Project bathroom- June update

It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, but after 3 months, I've finally managed to accumulate a decent number of empties:

Products shown:

Biotherm multi replenishing body treatment with apricot oil
He-shi quick + easy exfoliating bodywash
The body shop earth lovers cucumber & mint biodegradable shower gel
No 7 radiance boosting hot cloth cleanser
Cutex nourishing nail polish remover
A'kin jojoba & lavender light conditioner
Naked clear anti - dandruff shampoo
Molton Brown paradisiac pink pepperpod bath & shower gel
Clinique all about eyes
Mitchum anti perspirant

After years of doing project bathroom, most of my half empty products have long since been used up. It now takes longer to get through everything, but it's still very satisfying everytime I get to the bottom of a product. As part of project bathroom, I'm also on a mini shopping ban, which means I'm only allowed to repurchase if I don't already have something similar at home. Hopefully, the 2 combined means that one day, I will get through my huge collection of beauty products!

How are you getting on with project bathroom? Are there any products in particular that you find difficult to finish?

Aurora Swarovski jewellery

How beautiful are these pieces from the new Aurora jewellery collection?

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a rather swanky launch party for the new Aurora jewellery collection. The range is inspired by play of light and shadow, and each piece includes a Crystal from the Swarovski elements range. Like the core Swarovski collection, I thought the pieces were simple, yet elegant, and will add a touch of sophisication and glamour to any outfit.

I absolutely love the pendants and earrings in the top photo, and they also do a rather expensive looking cocktail ring (picture 4), which is one of the few rings I've tried that will actually stay on my slim fingers. Best of all, the range is competitively priced, with most items ranging between £20 to £50. That said, if you do want to treat yourself, there is a rather blinging necklace which will set you back a cool £207!

What do you think about this range? Any pieces in particular catch your eye?

Summer scents

Now that the sun is finally shining, I thought I'd show you 3 of my favourite summer scents:

L'occitane Eau Universelle Cologne Fraiche
(available here)

With notes of bergamot, grapefruit, geranium, wood and amber, this is light, fresh and perfect for summer. The actual scent reminds me of freshly cut grass, and it's versatile enough to be worn by both men and women.

As it's a cologne, it contains a smaller concentration of perfume, which means it's great for spritzing all over and freshening up during the day. It comes in a huge 300ml bottle, so you can be as generous as you want, but for ease of use, I would recommend decanting into a smaller bottle.

Yardley Royal Diamond
(available here)

This was released just in time for the Jubilee, and it contains some of my favourite perfume notes, namely pear, bergamot, rose, peony, sandalwood and vanilla. The addition of honey gives it a subtle sweetness, and I find the fragrance to be uplifting, romantic and perfect for everyday wear.

Yardley fragrances are such good value for money, and I love the fact that their newer launches are more modern, lighter, and better suited to a younger generation.

Penhaligon Peoneve
(available here)

It was love at first smell with this perfume. Peoneve smells exactly like a summer garden, and starts off with sparkling top notes of violet leaf, peony and Bulgarian rose, before mellowing out with it's base notes of vetiver, musk and cashmere wood.

This perfume is very much centered around the rose flower, and like Paul Smith Rose, it's light, quintessentially English, and never fails to make me feel sophisticated and feminine.

Have you tried any of these fragrances? What's your favourite summer scent?

Disclosure- PR sample

Avene gentle purifying scrub giveaway

Today I'm giving away 3 Avene gentle purifying scrubs. Avene are a well known French brand, and the range is specifically designed for sensitive skin. The scrub is rich in thermal spring water, and contains both microspheres and sodium salicylate to help gently exfoliate and remove skin purities.

For your chance to win, simply 'like' my Facebook page, then leave a comment below with your email address or Twitter name so I can get in touch if you are one of the lucky winners.

This giveaway will be open to all UK residents and will close at 11pm on 7th July.

Good luck!

Review: Alpha H age delay cleansing oil

Alpha H have been raved about so much in recent months, and although I've yet to try their famous liquid gold, I am absolutely loving their new cleansing oil:

RRP £25.95, available from LookFantastic.com

Consistency wise, this is similar to a tub of Vaseline, and the oil base means it's spreads beautifully on the skin. I like to really massage it into the skin, and in doing so it does a great job of dissolving my make up. Like my beloved Emma Hardie moringa cleansing balm, it's an emulsifying cleanser, which means it turns into a milk on contact with water, and rinses away easily. I then like to use a flannel cloth to gently exfoliate and wipe away any last any last traces.

With ingredients such as grape seed, sea buckthorn, coconut oil, vitamin E, lavender, rosehip, chamomile, and tangerine peel, the cleansing oil is not only great for my skin, it also smells absolutely amazing.

Nowadays, emulsifying balms and oils are my cleanser of choice. They are a real treat to use, great for make up removal, and always leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth.

