The Skincare Product That’s Been Brightening UP My Life | Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! I thought that today I would talk to you about a skincare product that I have been loving lately. 

‘Our Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot Serum is enriched with a potent mix of [3.5%] Vitamin C*, Niacinamide & Salicylic Acid, to reduce the appearance of dark spots and enhance glow, along with Lemon Extract, a powerful superfood well known for its brightening properties. The formula has been carefully blended to provide dark-spot action without being heavy or greasy on the skin.

All Garnier products globally are officially approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Programme, the leading organisation working to end animal testing worldwide, and the recognised Cruelty Free Gold Standard.’ - Garnier UK. 

The texture of this product is quite interesting. It’s light yet not runny. It’s moisturising but not greasy. 

When I squeezes some of the product out from the pipette, I noticed that it didn’t run all over the place which I like as it means I don’t have to be super anxious that I’m going to slightly tilt my hand and have serum not only run all down myself but in essence waste product that my skin could be enjoying. With some serums that I have used in the past, they have promised to be light yet have took ages to sink into the skin which is a pain for me as I have a tendency to rush and multitask when it comes to skincare sometimes. This mainly has a tendency to happen in the morning more than anything. 

The scent of this product was a quite unusual one for me. Most Vitamin C products that I have used in the past normally come with quite a strong Orange heavy scent to them but this did not. Instead Garner chose to go with more of a floral scent for this product. As stated above, the scent confused me a bit but as soon as I used it I quite liked it. Soft, delicate and floral. When I applied this superb serum to my skin, the scent dissipated  into my skin quite well which I adored and when layering with other slightly scented skincare the scents blended well together.

After using this serum for a while, I did notice a difference. I suffer from dry, dull and stressed skin which can lead to acne breakouts sometimes. Whilst using this product I have noticed a reduction in the amount of breakouts that I have which is due to the Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid that is featured in this product. After using this serum for a few months, I have noticed that my skin does look more vibrant and is now glowing for the gods which I have been in need for a while. After University and a tough time, I noticed that my skin was lacking in vibrancy so to find something that is easy to find in drugstores in my local city and is affordable is pretty amazing to me. 

Would I buy this again? Oh definitely, I’ll definitely be buying this. I am close to finishing a bottle of this sublime serum so once I am done with it I’ll definitely be restocking! I mean, it does wonders for my skin, is reasonably priced compared to some of the other Vitamin C serums on the market in the UK and is easy for me to stock up on when I need it. 9/10. 

(At the time of writing this post which is the 26th of June 2023, Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum is on offer at Boots. When you use your Advantage Card, you can grab this perfect product for £8.50.) 

What are your favourite skincare serums at the moment? What are your favourite Garner products`? What Vitamin C products are you using at the moment? Let me know down below. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x 

Items mentioned in the post were gifted to me in exchange for a blog post. All views and ramblings are my own. 

Keeping My Face Protected From The Sun In 2023 | Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid SPF 50 Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I thought that today I would talk to you all about an SPF that I have been loving during the hot weather that we have been having at the moment. 

‘Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV SPF 50+ Protection Fluid is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Developed for the sensitive face area, the ultra-light formula is absorbed instantly and offers daily hydration without leaving a greasy finish.

Very high SPF protection to help prevent sun induced dark spots and protect against pollution induced oxidative stress. Formulated to protect all skin tones, is suitable for daily use. Tested under dermatological control, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Anti-eye stinging.The formula conforms 100% to European recommendations for protection against the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. This suncream offers advanced protection against immediate sun induced skin damage, caused by UVB rays, as well as protection from long-term damage and premature skin ageing caused by UVA rays.’ - Garnier UK. 

The texture off this SPF is creamy and moisturising but ever so light on the face.When squeezing out of the bottle, the fluid comes out in a slightly milky texture to me but does not run all over the place as soon as I tilt my hand. (I have a habit of doing multiple things when I’m applying skin care/SPF because well I like to multitask). With the heat, I sometimes suffer from sensory overload which can mean that I can’t stand thick textures on my face if I am suffering from overload and I have been using this when I have suffered with overload and it has been amazing. When it settles into the skin, to paraphrase Ned Flanders it feels like I have nothing at all on my face. 


I suffer from having dry and acne prone skin due to a miltitude of reasons. When I have applied this, I have noticed that even after applying moisturiser that my skin feels even more hydrated due to the hyaluronic acid that is in this SPF. I have also noticed that when I am having an acne flare up and am using this SPF that my skin doesn’t feel as angry as it normally does due to the Vitamin E that is in this product. Most of the time, about after fifteen minutes, I can feel the area where my acne normally is allocated start to feel less irritated which is also a good thing as it makes me feel less self conscious and makes me aware that I know that the active ingredients in this SPF are doing what they are meant to.

As mentioned above, when I am applying my skincare products, I have a big tendency of multitasking and honestly rushing. I know that I have just whacked products on when I have scheduled to meet a friend or do something specific at a certain time many times before. That’s kind of another reason why I love this product. Not only does it sink in quickly which I am always a big fan of for when I’m well rushing or just having one of those days. This SPF has a non-greasy texture to it which means I’m not feeling self conscious on the train that I’ve slapped products on or that I’m constantly touching my face thinking that I look like I’ve dipped my face into a cosmetics store and not blended them into my skin properly.. 

Would I buy this product again? Definitely. I already have done. I have been using this SPF for several months now and I absolutely love it. It has become my everyday SPF. I have started to dabble back into makeup recently and I am intrigued to try out Garner’s Over Makeup SPF Spray. Would anyone want me to review that? This SPF is definitely one to try if you’re looking for an everyday holy grail SPF 50  that will help you stay looking amazing and prevent dark-spots not only in the blazing weather that we are having at the moment but all year round. I’d definitely give this a 9.7/10. 

