Product Review: Lush Sugar Scrub

Although I'm a confirmed Lush fan, I'm not so far gone as to not be able to admit it when a product isn't great. I'm a big fan of scrubs and like to try loads. If you don't exfoliate, believe me, start and you'll be doing your skin a huge favour. It makes me feel very energetic, probably because it briefly improves circulation, it's good for your skin tone, and it's fantastic for things like spotty backs and ingrown hairs. I can't say this enough- I've never had a real problem with spots other than on my face, but if I stop exfoliating a few will roll in. I've tried to convince a few of my friends as well, including some men with serious bacne, and those that have picked it up have reported a difference. Not sure why men are so reluctant to start scrubbing, particularly as they seem to have more problems with body spots.

Anyway, I was excited to try a new scrub, and I really liked the smell of this (I know, I say that a lot), but I was warned in the shop not to use it under running water. Most scrubs will dissipate if you use them directly under a water stream, just like most shower gels, so this didn't bother me, but the problem was more that the entire solid scrub crumbled. You need to break pieces off this, and then store it very carefully and make sure you don't leave it in a bathroom where it is exposed to too much humidity. Is this starting to sound like a bit of a chore? It was :( I didn't manage to preserve mine sadly. It got quite hard which made breaking pieces off nigh on impossible, and then it started to crumble. You have to 'pre-break' pieces as well, as if you get the whole thing wet it'll dissolve.

It's quite a scrubby scrub, which I really like, but might be unpopular with other people as it is very scratchy indeed. The smell is fennel, ginger and sugar and I found it unusual and oddly very nice. It costs £2.75 for 100gm, and considering how little use I got out of it, I'll stick to Rub Rub Rub.

Product Review: Votivo Candle in Deep Clover

I was given this Votivo candle in Deep Clover in the travel version as a present. I'd never bought a Votivo candle before (or heard of the brand) and I have a dangerous relationship with beautiful scented candles. I harbour an unhealthy love for them, but can't buy them very often because they are so overpriced (*cough cough Diptyque*).

The travel candle cost £12 for 81gm and apparently burns for 20-25 hours, which isn't bad (although I think they're a tenner at Harvey Nick's). The full-size candles cost £28 for 193gm and apparently burn for 50-60 hours.

I like the packaging a lot- it's simple and no fuss, but the colour schemes are great. I love the simple two-tone label and think the Deep Clover label is particularly pretty.

Reading the description, this isn't a scent I'd have picked for myself. I gravitate towards floral scents most of the time, and was very surprised by how much I loved this. It genuinely smells enormously like clover to me. It's described as having 'dewy green, aldehydic notes', with 'fescue grass, red clover, stemy greens middle notes' and a 'fir needle, patchouli and cedarwood base'.

The green aldehydic notes are very strong, and the green really lingers. I love the woody base as well, as it seems extraordinarily natural here. This is a very evocative little fragrance- for me it was really as if I'd suddenly been transported to a field of clover. Near a wood.

I've been burning this quite a lot so don't know how much longer it'll last (and I haven't been timing it). The smell lingers a fair amount which I really like because I love the fragrance.

All in all, I'm a convert to Votivo candles and will definitely be buying some more when I've used up the four I currently have on the go. I'd love to try Champaca, Honeysuckle, Pondicherry Sandalwood, Tuberosa, Rush of Rose, Seablue Sky, Rain- I could go on and on but I should draw the line somewhere. I told you I had an unhealthy love for them! I'm also intrigued by the combinations in Mosaic and Lavender Chamomile Pear.

I'd like to try a few more of these, but I was so impressed by Deep Clover and how unusual and somehow magical it is, that I'd probably order them without sniffing. I'm happy as a pig in clover*.

*I apologise. But I'd do it again ; )

Product Review: Lush You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt

I love Lush bath products, but they often strike me as quite indulgent considering you get maybe two uses out of each bubble bar. They're a treat for me, but I do love them. I was lucky with the You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt as it was given to someone I know in a gift box, and as they have extremely sensitive skin that reacts to literally everything, they passed it on to me as a certified Lush lover.

