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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The 'Evil' coldsore battle

Let's face it, if you suffer from cold sores as I have done (really badly) and still do occasionally, then the word evil is not a strong word to call them. I used to get these wretched things if I was poorly, tired or stressed, a sure sign to me that I wasn't taking care of myself. They can make you feel very poorly, self conscious and generally miserable. An article that I read in Cosmopolitan magazine inspired me to write this post as I couldn't believe that a little miracle that I have found was not mentioned. I was reading through said article fervently hoping to find mention of it, but it didn't come. The article mentioned maintaining a good diet, avoiding certain foods and taking Aciclovir, an active ingredient found in the cold sore cream Zovirax as a tablet. It also recommended a very expensive cold sore cream which could be unreachable for many sufferers. So what is the mystery remedy I am talking about? It is called Lysine. 
I've had this little pot of sunshine for over a year, and to be honest, I haven't looked back. The ointment is clear and has hardly any smell. It is from the health food store Holland & Barrett and is not expensive at only £4.49. I would pay whatever it took to reduce the frequency and pain of the darn things! 

I have now gone up to another level of fighting back, after much research into Lysine and it's benefits. I take 1000mg of L-Lysine everyday, which is an amino acid which helps support the growth and maintenance of the body. It has been over three months since taking these tablets and (touch wood) I haven't had any breakouts, even with illness and a few sleepless nights. I also take an extra tablet if I feel any sort of tingle in my lip or around my nose, coupled with a hearty coating of the ointment before bed. (Make sure you wash your hands after use). This may all sound a little over the top, but I would take a routine like this over the beasts any day!     
Don't get me wrong, I also try to keep to a healthy diet, drink water and green tea, and get 8 hours of sleep every night (hilarious), but sometimes we just need a little extra help in our systems to fight off these pesky viruses.

This has worked for me, and of course I am not a medical practitioner, so check it out before you start taking any vitamins. I would just hate to think of people suffering like I was; thinking all avenues had been taken and there is no help. Here are the links on the Holland and Barrett website for more information:


Wishing you all happy healthy lips, just in time for Valentines Day, (timed it quite well didn't I)!

As always, if you have any questions or comments, drop me a line.

Twitter @clarity_beauty 

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An unexpected 'great' review - Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Moisturiser

The weather and ones hormones can play havoc with your skin, and especially the face, a more sensitive and needy area. On this particular occasion, I had tried my normal face moisturiser and even my 'when all else fails' Original Nivea cream, but nothing seemed to be working. My skin continued to feel tight and looked dull and lackluster. I apologise that this reads like those cringe worthy adverts that appear on the TV, however this really was how it happened.

In comes my new skin saviour, a product that my husband of all people bought for him. It was just sitting there, so I decided to try it and I must say it is a really nice product. The smell of the cream is just edible, zingy grapefruit (I have likened it to a Starburst sweet)! The texture is lightweight, a white cream that rubs in very easily with no sticky residue. An unexpected sensation follows shortly after applying, which can only be described as a cooling effect, which normally disappears very quickly. Try to avoid rubbing it in around the sensitive eye area as the cooling can be a little much there. 

I was very skeptical, and especially as it contained grapefruit, I imagined my skin feeling drier and it acting like an astringent. After a couple of days, my skin was soothed and looking brighter and those irritating dry patches had gone. I am in no doubt that the state of my skin at that time is due to many factors, but I can genuinely say this cream helped a lot.

It is very strange that your skin can change from one month to the next and your usual products can suddenly become ineffective for that period of time. This experience has highlighted to me that I have become a bit of a facial care 'snob' and the idea of buying a standard drugstore product such as this didn't even flash onto my radar. It's not always the cost of the product but the ingredients contained that can help with your skin issues at that time. I have some Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish cleanser to use up, but after that I have now got the corresponding facial wash to try. Review to follow!

Thanks for reading, if you have any questions then please drop me a line.

