Prismologie Skincare Reviewed

What a real treat it has been trying out and experiencing luxury skincare brand Prismologie. Created to inspire people to embrace the mood enhancing powers of colours, through six distinctive colours chosen for their unique qualities. I know it enhanced my mood when this splash of colour arrived through my letterbox!

The six colours are - White for Clarity, Yellow for Confidence, Pink for Comfort, Green for Serenity, Red for Vigour and Indigo for Stillness. Diamonds, Citrines, Rose Quartz, Jades, Rubies and Sapphires are crushed into the formulations for their wellbeing properties. Working with leading Perfumers they created fragrances that unfold to complement the colours - Neroli for Clarity, Bergamot for Confidence, Rose for Comfort, Vetiver for Serenity, Cedarwood for Vigour and Oud for Stillness. The result is some really quite stunning scents for the products.

But do they work?

I was sent the above products to try out and below are my thoughts

Prismologie Jade & Vetiver Hand Exfoliant 75ml £35

Prismologie say - A creamy gel, enriched with moisturising oils, fine exfoliants, jade micro-crystals and the serene scent of vetiver to cleanse, restore and refine working hands.

My thoughts 

This is a really gentle exfoliator that leaves hands feeling nourished (from the moisturising oils) super smooth and soft and beautifully cleansed. The scent is lovely and warming. Just gorgeous and a perfect base to apply your hand cream.

Prismologie Citrine and Bergamot Shower Gel 200ml £30 & Body Lotion £30

Prismologie say 

Shower Gel - A foaming gel with brightening mineral and botanical extracts, citrine micro-crystals and the refreshing scent of Bergamot to leave you feeling thoroughly cleansed and good to glow.

Body Lotion - A silky lotion infused with botanical oils, citrine extract and Bergamot fragrance to hydrate and awaken skin for a thoroughly radiant you.

My thoughts 

If you are looking for a bright and uplifting start to your morning then you will adore this sunny combination of Shower Gel and matching Body Lotion. The shower gel is just how you expect a shower gel to be and the Body Lotion is wonderfully light so it absorbs instantly leaving wonderfully soft skin. As ever the scent is fantastic, zesty but not overpowering.

Prismologie Hand and Cuticle Cream with Rose and Rose Quartz 75ml £30 

Prismologie say  - A sensuous cream enriched with botanical extracts, Rose Quartz micro-crystals and Rose fragrance to soothe and moisturise stressed hands

My thoughts 

I really like rose scented products but I am fussy, they cannot be that old lady rose scent that I think most people deplore, it has to be like a delicate flower. Happily for me this hand cream has a beautifully light and fresh rose scent that is just the perfect pick me up, it's more a like a hint of rose which I think will appeal to most people. The lotion is once again light but does the job of softening hands with just a small amount of product. 75ml will last you ages.

Prismologie Foot Cream with Oud and Sapphire 75ml £28

Prismologie say - A deeply moisturising cream with antioxidants, mood enhancing actives, Sapphire micro-crystals and Oud fragrance to help soothe your tired feet and leave skin soft and supple

My thoughts 

This is my favourite product in the whole range. Quite frankly the best smelling footcare product I have ever used. Usually foot creams are fragranced with lavender which is not a scent that personally appeals to me much, this product pleasingly does not contain it, hurrah!

I apply this as I go to bed and it gets to work. Moisturising for truly soft feet and calming, relaxing my mind, aiding sleep with its warm and musky Oud scent. Sublime.

Skin Care for mind & body, I love it!

For more details visit www.prismologie.com

Summer Ready Feet in Five Easy Steps

Here is my guide to getting Summer ready feet in just five easy steps.

I must confess the idea of going to a salon and having a pedicure is not my idea of fun, I much prefer to do it in the comfort of my home and using these tools it takes just a few minutes.

1. Soak feet.
2. Trim nails, going in a straight line (if you have thicker, more problematic nails use *Boots          Pharmaceuticals Toe Nail Clippers (£8.49) these are just brilliant as I can vouch)
3. Buff off hard skin from the soles of your feet - I like the Scholl Pedi Express which makes light work of it.
4. Deeply moisturise those feet - I am currently loving *Boots Intensive Foot Softener 150ml (5.99). It smelly lovely (no lavender here!) and really softens skin leaving it silky soft and it heals cracked heals thanks to the ingredient UREA.
5. Finally, choose a fabulously bright coloured nail polish and paint away! I hate waiting for polish to dry so I am using 60 Seconds Super Shine by Rita Ora for RimmelLondon in shade Bestival. One application is all you need for super shiny nails and it dries fast. Perfect!

Now dig out those sandals and show off those feet!

