Getting Your Skin Freshers Fair Ready | Lush Routine Boxes 2024

 Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I thought that today I would talk to you all about Lush’s brand new limited edition Routine Box!

September is upon us and that means the start of University for a lot of people! Starting Uni and being a Fresher comes with a lot of good points. Exploring a new city maybe, getting to know and befriend new people such as your course mates or flatmates and plenty of Freshers events. Sadly though as the first few weeks of University are usually packed with events and this means that you may forget to take care of yourself and your skin!

Luckily, Lush have created a Routine Box to ensure that you keep on top of your skin care to ensure that you look great for those few first weeks of University and beyond! (Don’t worry if you’re not a fresher at Uni, this routine box is still for you!)

To get your hands on this amazing routine box, all you have to do is go into a Lush store and a staff member will help you to choose a plethora of products that are personalised to help your skin throughout both the days full of lectures and the nights full of events and getting to know people. 

The items that are included in your routine box are: a face mask (45g), balm cleanser (10g), fresh cleanser (50g), moisturiser (10g), soap (50g) and shampoo bar (full size).

These boxes are priced at £20 and are worth £36 so not only do you get a box full of goodies that not only will help you look like your best self but will also help the environment and are animal cruelty free but you also get a bargain and save some money which can be used on anything including a couple of drinks after a day of getting to know your course mates and lecturers.  

I bet you’re wondering what you can choose from. Well I thought that I would break it down into each category to make the choices a little less overwhelming. Now remember it’s one from each category that you get to choose from! 

Soap: 

Outback Mate, Honey I Washed The Kids, Karma, Sleepy, Bohemian, Comforter, Goddess, Sandstone, Sea Vegetable, Sultana of Soap. 

Shampoo Bar: 

 Honey I Washed The Kids, Angel Hair, Coconut Rice Cake, Godiva, Jason and the Argan Oil, Jumping Juniper, Montalbano, New, Seanik, Soak and Float. All of these Shampoo Bars are plastic free and are therefore amazing to travel with. One Shampoo Bar equates to three big bottles so they will definitely last all semester long! 

Fresh Cleanser:

Dark Angels, Herbalism, Let The Good Times Roll, Aqua Marina, Angels on Bare Skin, Turmeric Roll. If you are a bit unsure on how to use these cleansers then take a pinch and put it into the palm of your hand. Once placed, add a little water and make into a paste and then use said paste to cleanse your face and rinse with a warm damp flannel to remove the cleanser and reveal beautifully looking skin. 

Face Mask

Beauty Sleep, Cosmetic Warrior, Mask Of Magnaminty.

Balm Cleanser: 

Ultrabland, Ultraplant.

Facial Moisturiser:

Enzymion, Cosmetic Lad, Celestial, Vanishing Cream, Peace. 

If you are unable to get to a Lush store then you can also get a pre selected routine box via going to the Lush Website and ordering online. There are three boxes to choose from. 

Balancing: 

Cosmetic Warrior face and body mask 45g, Herbalism cleanser 50g, Vanishing Cream moisturiser 10g, Ultrapoant Cleanser 10g, Jumping Juniper shampoo bar and Karma soap.

Calming:

Beauty Sleep face and body mask 45g, Angels on Bare Skin cleanser 50g, Celestial moisturiser 10g, Honey I Washed My Hair shampoo bar, Ultraplant Cleanser 10g and Sleepy soap.

Invigorating: 

Mask of Magnaminty face and body mask 45g, Turmeric Roll cleanser 50g, Peace moisturiser 10g, New shampoo bar,  Ultraplant Cleanser 10g and Outback Mate soap.

I haven’t grabbed one just yet due to being busy but I think I would choose The Comforter Soap, New Shampoo Bar as I love all things spicy and with shaving my hair off on the regular  and I think that New might help my scalp and hair due to the inclusion of Nettle and Peppermint Infusion, Clove Bud Oil and Cinnamon Leaf Oil that is in this Shampoo Bar and with it slowly getting cold I am sure that I will adore the scent especially as it shares the same scent as Lush’s Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar, Cosmetic Warrior, Ultraplant, Angels On Bare Skin and Peace Moisturiser. 

If you want to grab one of these boxes then dont walk, run as these boxes are only at Lush stores and online from 16th September - 14th October. 

What’s your favourite product from Lush? Have you just started University? Let me know down below! 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

 

A Little Celebratory Socially Distanced Photoshoot

 Hey everyone!

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I thought that I would change stuff up and talk a bit about what has been going in my life lately and talk about a little phptpshoot that I did to celebrate finishing a Undergraduate Degree at University. 

As I have just mentioned, I recently finished a Degree at Leeds Beckett University. 2020 has definitely challenged me in every way possible and I'm pretty proud of myself that I was able to finish a three year University course which included writing a ten thousand word dissertation during a worldwide pandemic. 

