Review of New Elemis Sweet Orchid Range

Elemis have launched a new range to their body exotics collection, Sweet Orchid. 

This was launched on QVC just a couple of weeks ago but wont be available in stores or salons until spring 2016 but I thought whilst its fresh in my mind I would do a review of the range, so keep your eyes peeled for the launch of this next year. 

So the range consist of 

• Sweet Orchid Shower Cream
• Sweet Orchid Body Cream
• Sweet Orchid Hand and Nail Cream 

Firstly the scent of this range is very easy to describe, as the name suggests "sweet orchid", the smell is exactly that, a sweet floral fragrance, which I normally wouldn't be a massive fan of but this is a very soft almost subtle fragrance that contains a slight citrus note that makes it fresh.

Elemis describe it as "delicate notes of oriental orchid expertly balanced with sweet vanilla, aromatic Santalum (sandalwood) and refreshing citrus."

As well as the lovely fragrance the range has extracts of skin nourishing Japonica and vitamin rich Cherry seed oil to hydrate and soothe the skin.

So my thoughts:

Shower Cream: This is a cream rather than a gel so doesn't foam which I don't mind but I know isn't for everyone, I find the creams though are so much more hydrating, so much so that you don't feel the need to apply a body lotion the moment you leave the shower. Personally I prefer a more uplifting fragrance and slightly stronger fragrance to my shower experience but if you want something subtle and very hydrating this is for you.

Body Cream: This is quite a light body lotion which absorbs into the skin really quickly which I love! In comparison the Elemis Frangipani body cream is great for a real treat night, I like to apply it after a bath and its a thicker consistency which doesn't absorb as quickly whereas the sweet orchid is great for morning daily use and the fragrance really warms into the skin and I just got a little hint of it throughout the day rather than it being too overpowering so a definite new favourite for me.

Hand and Nail Cream: This is again a good light hand cream that absorbs quickly into the skin. I like to have 2 hand creams; a thicker richer hand cream for use before bed, and then a lighter one for use throughout the day. The sweet orchid hand cream would be my day one, to maintain moisture throughout the day but not quite enough to really replenish dry hands at the end of the day. So a great one for your handbag or to keep by the sink. 

So overall some really nice additions to the Elemis Body Range, look at for its release next year!

My Number 1 Rule for Oily Skin!

I have suffered with oily and shiny skin forever! In general my skin is clear with the occasional hormonal breakout but the excess oil drove me crazy! Oily skin is a blessing in terms of ageing and the skin not looking dull but it comes with its own set of problems, I literally would never leave the house without my Mineral Veil Powder to touch up my make up 2-3 times a day, and I felt throughout the day the excess oil being produced would change the look of my make up, almost breaking it up and looking very patchy. 

But...I have really managed to get it under control and the secret to it is... MORE OIL!

As a beauty therapist I am always giving people recommendations on their skincare and advice but sometimes I don't practice what I preach and even though I have been more than aware of this rule for a long time, I have never put it into practice for long enough to really see the difference but once I did it changed my skin completely. 

Most people with oily skin hate the thought of using a facial oil but the skin recognises the introduction of oil and stops producing so much, it doesn't literally happen the same day and can make the skin feel more oily to start with but stick with it and the skin starts to rebalance and regulate the production of oil.

How to add more oil/hydration into your routine:

• Add a small drop of a facial oil into your liquid foundation and mix together before applying to your skin, this means it doesn't look cakey and keeps the skin hydrated, for this I've been using the Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Facial Oil
• I use the Elemis Cellular Recovery Bliss Capsules every evening, I sometimes even apply 2 capsules at a time!! I LOVE them! 
• I love layering the Elemis Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Mask with the Elemis Pro Collagen Oxygenating Cream on an evening for a richer night time treat
• I remove the majority of my make up using a Micellar Water and the apply the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm and just leave it to work for around 10 minutes to really get the benefit of all the beautiful essential oils in there!

So there is it, the secret to regulating oily skin is more oil!

Emma Watson Christmas Party Makeup Tutorial! | Tanya Burr

I LOVE Tanya Burr Make Up Tutorials and will definitely trying this look for Christmas!

What to Buy HIM for Christmas - 2015!

This video gave me some good ideas for what to buy for the men in my life!

5 Tips for Winter Skin

Hi Everyone, 

I thought I would share some of the things I've been discussing with clients recently about looking after your skin as we come into the winter months.

The cold winter months can cause havoc on the skin, the influence of central heating, being out in the cold, not drinking enough water and having hot showers and baths can cause dryness, sensitivity and general unbalance within the skin, here's a few things you can add/change to your skincare routine to help.

1. Change your cleanser.

I always change my cleanser with the change of the season, your skin can get very lazy and a change of product re-energize the skin and help combat the seasonal changes. The Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash, £22.50 (200ml) with soothing and anti bacterial extracts of  Thyme, German Chamomile and Lady's Mantle, and a Milk Protein base is great to calm irritated or unbalanced skin, I personally find this a great facial wash for the morning. In the evening the skin often needs something to replenish the moisture lost throughout the day the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm £39.50 (105g) This is an AMAZING cleanser with so many beautiful essential oils such as Rose and Mimosa, Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega™ oils, combined with the powerful anti ageing Padina Pavonica. You can massage it into dry skin and remove with a cleansing cloth as a cleanser or apply a thicker layer and leave for 10 minutes as a mask. 

2. Mix up your  moisturiser

This is the time to start using a richer more hydrating moisturiser. The Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream Ultra Rich £80 (50ml) has a thicker more nourishing base perfect for when the skin feels drier. If you suffer from added sensitivity during the winter or spend a lot of time outdoors try mixing 1 pump of the Elemis SOS Emergency Cream £52.50 (50ml) with your day and/or night cream to create a calming, protecting balm on the skin. 

