The Body Shop Favourites: SEPTEMBER

Oh hey there,

I've decided to show my appreciation for products that I look at pretty much everyday of the week. As I've worked at The Body Shop for many years there are some products that I haven't tried out in a while or ones that get forgotten when all the shiny, new ranges come out, so I thought I'd start a new feature where I share my top 3 favorite products of the month...

Rainforest Radiance Detangling Spray: Honestly it took me a while to warm to this spray. I loved the smell but didn't think I really needed it for my hair type as it's never knotty and just kinda hangs there HOWEVER on the back it states that it is a leave-in-conditioner too not just a detangling spray. As y'all know I'm constantly colouring my hair, this spray keeps my hair really soft, makes it smell amazing all day (thanks bilberries) & is protecting the vibrancy of my hair thanks to the UV filter. I usually spray quite liberally onto towel dried hair then dry as usual or sometimes I just use a little bit on dry hair to freshen it up.

Round Body Brush: Again this was a product that I didn't really take much notice of (tut), Over the past few weeks I have been dry body brushing practically every day. I have heard so much about the benefits to circulation and cellulite but I never really believed the hype. All I can say is it really works! I start from my feet and work upwards towards the heart in a firm, circular motion and then go over it again with long sweeping motions. It removes any dry skin and really firms & smoothes. It does tingle a little but that's your circulation waking up! I must say that this brush is intended to be used DRY, you can wipe the bristles with a damp cloth every now and again to keep them clean but when it is immersed in water the wood can go funny. I use it before I jump in the bath or shower and it only take a few minutes to see a huge difference.

Vineyard Peach Body Lotion: Peach is back but only as a limited edition again. Last year when it was first released I wasn't that bothered but this year I'm obsessed with the smell. It's not as sweet as the old fuzzy peach range we used to do but it's very fresh, literally like biting into a ripe peach. I have the body butter too but I've found myself reaching for the lotion more often as it's so quickly absorbed and leaves the skin peachy (sorry) soft :)

Also for Northern based bloggers (or anyone who fancies a road trip) I'm planning a Christmas Body Shop Blogger event at the Preston store. So please do let me know if you'd like an invite :)

What are your favourite Body Shop products?

Thanks for reading :)

Rachelle xxx

Little bit obsessed with this song!

Review: THE BODY SHOP SEAWEED IONIC CLAY MASK

Hiii-dee-hiii!!!

Review time today ladies & gents.

As the majority of you will know I work at The Body Shop. I have worked there on & off for almost 6 years so I've tested pretty much all of the products. One of my current favourite masks at the minute is the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask. I've always had problem skin, fundamentally it's a combination skin type with a very oily t-zone & dry cheeks however I have acne and a lot of scarring on my cheeks which makes finding suitable products a nightmare!

Another thing is that I'm a bugger for is always switching up products and not sticking to a routine long enough to give it a chance. So for the past month I have been religiously using only the seaweed range and it has made quite a noticeable difference. The seaweed used in the products is wild bladderwack seaweed which is sourced off the coast in Ireland. It has amazing balancing properties and controls any excess oil, leaving a fresh, matte finish.

The tub of wonderment

Oooh cracked face chiic.

My favourite product from the range is this mask. I use it once a week, apply a thin layer to a damp face and leave on for about 10 minutes. The mask goes on grey but hardens to a white colour, as the mask does this you can feel the skin tightening, it isn't uncomfortable but really feels like it is extracting all the nasties from the skin. 

The main ingredient is kaolin clay which really draws out any impurities. I wouldn't recommend using this before a date/night out/social event as it does bring any lurking blemishes to the surface. However I find that once they have reared their ugly head they heal and disappear much faster than usual. Another great point about kaolin clay is the fact that it is so deep-cleansing but doesn't strip the skin of moisture. Also as the mask dries the pores become more prominent, this is due to all of the excess oil being absorbed by the clay.

After using the mask my skin looks instantly smoother and more even, the redness from the blemishes and scarring is greatly reduced. My oily t-zone is mattified and my pores look smaller. Overall it leaves a fresh clean feeling which my unruly, congested skin is grateful for :)

The tub itself is 100ml and costs £12 which may seem a little steep if you're used to buying sachets. However most sachets only contain around 10ml for about £1-1.50 and this is full of lovely, natural, community trade ingredients :) 

I hope that this review has been useful!

Have you tried this mask or anything from the seaweed range before?

Thanks for reading :)

Rachelle xxx

Review: THE BODY SHOP FACIAL BUFFER

Bonjour!

Just a quick review today to share my thoughts on The Body Shop's facial buffer.

 As some of you may know I work at The Body Shop and have done since I was 17. So I've tried nearly all the products!

I had never given much thought to the humble facial buffer. I use facial scrubs all the time and I usually use a muslin cloth when using facial washes so I just didn't think there was room in my daily cleansing routine for a buffer. HOW WRONG WAS I?!