My dissertation was about the representation of visually impaired people within the film and television industry and how basing a character on three main tropes can make society perceive an image of the visually impaired community which isn't completely true and how these industries forget to actually include real visually impaired people or their real life stories, compared to things such as blogs and YouTube videos which do. 

At the beginning of this year, I was figuring out whether I wanted to stay in Leeds for another year and if I wanted to carry on with my student story via enrolling in a Masters Degree, as I think that we need to discuss how the representation of disabled and LGBTQIAP+ people within the media needs to be changed to showcase a more true representation of the marginalised groups. I also think that the media needs to showcase some form of good representation of invisible disabilities as well as visible disabilities as I  still think that the world isn't as educated on invisible disabilities as much as we should be and seeing a true representation of them within the media would help us to be more educated on the matter. I have decided to not stay in Leeds for another year due to how the lockdown this year has affected me mentally and I believe that I need to prioritise my mental health more than anything else this year. Even though I am not living in Leeds for another year, I have decided to pursue a Masters Degree within Media and Culture. 

To celebrate graduating, as graduations have been postponed during 2020, I decided to have a mini socially distanced adventure whilst I was in Leeds. This included a great meal at Blue Sakura. If you haven't checked out my post about Blue Sakura, then click here. I love eating Japanese food and getting to eat it to my hearts content at Blue Sakura is forever a beautiful blessing. Once I had filled my boots with food, I went to a little photoshoot within a park that is located in Leeds City Centre to take some photos as I liked the way that I looked and I wanted to show the world via social media that I had graduated University. 

Here is one of the photos from the photoshoot. Thanks to Alex that took these at a 2 metre distance. 

The mask is from RedBubble. The Shirt is from Jacamo, which I have included in a blog post before, which I will link here. The Jeans are from Primark. The Jacket is from Next and the shoes that I absolutely adore are from Boohoo. 

I love this slightly smart, slightly casual look and I love the hint of shimmer from the shoes. I also love the Blazer/Jacket and honestly, I need to invest in a couple more as they just jazz up an outfit when you want the outfit to feel that little bit more special. 

Have you been to Blue Sakura? Do you like the outfit? Let me know down below.

Read my last post all about the Lidl White Chocolate, Coconut and Cornflakes Bar. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Lathering Up In Your Favourite Drink | Superdrug Haul

Hey everyone!

How are you?

Welcome to a brand new post. I got a few bits from Superdrug last week, so I thought that it would be a good idea to tell you what I got.

I needed some new beauty items for when I go back to University soon, therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to go onto Superdrug and order some things. This is definitely not sponsored. I just go onto Superdrug a lot, due to their many offers.

Mix & Fizz Cosmopolitan Bath & Shower Gel 250ml

I mainly got this shower gel as it was 66p, and well, a Cosmopolitan in a Shower Gel? Gimme! I love a good Cosmopolitan Cocktail.

Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser 125ml

I've used this Moisturiser before and it works for my sensitive and dry skin. I try to use it as often. I love Simple as it doesn't affect my skin too much.

Superdrug Calm Skin De-Stress Refreshing Facial Spritz 100ml

This was something that I wanted to try. I've been really into mists lately. I've tried a Pixi Mist, and, The Body Shop's Calming Coco Mist, so I thought I'd try a new one. It's not a completely relaxing scent but it's very clean and definitely refreshes the skin.

Superdrug Black Cherry & Macadamia Nuts Body Butter

I love a good Body Butter for when it slowly gets a bit colder. I normally stick to the ones from The Body Shop, NSpa, or, Lush. I thought that I would try a new one whilst I was on Superdrug's website. I have slowly gotten into slightly Cherry scented things so i thought that I would try this out.

L’Oreal Men Expert Carbon Antiperspirant Deodorant 50ml

I prefer roll on deodorants, and, as this was on offer, i thought that it would be interesting to try it and see how well it performs.

TRESemme Cleanse & renew 2in1 Shampoo plus Conditioner 900ml

Having troublesome hair, it's rare to find certain hair products that work for you. I know that this is a two in one, but I use it as a shampoo and then I normally use a conditioner/a time based leave in conditioner. This product honestly cleanses so well, which works for my dry hair.

Superdrug Mix & Fizz Daiquiri Bath & Shower Cream

Daiquiri, in a shower gel? Sign me up!

Fruity Coconut Shower Gel

So when it gets cold, you sometimes want a hit of the Summer and honestly this works so well. It was also 66p.

B Men Charcoal Face Scrub

I mainly got this product because I use a general Charcoal Cleanser for when I want to ensure that my face is spot free. I know that it works for me. The one that i normally use, wasn't actually in stock therefore, i got the cheapest one. This says that it can be used as a wash, scrub and mask. I'm tempted to try all three and review my opinions on them?

Radox Feel Ready Shower Gel 250m

I use this mainly, as I own a fair few Apple scented products from Lush, therefore I like to pair it with something similar. It was also only £1.

Original Source Lime Shower Gel 250ml

I love Limes. I love Original Source as they're Vegan and Cruelty Free. and well £1.

