Beautiful British brands

I just love hearing about up and coming British brands, be it in fashion or beauty. London Butterflies is just that type of brand. It is fresh, bright and bold and prides itself on being British. This is from where it sources the product ingredients, to even ensuring all packaging and products are manufactured in the United Kingdom. I have been using a mini selection of their products over the last week or so, and I am excited to share my findings with you.
Let us start with the selection. A bath salt scrub, a whipped body cream and a Body butter souffle. All of the products are packaged in a heavy glass pot with a black plastic screw on top. The weight and look of the pots immediately sets it above a high street drugstore purchase. I am a big fan of the bold silver lettering and butterfly emblem, it is clear and easily recognisable.
Dead Sea Salt and Sweet Almond Oil
Well, well, well this is just a little pot of sunshine and I am a big fan. As with most people, I am starting to drag myself into preparing my body and mainly pins for the warmer months. The easiest way to breathe some life into your skin is to exfoliate and mositurise, which is just what this product does all in one go. I have used lots of similar products, but I don't believe that I have felt the effects so soon after using them. The texture is a fine grit but not so gritty it is uncomfortable to rub over your skin. The sweet almond oil smells beautiful, a sensual and almost musky perfume. Skin is left rejuvenated and so soft, even after drying, just as if a moisturiser had been applied. I will happily use this product daily, as the salt is fine enough and the oil is super hydrating.
Winter Jasmine and Starflower, with Sweet Almond oil Whipped Body Cream 
The description of this cream is just heavenly, and the smell is too. If you open the lid and inhale, the scent isn't very strong, it is actually very delicate, and can almost appear faint. I found that once the cream had been rubbed into the skin, (which just melted into mine) then the ingredients seem to work together and a beautiful aroma is left. The texture of the cream is perfect, not too heavy, but enough to feel that your skin is soaking up some real goodness. As with most creams, leave it a little while to lose that slight sticky feeling, and all you will be left with is fabulously soft skin with a welcomed lingering scent. 
British Tundra Berries and Meadow sweet with Golden Jojoba oil Body Butter Souffle
I loved the whipped body cream, however I adore this body butter. I'm not sure if it is that time of year where my skin is craving something a bit more substantial, but this certainly hits the spot. Don't misunderstand me, it is not heavy at all, it is light and airy but with a hidden depth. The butter is a very pretty light pink, which I found to be very appealing and made me want to delve in. It is very easily absorbed, but I found my skin needed a little longer to dry off before I got dressed. 

So, we have covered texture, now to discuss the smell. All I can say, is that it is edible. The selection of ingredients is perfectly blended, and they all work together in harmony. They create a much deeper fragrance and it is noticeable even from an initial application without being overpowering. 
I have really enjoyed using these products and I am impressed with the quality and uniqueness about them. I hadn't heard of London Butterflies before, but I have a strong feeling that their brand and products will become a firm favourite with me and other beauty lovers.

What is your favourite body scrub and body cream? Why do you choose that brand? I'd be really interested to know.......

If you have any questions about this post or any others, then please get in touch.

Bye for now.

Ally x

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 
  


     

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Lip smackingly good

Lips are very important to me. I think there is nothing nicer than having a soft, blemish free and kissable pout. This little number is the key to having just that. I had to re-read the description due to the word STEMCELL, hmm not a phrase you see everyday! However, when I saw Super-food, and then glam balm, all was okay with the world. Once again I was sold on the clever wording used to entice us beauty hungry soles.  
I have been using this glam balm for a while now and it goes everywhere with me. The product itself is clear and has a floral scent to it, not surprising really as it contains Alpine Rose Stemcells. How beautiful does that sound? I have used it alone and also over the top of my lip liner and it gives a nice high shine, just under glossy and an immediate relief to my lips, even if I didn't think they felt particularly dry. If there is a favourite matte lipstick colour you like, it could be applied over the top to create a glossier effect. 

This tube of glam balm is not the actual product that you would buy, but a smaller sample that I received in my You Beauty calendar last year. I'll be honest, I had not heard of Rodial as a skincare brand, but I have been doing some research and there is a fabulous portfolio of products available, ranging from skincare to makeup, with a high profile following. Hmm can I ask for Easter presents?
To conclude, I'm loving the quality of this lip balm. I love the smell, the texture, the high shine and I really love the branding! I think if I whipped the 'real' product out, I'd be asked all sorts of questions by my beauty enthusiast friends. Although the retail price of this is £19 online, I am so impressed with the longevity of this sample tube, it will be a good investment long term. 