Nail polish - 60 Seconds Super Shine - Rita Ora for RimmelLondon - Bestival 

*PR Samples 

Scholl Velvet Smooth Pedi Express Review

Just as you thought it was time to put away your sandals and break out the Winter boots, September has brought the warm weather back once again. It appears that it has taken people by surprise that they have to wear their sandals and so I have noticed some feet that look like they need some TLC, really today with the tools out there within easy reach, there really is no excuse! No need to say I don't have time for a pedi as nowadays you can do it yourself in the comfort of your own home...

Scholl Velvet Smooth Pedi Express got my feet Summer Ready in just a few minutes and throughout the Summer I have continued with this fast and easy footcare regime, ensuring my feet always look fabulous and feel super soft.

Scholl say 

The Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi is an electric foot file for the professional removal of hard skin skin at home. Its roller surface furnished with microgranulates removes excess hard skin in no time and almost magically softens the soles of your feet starting with the first use. Easier than ever before!

The Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi functions without any sharp blades and is furnished with a safety stop that stops the device as soon as too much pressure is applied to the skin.

My thoughts 

Chunkier and wider than the original Scholl Pedi, this demolishes hard skin in seconds, followed by a routine of the Scholl Velvet Smooth Intense Serum and daily application of the Scholl Velvet Smooth Essential Moisture Cream, gorgeous feet can be yours.

The Serum and Foot Cream have a fresh, pleasant scent and the cream is non greasy and absorbs in seconds. Simple, effective and affordable home treatment.

Can you afford not to have fabulous feet?

*PR Samples

Elemis Treat Your Feet Foot Cream Review - Summer Feet

With Summer well and truly arriving at the weekend (well it may not last but hey you will be prepared!) it is time to get feet out on display, personally I have been maintaining my feet all year round as you just never know when you will get a chance to break out the Sandals and flash those feet.

Well as the temperatures rose, I was ready with the Sandals and all that was needed was a quick application, and I really mean a super quick, of Pedi fabulous Rimmel London's 60 Seconds in Coralicious. Just one application is needed for a full opacity sunny Coral shade that has you good to go..

My current foot cream love is Elemis Treat Your Feet Foot Cream from the Sp@ Home Body Soothing Range which I apply to my feet every evening, just before bed.

Elemis say 

Rich in conditioning shea butter and jojoba oil, this intensely moisturising foot cream melts beautifully into the skin, smoothing and hydrating rough dry areas. Infused with a blend of aromatic patchouli, eucalyptus, and lemon oils to help soothe and comfort.

My thoughts 

This rich cream has a lovely texture that absorbs fast leaving feet feeling conditioned, moisturised and silky soft and smooth. Although I apply all over my feet, I take particular care to apply more to the areas that need it most like the heels. As it smells so good and calming I like to apply it at night and inhale the soothing scent coming from my feet.

So good! Elemis certainly put the 'treat' into treatment.

Elemis Treat Your Feet Foot Cream 75ml £19

*PR Sample

Smiths Of Jersey - Spa Quality Products In Your Home

I have had a lovely pampering morning at home with new British bodycare brand Smiths Of Jersey. Inspired by the sea, the capsule range consists of four products. Certified organic and harnessing the benefits of local seaweeds and marine extracts this is a luxurious range of products that bring the Spa into your home.

Smiths of Jersey Regenerating Honey & Sea Salt Body Scrub 200ml £24.95

Smiths say

Say goodbye to dry areas and a dull complexion with this luxuriously nourishing Thalasso Body Scrub. Mineral-rich Atlantic Salt blended with Honey, Shea Butter, Organic Sweet Almond Oil and Marine Extracts gently exfoliates and removes impurities, rapidly renewing the skin cells and intensely moisturising to restore softness, suppleness and radiance to the skin – for spa-quality results at home.

My thoughts 

This body scrub is to be applied to dry skin and then washed off using a body wash (I used the one in the collection) It feels buttery soft out of the container but as it is rubbed over the skin you can feel the grains of salt as they exfoliate the skin. It has a pleasant scent that is slightly salty. As water made contact with it, my skin felt like I had applied grease to it but I needn't have worried because as soon as the body wash was applied the scrub rinsed off leaving my skin soft and smooth.

Smiths of Jersey Marine Rich Detoxifying Bath & Shower Wash 300ml £19.95

Smiths say 

Experience pure spa indulgence at home with this soft lathering organic body wash. Packed with detoxifying and toning Marine Extracts, collagen-boosting Sea Kelp, Barley Sprout Floral Water and Papaya Extracts to deeply cleanse, maintain pH balance and rapidly renew the skin cells - leaving the skin feeling soft, supple and revitalised.