Priced at £12 but on offer at Boots at a price of £8 if you use a Boots Advantage Card when purchasing this superb SPF. (This offer is available at the time of writing which is the 25th June 2023). 

What SPF are you using at the moment? What are your staple Holiday Beauty products? Let me know down below! 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Items mentioned in the post were gifted to me in exchange for a blog post. All views and ramblings are my own. 

Letting The Asteroid Crash Into Ny Tub | Lush X Asteroid City Range

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to Lush to check out their new Asteroid City collaboration range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about it.

Asteroid Bath Bomb 

This bath bomb is inspired by Asteroid Day that is celebrated in the Asteroid City film by Wes Anderson and the hypothetical planet from the film that is known as Magnavox-27, 

This bath bomb contains Grapefruit, Bergamot and Almond Oils which creates a summery scent that reminds me personally of sweet shops. If you have tried Space Girl or Raspberry Blower Bubble Bar from Lush then you may like the scent of this bomb as Asteroid shares the same scent as these. This bath bomb will turn your bath into an ethereal escapist oasis via turning it a mixture of silver, blue, red and purple. I love this scent as one of the first bombs that I had from Lush back in the day was Space Girl so when I smelt this bomb it instantly took me back to when Space Girl was available all year round in stores. I also think that the mixture of the oils in this product make a sort of tart summer drink which I absolutely adore. If you know anyone that loves all things Asteroids or Wes Anderson then this bath bomb will definitely be for them. I would also suggest getting this if you’re looking for a bomb to compliment the gorgeous weather that we are having in the UK at the moment. Priced at £6. 

Asteroid City Shower Gel 

This shares the same scent as the Asteroid Bath Bomb. This gel like the bomb contains Grapefruit, Bergamot and Almond Oils which creates a sort of blackcurrant mixed with walking into a sweet shop sort of scent to me. The colour of this gel is a pretty pastel blue which just evokes British blue skied Summers to me, I love this gel. My only qualm about this gel though is the texture. It is slightly on the runnier side which I don’t mind as I use intergalactic Gel from Lush quite a bit and that is extra runny but I do imagine that I may have to be careful with this gel if I was to travel with it. If you’re looking for a Shower Gel to perk you up this 2023 or for one to use before going on a date to see the new Asteroid City film then I would definitely recommend this. I also think that this gel would go well with other fruity scents such as The Comforter Body Spray or Hairdressers Husband Perfume from Lush. Priced at £15 for a 290g bottle. 

UFO Shower Jelly 

UFO? Don’t you mean Unidentifiable Object? This shower jelly will definitely create a lasting memory! This product contains Fair Trade Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Lime and Neroli Oils and Olibanium Resinoid. If you have ever smelt the Zesty products from Lush and wanted a Shower Jelly that smelt like Zesrty then you are in luck as this Shower Jelly shares the same scent as Zesty. I have to be in the right mood to enjoy Zesty but when I do oh it’s lovely. The Lime works beautifully with he Neroli and Olibanum in this product as the blend of ingredients reminds me of a mysterious creamy Lime drink. I’d definitely recommend this for those in your life who love programmes like X Files but id also recommend it for a treat yourself gift. Whack it in the freezer, let it firm up and you’ve got a product that you can use to treat yourself this Summer. Priced at £7. 

Doomsday Soap 

Let’s not leave soaps out of this unworldly mix of gorgeous products. This soap contains Sand, Bergamot and Cypress Oils and Blackcurrant Absolute. This creates a beautifully sweet Blackcurrant scent. To me, the scent of this soap reminds me of a Kir Royale cocktail. If you like all things The Comforter from Lush then you will love this soap as it shares the same scent. (Does anyone else remember Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly that shares the same scent too?) The sand in Doomsday creates a scrub that helps ro remove dead skin cells and ensure that skin is super smooth. Personally, I prefer a slightly grittier scrub like the old Salted Coconut Hand Scrub that used to be available at Lush once upon a time. However, this sand scrub enhanced soap does a good job at scrubbing the skin and is a great product for when you don’t have time for a full on exfoliation. According to a staff member, the disc that is on this soap can be used as a sort of stand for the Asteroid Bomb. Priced at £6. 

Asteroid City is out in cinemas on the 23rd June. 

Will you be watching Asteroid City? Do you love all things space? What’s your favourite Wes Anderson films and Lush products? Let me know down below! 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Having An Out Of This World Experience In The Tub | Lush Fathers Day 2023 Range

 Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to White Rose Shopping Centre with Luke to check out the new Lush Fathers Day 2023 range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about the products in this range. (I know that Father’s Day can be a difficult day for some so if you’re not a fan of Fathers Day then that’s absolutely fine and I hope that you come back to read the next blog post!) 

Bath Bombs: 

Out Of This World 

It’s time to make your bath tub somewhere that is out of this world! This bath bomb is a brand new one for 2023. As you can tell by the name, this bomb is thematically inspired by space and well all things out of this world. This bath bomb not only looks cute by being designed around a sparkly astronaut but smells amazing too. This bomb contains Lime and Sweet Wild Orange Oils and Olibanum Resinoid. To me, the Olibanum and Orange combine to create a very fragrant Banana scent which goes beautifully with the Lime to create a sort of fruity Summery scent. If you remember Never Mind The Ballistics and have smelt Out Of This World then you may notice that they share the same scent. This bomb also contains Green Tea Powder and Popping Candy which help to give off am out of this world sensorial bathing experience. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fruity scents or wants something spectacular this Fathers Day. Priced at £5. 