3. DRINK MORE WATER!!!

I sometimes feel like a broken record telling my clients to drink more water and especially during the winter time, sometimes the last thing you fancy is a cold glass of water on a cold day but it really is essential and makes such a difference, and IT'S FREE! Your body is made up of 60% water, you need it to survive and it really helps your skin. I drink on average 3 litres a day, but 2 is a good place to start. At home and at work I have a plastic cup with a straw that holds just under half a litre, drinking through a straw makes me drink it quicker, I don't know why but its what works for me, find what works for you and stick to it, taking a pint glass to work and always have one on your desk, some people find drinking it hot helps, or like me through a straw. Challenge yourself and you will see the difference in your skin. 

4. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

No matter what your putting on your skin, whether it cost £1 or £100, whether its got amazing ingredients or quite a basic product, if your not exfoliating your just not doing the best you can for your skin. Saying that you shouldn't go too crazy, twice a week is the perfect amount. The Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator £30 (50ml) is great for sensitive skin with pure rose oil and Jojoba beads to gently polish the skin. Or the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel £32 (50ml) is a smooth textured product that you apply like a mask, it uses fruit enzymes of Papaya and Pineapple to almost 'nibble' away at dead skin cells. 

5. Sleep in a hydrating Mask

There are 2 masks in the Elemis Range that are perfect for sleeping in, the Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Mask £49.50 (50ml) is an anti ageing creamy mask that will brighten and boost the skin. Or the Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask £30 (50ml) with its combination of hydrating essential oils will help transform your skin overnight. Either mix a small amount in with your night cream or apply a generous amount on its own and leave it all night to rehydrate the skin whilst its resting. 

Hopefully this has helped in your quest for beautiful glowing skin all winter long! 

All the products mentioned are available in the salon or on our website: https://ele-uk.co.uk

Bare Minerals Christmas Collection....Enchantment

Bare Minerals always do a great Christmas Collection but this year I think their Enchantment Collection is beautiful!

I thought I would take some pics and talk you through the ones we have in the salon which are all available to purchase on our website www.ele-uk.co.uk.

So lets start with the jewel of the collection...

Enchanted Beauty £45

This is a salon/spa exclusive so you won't see this one in the department stores and this is my personal favourite.

This kit contains limited edition colours in special gold packaging and the gold gift bag is the perfect size to hold all your make up essentials. Bare Minerals have picked quite neutral shades that will suit all. This is a great gift for someone that you know loves Bare Minerals and you can rest assured they wont have the shades and will love the special gold packaging!

Collection includes:

• Enchanted Beauty All over face colour- Rose coloured matte blush
• Enrapture EyeColour- Nude/shell colour matte eyeshadow
• Tempted EyeColour- Warm Brown matte eyeshadow
• Lasting Line Long Wearing Eyeliner in Absolute Black
• Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Take Charge- Warm peachy nude 
• Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Wild Beauty Warm peachy shimmery nude
• Precision Double Ended Eye and Cheek Brush 

Deluxe Mineral Veil £35

This is a definite Collectors Edition and its sooo beautiful!

Mineral Veil is a translucent finshing powder, its sets your make up which helps it last longer and softens the look of your make up, this is also a great product to touch up your make up throughout the day making it look fresh and 'just done'

This one is also great value, the normal size of 9g is £21 this one is a huge 24g an is £35 not only a lovely gift but great value if like me you get through lots of this and the packaging would look lovely on your dressing table!

The Regal Wardrobe £35

This is a showcase of Bare Minerals' Ready range, which is their compact range. One half of the compact contains 8 eyeshadows and the other half contains 2 blushes, 1 bronzer and a highlighter. This kit is great for traveling or for someone wanting to try out some new shades.

The eyeshadow palette includes:

• NEW Regal (shimmer)
• NEW Treasure Hunt (shimmer)
• Natural (matte)
• Cognac (shimmer)
• Namaste (matte)
• 500 Thread Count (matte)
• Romp (shimmer)
• Flash (matte)

The face palette includes:

• The Summer Fling Blush 
• The Love Letter Blush
• The Skinny Dip Bronzer
• The Brilliant Sunset Highlighter

Whimsical Wonders £25

This is always a very popular collection for us as it makes a great gift that person that your just never sure what to get them. The collection contains 6 Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in a range of shades, the non sticky, slightly plumping, glossy finish formulation makes them a much loved Bare Minerals product!

The lipgloss shades are:

• Shimmer Glaze (a sparkly topcoat which could be worn on its own or over the top of your favourite lipstick)
• Overachiever (a plumy shade)
• Spark Plug (a browny/pinky nude)
• Hot Shot (a brighter pink shade
• Maven (a light pink shade)
• Trailblazer (a taupe nude shade) 

(shades are shown in this order on the hand swatch rather than the pic of them in the tubes)

Double Domination £18

This is just plain and simple good value! You would normally pay £18 for the best selling Lash Domination mascara in the full size, so basically your getting the travel half size version for free, but unlike some travel size mascaras the brush is still full size. 

Swept Away £30

A beautiful presented brush collection! Containing 4 brushes in a lovely travel bag, when it comes to brushes you can't beat Bare Minerals! 

The brushes included are:

• Mini Soft Focus Face Brush
• Mini Angled Face Brush 
• Mini Soft Sweep Eye Brush
• Mini Precision Smudge Brush

So there they all are..... Hope you enjoyed reading!

All the kits are available online www.ele-uk.co.uk or in the salon.