Ps. Mine was a little sample pot, the actual product will come in a 100ml tube.

Have you tried any cleansing balms/oils? What's your favourite cleanser?

Glossybox June 2012

It seems this month Glossybox have taken on board people's comments, and compared to previous boxes, it is definitely a lot more make up based. Without any toiletries, it doesn't seem as full as normal, but the addition of the HD brows tweezer means that it is still value for money.

Vichy dermablend ultra corrective foundation cream stick starter kit
Caudalie eaux fraiches
Glossybox exclusiv pro beauty brush
BM beauty summer warmth bronzer
HD brows precision tweezers

Not surprisingly, the tweezers are my star product, closely followed by the Caudalie perfume sample. Caudalie have been raved about a lot in recent months, and it's nice to see that they are often included in beauty boxes.

The Vichy starter kit will be useful for colour matching, although I'll be using it more as a concealer rather than a heavy coverage foundation. Also included in this month's box is a mini bronzer sample and a Glossybox brush. Quality wise, the brush isn't very good, and I would have preferred another product instead, but like many Glossybox samples, will no doubt find it's way into my travel make up bag.

For more information, and to sign up for your own Glossybox, click here.

What did you think about this month's Glossybox? What was your favourite product?

Disclosure- Affiliate link

New lip balms

 In recent weeks, both my beloved Carmex and Vaseline have come to an end, giving me the opportunity to try out lots of exciting new lip balms:

Seascape peppermint lip balm

This little pot contains extracts of beeswax, honey and jojoba seed oil, making it a seriously moisturising treat for my lips. It has a nice balmy texture and thanks to the peppermint oil, a light tingly sensation on application. Once applied, it's relatively long lasting, and never fails to sooth and moisturise my lips, no matter how dry they are.

Balance me rose otto intensive lip salve

I love that this lip salve is 100% natural in origin, and the tube packaging means it's great for on the go applications. Compared to the Seascape lipbalm, it's lighter and more liquid in texture, but at the same time, is still very hydrating on the lips. The rose scent is nice and delicate, but I would say take care not to apply too much, otherwise you end up tasting the petals too!

No 7 nourishing lip shine

This is a great dupe for the infamous Clarins instant light natural lip perfector. The hybrid lipbalm/gloss adds a very sheer wash of colour, is non sticky, and feels super hydrating on the lips. I'm not a fan of the sponge applicator, and it is quite difficult to sqeeze out, but the actual product is lovely. Definitely one to try out if you have a spare No 7 voucher lying around!

Have you tried any of these lip balms? What do you use to keep your lips soft and smooth?

Disclosure - PR samples

A quick update

Firstly, thank you all for putting up with my (partial) absence over the last few weeks. The amount of work for uni exams was just overwhelming and unfortunatlely blogging had to take a back seat. Thankfully, they're now over, and I can't wait to get back into my regular routine. I've discovered some great products over the last few weeks, and I can't wait to share them all with you.

As well as the usual beauty posts, I'm also planning on writing about some of my new found interests, namely fashion, lifestyle and food. There'll still be plenty of reviews, swatches, and new product launches, but do I hope you'll enjoy the variety.

Finally, if you'd like to see sneak previews of new blogposts, product launches and general day to day photos, then I'd love it if you followed me on Facebook or Instagram.

Have you been up to much these last few weeks? What are your favourite fashion/lifestyle blogs?

St Tropez spraycation and fake tan giveaway

The weather may be miserable outside, but thanks to the St Tropez Spraycation tour, you can still get yourself a nice golden glow, just in time for the summer holidays:

London Westfield W12 - 15th and 16th June

Bullring Birmingham - 22nd and 23rd June
Trafford Centre Manchester - 28th and 29th June
Glasglow Braehead - 6th and 7th July
Dublin Pavillions - 13th and 14th July

Kicking off at Westfield London, the beach theamed pop up will be touring the country, offering complimentary bespoke skin finishing treatments and samples of their wash off and gradual tans.

Treatments aside, they will also be running a competition, where you can win a £8000 Spraycation experience, simply by sending in a virtual postcard via their facebook page.

Now if you can't make it to one of the tour dates, then don't worry, because I'll be giving away 10 bottles of their dark bronzing spray or lotion right here on Peonies and lilies.

For your chance to win, simply 'like' Peonies and lilies on Facebook, then leave a comment below with your twitter name/email address so I can get in touch if you are one of the lucky winners.

The giveaway will be open to all UK residents, and will close at 11pm on 24th June.

Good luck!

Zara coloured jeans

After month's of looking, I've finally managed to find some coloured jeans, and it's all thanks to high street favourite Zara:

Both are slim fitted and skinny, however they are so comfy and easy to wear. The mint green pair, in particular feel more like jeggings than jeans.

They retail for only £25.99 each, and I love the gold zip detailing at the bottom of the green pair.

Are you a fan of coloured jeans? What outfits have you been wearing recently?