Shower: 

Candy Wash Showder 

Who doesn’t want to wash themselves with some sweet, sweet candy? This showder isn’t for the faint hearted. If you are unaware on what a showder is then let me educate you. A showder is a shower powder. Imagine a shower product that is the perfect product to take travelling or to festivals due to it being a powder. Just grab some, let the water saturate it, massage and rinse. 

This showder contains Granulate Sugar, Calamine Powder, Clove Bud and Ylang Ylang Oils and Vanilla Absolute. The Sugar and Calamine Powder help to give substance to the powder thus ensuring that your skin is super soft once you have rinsed off Candy Wash. To me, the main scent from this comes from the Ylang Ylang and Vanilla but smells slightly like Bubblegum mixed with Plastic to me. I know that sounds revolting but weirdly it’s not the worst scent in the world. I If you have used any of the oils Creamy Candy products from Lush then you may recognise the Candy Wash scent as they are both the same scent. Priced at £16 for 230g. 

Fresh As Shower Gel 

Time to feel fresh as this Fathers Day! 

Fresh As is a perfume from Lush that has been out a fair couple of years now. This year Lush decided to release the scent in a Shower Gel format. It was out last year under the Fathers Day range but under the name of ‘Rad Dad’. This shower gel contains Fresh Cucumber Infusion, Fine Sea Salt, Siberian Fir Needle, Orris and Tagetes Oils and Benzoin Resinoid and Fir Needle Absolute. To me, the most prominent scents in this gel are the Fir Needle and Cucumber. It creates a oh so fresh scent. The best way to describe the scent would be walking through a forest full of Pine on an early Spring morning. This gel is definitely a gel that would be great for those who are a bit overwhelmed when it comes to smelling Lush scents or for those who love a morning shower. Priced at £8 for a 125g bottle. 

Life’s A Beach Showder 

Sometimes, we just need a warm shower and a good scrub when life is being a beach. This scrubby showder was first released alongside Candy Wash, Lemon Sherbet and Washaccino Showders at the launch of the Oxford Street store several years ago. This showder contains Fine Sea Salt, Sand, Vanilla Absolute, Jasmine Absolute, Tonka Absolute and Sandalwood Oil. The main scents that comes out in this showder is the Vanilla and Jasmine. This combination of scents creates a mainly strong clean Vanilla scent with a floral undertone which isn’t too strong. If you have smelt the Vanillary perfume from Lush then you may like this showder as it shares the same scent. The sand definitely does scrub the skin so if you like a coarse scrub then you will like this. Definitely a product for anyone who loves a good holiday. Priced at £16 for 300g. 

Soap: 

Blue Moon Soap 

Blue Moon is coming into orbit and its time to celebrate with a good wash. 

This soap can glow in the dark! This soap contains Rapeseed Oil; Coconut Oil,Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Bergamot, Grapefruit and Almond Essential Oils. I adore the scent of this product. Bright, zingy and citrusy. The grapefruit is the star of this product. It just shines so bright,. The bergamot adds a sort of sherbet note to the scent whilst the almond adds a sort of creaminess. This scent reminds me very much of a sweet shop store but in the best way possible. Not cloying but fresh. If you have smelt anything under the Space Girl scent at Lush (I Want A Hippo For Christmas, Very Very Frightening or some of the products from the upcoming Asteroid City collaboration) and liked it then you will like this soap as it shares the same scent. Definitely a gift worthy of anyone who loves citrus scents or wants a soap that can do anything and everything. Priced at £6. 

FUN: 

Big Bang (Create Your Own Universe) FUN 

It’s time to create a big bang in the tub! 

FUN can be used in a multitude of ways such as shampoo, soap and a bubble bar. You can even tear bits off and create whatever you want! This FUN contains Peppermint, Grapefruit, Cedarwood and Vetivert Oils. In my opinion, this creates a fresh but complex Mint scent. It’s layered and the fruit and Vetifvert really help to add some depth to the Mint. If you have smelt anything under the Intergalactic scent family at Lush and liked it then you will like this too as they share the same scent. I quite like this FUN but it does take me quite a long time to get through a bar of FUN. Definitely for those who can never decide on what they want or want something that will uplift them no matter what. Priced at £9.50 for a 200g packet of FUN. 

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know down below or on social media. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Letting My Hair Drink Up All Of That Goodness | Garnier Banana Hair Drink & Delicate Oat Milk Hair Remedy Hair Mask Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! I thought that today I would talk to you all about some haircare products that I was kindly gifted by Garnier. 

Garnier Banana Hair Drink 

‘Thirsty Hair? Dig into Garnier Ultimate Blends Nourishing Banana Hair Drink, for dry hair! Our natural origin formula contains ultra thin lamellas that coat the hair fibre to polish and smooth your hair. Instantly, your hair is 10x smoother*, frizz-free, and reflects light for a mirror-like shine. Hair drink is specially formulated with 97% natural origin ingredients**, is 100% vegan*** & silicone free for a natural feel. Always store this product as room temperature, if crystallisation appears, please shake well and place in an ambient environment. Our bottle is made from recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable (except the cap and label).

FOR BEST RESULTS: After using our Banana Hair Food shampoo squeeze out excess water from hair and apply Hair Drink to lengths. For fine hair apply 1 dose, for medium to thick hair 2-3 doses and for long hair add +1 dose. Massage into lengths for 10 seconds and rinse.’ - Garnier UK. 

When I heard that Garner were coming out with this range, I was super intrigued. Intrigued by the consistency, the effects and the fact that you only have to leave it on for ten seconds. The week that I was planning on going out to grab one to try as I had just finished some conditioner that I had been using for a while, I heard a knock at the door and by some miracle it was a parcel from Garner containing a bottle of the Banana Hair Drink for me to try and test. 