I started using this little beauty a few weeks ago and since then my skin has become so much brighter and smoother. At first I was a little worried about it being too harsh for my skin but it is just the right texture for a daily exfoliation. I've been using it with my Dermalogica special cleansing gel and although my skin is still far from perfect I feel like it has really improved my skin-tone and is helping reduce my pesky acne scarring.

The buffer retails at £4 and is worth every penny!

It's so simple to use, just dampen the buffer with a little hot water and disperse a squidge (technical measure) of your usual facial wash in the middle, then using a light pressure massage around your dampened face in a circular motion to really boost the circulation and remove the dry skin cells. The little strap on the back means you can control the intensity of the exfoliation but don't scrub too vigorously!

Have you used The Body Shop facial buffer or something similar before?
Thanks for reading :)
Rachelle xxx

Wishlist: HURRY UP PAYDAY!

(Clockwise from the top)
Wall-Mounted Clothes Rail: In my new room I don't have enough space for a freestanding clothes rail so a wall mounted one seems like a perfect solution. I like this one but I can't find out the price. I've had a look on eBay and other places and they seem to be going for around £40-£60 which is a bit much for a glorified pieces of metal if you ask me so hopefully I'll be able to persuade my dad to build something similar!
Black Ballet Shoes: I need some new shoes for work, my Carvela ones are looking a bit scruffy now so they need replacing. I like these velvet ones from ASOS as I'm a bit of a velvet fiend.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel: I've been trying out the mini size of this wash & I love it. It seems to be clearing up my awful skin. It's very gentle yet I feel like my skin is really clean and fresh afterwards. I've been using it with my facial buffer from The Body Shop which is amazing!
Aura Tracie Ellis Bedding- I need some new bedding and I saw this gorgeous set in TKMaxx the other day. I'd never heard of Tracie Ellis but she has some really pretty designs on her website. The set was £24.99 RRP £100!
Wooden Leopard Glasses- I know I've just got some new glasses but I want more in my collection! I adore this wooden pair and I think I need them on my face! They are $68 from Firmoo but I think they look so much more expensive.
Wooden Heart Ear Tunnels- I have my ears stretched and I've had some pretty wooden lotus tunnels in for the last 2/3 years! I'm not sure how the heart shaped ones would stay in my round holes but they are super cute. They are from this seller on eBay & there are loads of other great wooden designs.

So these are a few of many things that I would really like in my life right now! Every time I see something that I really want I write it down and I'm going to see if I still actually need it at the end of the month. I'm sure there will be quite a few wishlists in the next few weeks on here! I'm not one to splurge my money but then I don't really have a budget either. Isn't money a strange thing?!

Do you budget and save for specific items or do you tend to impulse buy?

Thanks for reading :)

Rachelle xxx

Things That Make Me Happy!

Hey guys!

So another edition of 'Things That Make Me Happy', I've been sick *cough cough* and I'm getting into the swing of working almost every day, so I'm afraid it doesn't leave much time for outfit posts as I seem to miss the few hours of daylight that we have! Nonetheless I've still been snapping my favourite things to share with you all...

1) My first ever order from YOUREYESLIE arrived! Lava leggings & cat tee dresses :)

 2) I'm loving being back at The Body Shop & finally having a new badge instead of 'Customer Consultant'

 3) Buying Satsuma punnets from the markets YUM!

 4) My new spectacles from Firmoo (post coming shortly)

 5) Incredible sandwiches!

 6) I went to see Purity Ring with some lovely people I hadn't seen for ages! They were incredible!

 7) Obviously being ill is rubbish so medicine has been making me happy this week!

 8) Free after work cocktails from Revolutions :) Santa Baby & a Hot Voddy!

So there we have it. I've just worked out that I only have three days off between now and Christmas Day! I really need to get myself in a more productive routine, by the time I get home and have some tea I just wanna get into my pjs and watch crap on telly!
I'm planning on making a lot of Christmas presents this year so I will share my ideas and inspirations with you all in the next few posts :)
What has made you happy this week?
Thanks for reading :)
Rachelle xxx

Frugal Festivities: FLASH SALES!

Hello everyone :)

 I wasn't planning on doing this post however when I woke up this morning my inbox was full of flash sales I thought everyone would appreciate the heads up considering it's less than a month til Christmas day!

ASOS Collection 25% off!

Great if you want to treat yourself to a festive party dress for your Christmas party or buy a friend some cute jewellery for secret santa.

Secretsales 20% off all Outlet plus Jeffrey Campbell!

The Secretsales outlet is already heavily discounted so an extra 20% off is a cheeky bonus! They have lots of brands from Alexander Mcqueen to Bertie shoes but beware they only have a limited number of stock and sizes so to avoid disappointment search your size in the sidebar first!

The Jeffrey Campbell sale has started today too, they are the more unusual styles (good thing!) and range from £60-£89. Add to your wish list :)

Habitat 25% off everything!

Habitat have the cutest little home accessories, lovely bedding and the Christmas collection is beautiful! All with 25% off. If you want some seriously cute wrapping paper/decorations or plan to buy for someone who loves their interiors shop here!

