Packing for a Spa Day

Last weekend we took ourselves off on a spa day for a relax and pamper. We visited the Ocean Rooms Spa at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. 

If you haven't ever treated yourself to a spa day, it can be difficult to work out what you would need to take with you and what to expect of the day. After being on a few spa days/overnight stays it's safe to say that spa facilities can vary greatly. After some bad experiences and some good ones, I think I have sussed a selection of things to take that will fit in one bag!

I have put together some tips, advice and details on what I took with me on my trip last weekend.

Before going

I usually have a quick google search of the spa itself so I know what to expect. I look on the spa's website to check what facilities are available and decide if I will eat there (if so, it's a good idea to book ahead) or whether there is a town nearby and I would rather shop and eat after.

I will also have a quick glance over some reviews, as they usually give you a heads up on things the website may not mention. These could be things such as needing change for lockers, putting a deposit down on a towel or robe. 

What to pack

First up are the essentials. I always take a towel as I prefer to dry myself with my own towels, there is no reason that you wouldn't be given a towel on arrival, but you never know! Secondly you should definitely pack a pair of flip flops, I forgot mine on this occasion and my germ-a-phobe tendencies were on full alert each time I saw a hair on the floor anywhere! 

Now you have those sorted, you are on to clothes, if you are on an overnight stay then this isn't really an issue as you can go back to your room after. You are usually given a robe and slippers to change into which is always nice.

If I am on a day trip, I put my swimwear on to go in and put loose clothes over the top such as leggings and a loose t-shirt. Last weekend we made a day of it and had lunch in town and went shopping, so I took a nice outfit for afterwards!

Fancy spa's will usually have shampoo and conditioner in the shower, but not always. I decided to take my own. At the moment I am loving the Garnier Ultimate Blends line, so I took these along with my Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil. For my body wash I took my Elemis Quiet Mind Bath Elixir, this is a bath product but I love the smell of it and the bottle was small, so I grabbed it to pack as a shower gel. I wouldn't advise taking a hair dryer as they should provide these for you. Also you don't want to be worrying about finding a plug socket!

It's completely up to you if you want to apply make-up afterwards. I had a facial as part of my treatments and my skin felt so amazing. I was advised to not apply make-up for 24 hours after, but I decided as we were going out for the rest of the day to apply some. I kept it quite simple and my foundation applied amazingly after my skin treatments. 

After swimming in the pool and showering,  I refreshed with my Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream which is amazing for some skin hydration. I am also absolutely loving the L'oreal True Match Foundation at the moment, so I took this with me. I have also recently purchased a new powder, which is the Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Powder.  I have only been using it for a couple of weeks but I think it's a great buy so far. I popped on some MAC 'Well Dressed' blusher, Rimmel Scandal Eyes eye liner and Urban Decay Super Curing Mascara.

Keep hydrated

I have been known on more than one occasion to feel ill on a spa day (memories of stuffing my face with scones after not eating for the whole day). The main cause of this is a lack of hydration. This time I equipped myself with a bottle of water, luckily there was access to a drinking water fountain by the pool at this particular spa, but in the past this hasn't always been the case. Our spa day began at 8am so I had to ensure I ate something before I went, as I knew we weren't going to eat again until lunch.

Review

Ocean Rooms Spa at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole

Image from: www.bookaspa.com

The spa itself had a really great sized pool, some hotel spa's have really tiny swimming pools, but this one was set out under a glass conservatory type building which looked out over the river. This was so lovely as it was a cold winter morning and we were warm and relaxed in the pool. There were loungers to use, a drinking fountain and a small area where you could sit and order food and drinks. There was also a room to the side which had a sauna and steam room in. I was really impressed with both of these, they were quiet- especially for a Saturday so you could have some peace, and the temperatures were really great in both these rooms. I like them quite hot, but not too hot! There was also a jacuzzi to the side of the pool which you could turn on and off yourself, we also had this to ourselves too!

The treatments were really amazing, we had them on arrival so we had the rest of our time to use the other facilities. We chose to have the back, shoulder and neck massage then we had a facial. We were offered hot stones during the massage too as a little extra, which was really nice as I hadn't had a hot stone massage before. The facial was also really gentle and refreshing, I'm not too sure what products were used (I was feeling very sleepy at this point) but there was some gentle exfoliation, oils and moisturising products used. My skin felt really glowing afterwards so I was really pleased with the results.