The scent of this product was amazing, Honestly when I heard that beauty products are Banana scented I expect that sort of foam Banana scent that can be either delightful or vomit inducing due to experience but with this Hair Drink that wasn’t the case. The scent of this product was fresh yet light. It reminded me of when you walk past a shelf of bananas in a supermarket and get that sort light fruity but grassy sort of scent which I kind of adore but then again I love weird scents. Post washing this product out of the hair, the scent keeps calm and cool for a while and isn’t too overwhelming, 

The texture of this product was a new one for me. When I removed the lid and tipped the bottle into the palm of my hand, a light oily liquid pooled onto my hand which reminded me of some of the hair oils that I have used in the past but a touch bit lighter which I didn’t think was possible when I already think that some of the oil based styling products that I have used before are quite light but this was on another level. 

I have used this for more than a month hence the delay to publishing this post but with hair and beauty products I like to use them for a fair while so I can give them a fair and honest review. When I have massaged this product into my hair post shampoo, I have noticed a slight warming effect start to happen on my hair. Warming but not irritating. After ten seconds of massaging and the warming sensation, I wash it off and normally choose to dry my hair with a towel briefly before going in with a hair dryer and the effects are positively noticeable. My hair is quite dry so I instantly noticed a difference in regards to moisture. It was soft and supple and definitely had a shine. One of the times that I have used this product, I have gone out later in the day and have been complimented by friends and strangers on how good my hair looks. 

Do I think that this is a product that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime? Oh definitely! Will I be buying more once I have used this bottle up? Oh definitely but as there is different scents such as Papaya and Pineapple, I may go for a different scent just to see what they are like. Available to buy from Boots and Superdrug. 

Delicate Oat Milk Hair Remedy Hair Mask 

‘One scoop, one minute, one week of goodness! Steal a minute for yourself with Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Remedy Masks. Our hypoallergenic mask for delicate scalp and hair, has a ECARF certified formula blended with Rice Cream & Organic Oat Milk into a creamy remedy to deliver a truly sensorial moment for you. Hair hydrated and healthier-looking with 3x more softness*. Vegan formula** without silicones for a natural feel. Jar is made from recycled plastic (except from cap, colourants and additives).
FOR BEST RESULTS: After using our soothing Delicate Oat Milk shampoo, apply our creamy remedy to lengths of wet hair, wait 1 minute & rinse.’

The scent of this mask is quite a light one. It is creamy with a touch of sweetness to it from the oat and reminds me of an Oat Milk Yoghurt that you would pair with fruit first thing in the morning. I’ve been using this more towards my nighttime routine and the delicate scent is perfect as its not too much and just perfect for when I want soothing scents to help me relax in the evening. 

The texture of this is also reminiscent of a thick Oat Milk Yoghurt. Thick and voluptuous. It spreads onto the hand quite well and doesn’t really thin out when massaged into the ends of the hair. To me, I quite enjoy this as I can tell that the thick texture is doing its trick to nourishing the hair. I did use this mask as directions state and honestly I loved that I only had to leave it in my hair for a minute and I could feel the benefits. I have used masks before that have requited me to leave it in for half an hour and my hair hasn’t felt as nourished as it does with this mask. 

Would I repurchase either of these products? I think that I would but I think that when I do finish using these products I would like to try the other versions just to see how my hair gets on with them. For me, these products fall under the mantra of a little goes a long way so it will take me a long while to finish them. I do think though that I will pick up another Hair Drink for travelling as a 10 second based product will be great for when I’m on the go in the country or abroad. 

Have you tried either of these products? Would you pick any of the products mentioned in this post up? What are your haircare favourites at the moment? Let me know down below or on social media. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x 

The products mentioned in this post were gifted in return of a blog post. All views and opinions are my own.  

Come With Me To Make My Very Own Intergalactic Bath Bomb at Lush White Rose | World Bath Bomb Day 2023

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! I recently went to Lush White Rose with Luke on World Bath Bomb Day and was able to make my very own Intergalactic Bath Bomb for free so I thought that today I would talk to you all about it. 

As mentioned, to celebrate World Bath Bomb Day, Lush stores up and down the nation were able to invite anyone to come on the day and make their very own Intergalactic Bath Bomb. As Luke and I were popping into Leeds to grab some bits, we decided to pop into White Rose. 

We entered the store and had a quick chat with all of the wonderful staff whilst having a quick look at the new Ippuku mini gift sets that are now available (blog post on them will be coming very soon). 

As the bath bomb making workshops were once a hour, we looked around the store and sniffed some of the products that went well with the weather and Intergalactic such as Magic Crystals Body Scrub and Dirty Springwash Shower Gel until the time came to make my own bath bomb! 

Luke was sneezing throughout the day and didn’t think it would be wise to be let loose with bowls of bath powders so he decided to sit and check social media whilst I made my own Intergalactic Bath Bomb. 

After putting on gloves, the first thing that I did to create my bath bomb was to mix the blue powder that colours the majority of the bath bomb up with the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid mixture until they amalgamated into one concoction. 

The next step was to grab half of the bath bomb mould provided and put the blue mixture into the bottom of mould and then compress it into one layer. 

Step three was to grab some of pink powder and sprinkle that on the perimeter of the mould so that it would show when the bomb was created and then to repeat with the yellow powder. 

Once these were sprinkled, it was time to top with some more blue. 

Following this, it was time to make a hole in the middle of the bomb and then place in the popping candy which is an essential part of the Intergalactic bathing experience as when the popping candy interacts with the water, a symphony of sound happens in the bathtub. 

Now it was time for the other half which was a case of repeating the latter without the popping candy and then instead of creating a hole, it was time to create a mound. 

After the mound was created, it was time to take a big breath and smoosh the two bath bomb halves together, 

Et voila! That’s a Intergalactic Bath Bomb made by me, Jamie. All there was to do after that was for the bath bomb to be bagged up and left for at least 24 hours to set and then it would be ready to be used. 

