Emily Ellen

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

SOAP & GLORY THE WHOLE GLAM LOT

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Body Shop's Expert Superfood Face Masks

Utilising key ingredients from around the world, the five face masks are either 100% vegan or 100% vegetarian and developed alongside 'Beauty Botanist' Jennifer Hirsh (who has also been involved in Oils Of Life and Spa Of The World - my favourite launches from The Body Shop in years.) Each harnesses the power of nature to help skin look and feel fabulous, while targeting specific concerns. Whether you choose to pick up one, or embrace multi-masking and opt for the entire collection, you'll be pleasantly surprised as to the quality and results they can offer. Although each of them can be used no matter your skin type, age or issue, it's also useful to know what would work best for your individual problem areas; I've broken them down so you can navigate your way around the new collection with ease...

HIMALAYAN CHARCOAL PURIFYING GLOW MASK (For Blemish Prone Skin)
The big trend of the moment is using charcoal to draw out impurities from the skin, leaving your complexion refined and clear; this builds on that with the addition of green tea leaves that are known to gently exfoliate the skin, and tea tree oil to keep skin looking clearer for longer. A slightly tingling sensation lets you know this is getting to work, helping to work on dirt and impurities like a magnet - and enabling you to wash them away after ten minutes. Although this does dry over a few minutes and leaves skin feeling quite tight, a thorough wash with a warm flannel undoubtedly leaves a clearer complexion behind. Use once a week to help detoxify and rid skin of build-up.

BRITISH ROSE FRESH PLUMPING MASK (For Dry Skin)
Inspired by the European bathing rituals that have existed for generations, this gel formula is enriched with real rose petals and the essence of hand-picked roses to replenish the skin's moisture reserve. Rosehip oil and aloe vera also help to calm, soothe and tone skin, leaving the complexion fresher in an instant. This feels utterly luxurious, even if it's very runny and tricky to apply; it smells delightful and definitely helps to inject a touch of moisture into parched skin. Great to use before a big night out, after a long day or as a skin-boosting treat in front of the telly, this is The Body Shop at their finest.

ETHIOPIAN HONEY DEEP NOURISHING MASK (For Maturing Skin)
Possibly my favourite from the line-up, this mask delivers an intense dose of nourishment to help skin feel soft, smooth and hydrated. Community Trade honey is rich in nutrients that help to retain and replenish moisture, while marula oil helps to restore and improve skin elasticity; the addition of organic olive oil also helps to prevent dryness and keep skin looking its best, meaning it's great for those of us in the 30+ bracket that need to look after our skin a little more than before. Although it's technically great for all skin types and ages, I especially think this is one to invest in if you're concerned with the signs of ageing. It won't rid you of fine lines, but it will help to tackle texture issues and leave your complexion revitalised.

CHINESE GINSENG RICE CLARIFYING & POLISHING MASK (For Dull Skin)
Inspired by Chinese traditions of using rice extract to stimulate and tone skin, this is a great exfoliating treatment that helps slough away dull skin while injecting a touch of radiance. Ginseng helps to tone and stimulate skin, while sesame seed oil helps to soften for a smooth complexion. It's a rather strange lumpy texture (that'll be the rice!) that takes some getting used to, but it definitely helps to exfoliate skin to leave the surface feeling even more smooth. Perfect for those with dull, dry or uneven skin, this is a great treatment to be used twice a week - even if not my personal fave.

AMAZONIAN ACAI ENERGISING RADIANCE MASK (For Fatigued Skin)
Developed specifically for skin that needs a fast recharge from signs of fatigue and stress, this Acai mask is not dissimilar from applying a pot of strawberry jam to your face. Formulated with anti-oxident rich acai berry extract, Vitamin C, guarana berry (highly concentrated in caffeine) and babassu oil to soften, smooth and revitalise the skin, this is a quick fix that's easy to enjoy before your morning shower. It smells amazing and is great to use as a little boost before you apply your usual skincare products; it's not much good as an evening treatment as the effects wear off relatively quickly, but as a pre-work/post-night-out boost, it's fun and fab.

What are your favourite products from The Body Shop?

Thursday, September 29, 2016

SOAP & GLORY THE WHOLE GLAM LOT

The Body Shop's Expert Superfood Face Masks

EASING MY WAY INTO LIKING LEAVES