The one criticism I would make would be that we were given towels, but not offered slippers or a robe. I read somewhere after that you had to ask for these and pay a deposit but I didn't read this anywhere before I went. I would recommend asking about that on arrival!

Overall it was a great experience, and really good value for money!

jessica d x

All photographs are our own unless stated otherwise. We own all rights to our photographs.

LFW Street Style AW'15

Like many others, we've spent the last week drooling over shiny, perfectly shot snaps of bloggers, celebrities and the odd lucky sod (who just happened to look cool enough) on the streets of the capital for London Fashion Week. Street Style is now as much a part of the shows as the catwalks themselves, giving great style inspiration that you can get your hands on right now.

Pintrest, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs and fashion pages are full of gorgeous images, some completely bizarre, others that make you want to rush out to the shops that instant to buy the full outfit. I love to see the trends that are emerging on the streets, it definitely gets me excited for a new season of shopping!

I've gathered a few of my favourite looks from across my internet browsing below.

My tips for Spring? Midi skirts, faux fur and socks!

Which is your favourite look?

jessica h x

Garnier Skin Naturals

Micellar Cleansing Water

I really don't think I have ever had any product stand up against this one for sheer ease of makeup removal. I purchased a bottle of this when it was first launched, and I have religiously repurchased ever since. I have tried other micellar waters, including the L'oreal version, which was a bit soapy for me. The Garnier version does not feel soapy at all, it just feels like using water on your skin.

This is perfect for minimal fuss, it sweeps off your make-up in record time. You can remove every scrap of make-up with this product on a cotton wool pad, you can even rub it all around your eye area without any stinging or irritation. I say this as my own personal opinion (I have slightly sensitive skin). Those that do have sensitive skin, I would recommend giving it a test before committing to it.

I usually completely remove my makeup with this product, no eye-makeup remover needed, then have a once over with a toner. Once or twice a week I will use a facial soap in the shower for a deeper clean. I don't like using facial washes too much as they usually promote spots appearing on my skin.

I can't recommend this product enough, if you have never tried micellar water, give it a go! It will change your make-up removal routine forever!

On offer at Superdrug right now for £3.32 (normal price £4.99)


Refreshing Toner (Normal to Combination Skin)

As a long-time Clinque & Clarins user, drugstore toners are something I haven't actually tried before. My all time favourite toner is the Clarins Daily Energizer.

The Clinque toners I have tried are always so harsh and overwhelm you with their alcohol smell. If you have any open cuts of spots then it absolutely burns your skin! That's why I was looking for a more gentle toner when I saw this one on offer in Superdrug. I fell in love with it on first use, it smells so lovely and it's so gentle, but at the same time it cleans off any excess makeup residue left on your skin after the initial make-up removal. This will definitely be a re-purchase and it was an absolute bargain!

On offer at Superdrug right now for £2.10 (normal price £3.15)


Softening Cleansing Lotion (Normal to Dry Skin)

I haven't used a cleanser for a long while, I will say that you don't need the water and the cleanser. I would use one or the other. If I chose out the two I would pick the micellar water. However, this product again is so soft and gentle, and it did remove all make-up including around the eye area. I do feel a bit odd about rubbing cleanser around my eyes though, it did put me a bit on edge. I think if it got directly in the eye it may sting. I think this would be a great product to take on holiday. I hate it when my face gets burnt and I apply/remove make-up on top of sore skin (wear sun-cream sensibly folks!). I think this would be great on your face in the summer time, so definitely another recommended product!

On offer at Superdrug right now for £2.10 (normal price £3.15)


Fresh Clarifying Wash (Combination to Oily Skin)

As a recent purchase, I have used this a handful of times. I am really hesitant with new skincare products, especially with face washes. I have a routine that works, so I just stick to it.

I usually use the Clinque Liquid Face Soap, but as I like the other Garnier products I though I would give this a go. I really liked the product in itself when using it. It foamed up well and didn't have a 'soapy smell' like the Clinque one I use.

I did notice with the Garnier wash, I bought the version that is targeted at oily skin, as by the end of the working day my skin does get a little oily. It kind of stripped my skin of any oil at all. It felt a little dry after so I soaked my face in moisturiser. I also had a couple of spots pop up in the coming days, though this usually happens when I use any new skincare product. I think if you do suffer with really oily skin, this may work amazingly for you. I think I will keep it for days when my skin does feel particularly oily, and as I mentioned before, I do only use facial soaps once or twice a week.

