sample Selection #2!

Montagne Jeunesse – Cucumber Peel Off Face Masque

My first impressions of this face mask wasn’t great and in all honesty? I didn’t like it. The smell of the mask was really over powering, not refreshing like cucumber as advertised on the packet and overall it seemed just a bit artificial! It was incredibly sticky which made it a bit difficult to apply because it went all over my hands. However, despite this though, I still gave it a good go and it turns out that it’s not as bad as it seems! Once the mask dried, it was great fun peeling it all off and my skin felt smooth and definitely appeared a bit brighter! There’s actually quite a lot product in each sachet too so I managed to get 2 full uses out of it.

Glamglow Mud Mask

Now this was a mask that I was really excited to try. After hearing a lot of bloggers raving about it, I couldn’t believe my luck when I received a sample in my BBloggersXmas goodie bag! It certainly lived up to all the hype because my skin has never felt so amazing after using it. I really felt that all the impurities were being drawn out to reveal brighter skin and my face felt baby soft. It was just an absolutely wonderful mask to use and it’s ranking high on my wish list!

Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream

I used to use this cream a lot for my face back in the day. However as my skin kept changing, it eventually got a bit too oily for my complexion so I ended up abandoning it all together. Since the weather has been quite cold up until recently my skin has been a lot dryer, so I decided to give it another go! It hydrated my skin very nicely and when applied at night, I’d wake up with a well moisturised, slightly plump face. They may have changed the formula because it seemed a lot lighter than I remembered, but the smell remains very soothing! I would definitely consider repurchasing when I’m next in the market for another moisturiser.

Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Mask

This has easily become a holy grail product for my hair. I thought the Macadamia Oil was a treat, but this is just amazing! After washing, I applied this liberally to my hair and left it in for 7 minutes. After those 7 minutes, I rinsed the mask off but it wasn’t until my hair was dry, that I realised just how incredible the effects were! My locks were silky smooth, tangle free and there was not the slightest hint of frizz even after using a hair dryer! This is an incredible product and I would happily recommend it. Yet another product on my wish list!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I’ve raved about this cleanser in a review before and I’m still a huge fan! I just love that it removes all traces of makeup and leaves skin feel clean, without being stripped and buffs away dry patches. You can read my full review here.

The Organic Pharmacy Enzyme Peel Mask

The third face mask amongst the bunch! I loved the smell of this Enzyme mask and my skin did feel great after using it, but the tingly sensation takes a bit of getting used to! There is a pre-warning about the tingling sensation, but I just worried that my face was burning.. Safe to say my face is still in tact, but of the face masks I tried out I’ll probably not be looking to purchase this any time soon.

Champneys Skin Comforting Bath Milk and Mediterranean Bliss Body Hydrator

I’m not really one for taking baths so ended up using this bath milk as a shower gel instead. It was a so so product, nothing really outstanding for me but the Mediterranean Bliss Body Hydrator on the other hand was a real treat! The consistency of the moisturiser was lovely and light and was only slightly perfumed. It sunk into my skin really well and after showering it locked in all the moisturise to keep my skin feeling supple!

And that’s it for the second round of samples!

So have you tried any of the products I’ve mentioned?

Love Sophia xo

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