My thoughts 

The bath and shower wash has a gel like texture that just glides across the skin, it doesn't foam which personally I prefer in my body washes. This has a delicate fresh scent which I liked, feels really gentle to the skin and my skin felt beautifully soft when I stepped out of the bath.

Smiths of Jersey Sheer Hydration Body Lotion 200ml £24.95

Smiths say

Gently massage this sensationally silky lotion into the legs, arms and feet for the ultimate skin treat. Packed with revitalising Marine Extracts, Propolis, Elemi oil and Organic Cornflower Water to effectively restore skin’s natural moisture balance, increase suppleness and alleviate the signs of ageing. Skin is left feeling deeply soothed, hydrated and silky smooth, without a dry patch in sight.

My thoughts 

Once again the scent on the body lotion is really delicate which is ideal for those of us who are not overly keen on heavily scented products and prefer our scent to come from our perfume.. Texture wise this is a really light lotion which absorbs fast and does a fabulous job of hydrating the skin. At the end of my pamper session I was surprised at how super smooth my skin was, how even the tone and flawless my legs appeared. You know when you see airbrushed legs in adverts?..well that is how my legs looked.

Smiths Of Jersey Nourishing Ultra-Rich Hand & Foot Cream 100ml £18.95

Smiths say

A beauty must-have, this organic hand & foot cream has a sensationally rich texture that melts into the skin. Enriched with moisturising Shea Butter, soothing and hydrating Sea Fennel, collagen-boosting Sea Kelp and other revitalising Marine Extracts to effectively nourish, moisturise and regenerate dry and cracked skin, restoring silky smooth softness to hard-working hands and feet.

My thoughts 

Oh now this was amazing. The hand and foot cream is reasonably light in texture but made light work of my feet, leaving them literally like silk and incredibly soft that I couldn't stop feeling them! I absolutely loved this product. As with the other products the scent was delicate.

Final thoughts

Often I read descriptions and claims of products and take them with a pinch of salt but it was hard to disagree with the words from Smiths Of Jersey, having used the products I found myself nodding along as I agreed with everything they said. The products provided me with a spa like experience in my home, were a real pleasure to use and left my skin feeling so good that I just could not fault them. Home pampering at its finest.

For more information visit www.smithsofjersey.com

*PR Samples

Scholl Express Pedi Review - Summer Feet

With all this glorious weather it is time the feet were out on display so I have been giving my feet some much due TLC and treated them to the Scholl Express Pedi followed by some intense moisturisation with Scholl Dry Skin Instant Recovery Cream.

I have had the Express Pedi for a while now and finally felt able to unwrap it and put it to good use... the wrapping is a nightmare to open!!

However, thankfully, the product is incredibly easy to use. Billed as 'Professional Hard Skin Removal At Home' the Express Pedi makes light work and takes very little effort to operate. Once you pop in the included 2 x AA batteries you switch it on and are good to go.

To use, you just turn the pedi on and apply the rotating roller with light to medium pressure to the hard skin.

Results 

In seconds it had pretty much removed all the hard skin on my feet ( I will say now I don't have really bad hard skin but it was beginning to bother me) and delightfully collected the shavings (okay maybe that is a bit gross) in the base of the revolving sandpaper section.

Pain-free, fast, easy and effective. I think this is a brilliant product and the only thing letting it down is the lack of a little collection point for the shavings, which you can then empty, as really they are free to fly anywhere.

Replacement heads will need to be purchased.

Warning

Do not use on very cracked or bloody skin. Keep out of reach of children. If the skin is sore or inflamed, discontinue use of the product. Store in a safe place. Make sure the device does not get wet. Don’t use for longer than 20 minutes at a time. This product is NOT SUITABLE for diabetics and those with poor blood circulation.

Scholl Express Pedi £39.99

I followed by applying Scholl Dry Skin Instant Recovery Cream £5.99.  This is a fairly rich and hydrating cream, using both together the results were super soft, silky feet. Softer than I have had in years.

Final thoughts 

I use the Express Pedi every 3 or so days and am moisturising my feet daily to maintain the fabulous feet results.

*PR Samples

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Revitalising Leg Treatment - Summer Ready Legs

I was recently invited to experience a new Mandara Spa Treatment - The Island Paradise Revitalising leg Treatment. I popped along to the divine Spa based at the Park Plaza Hotel Westminster Bridge for the 50 minute treatment and allowed myself to drift away to paradise.

Developed exclusively for Mandara Spa this detoxifying and contouring treatment for the legs combine hero
products from the Island Paradise bath & body spa collection.

Treatment claims

Inspired by the Maldives, the potent benefits of grapefruit, lemon and white tea combined with an intensive lymphatic drainage treatment using traditional bamboo massage techniques, will help stimulate a sluggish circulation, reduce fluid retention and smooth the appearance of cellulite. Tired, heavy legs will feel energised whilst the skin will feel beautifully smooth and look healthy and toned – the perfect preparation for summer.