Now I'm not just a Lush lover...I'm also Indian. And our love of mangoes is well documented. I can vouch that it certainly is a national obsession, and of the many many things I miss living in another country, gorgeous fresh mangoes is very very high on the list. Trust me, there is absolutely nothing like eating a mango in India (ok South Asia).

Ok, moving on. MANGOES. No I'm done, really. So this is apparently made from avocado, mango and cocoa butters, and also scented with lemongrass, lime and lemon essential oils. It smells gorgeous, but actually quite natural somehow, especially compared to the Body Shop mango body butter, which I find quite cloying and overly sweet.

I can't remember what bubble bath I was using at the time, but I remember I found it very drying so I needed extra moisturiser afterwards. However, there was no chance of that when I used this melt. It made the water feel like silk. It was incredibly soft and fragrant, and very very moisturising. I used the whole thing (partly because it had been sitting around for a while) but you can probably slice off pieces and use smaller amounts. I really liked the feel of this, and if you love a nice soak but find them very drying something like this is perfect for you!

Ultimately I love bubbles too much to use this on its own. I combined it with bubbles when I used it and the whole thing was a very very indulgent soak - I stayed in there for hours with a book to make the most of it! I haven't bought another one since just because it's more economical for me to switch to bath products that moisturise and create mountains of bubbles so I can have both rather than buying two separate products. If you're not bothered about bubbles you won't have that problem*.

I might buy one again for the smell though. Probably the next time I feel homesick! It costs £3.10 for 30gm which isn't terrible considering how strong it seems to be. I do wish they'd use the fragrance on something else as well.

*I mean this in the loosest sense of the word.

Product Review: Lush Porridge Soap

I know there are many people who hate the smell of Lush shops, and I'll admit I found them hugely overpowering when I was first outside one, but they've really grown on me and I'm a loyal fan now. I bought this Porridge soap when it was new based on the smell and the promise of oaty scrubbing as I showered. 

Alright, this is one of the worst soaps I've ever tried. The scent really does remind me of hot sweet oaty porridge, and I look wistfully at it when I see it in Lush shops, but the texture was just terrible. Within a week or two, the outer soap had been used up so it was very knobbly all over. It seemed to be almost just a layer of oats. It stopped lathering and the scrubbing didn't feel very nice either as it was quite scratchy- and I love some quite scrubby scrubs. 

I bought this in 2009, so if I hear they've changed the formula but not the fragrance I'd love to try it again. But honestly, it wasn't very good as it was. 

The story does have a funny ending though...I came home one day to find out I'd left the bathroom door open and the dogs had eaten it*. I guess it's yummy oatiness was its downfall?! 

*I wish I was making this up! Perhaps they just took it and buried it in the garden? They didn't seem to suffer any ill effects though, so don't worry- no dogs were harmed in the making of this post ; )

Product Review: Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Day Cream

About two years ago I went through a really terrible skin phase. I had problematic skin throughout my teenage years, and as I entered my twenties it started to get worse. I honestly tried an enormous range of products in desperation. I finally decided to do two things- start using quality products, i.e. investing in my skin, and to stop using harsh drying acne products as they made my skin feel terribly dry and didn't seem to affect my spottiness for the better.

By the time I started my PhD I was approaching skincare like a researcher- I think most of us do this anyway, but I started being very analytical and taking careful mental notes about what helped and what didn't, and what my chief skincare concerns were and how to tackle them. The main thing I realised from paying attention was that using these harsh drying products seemed to be making my skin worse. I did a bit of reading and learnt that that wasn't uncommon, and for a lot of people stripping their skin of natural oils meant that their sebaceous glands started producing more sebum to compensate and protect the skin, which just meant more oiliness and more spots. I had had a consultation at a Clinique counter, and had bought the Clarifying Lotion in 3 (for Oily Skin) and it was so strong it made my eyes water. It was no help and I ultimately gave up on it because the stinging tight dryness was unbearable and I STILL had regular breakouts. I tried Neutrogena's Visibly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser, but it barely moisturised.

I WANTED to love Clinique and Neutrogena and everyone seemed to tout them as the companies that made the best products for spotty skin, but ultimately they didn't get me anywhere. Anyway, I decided that I needed a gentler cleanser, and a moisturiser that wasn't a lightweight lotion packed full of salicylic acid. And that was how I found Dr Nick Lowe's range in Boots.

