My LUSH Goodies!

 

Yayyy for Lush!! If you're a regular reader of my blog then you will know that I am kind of obsessed with all things Lush. So when I was given some lovely goodies from there of course I got excited and had to blog about it. The top 2 body creams are really soft, but I especially love 'Sympathy for the Skin' and will be making a seperate blog review on that in the future. The face masks in the middle are lovelllyyy! I tried the 'Brazened Honey' last night and it left my skin so soft and smooth that I skipped moisturiser.

I haven't tried the 'Celestial' moisturiser yet.. It is for sensitive skin so I may pass to my husband.

This is soo yummmy!!! You only need a tiny amount so I can see this lasting a very long time!

Hope you enjoyed this post. I will be uploading a video onto Youtube talking about each product. So until my next post, take care x

How To: Determine Your Skin Type

A simple way of determining your skin type is to try the tissue test.

You will need to start with a clean face (makeup removed, face cleansed). After cleansing wait for approx 30 minutes and then cover your face with a layer of tissue paper. Press gently over your face and leave for a minute. Once your remove the tissue you should be able to see one of the following:

Dry Skin: Should have no oily traces

Normal Skin: Faint traces of oil on most of the tissue

Oily Skin: There will be oily traces over majority of the tissue

Combination Skin: There will be oily patches in the T-Zone (nose,around your mouth, forehead and sides of nose)

Of course results may differ throughout the year, as skin changes due to weather and hormonal changes. However, this simple test should allow you to identify your skin type and seek products which will work for you.

My LUSH Stash

Just wanted to show you guys the LUSH products I have at the moment, although I have tried most of their soaps and a few moisturisers. Their facemasks are to die for, and there is one to suit every skin type/need.

 From left-right: Silky Underwear, Eau Roma Water, Love Lettuce, Angels on Bare Skin

I have done a review on the Eau Roma Water and hope to review the other products. Maybe a LUSH shopping trip is due??

What's your fav LUSH item?

How To: Make a Body Scrub for Glowy Skin

Today's post is a DIY body scrub. The scrub is made from ingredients found in your kitchen, and is quick and easy to make!

What you will need:

• Olive Oil/Virgin Olive Oil
• Brown sugar
• Half a lemon
• Bowl
• Tablespoon for mixing
• Air tight container

Brown sugar is great for the body and helps to get rid of dead skin cells. Olive oil is moisturising for the body and lemon contains Vitamin C, which will help to provide a glow to your skin. In my opinion this scrub is as good as those sold in the shops-your body will thank you for it!

 How to Make the Scrub

* Pour approx 8 table spoons of brown sugar into a bowl 

* Cut the lemon in half

 * Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon

* Add the olive oil so that it covers the mixture

Pour into an airtight container. I am using this gorgeous jar, which I like to take into the shower or use whilst soaking in the bath.

How to Use

When in the shower/bath gently massage all over your body in circular motions, paying particular attention to areas such as your knees and elbows. Rinse off with warm water and gently pat dry with a towel. You can apply the olive oil to damp skin at the end as a moisturiser.

The mixture should last for 1-2 weeks, but once used can easily be made again.

Hope you enjoy. Let me know if it works for you :)

Review: Lush Eau Roma Water Toner

I have been a fan of Lush products for a number of years now as I love their ethical values and the charity work that they do. They source their ingredients from companies that do not test on animals, and use little or no preservatives in their products. The attention paid into what goes in their beauty products is what makes Lush stand out from other companies.

I have tried various Lush goodies, including face masks, cleansers and body washes. Todays product I will be reviewing is the Eau Roma Water.

Info on the bottle "Tone your skin gently with rose and lavender water. Excellent on dry, older or sensitive skin. use on cotton wool to remove excess cleanser and to referesh the skin."

My skin goes through changes depending on the time and season, so this is great for calming my skin. In winter it helps to keep moisture locked in and also smells great! Compared to Lush Tea Tree Toner, this is much gentler and ideal for sensitive skin. The Tea Tree would suit more oily/spot- prone skin.

 Mini and big!

Lush do two bottle sizes- 100g priced at £3.75 and 250g priced at £7.00. This may seem expensive but when you look at the process to produce the rose water, it is well worth it.

Vegan friendly too!

What I like about Lush's rose water is that it also contains lavender water. This is an added 'super' ingredient, which acts as an antiseptic and calms skin. It also refreshes and tones the skin-great for someone like me who suffers from regular breakouts. I like to spray onto a cotton pad and wipe gently over my face after cleansing. It's also ideal for refreshing your skin during those long, hot Summer days.