What it involves

• To help kick-start poor circulation, an intensive dual-action treatment of dry-brushing, followed by exfoliation will have an invigorating effect on the legs. The Island Paradise Intensive Body Scrub combines crushed peach stone granules and coconut shells to thoroughly exfoliate the skin in preparation for the massage.

• Next the Island Paradise Cooling Gel is generously applied and massaged into the legs and thighs. The cooling,menthol action will further help stimulate blood flow and refresh tired legs.

• Legs are then wrapped, a technique that enhances the benefits of the cooling gel by restricting blood flow in the capillaries and helps to reduce any puffiness. Feet then receive a massage with the Island Paradise Foot Butter and placed into cotton socks for an intense nourishing treatment.

• Whilst your feet and legs undergo their transformation,enjoy a wonderfully relaxing head and shoulder massage.

• The treatment is finished with a traditional warm bamboo massage. Designed to stimulate the lymphatic drainage, it will help flush away the build up of toxins and fatty deposits that can lead to the appearance of cellulite. The legs will appear more toned and contoured whilst feeling revitalised and beautifully soft to the touch.

My thoughts and a mini review of the products used.

The treatment from start to finish was sublime. The room was warm and inviting, the music calm and relaxing. my therapist had a wonderfully soothing voice. The scrub was harsh but pleasant for a real exfoliating and invigorating feeling that woke up the legs.  The cooling gel's icy cool effects were really rather pleasurable as it gained momentum having been wrapped. I normally dislike my feet being massaged but the foot massage was gentle and non tickly which made it bearable.. I absolutely loved the head and shoulder massage which identified tense areas and my therapist recommended that I had regular massages to ease this. The highlight of the treatment was the warm bamboo massage on my legs. This was a delightful contrast to the iciness that had preceded it.

At the end of the treatment my legs felt extremely light and the softest and smoothest I have ever felt them to be. I felt ready to bare them.

Bringing the spa to your home... You can replicate the spa treatment at home.. sadly minus the professional massage, with the affordable products that are used during the treatment.

Product reviews - products available to purchase from Sainsbury's.

Island Paradise Intensive Body Scrub £8.00 - Slightly lemony and citrus in scent this is a grainy and highly effective exfoliator.

Island Paradise Refreshing Cooling Gel £5.00 - Containing menthol the scent is very similar to Tunes, which I find really quite appealing and cannot help inhaling. The cooling effect is fab and would be highly enjoyable on a hot sunny day!

Island Paradise Softening Foot Butter £4.00 - This also has a citrus lemon scent, resembling a lemon cream. This foot butter is semi thick, absorbs fast and leaves feet smelling wonderful and super soft and silky.

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Revitalising Leg Treatment 

Price: £85.00 for 50 minutes

*PR Samples

Elemis Best Of British Face And Body Collection

Had to share this fabulous box set from Elemis - Best of British Face And Body Collection.

Presented in a stunning gift box it features many of my skincare favourites and represents excellent value for money.

Inside you will find:

Tranquil Touch Indulgent Bath Elixir 300ml
Wild Lavender Hand & Body Lotion 50ml
Pro Collagen Marine Cream 30ml
Melting Cleansing Gel 20ml
Tranquil Touch Body Polish 50ml
Treat your Feet Foot Cream 20ml

The set costs £49 but is worth £83! Saving you a massive £34.

I think that is worth shouting about.

Available to buy now at www.timetospa.co.uk

L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream

I was given this as a gift for Christmas and I am so glad to have received it - It is my miracle foot cream! The Shea Butter Foot Cream has completely transformed my feet. This winter they have been hidden away from the world and it has been easy to neglect them. I had noticed that my soles were dry and a little hard and was looking for something a little special to pamper them with.

I have often wanted to try L'Occitane products. Browsing on their web-site I came across this description of the foot cream -

A prescription for relief and well-being. Rich in nourishing shea butter (15%) and containing antiseptic A.O.C. lavender essential oil to purify and anti-inflammatory arnica extract to help reduce redness and irritation, this cream moisturises and relieves irritated and tired feet.

This sounded ideal and promptly found its way onto my Christmas List.

I have been using this after bathing or at night before bed and have found it to be just perfect and luxurious - my feet are now beautifully silky soft with not a hint of dryness. It feels like I am having a pampering treat every day as it is rubbed in. The scent of the cream is lavender which I must admit I am not a huge fan of but it is light and doesn't linger.

If you have hard skin you may need to use a pumice or similar in addition to this cream.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream costs £17 for 150mls and is available from L'Occitane shops, concessions and from their website www.uk.loccitane.com