If you want to see what a fresh handmade by Jamie Intergalactic Bath Bomb from Lush is like in the water then go over to my instagram (thejamiesowden). 

The wonderful staff at Lush White Rose allowed me to make another one for Luke to take home and use which was fantastic. 

Did you make an Intergalactic Bath Bomb? What’s your favourite bath bomb from Lush? Let me know down below. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Gentle Peeling Water & Micellar Reusable Make-Up Remover Eco Pads Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently got sent some goodies from the wonderful PR team from Garner UK and I thought that today I would talk to you all about two of the products that I was sent. 

So if you are following me on my social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram then you may have noticed that I have been trying to get back into using makeup recently. (Would you want some makeup reviews? Let me know down below). I also travel from time to time and for both of these reasons I have been looking for a decent micellar water that I can use to remove makeup and that I can use on the go when it comes to travelling throughout the UK so when I received my parcel from Garner and noticed that they had included the stunning Gentle Peeling Water I was amazed as it was just what I was looking for. 

This Micellar Gentle Peeling Water contains 1% PHA and Glycolic Acid which is an AHA. These active skincare ingredients help to smooth uneven skin texture, boost radiance, minimise enlarged pores, removes makeup and gently exfoliates the skin due to AHA and PHA’s being a chemical exfoliant for the skin. 

I have been using this Micellar Water for a month now and I absolutely love it. I used to not be the biggest fan of Micellar Water as it sometimes felt a bit thick on my skin and took a while to dry on my skin but this Gentle Peeling Water is lightweight and sinks into my skin instantly. I have skin texture and can breakout easily due to being lactose intolerant and using this Peeling Water has definitely helped it alongside my usual skin routine. 

I love using this micellar water to remove makeup when I’ve had a long day. All I have to do is wipe this onto my skin and it removes it instantly. I don’t use many full coverage products though at the moment so I may have to use some and see how well this product removes them too. I have also put some into a mini bottle to take with me on the go and trust me it has been a godsend for me whilst I’ve been on the go or at a hotel. Sometimes when I do spend time at a hotel I sometimes forget some beauty products due to rushing when packing in the morning so if I’ve forgotten a cleanser I have used this product and it has worked beautifully as a replacement for my normal cleanser in my routine. 

The scent of this Micellar Water is light and citrus to me. It reminds me of Oranges and Mangoes which I know sounds weird but it really does. The scent isn’t too strong compared to some beauty products that I have used in the past which I love especially if I’m using this product late at night.

To accompany the Micellar Water, Garner kindly sent me their Eco Pads to try out. Now, I am picky when it comes to what I use to wash or wipe my face with because of my sensory issues. I know a lot of the time with Toners and Micellar Waters, Cotton Pads are recommended but honestly I have forever hated the feeling of them. When I saw these Eco Pads, I was ecstatic as it meant I could use something on my face on the go that honestly didn’t make me want to peel my own skin off. I also love that they are reusable and washable which makes them great for the environment. You can whack them in with the rest of your washing or just wash in the sink. I love this as it means I can just wash them and leave them overnight to dry in the hotel if I’m using them there or just in my bathroom. These Eco Pads feel amazingly soft on the skin which I adore. You also get three pairs of Eco Pads in one packet which means that you can use a pair whilst one is being washed. I would definitely pick up a couple of packets to give as gifts alongside the Micellar Water.

Would I buy again? Definitely. This product has definitely gotten me back into using both makeup and Micellar Water and I love it. The scent of the Micellar Water is refreshing and the product contains active ingredients to help your skin out. The Eco Pads are soft and wipe away all the grime from your face amazingly. What’s not to love? 

Have you tried these products? Would you try them? Let me know down below.

Thanks to Garner PR for sending these products. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Products were sent in return for this blog post. All views and ramblings are my own. 

Wahoo! Let's Have An Adventure In The Bath Instead Of Rainbow Road For Once | Lush X Super Mario Bros Movie Range First Impressions

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to Lush White Rose to check out the new Lush X Super Mario Bros Movie collaboration range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about it 

Shower Gels: 

Mario 

Mamma mia, Mario has been turned into a Shower Gel and he smells amazing! This shower gel contains Persian Lime, Black Pepper, Aniseed, Benzoin Resinoid and Fresh Pomegranate Juice. These all mingle together to create an intensely spicy Cola scent. For me the Pomegranate Juice is more for the colour of the gel than anything but it does add a touch of sweetness just like the sweetness that you expect to find in that iconic red can of Cola. I love this scent. The Black Pepper and Aniseed mingle together to give a truly nostalgic scent whilst the Lime just helps to heighten the scent for me. I know that Cola sounds like a very unique scent to shower or bathe in but trust me it works! If you know anyone who loves Cola or Mario then this is definitely something that you should get them. I’m glad that I have purchased a big bottle so I can use it without rationing it. I alos think that this scent will be perfect for those cold days where you want a scent to pick your mood up and make sure that you feel invigorated enough to get on with the day. If you have shopped at Lush before then you may know this scent by a different name. Those names include Santa Baby Lip Scrub and Santa’s Christmas Shower Cream. Priced at £8 for a 120g bottle. 