I initially purchased the smaller bottle from their store, but found I ran out of it pretty quick. I then decided to buy the bigger bottle, which is much better! The 100g bottle is best used for travelling as it takes up less space in my beauty case, which means more room for Lush goodies!

 The small bottle fits well inside my mini travel bag!

I think the sell by date is around a year, but I could be wrong (the date is faded on the two bottles) However as I use twice a day, the 250g bottle lasts around 2 months. This is because I like to literally soak my cotton pad in the rose water and also spray onto my skin at the same time-yes I am greedy!

Conclusion

This is one product I can not live without, no other toner that I have used can compare. It's as natural as you can find and vegan. The smell is so soothing and calming, and really feels like it works without loading my skin with uneccesary parabens. The rose water does contains one paraben-methylparaben' but as Lush have stated they rarely use parabens unless necessary, and even then it is limited.

I have tried numerous Lush products, which I will also be reviewing, but this is by far the best.  
Well done Lush!

Review: Primark Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes with Tea Tree

Makeup wipes for me are a must have, not because I'm lazy and use them instead of a face wash, but because they work for me. I sometimes use them in place of cotton pads (add cleanser) which helps to remove my makeup. I'll also use wipes to remove eye makeup and lipstick.

So on to the review...

The makeup wipes were located in Primark near the till. They come in a twin pack, and as they were only a £1 I thought I would give it a shot!

They come in a twin pack, although the photo shows one pack

There are 25 wipes in each pack-so you receive 50 wipes for £1, not bad! As soon as you open the pack you can smell the tea tree, which may be overpowering for some, but for me its kind of soothing. What are the benefits of a tea tree makeup wipe I hear you asking?.... well tea tree contains anti-bacterial properties which help to repair skin, and is traditionally used in skin care for balancing out combination/oily skin.

 Decent size wipes, enough for the whole face

Other Key Ingredients Listed

* Aloe Vera- This is great for healing red, sore skin.
* Witch Hazel- An ingredient which helps the treatment of acne prone skin
* Glycerin- If you have dry skin, glycerin acts as humectant and helps to restore water levels in your skin. It may also help to heal wounds and prevent wrinkles.

I'm not sure if the wipes are supposed to remove eye makeup, but they do a great job for me. They do not sting around my eyes (just be careful not to get too close) and leave my face feeling clean and refreshed. They don't dry up inside the resealable packet-unlike other branded wipes, which is an added bonus! After cleansing my face (I use Johnson's cream cleanser with the wipes) my face feels soft. Removing makeup with the wipes alone, also does a great job-but I wouldn't recommend for heavy, party makeup. But having said that I don't know any makeup wipe that fully removes waterproof mascara, heavy foundation, eyeshadow, etc without the use of a cleanser.

Conclusion

I'm glad I took the plunge and purchased the wipes as they are an amazing buy for such a low price. These are my second favourite after the Bodycare Makeup Remover Wipes. The Bodycare wipes I use for my face and to remove eye makeup, whereas I will stick to using the Primark tea tree wipes for my face only. They are perfect for taking on holiday when you have mimumum luggage space, and for the gym.

I spotted some other beauty goodies in Primark so will be sure to purchase them pretty soon. Keep a look out for the Primark Cosmetic Pads review!

Let me know if you use wipes as part of your skin care routine and which is your favourite? <3

Holland & Barrett's Aloe Vera Gel Review

Holland & Barretts have an extensive range of aloe vera products- from detox juice to capsules and even toothpaste! Although I'm not so sure about the toothpaste, I might give it a try one day.

The gel, which was given to me by my sister, is certified as 99.9% aloe vera and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Aloe Vera is traditionally used to soothe irritated skin, and is especially good for treating sun burn.

Full Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice (organic aloe vera gel), acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, panthenol, disodium EDTA, sodium hydroxide, phenoxyethanol

It comes in a 100ml tube, which is quite generous as you only need a pea amount for the whole face. I tend to apply this gel after threading my upper lip as it can turn red and quite sore. It's also handy for treating pimples and marks. I would recommend applying a thin layer, as a thick layer can leave your skin feeling tight and dry. There is a slight smell to the product when first applied, but once rubbed in the smell disappears. The gel dries clear so you may apply moisturiser and makeup on top.

Conclusion

Overall this product is a staple must in any girls (or guys) skin care bag. It lasts a very long time, can be taken with you in your travel case or even slipped into your handbag.

You can purchase from any Holland and Barrett's store or online They have a special offer at the moment where it is priced at £1.99!

