Skincare Game Changer

I have been using Kiehl's long enough now to know it is a game changer for my skin.

Well worth the money, my skin is smoother and brighter. & a little goes a long way!!

I have a typical oily t-zone, drier cheeks and large pores.

Some say oily skin means younger looking skin - so I should be grateful right?

I ordered a moisturiser and for free delivery a replacement facial wash and then 

thought 'sod it' and added the BB Cream to my basket. 

SPF 50 to protect my pigment prone skin, but light and natural looking.

I usually use Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser & had said I would finish my tube before ordering the BB Cream - but - I had bought the 'shimmer' finish for Summer having been talked into it by the sales lady & really do not like it....so Kiehl's BB for me!!

I also placed the order as a gift - well, it is, for me! So my purchases came in the useful box below.

Also a few freebies were thrown in which I have yet to try -

When I do I'll let you know thoughts!

As ever, thanks so much for visiting.
XX

Softer

Loving this hand moisturiser from The White Company.

At the age where I need to look after my hands!! 

& this beautiful scent helps!

Geranium - Juniper - Patchouli

Seem to be developing a 'thing' for Patchouli!

Do you take care of your hands?
XX

Kiehl's at the Trafford

My complimentary facial courtesy of Kiehl's was a wonderful experience. 

Despite being in-store behind the Kiehl's counter I managed to close my eyes & relax, completely unaware of anyone stopping to take a look!

Welcomed by 'Mr. Bones' himself ;-)

I had lots of wonderful products applied during a relaxing facial massage which cleansed, toned, exfoliated, face masked and serumed, softening my skin and making it appear so much plumper and brighter. Glowing!! Literally!

The Algae Mask set to work it's magic - & I dozed off!!!

Kiehl's gift packs - made up of your favourite product's.....how lovely

Some freebies - have to say the BB cream is fabulous. I replaced my usual 

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser last week, but will definitely go for this next time, 

light, bright, natural looking. 

With an SPF of 50 & PA+++ it will protect my skin nicely from the

 pigmentation I often get in Summer.

Products I loved...

• The Algae Mask
• BB Cream
• Patchouli & Fresh Rose Body Lotion - I also had a hand massage with this! :-)

Products I bought...

• Rare Earth Cleanser
• Clearly Corrective White Toner
• Rare Earth Pore Minimising Lotion

Real Treat's...

• Patchouli & Fresh Rose Body Wash
• Patchouli & Fresh Rose Fragrance - love the green undertones to the rose.
• Musk Scent - Kiehl's signature scent for men & women - got to have!
• Rice & Wheat Volumising Shampoo

So, I have been using the skincare for well over a week.

Game changer? Yes! 

Well worth the money, small amounts of product seem to go a long way towards 

smoother, brighter looking skin!

Who else changes their skincare products?

Have you tried any Kiehl's products?

XX

Kiehl's Fest

A trip to the Trafford Centre at weekend to replace some must have beauty products found me at the Kiehl's counter, awe struck at the beautiful skin they all had! 

Obviously they all use the products.....I hope!!

I needed a new cleanser so decided to see what they would recommend for me. I had a skin test which showed I have normal skin with large pores.

Luckily I had gone makeupless as they wanted me to try it on my face (well, makes sense I suppose!) Lovely smelling and slightly grainy texture I decided to buy.

 So this morning before work I had a Kiehl's fest as I had been given a few samples.

• I washed using my new Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser and will report whether it's a game changer or not.
• I applied the Ultra Facial Toner, which again felt wonderful. I am always a little suspect of toner viewing it as expensive stingy water. This was actually a thick milky substance that went on and soaked in nicely leaving my skin refreshed.
• The Ultra Facial Cream was next, it was quite thick but I was pleasantly surprised by how little was needed and how well it soaked in. My skin felt silky soft and nourished all day (went makeupless to work too today - office day!)
• I know I need to use some sort of eye cream - I'm at that age. The Creamy Eye Treatment is an unusual product - very sticky, you place it on your little finger's then rub them together to make a thinner slippier product (the stickiness disappears) that you can apply more easily but the texture ensures it stays where you put it!
• Next up Creme de Corps with it's iconic status - very thick yet easy to rub in, it left my legs with a slight sheen. The scent is very subtle, too subtle for me and my skin felt no different to when I use much cheaper body moisturiser.

The lovely Kiehl's lady invited me to have a free 40 minute facial in April - hell yeah, 

I'm there. Afterwards I'm sure I will be encouraged to buy lots of wonderful  

Kiehl's facial products!!

How about you? Do you try new products?
Who's tried Kiehl's?
XX

For the Love of Running

Some of you may know I lead a running group, which I love so much.

 I inspire people to run, but actually it's a two way relationship - 

they inspire me massively.