Luigi

You can’t have Mario without having Luigi! This shower gel contains Bergamot, Brazilian Orange and Neroli Oils, Rose and Orange Flower Absolutes and Fresh Apple Juice,. I know that this sounds like a very odd concoction but these ingredients mixed together creates a very sharp Apple scent which is perfect for the beginning of Spring. The main sort of note for me that I can detect other than Apple is Rose but its not strong and just adds a sort of fresh floral note to the background which I quite like. If you have ever tried the So White, Once Upon A Time, Rumba or Atom Heart Mother products from Lush then you will love this shower gel as it is the same scent as the aforementioned products. I quite adore this scent but I have to be in the perfect mood for it or it has to be that sort of sunny yet slight breeze sort of style of weather to make me go for it but I am glad that is is available in a Shower Gel! To me, due to the Fresh Apple Juice this does have a little bit more of a punchier Apple scent to it which I really enjoy. Priced at £8 for a 120g bottle. 

Shower Jellies:

Bowser 

It’s time to defeat Bowser in the shower! Let’s a-go! This Shower Jelly contains Cinnamon Stick and Star Anise Infusion, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Leaf, Lime, Dark Sumatran Patchouli, and Brazilian Orange Oils and Benzoin Resinoid. I love this scent. It’s spicy, citrusy and creamy. What’s not to love? To me the main scents are the spices especially the Patchouli and Cinnamon alongside the Clove whilst the Lime helps to boost the spices just like in the Mario Gel and the Benzoin Resinoid adds a creamy note that takes a while to detect. If you have smelt the Hot Toddy Gel before from Lush before and loved it then you will love this Jelly too as it shares the same scent as Hot Toddy. I have been waiting for a Hot Toddy Jelly for years so I knew that I had to have this as soon as I smelt it. It really does smell like a Hot Toddy drink and I think that it represents Bowser quite well in my opinion! Definitely worth getting if you love spicy scents or love being the villain or chaotic in life. Priced at £6.50 for a 100g tub. 

Princess Peach 

It’s time to save Princess Peach from the head of the Shower! This Shower Jelly contains Fresh Peach Infusion, Organic Sweet Orange, Buchu and Litsea Cubeba Oils, Olibanum Resinoid and Champaca Absolute. I was surprised when I smelt this brand new scent for Lush. I was expecting synthetic Peach with a big hit of floral but that’s not what this is. To me, the Peach Infusion, Orange, Buchu and Litsea Cubeba mingle together to create a sort of fresh yet slightly sugary Peach and Pineapple scent whilst the other ingreidnetrs help to push them even further. I was unsure on the addition of Champaca but I think that in this it helps to add that fizziness to the scent I’m also a touch confused at how this smells of Pineapple when there is no Pineapple in the product but if you know me then you will know that I love Pineapple. If you love fresh and fruity scents then I would definitely recommend trying this or if you want to smell something that reminds you of Haribo Tangfastics then I’d definitely say go and give this product a sniff. I can’t wait for Summer to kick in as I think that this will be an amazing scent for the Summer time and will be very surprised if Lush do not keep this scent on after the Mario Collab. It is amazing! Priced at £6.50 for a 100g tub. 

Bath Bomb: 

Question Block 

The question on everyones lips is what is in the box? This bath bomb really is a mystery. This bath bomb comes in a variation of six different scents so instead of stating what is in inside all six I thought that I would just state the scents. You have Big which is a sea breeze scent that contains Red Mandarin, Sexy Peel which is a citrus scent that contains Grapefruit Cinders which is a scent that contains Almond, Honey I Washed The Kids, a scent that contains Orange and Bergamot but smells like a mix of honey and toffee, Avocado Co-Wash, a scent that smells sort of like  Lime Cheesecake and Outback Mate, a scent that contains Eucalpytus and Lemongrass. Inside of these bombs is a surprise soap that is themed around Super Mario Bros and is in the same scent as the bomb so if you get a bomb that smells of Big then the soap will too. In stores, these bombs are in a box together which means there is a good chance that you will get a mystery bomb unless you know what all six scents smell like. These are a great product to give as a gift and are massive. These bombs around 600g so they are pretty heavy! I picked up one in what I believe is the Big scent which I love as its one of the scents from Lush that evokes the beginning of Spring to me along with Dragons Egg, Sex Bomb and Sakura. I get why some may be a bit hesitant to get one of these as they are on the more expensive side for a bomb but they are massive and you get two products for the price and you could definitely chop this bomb into two so its not too bad when you actually think about it Priced at £14. 

Soap: 

Gold Coin 

Who doesn’t love a gold coin? This soap contains Bergamot, Brazilian Orange and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. This shares the same scent as Honey I Washed The Kids but is vegan. The coconut oil ensures that it is nourishing to the skin. There is also glitter in the soap for those who love glitter. I love Honey I Washed The Kids and I love that the formulation has been tweaked so that vegans can enjoy it. Priced at £5. 

Body Spray: 

Princess Peach 

Who doesn’t want to smell like the iconic Princess of Video Games? This spray contains Organic Sweet Wild Orange, Buchu and Litsea Cubeba Oils, Benzoin Resinoid and Champaca Absolute. To me, this smells just like the Shower Jelly mentioned earlier in this blog post. Fizzy, sweet and fruity. Peach and Pineapple in a sort of fizzy sour sweet way to me. Amazing. I can definitely imagine this being a great scent to spritz and wear when the weather is warm for a week in England. I love it. I love how the Champaca just helps to push the scent further without taking over in regards to the fruity ingredients in this spray. If you like fruity scents then I think that you will love this scent. Priced at £30.

What do you think? Will you be picking up any of the Lush X Super Mario Bros Movie range? Have you already picked up some of the products from this raange/ Will you be watching the movie? Let me know down below. 

Thanks to the staff at Lush White Rose for helping myself and Luke out with checking out the range and grabbing some bits of content for social media especially Betty, Jas and Katrina. 

Thanks for reading!

Jamie x

Golden Geese Create The Most Beautiful Eggs | Lush Easter Range 2023 First Impressions

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to Lush White Rose to check out the new Lush Easter Range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about it.; 

Bath Bombs: 

Golden Egg Bath Bomb Melt 

Golden Eggs only come from the most beautiful Geese in the land. 