Sanctuary Review- Skin Warming Microbrasion Polish

I am in love with Sanctuary products-from their salt scrub to body butter, each beauty product is luxurious. So when I was given the Sanctuary Warming MicroBrasion Polish as a gift, of course I was delighted!

This polish "combines intense warming to help open the pores and stimulate circulation, with an ultrafine polish of marine earth and natural kaolin to help detoxify and leave skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed. Rich beeswax, jojoba and wheatgerm help to hydrate and protect, leaving the skin feeling refined, smooth and looking more youthful."

On first inspection I'm loving the packaging, simple but professional, and the fact that its a 100ml tube means you get more product for your money.

When applied to the face you can really feel the heat sensation. I like to rub mine in circular motions, and leave for ten minutes before washing off with warm water. Afterwards my skin feels really soft and any dry flaky bits have disappeared. I like to apply this 1-2 times a week as a special treat.

Once I run out of this product, I will definitely purchase as it lives up to its claim, and at £12.25 won't break your bank balance. As with any of the Sanctuary products, this will make a great gift for a friend or even your mum. 

Purchase online from Boots

Review: Body Shop Body Butters & 50% Off Offer

I love body butters, especially from Body Shop. They smell so gorgeous and have an amazing consistency. My favourite from the Body Shop is the Mango in a bright yellow tub ;-)

The cream doesn't feel too thick and isn't greasy, so I like to use it all year around. The Sanctuary Body Butter (from Boots) and this one from Body Shop are my favourite Body Butters, and I am yet to find any that beat them. The range have a wide selection for different skin types- including coconut, strawberry, satsuma, blueberry and lots more!

                                                      See how thick the cream is?

Body Shop have a 50% off all body butters offer at the moment. You can shop online or in any store.

Hand Scrub by Timeless Beauty

I'm a personal freak when it comes to beauty, skin care and makeup etc. I just love all things beautiful :-)

Part of what i look for when purchasing a product is of course the product itself but also the image and packaging. Packaging can make a huge difference to whether i purchase or not (hey im a girl!) If it looks great on my dressing table or in my handbag then its a winner with me :)

Anyway when it comes to skin care I love to buy the essentials-face wash, face scrub, body wash, cream, etc, and every once in a while I will treat myself to an indulgent product such as a body scrub or a luxurious body cream. I have never however used a hand scrub, so when I was offered one to try by Timeless beauty, of course I couldn't say no!

Timeless Beauty is a small business which makes scrubs and different beauty products to suit your skin type and needs. They operate through Facebook so check them out by clicking here  Here's the description of the hand scrub sent to me:

"Orange Hand scrub-Vitamin C powder - high in anti oxidant good protection against free radicals. This hand scrub provides excellent exfoliation , it will remove all the dead skin cells , your hands will feel soft and smooth also deep cleansed."

Even before i opened the parcel I was hit by a sweet smell of orange, but it was such a pleasant smell, something I've not really encountered before. The packaging was of course lovely and very professional. I love the tiny label as it adds a nice personal touch.

The scrub left my hands feeling really soft and smelling delicious! My bathroom smelt like chocolate orange after that. 

The hand scrub would make a perfect gift (Eid is just around the corner) or even a little gift to yourself ;) And as its all natural, you can be certain there will be no harsh chemicals. 

For further information on what they can offer you, email them at: Timeless-Beauty@hotmail.co.uk

Hussana Halal Beauty products Review

I was given some beauty products by Hussana to sample and I have been testing these products for a few months, which is the perfect length of time to test out facial/body products.

Hussana is based in the UK and is a part of Dukkaan Ltd. The muslimsbabyshop.com (what a great  and cute idea!) and the nasheedshop.com are just two of the others sites which are a part of Dukkaan Ltd. Hussana's aim is to "Introduce a Halal alternative to the current high street products. Many of which contain alcohol and other Haram ingredients from different animal parts." So for the more concerned Muslim customer or those that want alcohol free beauty products, these products may be worth a try.

Anyway let me get straight to the product review!!

Hussana Halal Beauty Products

At first glance the products look appealing and i love the simple logo. Also not forgetting the 'Beautifully Faithful' slogan which adds a nice touch. These products are designed for normal skin. Although I have combination skin they worked fairly well for me.

Breakdown of each product...

Face Scrub

Missing from the photo above is the face scrub. My mum has taken it upon herself to 'borrow' it from me and test it herself! She claims to LOVE the scrub and says it is soft and gentle for her sensitive skin. I have used it a number of times and also found it to be gentle on my skin, which can often go red whilst using face scrubs.