Laura Ashley 30% off everything & free delivery!

I had NEVER been in a Laura Ashley shop until two days ago because I thought it was overpriced granny chic, whilst it is a little out of my price range they have some lovely things and with 30% off it's a lot more affordable. It applies to clothing & homeware so great gift ideas for your mum!

Sainsburys TU collection 25% off!

Again TU isn't really my thing but I'm sure there's something for everyone! This deal only applies in store but you can view the collections online. The kids clothing is adorable so consider that if you have mini-people to buy for! Also Gok's collection is included and has some nice sophisticated pieces.

The Body Shop 25% off everything!

If you order online it's 25% off everything plus other crazy offers if you come in store! Maybe I'm a bit biased towards the company but I'm pretty sure everyone likes a Body Shop gift on Christmas morning! My personal favourites this year are the Chocomania & the Gingerbread Sparkle set!

Photobox up to 75% off!

If you are the sentimental type or are pretty nifty with the old camera, Photobox have a range of personalised gifts that you can make using you own photos, from t-shirts, mugs and even stickers! It's literally only on for the next 12 hours though, so be quick!

H&M 50% off one item of your choice!

Use the code '0362' and get any item half price. The code can be used on clothing or homeware. You could go all out on your Christmas table settings or even treat the man in your life to some David Beckham underwear ;)

So get a wiggle on ladies & gents as most of these offers end today or a for a very limited time!

If you know of any other great sales please leave a comment :)

How is your Christmas shopping going? I still have loads to buy!

Thanks for reading :)

Rachelle xxx

Dream Decor: ROCKETT ST GEORGE

So I have some exciting news to tell you all, I've moved house & start my 'new' job tomorrow! Basically I got my old job back at The Body Shop but with a lot more hours which is great, I had to leave when I finished uni because there weren't enough shifts for me & the commute was silly. Since then my four-month job hunt has been unsuccessful, a lot of interviews, a few 'too experienced', a few 'not enough experience' and a whole bunch of ignored CVs is enough to drive anyone crazy! I'm looking forward to going back, the team is lovely and The Body Shop is a great company to work for!

I've moved to Lancaster, which is a lovely little city, still close to my family but far enough away! I'm living with one of the girls from work (Hiii Hayley!) & her boyfriend in a really cute house that I have nicknamed 'Whimsy Towers' due to the amount of whimsical things that are under that roof!

Anyway I've been dreaming thinking about how I want to style my new bedroom & Rockett St George have the most magical things on their website! I literally want everything! It has a strong emphasis on vintage inspired, hand-made & artistic pieces from baths to bedding to bracelets with an exclusive section too. I could honestly look through the website for hours! Here are a few of my favourite picks...

Skeleton Cups     Stag Door Knocker     Cat Cushion

Clock Plates     Melted Candle Tealight Holder     'Lucky' Neon Light

 I'll be sure to post some pictures when I'm all nicely moved in, there's still a few things that need tweaking & the walls are too bare for my liking. 

Have you been on Rockett St George before? what would your dream decor be?

Thanks for reading :)

Rachelle xxx

Review: The Body Shop Mango Beautifying Oil

Hello everyone, as some of you are aware I work for The Body Shop so I thought I'd write a review of the new mango beautifying oil. The oils launched about a month ago and I have used it almost every day since!

It is also available in eleven other flavours such as strawberry, coconut & chocolate :)

The great thing about the oil is that it is a multi-purpose product that can be used on the body, face & hair!

It is a lightweight, dry oil which means that it absorbs really well into the skin and doesn't leave a greasy residue. It leaves the skin instantly hydrated with a lovely shimmery finish.

Body: I find the oil is best absorbed on damp skin so I use this straight after a bath or shower and it leaves my skin with a subtle glow and the fragrance lasts for hours!

Face: I have oily skin which is prone to blemishes so I was pretty skeptical about using the oil on my face. I applied a small amount at night after cleaning and toner and it sank into the skin quickly and I woke up the next day with incredibly smooth skin! I wouldn't advise using it under make-up but as a treatment once or twice a week its lovely.

Hair: I colour my hair all the time so I suffer with dry ends, I applied quite a generous amount to the ends of my damp hair and left it in overnight. I rinsed it out thoroughly the next morning and my hair was left super shiny and smelt yummy plus my split ends were less noticeable!

Click here to read reviews and view the rest of the oils.

If you're not sure you can always pop into your local shop and most will be able to offer you a sample to try!

Would you guys like me to review more Body Shop products? I have worked there for almost five years now so I know the products inside out :) 

I had a sad realisation today that I'm only working two more shifts before I have to move back home. I'm pretty gutted that I have to leave the company after so long but I can't afford to rent in Preston and the commute from my mums is too expensive/time consuming for the hours they have to offer me :(

I definitely have to make the most of my discount before I leave! I'm gonna be stocking up like a mad woman...

Have any of you used the new oil yet? What's your favourite Body Shop product?

Thanks for reading,

Rachelle xxx