Thanks for reading. I hope you have enjoyed my post, get in touch and let me know your thoughts. 

Ally x

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 


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Summer is coming.....

I have found a new friend in my skincare regime. It's the Garnier Original, Miracle Skin Perfector All-in-One BB cream in Light. I'm not embarrassed to admit that this is my first experience of using a BB cream and I'm really happy with it's performance so far. There are so many choices out there and nearly every skin care brand has a similar product. I went with one that I had seen before and a brand that I trust. Usually during the warmer months I use a tinted moisturiser, and only apply foundation if I am going out in the evening for a deeper coverage. This cream is a little miracle worker, and I have already purchased the medium shade for when I start getting my tan! Ever the optimist!
As you can see, the cream is coloured and so it requires some blending, especially around the jawline and hair line. It is designed to perfect skin tone, blur imperfections, leave you with a healthy glow and provide an SPF 15, all of which I can vouch for. It's consistency is really nice, not too runny but not too thick either. The cream has a slight scent, but nothing that is off-putting. I'm using the cream as a complete moisturiser only in the morning at the moment and my ever changing skin is soft and happy. I'm still using my night cream for that extra boost of moisture overnight. I chose the light option at this time of year, as I'm a little pasty after hibernating for the Winter. I think I would struggle to make a darker shade blend well, so I advise it's best to go safe if you are not sure! 
I think this is a great alternative to tinted moisturiser and if I am honest, it covers and moisturises so much better. We are now heading into Spring, with more sunshine and a more promising weather report. This product is a little step away from foundation, allows a more natural coverage but with a sturdy confidence. Roll on the Summer so I can try the darker shade!

Bye for now. 

Allyson x

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 




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Something a little different...

Well, this is my first lifestyle post for my blog. I purchased this lovely little number in Brighton at the Neal's Yard Remedies store, I virtually floated out of the shop after inhaling all the beautiful aromas floating around. I also discovered that this company makes and sells a great collection of beauty and make-up products, looks rather nice to, (I was ushered out far too quickly)!

Writing about an oil burner and oil may seem a little random in comparison to some of my other posts, but I am really taken with it. I was having a mooch around a clothes shop called Noa Noa, and I smelt it as soon as I walked in, a clean, refreshing and uplifting scent in the air. What is that I thought? So with an elbow in the back, my hubby went up and asked the cashier, 'Oh it's a Neal's Yard oil called Women's Balance' came the answer. Right, off to Neal's Yard it is. No clothes, but definitely an oil or two please! The lovely lady in Neal's Yard new instantly which smell it was when we told her where we had smelt it, quite amusing really!
I can remember when I was a teenager having josticks, and a less expensive version of this product, but it definitely did not smell as good. The ceramic burner comes as a whole piece (as some of them enable you to remove the top). It is very basic in it's operation, add some water and a maximum of two drops of the oil, then let the heat from the night-light work it's magic. It doesn't take long to feel the impact of the oil on your senses, (I'll be chanting next), but really I feel it really relaxes me. It's almost like you become enveloped in a hug of aroma and it's quite heady. The water doesn't evaporate too quickly, but keep an eye on it so that it doesn't dry out. I have found that I needed to add a little more water rather than the oil as it lasts, which balances out the cost, (excuse the pun)!
I must say that I winced a little at the cost of these two. £16 for the ceramic burner and £9.50 for the oil, but I am glad that I chose these and didn't skimp on an imitation oil. The quality of the essence is superb and this is what makes it special. The Women's Balance blend is designed to be very good for us ladies in particular, to balance our hormones and emotions, but I feel it is perfect for any time of the month and for men to. My husband is now a big fan, and will happily set up the burner for me.

Neal's Yard Remedies sell an extensive selection of oils for vaporisation and use on the skin, all with unique qualities to soothe away those ailments or worries. The team on the shop floor are very knowledgeable and keen to help. It's definitely worth a look, I'm glad I delved in, and now I'm hooked!

I hope you enjoyed this slight detour in my blogging content, hope to hear from you.

Bye for now. Ally 

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 



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