 Until this last week I had not run since before Christmas. When I have a break my fitness drops so quickly - does anyone else find that?

So this week it was back to leading and I thought "I'm never going to be able to do it!" 

So, I got my bum in gear & I've run four nights running, including leading, 

covering 17 miles. Wowzers - what's wrong with me??

I love running, didn't used to, but now I run for fun & have learnt it doesn't matter if I can only go out for 10 minutes and walk for most of it!!

Running is free, doesn't impact on your day and you can be out the door whenever you feel like it and back 20 minutes later feeling virtuous...

When I run it encompasses so many other areas of my life. 

I up my fluids - no, not wine, water, think about what I eat and also look after my skin better (said before I'm lazy!) A good cleanse and moisturiser is needed as well as a refreshing hot shower after a run, especially in this cold wet weather we've been having.

This week I have learnt why you should definitely invest in a Sports Bra as I couldn't find mine and ran in my normal bra - I now have a graze where it has rubbed....

Its good to treat yourself to some nice attire to run in, you will run better - trust me - 

its psychological but worth it! I buy running gear from Aldi for cheap basics but for high end LOVE Sweaty Betty - would really like some Skirt Leggings but not willing to pay full price and keep missing out in the sale - always like their cycling and running pants with attached skirt - girly chic! ;-)

Trainers are an important part of your kit, but I would say don't rush out and buy an expensive pair, see if you stick to running before you part with your hard earned cash. 

When you know it is worth investing, consider a Gait Analysis. These are carried out at various sports retailers, but I go to a small independent retailer, himself a marathon runner. 

My footwear of choice are Brooks - they suit the way I run. Before I ran people always said you could wear trainers a size smaller than you would usually wear.

I am a size 6 - my trainers are 7.5 & perfect - don't go smaller!!

Did you know you should replace your trainers every 300 miles - not that I keep track haha!

A waterproof, windproof jacket is a must for anyone who becomes serious about running, along with a hat and gloves. I wear this jacket for running and cycling.

I don't profess to be a running expert, but just wanted to share some tips with you.

Here's me on my first run of the year - a selfie - yes I know!

“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”― John Bingham

Who else runs? What do you do to stay fit?

Do you carry on through Winter?

XX

Moroccan Argan Oil

I have very thin, fine hair - cue envy of women with luscious locks 

and lots of hair, especially if wavy!!

A couple of weeks ago I had some slices of colour added to my hair

 - red, blonde and bleach.

Since then, no matter what shampoo or conditioner I have used I look

 like Wurzel Gummidge when I get out the shower.

 I then proceed to literally DRAG a comb through it before adding a handful of hair to the bin!

Yesterday I COULD NOT face doing this again and remembered I had a sample bottle of  Moroccan Argan Oil.

I was a little dubious, because of fine, thin hair and my hair ending up a greasy mess, 

but WOW - its fantastic, my hair is so silky soft, the comb slid through no messing,

 no greasy mess and my hands were so moisturised too! My hair looked so *healthy*.

I know this is a popular product but had no idea why!

Who else uses Argan Oil?

XX

PJ's On

Ok, worked late - still getting my head round my new role :-) Came home to find this had been opened by my Son - thinking it was a facial scrub!!

Not wanting to waste it I dived into the shower and began to massage - I have had it ages thinking its a straightforward salt scrub.
It is but its the most luxurious salt scrub ever and I shall be dashing out to buy a tub of the stuff *pronto*
As you start to massage the renowned orange scent releases as the scrub turns to a moisturising oil of coconut, jojoba and sweet almond - my skin is so silky smooth & I am now sat in my PJ,s at 7.30pm (a first for me) & smelling beautiful...

£11.25 for 650 grams, available from Sanctuary and Boots, where of course you can get 44 points on your card and currently if you spend over a tenner you get a free gift of the Creme Souffle, bargain I say!

It's Friiiiiiiday - I'm off to chill some more!

XX

Going Retro!

Just a quickie as life continues to be mad! This weekend Mr.L & I had to pack our Son's apartment up in Leicester - he is coming home for 3 & a half months which will be the longest he's been home in 2 & a half years - YAY!

Also the hall, stairs, landing & 'A's bedroom has been decorated and the house is like carnage and driving me insane!!! Day off tomorrow to gain some organisation....it's amazing how life loses momentum when you are having work done on your home!

Anyway I thought I'd show you what I bought  in Home Bargains today - Colgate Cavity Dental Cream, in other words Retro Toothpaste!! Gotta love a bit of retro.

Really like that the tube is orange inside the red packaging - that was a surprise!

Anyway at 39p for a 75ml tube I had to buy three! & no worries the ingredients aren't retro - the paste contains the current formula in replica packaging from 1908!

Back soon with some photo's of the newly decorated rooms!

XX