On offer at Superdrug right now for £2.10 (normal price £3.15)

jessica d x

All photographs are our own. We own all rights to our photographs.

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Tighten your purse strings: money saving tips

Yes those shoes are a little piece of heaven on earth, but could you slowly put them down and back away in order to go a little easier on your bank account?

Saving money can give you a sense of security and freedom to do things you wouldn't otherwise be able to do. At the same time we work hard, pay our bills and you should be able to take a little away to enjoy. If you can find a balance of having a little financial back up, but you are still able to treat yourself- then you will be pretty happy with your financial situation.

In life I believe you are a saver or a spender. If you are an over spender, it is possible to change old habits and start thinking about how you can plan your finances better.

Instagram, blogging and being able to shop online means temptation is absolutely everywhere. It is important to be realistic about what you have, credit card companies are so eager to push offers on you, that it's now easier than ever for people to live way above their means.

I have listed some of my top tips on saving money away, whether it be for a house deposit, a new car or simply to have something spare for a rainy day.

1. Make a plan. Draw out your income and outgoings, be honest and realistic. Sometimes it isn't possible to know what's around the corner, but you can try plan as accurately as possible. Decide what you would like to put away without if affecting the essential outgoings, and leave yourself some left to play with. If you don't leave some disposable money, you will just find yourself constantly dipping into your savings when it comes to the non-essential spends, which will only set you back.

2. Lay out your goals. You may be saving for something in particular, or you may just want something in the bank. Whatever it is, have a goal in mind so you know what you are working towards and can stay consistent. Calculate how much you want to save and by when. Dividing your goal amount by the number of months you have will show you how much you need to save each month. Play around with your calculations until your monthly payments are going to be achievable and realistic.

3. Countdown. Showing yourself how much closer you are to achieving your goal each month will spur you on even more. You will feel a sense of reward and more importantly, the motivation to continue to save. Knowing you are one step further each month will keep the excitement going.

4. Stop and reflect. It's easy to get carried away in this want, want, want, must have society. Next time you see something you really want, leave it for a few weeks.. do you still want it as badly when some time has gone by? Secondly there is a difference between wanting and needing. If your foundation has totally run out, then you need to re-purchase. But if you already have 6 bottles in your drawer, do you really need that new YSL foundation?

5. Treat yourself. My next point totally contradicts what I just said. But it's important to clearly seperate these situations. If you have some money aside purely for your enjoyment, then treat yourself! Knowing when to treat yourself is important. It may be once a month you buy yourself a little present, but this shouldn't be happening every other day.

6. Live within your means. I see so may people that live way above their means. Always remember that people's lives aren't always what they seem. On the outside people can seem to be living the high life living with luxurious material items, bragging about them online or to friends. But behind closed doors they are struggling with out of control credit, monthly payments and living way above their means. I know people who constantly live in their overdraft, which doesn't seem like an appealing place to be, It's important to remember that what your friends are doing with their money isn't important, because it doesn't affect you.

6. Paying with credit is a choice not a necessity. Getting a good credit score is important if you are thinking about applying for something such as a mortgage, but using credit should be because you are in a position to pay it back fully. Not because you financially depend on it.

7. Surprises happen. I know I mentioned dipping into your savings can create set backs, but it's important to know that sometimes the unexpected just knocks on your door. Your washing machine could break, your car could be written off. It's great that you will be in a position to sort these situations because you have savings. So it may mean breaking your saving payments for a month or two, but stay focused and don't feel disheartened- these things happen to everyone at some point.

jessica d x

All photographs are our own. We own all rights to our photographs.

Tonal Dressing

One of my favourite "trends" around right now is tonal dressing.
I say "trends" in inverted commas as it's more a styling trend- the way your put outfits together. It's something that's been around for a little while now, but Spring is a great time to try this out as the colours are much easier to wear top to toe. Pintrest is a great was of getting some inspiration for this, I've popped some of my favourites images from my fashion board below;

All of these can be found on my personal Pintrest board here

Here's my take on this uber cool look;

1. Blush

Mixing florals & textures helps to break up the colour.