Original Source Lemon & Tea Tree Shower 250m

This Shower Gel smells like Lemon Curd, and is honestly one of the easiest ways to help me wake up for Uni very easily.

Oh My Aubergine Grape Lip Balm

Okay, I bought this because I needed a Lip Balm and saw that there was an Aubergine on top of it.

B. Men Post Shave Balm

I have sensitive ski, and it always ends up burning after shaving, so I got this to see if it helps my skin at all.

Superdrug Hairspray Extra Firm 75m

I needed some new hairspray, and, as I am travelling to uni and stuff, I didn't want a massive bottle. It also means I can top it up if I need to.

Have you bought any new beauty items lately? What's your go to skin care routine? Let me know down below! 

Thanks for reading this post and I hope that you come back next time! Don't forget to follow me on social media via thejamiesowden.

Thanks for reading! 
Jamie x

Packing It Up & Putting it Down | What To Take To Your First Uni Accommodation

Hey! 

How are you?

Welcome to a brand new post all about student essentials. I thought that I would talk to you about this, I'm sure that a lot of you reading this are worried and anxious about what to take/buy for your first University Accommodation/Year.

I think that this post might be best, if I split it up into sections such as, Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen and other (including laundry stuff, cleaning, and what not.

(Oh, also don't be a snob. Get the cheapest stuff you can, as long as they do the thing they are meant to do. It'll mean you have more money to do other things, eg drinking.) 

Bedroom/Gemeral Flat Area: 

Cushions
Duvet
Covers for above
Duvet Sheet
Clothes for all seasons including loungewear, pjs, dressing gown, hoodies, whatnot.)
Shoes
Mattress Protector (some flats/accommodation will provide one. Check before you get your keys.)
Coat Hangers
Ear Plugs
Cheap Fan for when its warm
Laptop and Case if you own one
 Printer and Ink (some accommodations have a printer)
Bluetooth Speaker
Vacuum
Chargers for all things Electrical
TV (if you're bringing one. Remember to check about TV licenses.)
Extemsion Lead
Game Console and games (honestly if you have more than one, take one and then you can always bring another when youre back home at Christmas/Reading Week.)
USB TV Stick if you're taking a TV.
Decorative Things for the room (y'know pictures, fairy lights, teddies, cacti. Stuff like that.)

Kitchen: 
Cutlery Set. (Honestly I'd stick to the 16 sets you can find.)
General Sharp Knife. (You can get a big Chefs Knife if you want, but even a lot of Supermarkets sell a medium sized one that's good for a lot of stuff.)
Kitchen Scissors (For Sachets and cutting things up.)
Crockery (Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Glasses. Honestly, I'd stick to two to three of each, You won't have loads of room due to sharing a kitchen.)
Tupperware (Great for when you bulk cook, or for lunches at Uni.)
Bottle Opener (I'd keep this in your room.)
Chopping Boards
Ladle
Spatula
Fryinh pan
Saucepan that has a lid with it
Measuring Jugs
Can Openers (keep one in your room)
Peeler
Grater
Whisk
Baking Trays (Get a couple of flat ones if you can, and, one roasting style tray.)
Oven Gloves (Some accommodations have one already.)
Tea Towels
Washing Up Liquid
Washing Up Sponges
Bin Bags
Kitchen Spray
Air Freshener (for in the Kitchen and Bedroom.)

Bathroom

Bath Towels
Hand Towels
Soap (It might also be wise to get a soap tray too.)
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Haircase
Sponges/Flannel Cloths
Shower Gel
Flip Flops for Communal Bathrooms
Toilet Roll\
Hair Tools (brushes, dryer etc.)
Body Scrubs
Shower Moisturisers
Face Care (Cleansers, Toner, Moisturiser, Face Scrubs, Face Masks, etc.)
Deodorant/Body Sprays
Dry Shampoo
Makeup (if you use it
Razors and Shaving Products.
Hair Products (eg, mousse, pomade, bairspray etc.)
Painkillers for Freshers Flu/Hangovers.
Bathroom Spray
Toilet Freshener

Other: 

Alcohol
Passport/Driving License/Citizencard/Birth Certificate (ID)
Any Papers needed to enrol into Uni with
Wallet
Some Cash
Loyalty Cards (which will help you save money.)
Washing Basket
Detergent
Umbrella
Flask/Water Bottle (if you use your water bottle in certain places, they will let you refill it for free. Some Coffee Shops also give you a discount for using said Bottle/Flask.)
Budgeting App
Musical Instruments
Key Loop (so you know where your keys are.)
Bag
Stationery
A4 Pads

All of the above are what i think are my suggestions. Let me know down below if you have any other suggestions. Don't forget to check out things such as Student Discounts, Fresher Fairs, and, Student Nights for more offers and savings.

Are you going a Fresher this year? Comment down below with what uni you will be attending. 

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and, that you come back next time for another post.

Thanks for reading! 
Jamie x