Blurred Lines: The Body Shop Instablur and Companions

So, for the last week I’ve been testing out the new Instablur range by The Body Shop, plus the All-In-One BB cream, and so far I’m intrigued. For me, the way they marketed it with the word ‘blur’ was what had me so interested to try. Who wouldn’t want a smooth even complexion, blurred pores and blemishes? I knew it wouldn’t hurt. And then, reading about the Instablur Eye, I knew I just had to try that, seeing as I am prone to dark circles under my eyes and redness around the eye area. So, when I went into the shop with the intention to buy these things, I left -unapologetic- with not only The Instablur and the Instablur Eye, but the BB cream as well, because the lady employee explained that they came in a two-pack which saves money, AND I’M A SUCKER.   

So, my feels on the Instablur… It’s cool! It does what it says on the tube. It does blur your pores and completely reduces shine. I felt my blemishes weren’t that blurred though, they still looked generally just as red as before application. As for the substance itself, it is kind of weird. I get why it’s quite a thick ‘gum’ of sorts, to blur the skin, but its so dry that when I squeeze it out onto my finger it usually falls off and onto the floor LOL. Has this happened to anyone else haha? It’s just not sticky, it’s really dry so you really have to rub it into your face in order for it to disappear completely, otherwise there is little bits of dry goo on your face 🙂

The Instablur’s little buddy, Instablur Eye, however, is now also my little buddy. It comes out a shade of yellow, which blends in well and really combats dark circles and redness, and makes the skin around your eye smooth and primed for make up. I love this stuff because, like today, I didn’t feel like putting on a full face of make up, so I just used the Instablur, Instablur Eye and TBS BB cream. And I didn’t look extremely tired and saved half the time I would have spent doing my full make up routine. As for the consistency, it’s a bit like the Instablur, it comes out in a dry sort of paste, but it’s really light and fluffy, and you only need a teeny tiny bit for each eye so I feel like this stuff will last me a while.

The All-In-One BB Cream from The Body Shop clearly has a lot of fans. The girl in the shop told me that when they got it in they couldn’t keep it on the shelves. I’m a fan also. It is quite a liquid consistency and comes out a white colour, but it blends into your skin tone and gives a nice, light coverage. It gives a radiant glow in my opinion but it doesn’t cover blemishes that well, so it’s probably a better product for someone with clear skin, or someone who doesn’t get blemishes often.

To conclude, I’d recommend trying these products if you want a more supple and smooth looking, and feeling complexion before applying your make up in the morning or if you don’t feel the need to wear a full face of foundation, or if you just want light coverage, or are in a hurry (like me most days). In store I was also advised that wearing primer protects your face from foundation and dirt. Just remember to take it all off at night – something that I have learned to take more seriously as I get older!

Has anyone tried these products? Or can you recommend anything to try?

Thanks for reading!

Nat x

My Eczema Saviour

If you’re like me and have suffered with eczema from a young age (which is very common these days), then you’ll have been handed over many creams and gels from your doctor over the years. And that’s all well and good, it worked for me what I was a child. But now at 17, I’m still suffering and up until recently, I wanted nothing more that to rid my skin of this nightmare.

I recently learned that, although they can be effective, steroid creams tighten the blood vessels (this is how it heals your wounds), and over time, removes the elasticity in your skin. This means that eventually the skin becomes thinner and in turn, more susceptible to bruising and tearing. Doesn’t sound so miraculous after all, does it? Eventually, your skin can build up an immunity to the steroid and it will become less effective, kind of like an addiction. In many reported cases, people have said that their eczema will have been cleared up by the cream, but then return with a vengeance, and a horrific pattern forms.

After learning of the dark side-effects that the steroid cream was having on my skin after over a decade of use, I turned to natural alternatives. I gradually reduced the use of steroid cream on my skin and began using something else. A friend opened my eyes to an all-natural skin repair cream that is all I will use now, to heal my dry and blistered skin.

This cream utilises the healing qualities of natural minerals and precious metals such and silver, copper and gold. And it really works! Apparently Cleopatra herself bathed in these minerals to preserve her youth. Its also unscented which, for me, is a plus. For skin repair, fragrances can irritate the skin and make it worse, which is a price to pay just for a sweet smell.

I would recommend anyone suffering with a skin condition to try this. Even if you just have severely dry skin. This will help. Why not try gradually weaning yourself off of harmful steroid creams and move over to the natural side! Nature is our best friend and we shouldn’t neglect it 🙂

This is the cream I use (click here for more info): Eczema MSM Cream

Also here is the testimonials page on the site: Testimonials

I hope this helps any sufferers of skin conditions out there 🙂

Natalie x

Pink in a pot

Hey again! I kinda really wanna talk about the oh-so-addictive Vitamin E Range from The Body Shop. It’s fairly new to me but ever since I tried the Illuminating Moisture Cream, I’ve been hooked! It’s just so lovely. 