I bought this without trying as they didn't have any testers, which I thought was daft as the brand is quite pricey for one that's not top range. I did get it in a Boots Skincare 3 for 2, and once I realised it was a good match for my skin I bought it in threes when the offer was on. It costs £15.31 for a 50ml pot and if you buy it under the 3 for 2 offer it comes to about £10.20 a jar.

It's got quite a lot of packaging, and half of its height appears to be lid which is a bit unnecessary. However, I really liked the product itself. I'm not saying it was a miracle worker, because it in no way stopped all breakouts, but it was soothing and moisturising. It has some salicylic acid in it, which helped clarify my skin, but in general it felt wonderful on my skin. It's the richest moisturiser I've ever seen aimed at oily skin, and it really worked for me. It helped control the oil, it didn't sit on the skin, it made my skin brighter, and I do feel like it helped with breakouts. I reiterate that it didn't stop them all- I've not found a single topical product that can do that- but it made my skin less constantly aggravated. While the other products were hugely drying and seemed to make my skin worse, I definitely had less breakouts with this than with others.

I've only tried one or two other Nick Lowe products, but they seem remarkably unsung for some that are really quite nice. I would recommend this for people who struggle with oily skin and acne, and suggest that they start using products that are more gentle on their skin instead of trying to beat it into submission like I did for years! Love your skin :)

Monogram Mania

I was given this adorable, I mean very chic little wash bag for my birthday recently, and while it incorporates one of my favourite themes (grays with neon pops) it also got me thinking about monograms. I think we've reached a stage where everyone is fed up of buying mass produced items that are available everywhere; everything's the same, and the Topshop in Cambridge is selling the same clothes (presumably?!) as the Topshop in Edinburgh. Shopping isn't this standardized in India, where we still have a lot of local retailers and a huge emphasis on handmade artisan crafts. I've started to really love monograms lately, and I think that might be because I'm fed up of everything being so samey. I'd like to be able to put my own stamp on something, my name or my initials, or customise it somehow. I don't mean it's impossible to be creative and to put your own twist on things, and I certainly try to do that with my home and clothes, but there's undeniably something classic and sophisticated about a sleek monogram. They feel very timely and of the moment as people are starting to want things to be handcrafted and personal again, and obviously vintage mania is still going strong. It's also far more democratic and cheaper now than it's been for a long time, as vendors on Etsy are happy to make everything from personalised stationery to vases. You don't have to go to Smythson of Bond Street for your letterhead any more!

All in all, it's time for monograms to come back- they can be chic, funny, classy, colourful, or silly, but whatever they are you can make them your own.

1. Burlap Feed Sack Custom Monogram Bird Pillow, Next Door to Heaven on Etsy 2. Linen Hand Embroidered Vintage Handkerchief, Delightful Dressmaker on Etsy 3. Alphabet Initial Coin Purse, Paperchase 4. Gold Vermeil Charm Initial Necklace, Anne Kiel on Etsy 5. Alphabet Votive Candle, Olive Bonas 6. Embossed Notebook, Bookbinders Design 7. Personalised Vases, Maid of Clay on Etsy 8. Nautical Crab Personalised Notepad, Happy Hound on Etsy 9. Ella Adjustable Bangles, Sarah Chloe 10. Alphabet Wash Bag, Oliver Bonas 11. How to Make Monogram Mugs, Dollar Store Crafts


It's safe to say that I'll be ordering some personalised stationery of Etsy very soon as it seems to cost as much as regular nice stationery from a big high street shop, but with the added bonus of being monogrammed! I really like these nautical crab notepads, but am also a fan of most of the monogrammed stationery in Happy Hound's Etsy store. I love Bookbinders Design, and although they don't have a store in the UK that I know of, they will ship here. I'm thinking one of their beautiful
cloth-covered notebooks, perhaps in duo emerald, with my initials on the front in a startling hot pink.  I'll be keeping an eye out for their next online sale!

