Lush Halloween 2022 - No tricks, just treats.

Even if it doesn't really feel like autumn yet and the usual suspects such as fuzzy scarves, steamy PSLs, oversized jumpers are still on stand-by, it only took me a quick shop at Lush to fully get in Fall mood. This year's Halloween collection might be the biggest one yet, with old and new favourites and all things spooky with aliens, vampires and pumpkins everywhere. If you're looking for last minute inspiration, these are my top 3 picks!

Lush Treats for Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is officially less than a week away and what better way to celebrate than stocking up on some amazing Lush goodies for your lovely mums and of course yourselves? As usual I'll take any excuse to make my bathroom - and the whole house to be honest - smell absolutely gorge and since Lush's Spring collection this year is especially stunning, I had to share a few recommendations.

A Spring Haul.

There's no better time for a skincare refresh than Spring and since I've been itching to try something new for ages, I decided the turn of the season was the perfect moment to tick off a few names from my endless wishlist. From the cutest set of mini masks to a beautiful cleanser to a cheeky new fragrance picked up on a whim, here are my most recent purchases and a few first impressions.

Lush Does Valentine's Day 2018.

There're three kinds of people in the world when it comes to Valentine's day: those who take it really seriously and go all out to celebrate it, and the ones who want to burn all the hearts and stuffed teddy bears. Then there's me, the girl that doesn't really care for the day per se but is forever looking for an excuse to hoard all the seasonal Lush goodies and indulge in a good ol' pamper. Who else is with me?

This year's V-Day collection is rather delicious and really special as well, as almost the entire range is packaging free - so no bottles or plastic containers in sight. How cool is that? Go Naked or go home!

Here I'm sharing a few favourite picks I recommend you treat yourself to.

What I got for Christmas.

Being the nosy monkey I am, 'What I got for Christmas' posts are some of my favourites to read as I absolutely love seeing what other people found under their Christmas tree, and they also are an awesome place to find inspiration on how to spend Christmas money. I know it's about time I let go of the Holiday season and put away the decorations, but before we wrap up it for good, I wanted to share some of the beautiful treats I got from my family and friends this year.

Lush Halloween haul.

It's that time of the year again, when Lush drops its Halloween and Holiday ranges and a trip to the closest store feels pretty much mandatory, especially since bath weather is finally upon us. Whether you celebrate Halloween and wait a whole year for the chance to show your spooky makeup skills, or you're only in for the candies and the pumpkin spice lattes like me, I'm fairly sure you'll agree that the chance for a lovely, extra cozy pampering bath is way too good to pass up on.

A Lush Spring haul.

When the weather outside is absolutely dreadful and it feels more like November than mid May, it's totally okay to hide in the bathroom all day, forget the rain outside and enjoy a whiff of spring in the shower. Or at least that's what I've been telling myself to justify the ridiculous amount of time I've been spending soaking in the bath ever since I've got my hands on the Lush Mother's day selection. I feel like I say it every single time but I mean it, this might be the best collection yet. I would even go as far as saying that it's the mother of all collections - get it?

A few MAC essentials.

It seems every beauty addict had a MAC phase at some point in her life - mine was at the very beginning, when I was itching to put literally everything to the test and therefore basically burning all my pocket money trying to keep up with their monthly releases -. Even if it's been quite some time since I bought that first pot of Studio Sculpt concealer that started everything, my love affair with them and their cult products is still going strong, hence this emergency shopping trip to the closest counter when I realized I was running low on a couple must haves.

As soon as my old bottle gave out the last spray, I had to race out to buy a new Prep + Prime Fix +. This super fine mist has been a staple in my routine for many years, because it has so many different uses and it's incredibly versatile - it's an hydrating primer and an alcohol-free setting spray, it's great to dampen your sponge for flawless foundation application or your brushes to increase the intensity of powder eyeshadows, but it also works as a makeup refresher to bring back to life old, cakey makeup. I can't be without it.
Speaking of multi-purpose products, I'm just going to blame Nettart for my next purchase, as before I stumbled on her IG account I never felt the need to dive into the oil trend. She uses Essential Oils for pretty much anything, from hydrating base to mixing medium to create all kind of gorgeous concoctions - try mixing a drop with Vanilla or Tan pigment and get ready to swoon. 

Of course, I had to get one of the new shades of Strobe Cream, which is another cult favourite I always go back to. It's a light, non greasy moisturizer with a fluffy consistency that is dreamy mixed with foundation for gentle all-over luminosity, but I simply adore wearing underneath my base whenever my skin looks dull and lacklustre, as it instantly gives it a healthy, non shimmery glow.  I went for Silverlite which gives a lovely pearly glow to the skin and looks especially good on fair skin tones, but I've made a mental note to go back for Goldlite very soon - you know I do love everything golden and champagne when it comes to highlighters.