Thanks Ally 
Twitter @clarity_beauty 


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Can a perfume really change your mood?

Interesting title right? Can a smell that you spritz onto your neck and wrist really leave you feeling happier, fun, sexy, confident or whatever mood you want to be in? I think yes. I have so many perfumes, ranging from Boss to Chloe and I love all of them. There is nothing nicer than smelling great everyday, it's gives oneself an inner confidence and if you know you are wearing an expensive scent you feel a million dollars too! I have a variety of categories for my perfumes, day to day, sporty, evening and that perfume you bought that you wish you hadn't, but can't throw away! I have picked four of my favourites, all for different reasons and all smell equally beautiful.
Emporio Armani Diamonds

Firstly, this is one of my day perfumes and I find it to be very elegant and classy. It is fresh, but with a sweet muskiness that takes over once it has been on the skin for some time. Longevity of the scent is excellent, and I love the way it smells after hours on the skin. I didn't realise, but this perfume was released in 2007, yet it seems a very new fragrance to me. I use this perfume if I am going out for a shopping day or if I have client meetings, as it oozes a confidence, a self assured scent making it a winner for me. The bottle is very simple in design, looks nice on the dresser and has the emblem almost floating through the fragrance. 
Giorgio Armani Code for Women
Okay, so this is one of my favourite perfumes. It was bought for me as a gift some time ago now and I love it. It has a wonderful deep and sophisticated scent, not too heavy but leaves a heady aroma that stays with you. This perfume suits a black dress while out to dinner and cocktails, perfect combo! This week however, I have been wearing it in the day, just because it is so addictive, and I haven't found it to be overpowering. The scent almost wraps around you and if you don't get a compliment whilst wearing this perfume I'll be very surprised. The bottle is very sleek, and the only downside is that it is easily knocked over as it is a little top heavy, but that is because I have too many in one place!
Chloe Eau de Parfum
As you can see from the bottle, this is not a brand new bottle of perfume. I have had this for quite a long time and the smell has remained just as perfect as when I first opened it. I do tend to store my perfumes in a cupboard, out of sunlight and any extreme temperatures, it really does help to preserve your perfumes. Moving on, this perfume is just gorgeous and iconic in my book. It is just feminine to a 't', and this is my ultimate 'out for the evening' perfume, I feel fabulous wearing it, leaving a lingering waft wherever I walk, the perfect finishing touch to your outfit and makeup. I know that once I have sprayed Chloe, I can expect to have a pillow and duvet scented with top, heart and base notes of heaven. Even the bottle (in its newer form) is very elegant and timeless, attributes that you will find in this beautiful perfume.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her Eau de Toilette
Hmmmm, if you want a wonderfully sexy and yet quietly powerful fragrance, then this is the one for you. This beauty is the latest edition (from Santa) to my collection and I adore it. I have been hampering after this for months and months, but I couldn't warrant the cost to buy it myself! This perfume is very clever, the smell initially is very different to the end result. The perfume and the scent evolves and creates the most beautiful aroma that radiates from you. The perfume almost embeds into your skin, hair and clothes and it just stays there, on a serious note, great value for money! It is the perfect combination of floral, musky, sensual and plain right sexy! Wow, can you tell I have been exceptionally keen to report my findings about the fragrance? Aesthetically, I love the bottle, a black statement of confidence, I know I'm great I don't need a swirly fancy bottle to prove it! There is also a for her Eau de Parfum which has a slightly different scent, sweeter and a little softer, but equally as beautiful, (next Christmas maybe)? :) 
So to summarise on my post heading, can a perfume really change how you feel? Well yes, I still agree with my original answer. We all wake up in different moods, have different stress and strains to deal with on a daily basis, but if a perfume can make you feel good, and smell good I truly believe it instills an inner confidence and happiness to help us through the day.

I hope that you have enjoyed my selection of perfumes, why not drop me a line to let me know your favourites and why? Bye for now!

Twitter @clarity_beauty 

     
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