The jewellery is just amazing as well- I heart these Ella bangles and would love one with my initials on but it's a bit expensive so might put it on my Christmas/Diwali list and cross my fingers. I'll be getting the little 14k gold vermeil initial charm though, and wearing it both by itself and in a cluster of other gold and semiprecious stone pendants. That's just how I roll ; )  I can't decide to go for my own initials, or maybe two pendants with my sisters' initials. These would also make beautiful christening or birthday presents for young girls, simply because they are so classic and timeless. The monogrammed vases, on the other hand, are billed as wedding presents where you get the happy couple's initials cut into them, and I think that's a wonderful idea- you know they're not going to get five of those and they'll definitely remember it!

I found quite a lot of monogrammed mugs, so it must be a thing right now, but one of the nicest designs really was this do it yourself. Some of them are a bit tacky and over the top, but the clean graphics and modern typeface look of these really appealed to me.

I think in general I love monograms when they're classic or very modern, but I always prefer a bold type and a serif font. I'm just in love with my little grey and neon bag. These things also make lovely gifts though- I plan on giving personalised stationery to my friends, and perhaps monogrammed handkerchiefs to those who really love all things vintage.

If you'd like something more colourful, these lucite monogram trays are very cute with their fash-clash motifs and I think great for keeping things organised.

And to keep it fun, I might buy four of those little alphabet votive candles and use them to spell out a rude word on a windowsill. Who says monograms are dull and old-fashioned??

Product Review: Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

So this review is for a bit of a cult product- it seems to win loads of beauty awards and I saw it on loads of beauty editor lists and features until I was finally swayed by Sali Hughes and decided to try it myself. I had a lovely SA who did a very thorough testing on my face. The basic principle is very easy: you rub the cream, which smells herbal in a very gentle way and feels very rich, all over your face, in circular movements. You can rub it over your eyes as well as it also removes make up- I didn't find it at all irritating. Apply it as though you're applying your face cream; try to really get it in. This is the cleansing

Once that's done, you take the muslin cloth (or any cloth, as Sali describes, although I am using the LE muslins) and wet it in quite hot water- as hot as is comfortable for you. Take the hot cloth and use it to wipe off the cleanser. Rub it all over your face with gentle scrubbing motions, and think of it as a light exfoliation (which is basically what it is). This is the polishing step.

The idea is that the rich cream is soothing, smoothing and moisturising, and the scrubbing with the cloth exfoliates. Using the hot water opens up pores so the scrubbing is extra helpful.

I was sold as soon as I tried it. The difference is stunningly noticeable; this is not a subtle change. My skin felt smoother and softer after one use. The smell is wonderful. The ritual is nice as well.

Extra info- I have combination skin that veers wildly between being dry and oily and is usually both. I used to break out a lot but don't any more, and my skin is not very sensitive so it's rarely irritated by products. I do have some problems with discolouration from earlier breakouts. Discolouration, texture and radiance are my chief skin concerns.

This cleanser doesn't help with discolouration (which I didn't expect it to!), but it works on both dry and oily parts of my face. It was lovely during the winter and is also really nice during the summer, but for me it really comes into its own when it's very cold and dry and skin is wind-chapped or flaking and irritated by indoor heating. It was like giving my skin a cuddle. My skin feels really clean afterwards, smooth and radiant and not at all tight and dry which is what I've experienced with most cleansers.

I would recommend this to almost anyone without blinking; it's incredible on dry skin, it's great on oily skin as well. Fellow oily/combination skinned people- use something that loves your skin, and leave the drying products behind! They strip your skin of natural oils and it ends up producing more to compensate. The cleanser is £13.25 for 100ml but it lasts fairly long. I do most of my face with one pump, and use two if I'm feeling indulgent (or dry). Some people double cleanse with it, but I haven't tried that yet as my skin feels so nice after one thorough cleansing that it feels almost excessive and unnecessary.

Full disclosure- Since discovering this, I've introduced it to two friends (male* and female) who raved about it, and bought it for my mum and sister who are dangerously addicted to it now. They both completely love it (and when one runs out, they are prone to stealing the other's) although their skin concerns are quite difference- my mother's are aging and texture, and my sister's are dryness and dullness. It does seem to work for most people.

So this is the best cleanser I've ever tried, and I can honestly say the hype is fully deserved.

*Hilariously, they actually do the same cleanser (I don't think there were any differences in formula) for men, but with different packaging. My guy friend honestly said he preferred the men's packaging, so I guess their marketing dept knows what it's doing.