I also picked up a bottle of Studio Waterweight Foundation, as I was looking for a less glossy but equally natural-looking alternative to the Face & Body foundation for my kit and I wasn't disappointed. I really, really like this foundation, it has the most beautiful your skin but better finish and on closer inspection you can't really tell you're wearing any makeup. It's a light to medium coverage offering, definitely more suitable for everyday wear and dry to combination complexions, and I find it's best applied with a damp sponge that allows to get the most out of the coverage, while foundation brushes tend to keep it on the sheer side. I wish there was a shade lighter than NC15 because this is still a little too dark for me, but other than that I can't really fault this base.

Finally, I've been meaning to jump back on the fake lash train lately, so I grabbed a Lash Applicator on my way to the checkout - this is supposed to make full-strip lashes application smooth and totally hassle free, thanks to its ergonomic shape. I haven't been wearing falsies in a while, but hopefully this little handy tool will help me get back into the swing of things.

Have you picked up anything from MAC recently?

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The Spooky Lush Edit.

A trip to Lush is obviously a fantastic treat all year round, but when the Halloween range hits the shelves it seems more appropriate then ever. As it always happen, I popped in to have a quick look around and left with an unmistakably lighter purse, a bag full of deliciously scented goodies and lots of dreamy baths in mind. Halloween is serious business at Lush and every single year without fail their bath collection has me bounce with excitement all the way to the till. I had to restrain myself a little, as my stash back at home was nearly overflowing already, but here are my picks.

The one cult classic I always feel drawn to is Lord of Misrule Shower cream (£4.95), truly a must-buy for any spicy scent-lover. It's smoky and peppery, with an added touch of vanilla to lift the herbal notes and make it a bit more mystical. The new formula is creamier than ever, it bubbles up like a dream - it doubles up as a bubble bath, in fact - and feels lovely on the skin. With its cozy scent that lingers around the house for hours afterwards, it's the perfect companion for a warming shower at the end of a long day.

Despite being a total shower gal, every once in a while I do crave a dip in a bathtub full of beautifully scented hot water and a colourful bath bomb frizzing around. On a whim I picked up Pumpkin Bath Bomb (£3.95) that stole my heart with its sharp zesty fragrance. This must be the most intensely fragranced bomb I've ever encountered - you can seriously smell orange and ginger through the paper bag and from the other side of the room. I can't wait to dump it in my bath tonight!
I also snatched a cute Monster's Ball (£4.25) after seeing it in action in the store. To be fair this doesn't smell very autumnal - it's rather floral actually, with hints of fruitiness -, but is absolutely adorable with that little eye made of cocoa butter that floats around over the moisturizing purple water.

If you love tons and tons of bubbles, grab yourself a Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble bar (£3.95), or three, and get mentally ready to find gold glitters everywhere for the next six months. So worth it, though. This adorable little pumpkin is not only very Instagram friendly, but feels uber energizing and uplifting thanks to the lime, grapefruit and juniperberry mix.  Plus, the cheerful mandarin orange water is simply perfect to brighten a foggy day.

Finally, I couldn't just leave little Boo Bath Melt (£3.95) alone on the shelf. This was my first time trying a Lush bath melt and I must say that I'm in obsessed. The clean, slightly soapy scent is right up my alley - it's a warming concoction of mimosa, ginger and sandalwood that melts away stress and tension and is incredibly soothing - and it left my skin feeling amazing, soft and nourished, and ready for soft pyjamas and a good night of sleep. It's the ultimate indulgence for dry skin gals like me.

Have you tried any of these bath treats? What are your plans for the scariest night of the year?
Be right back, the bathtub is not going to fill itself...

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Dreaming of a LUSH Christmas.

Oh oh oh! It can't be Christmas without a good ol' trip to Lush, right? They do some of the cutest little gift sets and festive shopping for friends and family is just the perfect cover-up for some well deserved self gratification. I should warn you though, if you're anything like me you might barely have room to move in your bathroom after said trip, but the delicious lingering scent and the thought of all the amazing pampering sessions you're gonna have during the Holidays will make everything alright, I promise.