    
 
You know what had me sold when I saw someone tweeting about it? It was just different. It had that quality that separates it from other moisturisers. I just had to find out what it would be like. 
  

  

  
It has light reflectors that shine pink and gold when applied to your skin. It leaves my skin so soft all day and I can’t ever stop feeling the skin on my hand cause it feels so smooth and it looks so shimmery and amazing. Especially outdoors! (Although it’s quite hard to capture in a photograph!) It has a sweet scent that isn’t actually mentioned anywhere on the packaging but I can only describe it as sort of pink, haha. It just smells gorgeous. I can only hope that the rest of the Vitamin E range smells as sweet! 

I’ve been moisturising my face with this in the mornings and it gives this refreshed and healthy glow and gives a shimmer, without making me look insanely shiny. 
I’ve seen some people say that they tried this but the pink glow made their pale skin look even paler and even a little bit blue, which I can understand. However my skin is quite a medium shade…I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I am tanned, but I wouldn’t say I’m a milk bottle. So it works for me!  

At £13, I’d say it is reasonable, and worth it. Compared to something along the same lines like this product that is ‘designer’, this is probably a bargain!

I’d love to try the Vitamin E Facial Toner and body butter when I get my wages!
Also, since I bought this online, I’m pretty sure all of the Vitamin E range is totally out of stock…so people must be loving it as much as I am! I think a trip to the shop is in order…

I also just wanna mention that I think this stuff looks amazing applied lightly over The body Shop Tinted Leg Mist, which I just apply everywhere. It gives the most amazing radiant, glowy effect, and that’s just how you want to look in these Summer months! In my next blog I’m gonna chat about the Leg Mist and what my experiences are with it. (So far I’m  impressed!) 

Anyway, I hope this want too ranty. 

Has anyone else tried this product? What do you think?

Until next time, peace x

The Body Shop Haul

So I got a bit carried away, recently rediscovering my love for The Body Shop’s endeless array of epic, sweet smelling and incredibly luscious beauty products.   I thought I’d share what I’ve purchased over this week (there’s a lot) and let you guys know what they’re like, as some of the products are new to me, and some of them old favourites. I’m excited to talk a bit about the BB cream and Instablur, and the Instablur Eye, just to name a few! 

To start, I guess I’ll mention the stuff I’m carrying with me in my bag right now. The first thing is the Wild Rose Hand Cream (with SPF 15). I’ve Ben using this hand cream for about six years now. The smaller size goes for £5 which I think is pretty decent. Considering its delightful rosy smell and light, absorbent texture, it’s all worth it. It’s a great travel-friendly size too so for me it’s a handbag essential! 

 

Next I have something new that I decided to try: the Watermelon Born Lippy Pot lip balm.   

 

 This stuff smells (and tastes) divine. It’s so nice! (It moisturises your lips well too, and gives them a glow). It’s quickly become another handbag essential for me. It was only £2 aswell so definitely a bargain. I can’t wait to try the other flavours. I feel like I’m going to end up with a hundred of these before I even finish one…it’s the same with everything from The Body Shop though, isn’t it? You wanna try every range before you’ve even gotten through one of them. Oops…

Lastly, I have something from the new fragrance line. I saw it online and couldn’t resist, even though it was a bit of a risk! I needed something new and fresh to wear, and this actually embodies that perfectly. Yup, you guessed it…it’s the Italian Summer Fig Fragrance Mist. Ahh. 

  

 This stuff smells glorious, like Summer. It’s sweet but not overpowering at all, and it’s just so fresh. I’m so picky when it comes to fragrances, but I really am pleased with this one. I can see why The Body Shop are so proud. YUM. 

And at just £8.50 you don’t have to break the bank to smell schweeeet. (My favourite perfume is now £70 so I might just be sticking to this one for a while…)

These are some Body Shop products I’d definitely recommend. Has anyone tried any of these, if so, what do you think? Or do you guys have any recommendations? 🙂

Until tomorrow (I have lots more Body Shop stuff to talk about)!

Peace x

GREETINGS people of Earth! I come in pieces…

At the risk of sounding cliché, I think there comes a time in everyone’s life where they should start blogging. It’s good to share and practice writing and experience it in a public way. So here I am! 

A little about me…

My name is Natalie, I live in bonnie, bonnie Scotland, and I’m 17. Soon to be 18! (Ah the daunting pressures of adulthood…). Currently I fill my time by helping out in a small natural health company, which I enjoy very much. And I walk my dog. (I freakin’ LOVE dogs.) I’m a lover of movies, music, books, shopping. Regular things. I love charity shops. I’m terrible at saving money. I love Italy and I would love to live there in the near future. I love to travel (who doesn’t?!) I love languages and would love to study further at some point. I also am a lover of all things arty, I like to paint and draw, but photography is my favourite. 

I’m not sure exactly what the content of my blog will be like, but that’s just part of the fun…very little structure. We shall see where the future takes us!  

Here’s one of my favourite quotes… 

“If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – Roald Dahl 

Working to be more positibe every day! 

Until next time, peace x