If you have been an avid Lush fan for a few years now then you may know about Golden Egg Bath Bomb Melt and for those that aren’t so much then I am here to help. This brilliant bath bomb melt contains Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Brazilian Orange and Bergamot Oils. The Cocoa Butter and Olive Oil help to create the melt part of the bomb which slowly melts in the bath and helps to nourish the skin whilst the Orange and Bergamot help to create wonderful honeycomb/toffee scent that has a wonderfully refreshing citrus undertone to it. 

This has been one of the bombs that I have looked forward to seeing when it appears in the Easter range. In previous years, the melt slowly melts into the water making it feel super soft whilst the bomb fizzed away into the waters and when in collaboration the Golden Egg created some amazing bath art so I am hoping for the same with this one. I absolutely love the scent that this gives off and if you are familiar with the Honey I Washed The Kids range then you will find out when you use this product that Golden Egg shares the same scent. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good glittery bomb or wants a bomb in the bath that will give them the most softest skin the world. Priced at £4.50.

 (If you try it then please don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts on it).

Follow The White Rabbit 

This Easter, be inspired by Alice and follow the White Rabbit all the way to your bathtub! This bath bomb has become a bit of a staple when it comes to the Easter range at Lush for the past couple of years. That’s for a good reason as not only does this bomb look gorgeous but looks cute too! This bomb contains Bergamot, Buchu and Sicilian Lemon Oils which may sound like an odd mixture but it works beautifully as the mixture of ingredients creates a sort of fresh citrusy yet slightly sweet scent to me with notes of Blackcurrant in the background. If you are familiar with the Carrots scent family (which appears in another product in this range) then you may be happy to find out that Follow The White Rabbit shares the same scent. I love the vibrant colours that come spiralling out of this cute white rabbit when it is in the bath and I love that it has Popping Candy in it too. The popping candy alongside the colours and scent help to create a multi-sensory bath experience that makes you feel like you have stepped into Wonderland. I would definitely recommend this for someone who loves to be creative or for anyone who loves a good bit of colour in their life or really anyone who loves AlIce In Wonderland as I am sure that they will love this bath bomb that has been inspired by it. Priced at £4. 

Flamingo Egg 

Which came first? The Flamingo or the Egg? This bath bomb has been in the past few Easter ranges and its easy to grasp why as it looks like the perfect gift to give someone at Easter. This bath bomb contains Coarse Sea Salt, Labdanum, Resinoid, Sicilian Lemon and Vetivert Oils. To start off with, this bomb creates some beautiful bath art as it helps to turn the waters a lovely swirling mixture of pink and blue. The Labdanum, Lemon and Vetivert help to create a sort of sweet shop like scent. In my opinion, the scent of this bomb reminds me of those foam banana sweets with a touch of candy floss in the background so if you like really sweet scents then I am sure that you will love this but for me sometimes this scent can be a little too intense for me. (I know I know, that’s hard to fathom due to liking Snow Fairy and the lot but my nose is a weird one). I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a Easter egg alternative this Easter. I also think that this would make a perfect addition to a sort of Easter Hamper style gift. Priced at £5. 

Ostara 

Let’s celebrate the Spring Equinox in the tub! 

Ostara is a Pagan holiday that is focused around balance, rebirth and renewal. This bomb contains Bergamot, Lime and Violet Leaf Oil. This concoction of products help to create a sort of intense Blackcurrant scent which I absolutely adore but then again I love anything that is Blackcurrant scented. Ostara shares the same scent as What’s Up Doc? Shower Gel that was out in 2022. Furthermore, Ostara is a 2 in 1 bomb. Inside this beautiful bunny there is an egg that is waiting to be dropped into the water. You can either use Ostara as one big bomb or crack it open and use the Egg and Bunny separately. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who loves anything Blackcurrant scented or wants a cute gift that will surprise them or for someone who just wants a luxurious bath during Ostara or Easter. Ericed at £7. 

Bubble Bars: 

Baby Rainbow Carrots

You can’t have Easter without Carrots! These baby carrots are cute and come in an array of colours that correlate with the rainbow! This product contains Bergamot, Buchu and Sicilian Lemon Oils alongside Carrot Powder. I love the scent of these as they smell oh so fresh. These baby carrots share the same scent as the Follow The White Rabbit Bath Bomb and would be an amazing product to pair with to create an amazing bath. No matter what your favourite colour is, you’ll be able to find a Baby Carrot in that colour. I think that these would be amazing gift to give to someone. Grab a FTWR and a Baby Carrot or two and create a customised gift set! Priced at £3. 

Henny Penny 

Cluck, cluck! This bubble bar contains Olibanum Oil, Bergamot Oil and Acorn Powder. This product shares the same scent as the Sultana Of Soap/Blackberry family of products from Lush so if you like the soap or the old Blackberry Bomb then you will definitely love this. To me, I don’t really get Blackberry or Sultana, I get more of a Watermelon scent with a floral undertone to it so it’s not my favourite scent family personally. I do love the concept of the bubble bar and love that its shaped as a Hen. Priced at £5.50. 

Shower: 

Celebrate Body Scrub 

Lets pop that cork and celebrate the good times! This body scrub contains Ground White Rice, Sweet Wild Orange and Lime Oils. This scrub is a foaming scrub which I quite like. The foaming action creates a subtle yet super nourishing lather which my dry skin adores. The rice adds a soft scrub which I adore as it means that I can control how hard I want to scrub compared to more gritty scrubs which take that away from me. The scent is amazing. If you love the Celebrate scent from Lush then you will love this as it shares the same scent. To me, this scrub and the scent just evokes Summer to me. A light scrub that you would use before going to the beach with the addition of a scent which sums up cocktails. Just amazing. I’d definitely recommend trying this out if you can. Priced at £14 for 240g.