Some of my favourite Lush products of all time are Christmas limited editions and I always make sure to stock up on those for the months ahead. Snowcake Soap (£3.50) is one of my forever repurchases. I adore the yummy marzipan scent and it's so nourishing it really helps my hands stay soft and smooth during the colder months. My other staple is Yog Nog Soap (£3.50) - clearly I'm a sucker for anything that smells like dessert - which is just divine. With soya yoghurt and coconut oil, it's uber moisturizing and extra creamy, perfect to cleanse the skin without leaving it feeling dry. And do I need to mention the mouthwatering creme brulèe fragrance? Heavenly.

I'm not usually one for rose scented products, but I've been converted with Rose Jam Shower Gel (£4.95)*. To me, it smells like vanilla and sour candies with a very subtle flowery hint. It's a really relaxing and calming blend, perfect to take the edge off and de-stress before bed, and the warming scent lingers in my bathroom for hours afterwards.
Another great pick for any shower lover is Salt & Peppermint Bark Shower Scrub (£5.95)*. I haven't used a scrub bar in ages but this reminded me why I used to love them so much. It's a moisturizer and an exfoliator in one, with fine grains of salt to gently brush away dry patches, cocoa butter too soothe and nourish chapped skin, and a drop of peppermint oil that leaves a light clean scent on the skin.

When it comes to bath treats I usually make a beeline straight for the bubble bars and as soon as I saw it I knew The Magic of Christmas Reusable Bubble Bar (£5.95) had to come home with me. Isn't this the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen? This lovely little magic wand smells so festive, it's warm and cozy but also uplifting thanks to the cinnamon, clove and orange mix in it. I'm a bit sad to use this but I also can't wait to soak in many lovely golden baths.

Star Dust Bath Bomb (£2.95)* sadly lasted only one bath but it was certainly worth it - loved the star-shaped confettis! -. Vanilla and Rosewood oil set the bases for a very relaxing bath but the bergamot oil adds a little citrus kick to the mix. Definitely one to use if you need to re-charge your batteries after a long day of Christmas shopping.

Another favourite that always finds a way into my basket is So White Bath Bomb (£3.65). I'm not entirely sure if this is a Christmas exclusive but the crunchy apple scent is simply perfect for the Holiday season and never fails to put a huge smile on my face as it fizzles away in the tube, turning the water pastel pink.

Finally, Santa's Belly Shower Jelly (£3.95) has to be my favourite product of the lineup. I adore the deep red colour shot through with little stars, it's super festive, but what really sold me on this one is the gorgeous apple cyder frangrance. It's such a happy scent, a good one if you're feeling a bit under the weather, I'm kind of obsessed with it.
If sour apple is not something that tickles your fancy, I highly recommend Snowman Shower Jelly (£3.95)*, a cute little snowman that smells like carrots and it's infused with Sicilian lemon and bergamot oils to cleanse and energize. Adorable.

Have you tried anything from Lush lately?

*Press samples

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LUSH does Halloween.

Long-standing customers might know this already but, if you ever need an excuse to do so, this is the best time of the year to pop into LUSH and threat yourself to some wicked bath goodies. I'm a fairly regular shopper myself, but it's when the deliciously spooky Halloween range and the fabulous Christmas gifts start hitting the shelves that I really step up my game and stock up on enough of my favourite pamper products to last me throughout all winter and beyond. As usual the Christmassy bits and bobs are gorgeous but it's the Halloween selection that really gets me excited at the minute, it's a little small but it's the best one yet.

The Lord of Misrule Shower (S)Cream (£4.95)* is easily my favourite of the bunch. Having tried the matching bath bomb in the past - truly lovely, it goes from mint green to deep oxblood in your bath with the soft crackle of popping candies, and makes the whole bathroom smell amazing -, I was super excited to see the shower gel version, as aside from the odd pamper bath I'm definitely more of a shower person. With a mix of patchouli, black pepper and sweet vanilla, to me it smells like Halloween candies, warm and spicy but also a bit sweet, and the bright green swirled with silver glitter is hilarious.

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar (£3.65)* is an old favourite of mine and a Halloween classic. This cute and uber glittery pumpkin makes tons of bubbles, leaves the skin really soft and turns the water a lovely sparkly orange shade. The fragrance is very cozy and autumn-appropriate, with hints of grapefruit, cinnamon and juniperberry and it's perfect for a relaxing hot bath on a chilly evening, followed by hot coco and a good movie - that's my Halloween traditional pamper for you, Sparkly Pumpkin and Hocus Pocus -. It also lasts a couple of baths if you can't bear the thought of only getting a single use out of your Lush bars and bombs.

I was really surprised when I smelled Nightwing Shower Jelly (£3.95)*, as I was expecting something dark and musky, like licorice or berries maybe, rather than the zingy, uplifting scent that makes me think of frizzy cola candies. It's packed with carob syrup which is great for nourishing and softening up the skin and lime juice to cleanse without stripping, and just like all other shower jellies is super squishy and fun to use. And it's shaped like the Batman logo! Win!