I think this has apricot in in so compared to the Ives Apricot Face Scrub the formula was less gritty and provided moisture to my skin. It contains aloe vera and vitamin c. Aloe vera has a calming effect on the skin and vitamin c is good for overall brightness of the skin.

Cleanser

I really liked the cleanser...at first....but after testing it for a few weeks-month my skin became itchy and sore, so unfortunately I had to stop using it. The first few weeks I felt like the cleanser was making my face clearer and brighter and in combination with the moisturiser they were a match made in heaven! Once I stopped using the moisturiser (more about that later) the dryness and itchiness appeared. For normal skins the cleanser would be fine but for my skin type-(combination/oily) and as I was testing them during the Winter month, the dryness became too much for me.

Needless to say you shouldn't use this cleanser if you have dry skin.

Packaging wise I would prefer the cleanser to come in a pump bottle. I found it to be quite runny so a lot of product came out at once and was wasted. On the plus side it is great for popping in your travel bag!

Moisturiser

The moisturiser contains shea butter and soothing aloe vera. It doesn't contain perfume so can be used by males and females. I really liked this cream as during Winter there was not a dry patch on my skin (that has NEVER happened to me in Winter!) But as the days have got warmer I have found myself switching to a lighter moisturiser (Olay or Nivea) as my skin turns to an oil slick during Summer :S For dry or mature skin I would definitely recommend this even during Summer.

The packaging is a dream as it is small enough to fit into my handbag, for quick and easy moisturising on the go!

Hand Cream



The cream has a discreet smell, not too overpowering. It is non-greasy or sticky and provided the right amount of moisture for my hands. For Winter I will need a thicker formula, but for Summer this is spot on.

Shampoo

I was pleasantly surprised by Hussana's shampoo. The smell is light and fresh and reminds me of my childhood. It made my hair silky and soft and lasts ages.

Conditioner

In combination with the shampoo, this conditioner is great for my hair. With softening olive oil and vitamin E, it does exactly what it says-conditions and provides tangle free hair. You only need to use a small amount, so the bottle will last you a good few months or longer.

Body Wash

The body wash (missing from the photo)contains chamomile extract and rich moisturizers to keep skin soft. I found it to be gentle on my skin but I still had to use a body cream after (as I do for any body wash/gels). Again the smell was not overpowering, but fresh.

Conclusion...

I've got to hand it to Hussana, they are catering to Muslims who would like alcohol/animal free beauty products.The packaging is bright, clean and fresh and also looks great in the bathroom.

Would I purchase their products?? Yes I would, but only a few-the face scrub (better make it one for myself and one for my mum ;) Also the moisturiser BUT only in Winter, as it is too thick for my skin type in the heat. I would also try the conditioner again and maybe even the handcream.

Their prices are affordable-from £2.99 for the face scrub to £4.99 for the moisturiser, so it just goes to show beauty doesn't have to come at a price :)

For a free sample visit Hussana's site by clicking here

If you would like me to review a product, please contact me at: cityhijabi@gmail.com



Beauty video! How to make a strawberry face mask

For a mask to reveal radiant skin have a go with this face mask.

The hijab im wearing in the video is 'Luxury Peach Roses Hijab'. Purchase from here

For a similar hijab style to the one above, here's the video, which is an Eid style i created:

Skin Care/Beauty Tips for Dry Winter Skin

Here are some beauty tips for dry skin as my skin tends to get raw and dry in the Winter months. Hope you enjoy these tips :) 

You can subscribe to my Youtube channel here www.youtube.com/alz786uk

My Top Ten Beauty/Skincare Tips

Review: Himalaya herbal products

I stumbled across this brand recently HimalayaHerbals; the brand claims to be "A range of 100% natural and safe products with rare herbs collected from the foothills of the Himalayas."

However on closer inspection some customers have commented on the site that SOME of their products contain parabens. The company have responded by saying that some parabens are used in a few of their ranges but they are safe.


I've been using the Neem Face Pack for a few weeks now and I have to say that it is really good and calming on my skin. It contains Turmeric and Fuller's Earth, both which are known to control excess sebum, clear the pores and prevent the spread of infection.


I've ordered the Purifying Neem face wash gel which also contains turmeric and i hope that it will be just as good, as im sick of looking for the perfect face wash. Most of them either dry my skin or block my pores and make me break out.

I wanted to order the Refreshing toner and acne-pimple cream but unfortunately they are out of stock! :(

Out of stock :(

The prices are quite resaonable and they also sell haircare/baby care/healthy care products so it's very worthwhile checking out their website.

Once i receive my face wash which should hopefully come by next week, i'll give a review on what i think of it.

Until then check out this (rather cheesy) tv advert for himalaya cream