Gummy Bear Shower Jelly 

Another favourite that is back for another year! This Shower Jelly contains Coconut Milk, Fresh Mango Juice, Buchu, Cardamom, Litsea Cubeba and Sweet Wild Orange Oils.  I love this scent. It reminds me of a Mango Lassi or a can of Rubicon Mango. I love how the Coconut Milk ensures that the skin is hydrated and just adds a fragrance note to the background of this product that makes you wonder what it is. Furthermore, I also love the shape of this Jelly. I mean who doesn’t love a good Bear? Definitely worth getting if you like tropical scents or want to give a cute gift to someone. Priced at £6. 

Golden Egg Shower Gel 

Why not have a Golden Shower this Easter? This Shower Gel contains Fine Sea Salt, Lactic Acid, Bergamot Oil and Brazilian Orange Oil. This indeed shares the same scent as Golden Egg Bath Bomb Melt. To me, this smells like rich and delicious toffee with a touch of citrus in the background that kind of helps the toffee be more sweet? This is the same scent as Honey I Washed The Kids and yes there is a Shower Gel with that name and scent but Golden Egg is completely Vegan where as HIWTK Shower Gel isn’t. In my opinion, HIWTK Shower Gel kind of smells of burnt honey with a vert floral undertone. I actually found a bottle of It’s Raining Men which was the first iteration of this gel and Golden Egg smells a bit more like that to me. I also love this gel because well I’m a child and its shiny and full of glitter! My friend Michelle also says that she associates this scent with me because I have loved it since we first met years ago. Go in, give both of the gels a sniff and let me know what you think. Do you prefer HIWTK or Golden Egg Shower Gel? Let me know. Priced at £7 for a 125g bottle. 

Soap: 

Rainbows & Waterfalls 

Thiis soap is a brand new soap for 2023. This soap contains Marshmallow Root Infusion, Watermelon Juice, Bergamot Oil and Rose Oil. To me, this isn’t my favourite soap. I like a touch of Watermelon when it comes to scents but I’m not the biggest fan of that very strong Watermelon scent that some may know mainly through it being a flavour of a well known American Candy. I’m surprised that Watermelon takes the main focus here especially as this soap contains Rose and normally Rose has a tendency of dominating sometimes. If you love Watermelon scents then you will love this soap. Luke kept asking if we were near the soap and when I said no he was confused as he could smell it quite strongly which is saying something. This product also shares the same scent as Watermelon Sugar Lip Scrub so I would recommend pairing the two together for a little bundle of joy for someone. Priced at £6. 

Rock Star Rabbit 

If only Chaz and Dave were rockstars. This soap contains Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Castor Oil and Vanilla Absolute. If you remember the old Rockstar Soap from Lush then you will love this soap as it has been reimagined as this rocking rabbit for 2023. The scent reminds me of candy floss and sugar. I guess if you took Snow Fairy and added a little bit of creaminess then you would end up with the scent of this product. To me, its nice but like Rainbows and Waterfalls its quite strong so I can see some people not enjoying this as much but I kind of love it as the Vanilla adds that sort of scent that you have to search for in the soap. If you love sweet scents then this soap is definitely worth checking out. Priced at £5. 

FUN: 

Let There Be Dragons 

Dragons and FUN? Sounds like a perfect product to me. This product is a first for Easter as Lush haven’t released limited FUNs for an Easter range before. This FUN contains Sicilian Lemon Oil, Bergamot Oil and Jasmine Absolute. If you’re not sure what FUN is then think of it as a multipurpose bathing product. You can pinch bits off and mould them into cute characters (I mean why not pinch some off and create a Dragon), use it as shampoo, soap or as a bubble bar. This FUN shares the same scent as Dragons Egg Bath Bomb. I love this scent its so fresh and uplifting due to the mixture of Lemon and Bergamot whilst the Jasmine is in the background just ensuring that the two citrus oils do their best within this scent. I think that this would be amazing bar to use when its a bit warm and Summer is in full spring. If you love citrus scents or like to create an experience like never before in the bath then I would definitely recommend checking Let There Be Dragons out. Priced at £9.50. 

I Believe In Unicorns 

Do you believe in Unicorns? This FUN contains Bergamot, Davana and Ylang Ylang Oils and Jasmine Absolute. This FUN shares the same scent as the Unicorn Poop Bath Bomb. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this scent when I read about it on the website but when I smelt it in store, I actually really enjoyed it. The Davana and Bergamot have joined together to create a quite fruity scent whilst the Jasmine and Ylang Ylang play alongside them to add a sort of unique delicate floral note to the product. If you love anything that has a floral kick to it then I think you will really enjoy this FUN. Priced at £9.50.

Lips:

Lush Lip Butter 

We all need to keep our lips soft and supple even in the Spring. This product contains Fair Trade Organic Shea Butter, Fenugreek Absolute Brazilian Orange and Tagetes Oils, Vanilla and Sesame Seed Absolutes and Carob Resinoid. I love anything that is going to help the lips. The scent of this reminds me of a sort of deep maple scent which is probably from the Carob Resinoid The Vanilla also adds to this. If you like scents that are food orientated then you will love this. I have started to just put this into my bag to use whilst I’m on the go and I absolutely love it. If you are in need of some nourishment to the lips then I’d definitely recommend checking this out. Priced at £5. 

What do you think of the Lush Easter range? What are your Easter traditions if you celebrate it? Let me know down below. 

Thanks to the staff at Lush White Rose for helping myself and Luke explore the Easter range especially Betty. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Some items in this post were gifted in exchange for a blog post. All views and opinions are my own.