Have you done your scary Lush shopping yet?

*Press Samples

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A sephora haul.

So, I did some shopping... A few days ago I've posted a picture of a mini Sephora haul on my Instagram account and since I've got asked a couple of questions here and there about the products I purchased, I thought I might as well share my first impressions here and tell you what I think about my picks.

The reason I popped in was to grab a tube of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (£16.60), that seems to be everywhere at the minute. Literally everyone and their dog seem to love this mascara and I really wanted to like it, but me and my lashes don't get on with it so well. The formula is not as volumizing as it is defining - it gives nice long, feathered out lashes but as soon as I start building the coats to get a fuller look it starts to clump quite badly - and it doesn't do anything for me when it comes to curling or holding the curl for what matters. Also, flakes! This stuff flakes like there's no tomorrow, which is not ideal for contact wearers like me. Definitely not the mascara for me, what a shame! I loved the pale pink tube and the weighted packaging, it feels extra luxurious. Sob.

The Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster (£19) has been on my wishlist for something that feels like ages and I'm so glad I've finally added it to my stash. This brilliant product allows you to turn your regular serum or moisturizer into a fully customizable fake tan by simply adding up to three drops to it and applying like you normally would. The result is a beautiful, soft golden glow that makes your skin appear more even and radiant, like you just came back from a weekend at the seaside. I'm so pale that normal fake tanners can look really fake and way too dark on me, but the colour this product gives to my skin is absolutely believable. If you're looking for an intense bronzy hue look away but if you're pale and want to look less like Casper the friendly ghost and more like a Victoria secret's model give it a try. I'm so happy with it and already have my eyes on the body offering as well.

Also by Clarins, I picked up the Daily Energiser Cleansing Gel (£13) on a whim, as I was looking for something less moisturizing and fresher than my usual cleansing milk to use in the morning. As far as foaming cleansers go, this is probably the first one that doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or tight. A little blob goes a very long way, it lathers well and lifts all the gunk and the excess oils, leaving the skin squeaky clean and toned but not stripped in the slightest. Such a lovely product to start the day!

Finally, two typical 'isle of doom' purchases. The Sephora Targeted Eye Remover Swabs are a handy little product I like to carry in my purse just in case I find myself facing a bold lip emergency or an eyeliner disaster. You simply snap the blue tip open, wait for the waterproof makeup remover to soak the opposite end of the cotton swab and you're ready for a quick, mess-free touch up. Brilliant!
The Sephora Green Tea Eye Mask was a true surprise. It's actually really nice, super cooling and smoothing, and perfect to de-puff and soothe tired eyes. I'll repurchase it again for sure, it's the kind of thing is nice to have around if you need a quick pick me up or if you're feeling a bit congested.

Have you tried any of these?

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Boxing day sale finds.

Right after Christmas and the delicious food, the Boxing Day sale is the thing I look forward to the most during the Holidays - Christmas money needs to be spent at some point after all and I can't say no to a fine beauty deal, especially if I don't need to get out of my pyjamas to get my hands on it -. I can't help thinking that last year sales were a little more interesting and better assorted, nonetheless after browsing the sale section of my favourite websites, I've found some sweet deals and great bargains. Take a look!

For all the beauties, a peek at the SpaceNk sale is pretty much mandatory. There's always a great selection of Christmas gifts on sale for half the usual price, along with some great limited edition or soon to be discontinued products from our favourite luxury brands. Within the Laura Mercier lineup, the yummy scented Tarte au Citron quartet caught my eye right away. It includes a shimmering mist, a honey bath with its cute honey dipper, a body scrub and a fab body soufflé all infused with the beyond delicious lemon curd scent. Just like last year, all the skincare obsessers will love the REN selection. My pick is the Sensitive Skin Travel kit that features a mini size of my favourite morning cleanser and matching full size serum and day moisturizer, all for the price of the serum only.

I've been lusting over the Multi Facet Palette in Aura for ages now but I never got around buying it. Of course the second I've spotted it in the Illamasqua sale I slipped it in my cart without a second thought. Safely housed in this sleek palette are some of my favourite products from the brand, such as Cream Pigment in Hollow, Gleam Aurora cream highlighter and Tremble blush, along with four powder eyeshadows and an Eyebrow cake, plus a cute little double ended brush. Such a handy little palette, perfect for traveling and on the go.

Beautybay always does well on the sales and it's definitely worth a look. First Aid Beauty is on 3 for 2 at the minute and the Stila Merry and Bright 4 Piece Gift Set will soon be mine. For less than the price of the stunning Convertible Lip Colour in Tulip alone, you get an eyeliner, a lip gloss and a cute headband as well.
Spotted on Beauty Expert, the whole Foreo Luna range is 20% off right now. I've been thinking about upgrading the travel Mini with the full size Sensitive/Normal skin one for quite some time now, since I love it so much and use it every single day, and this might just be the clue I've been waiting for.

Over at Asos, there's a huge sale across the site going on and although anything really caught my eye in the beauty section, I quickly picked up the Frends Ella in ear Headphones that look absolutely gorgeous. I've been eyeing the Taylor ones before Christmas but I much prefer in ear headphones when I'm out and about and I don't want to mess up my hair too much.

Finally, many thanks to Anthropologie for having such a great range and helping clear out my bank account this morning. I'm sure my paws will be warm and stylish for weeks to come thanks to the beautiful Faux-fur Cuff Gloves that are now down to £22.95. I've also treated myself with some brilliant bits and bobs for the kitchen and the house I can't wait to get and set up.

What bargains have you found?

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A Cult Beauty Haul.

Foreo Luna Mini in Magenta // Jouer Anti-blemish Matte Primer // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel // Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel // Jouer Luminizing Mini Moisture Tint in Opal //Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow Duo in Sculpting Medium/Candlelight. //

Apparently everyone and their grandmothers know about my pee-wee shopping addiction, since one of the most frequently asked questions I get is about my favourite websites to shop at. There's plenty of course, but Cult Beauty is definitely at the top of my list with its amazing selection of standout products and beauty junkies favourites. Most of the time I'm simply happy to browse their incredible selection and read through the witty product descriptions but a few weeks ago I've placed not one but two very naughty orders and as usual my picks took my breath away.

The Foreo Luna Mini Magenta (£99) may be the best thing since ice cream. My skin has never looked this good: it's baby soft, radiant and incredibly even. I'm still a bit shocked by how effective this little thing is: it lifts dead skin cells, unclogs pores, drains and de-puffs with no sign of redness or of the faint discomfort that usually comes with other exfoliating devices. It works beautifully with all kind of cleansers but I especially enjoy using it in combination with the OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel (£32.50) which is my new number one cleanser and likely ultimate Holy Grail. I find this works best at night time as it melts away every last bit of makeup, stubborn waterproof mascara included, in just a few rubs. It leaves a small residue behind that doesn't feel unpleasant at all and actually seems to improve radiance and elasticity and nourish the skin, fully harmonizing with the rest of my routine.

I do like my medium coverage foundations but every now and then I feel the need for something a little bit lighter, both in coverage and texture, and that's when the Jouer Luminous Moisture Tint Minis (£17.50) step in. I was already addicted to the Matte alternative of this tinted moisturizer, but this heart-stopping radiant formula has now snatched the crown of best sheer base in my stash. It's extremely lightweight and sheer, but not so much that it becomes pointless, and it evens out my skin tone beautifully. What I love the most about it is the utterly perfect way it reflects the light, only in the right places, making my skin look firm and healthy and my pores almost invisible. Also from Jouer, I picked up the Anti-blemish Matte Primer (£30) on a whim, because I've been looking everywhere for a silicone-free mattifying primer. I'm a huge fan of treatment makeup and this primer is the ultimate skincare hybrid: it calms redness and treats blemishes whilst helping prevent new breakouts and of course keeps the skin shine-free but not overly flat, which I really like. I'm still testing it out but I'll keep you posted.

Last month at Cosmoprof the gorgeous Anastasia - yes, the Anastasia as in Anastasia Beverly Hills, I'm still in awe - gave me a brow makeover and I've been completely obsessed with brow products ever since. I've put aside my precious MAC Fling for a moment and I've treated myself to a Brow Wiz (£15.50) in the shade Caramel, which is a great match for my light golden brown hair. I love that it twists up and down - unlike Fling - and since the nib is extra fine and stiff, I can draw every single hair and fill in any sparse area in just a few strokes. It gives great definition but the result is surprisingly natural and the built-in spoolie is super handy for quick blending and taming. Holy Grail material for sure.
Another great pick is the Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo in Sculpting/Candlelight (£23), something I've coveted for the longest time as I absolutely adore its powder counterparts. It's my current go-to product for fresh, glowy skin: Candlelight gives a stunning, uber flattering sheen to the cheekbones and even if Sculpting looks a little bit dark and scary, it blends seamlessly and mimics the perfect shadow to sculpt and define.

Have you tried any of these products? Did anything catch your eye?

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