Shirt; River Island
Fur top; H&M
PU Skirt; River Island
Nude Heels; Kurt GeigerJessica Necklace; Topshop
Earrings; Topshop
Watch; Michael Kors
Lipstick; Max Factor- Lilac Wine
Nail Varnish; Nails Inc- Uptown

2. Grey

Combining prints & using denim helps this look to feel more casual & less 'put together'.
Duster Jacket; Topshop
Roll Neck Top; River Island
Mom Jeans; Topshop
Shoes; Debenhams
Earrings; River Island
Watch; Michael Kors
Nail Varnish; Barry M- White
Lipstick; Seventeen- Make An Entrance

3. Khaki

Lots of layers looks great in tonal colours, and I love the maxi length dress & cardigan.
Jumper Dress; River Island
Maxi Cardigan; Miss SelfridgeGilet; Topshop
Fur Collar; New Look
Body Chain; Primark
Earrings; Topshop
Lipstick; Sevteen - Just a Fling
Nail Varnish; Next - Utility
Wedges; Next

4. Burgundy

Another dressy look, clashing an all over colour with printed accessories is a great way to adapt a tonal outfit for a night out.
Blazer; New Look
Sheer Top; Select
Tailored Trousers; River Island
Necklace; Claires
Belt; River Island
Bag; New Look
Nail Varnish; Barry M - Crush (Matte)
Lipstick; Mac- Dark Side
Shoes; Star by Julien Macdonald at Debenhams

Do you like this look? Which is your favourite?

jessica h x

Love yourself this Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has conjured up a multitude of feelings for me over the years, at school it went from a day that was just simply nothing to do with me, to one that bought feelings of embarrassment.

I remember the 'popular girls' at school would receive cards and gifts and make a huge deal out of the day. I remember thinking it was so odd, why would anyone at 12 years old celebrate Valentine's Day?

A late bloomer to some, I didn't kiss a boy until I was 16 years old and had my first boyfriend at 17. I remember my Mom buying me a Valentine's card one year, and a friend writing me one another.

As I went through late teens, I began to take more notice of Valentine's day and either embraced it whole heartedly, or would avoid it like the plague, as I thought it just highlighted the fact I was single and feeling sorry for myself.

Of course, this was all a load of rubbish. I dealt with break ups badly and I made a huge fuss of being single, condemning myself to loneliness forever at the age of 19. Looking back this was so childish, I really shouldn't have spent so much time crying over boys!

Now slightly older and wiser at 25, I don't feel as though Valentine's Day is really anything other than an occasion for restaurants and card shops to profit from. Of course, my boyfriend and I will buy each other a card and maybe have something nice for dinner, but I don't think about it like I used to at all.

Valentine's Day should be about having fun with the people you love, whether you spend it with family, friends or your partner. Make it fun, ignore it, or simply watch a film on the sofa. But don't dwell on it or think it is anything more than it is.

This year I have purchased some fun Valentine's treats and have picked out some beauty products from my collection. Doll yourself up and make yourself feel glam, because loving yourself and boosting your own confidence should be a top priority!

Pictured above:
Red roses: Lidl
Heart place mat & coaster: Poundland
Heart cupcake: Sainsburys
Chocolate heart lollipop: Sainsburys
Heart multi-wick candle: Sainsburys
Red strap heels: New Look
Glass tea light holder: Ikea
Nail polish: Nails Inc 'St James'
Lipstick (left to right & swatches top to bottom): L'oreal Color Riche 325 Feeric Fuschia, Maybelline Color Sensational 540 Hollywood Red, MAC Ladybug
Lipgloss: Bourjois 3D Effect 06 Rouge democratic
Eyeshadow:Bourjois Smoky Eyes 01 gris dandy


Whatever you decide to do this Valentine's Day, have fun!

jessica d x

All photographs are our own. We own all rights to our photographs.

Wish list Wednesday

A few things I'm obsessing over right now;

Spring is definitely on its way when you look around any shops at the moment, a lot of colour and fresh new shapes makes for a rather long wishlist this week! (Especially as I've vowed to not buy anything until March...) 

My personal faves from the collection below are 2. Topshop Flared Jeans (can I pull them off?) and 17. Asos Checked Dress- a nod to the 70s and 60s and great for the transitional period until the weather warms up.

1. Lip Print Skirt - River Island £30
2. Flared Jeans - Topshop £40
3. Denim Dress - Topshop £38
4. Cream Mules - Dorothy Perkins £32
5. Yellow Mac - River Island £85
6. Animal Print Shirt - River Island £28
7. Pink Heels - Dorothy Perkins £25
8. Capricious Lipstick - Mac £15.50
9. Shearling Jacket - New Look £54.99
10. Denim Heels - Dorothy Perkins £27
11. Striped Shirt - Asos £28
12. Floral Trousers - Zara £35.99
13. Snakeskin Cutout Heels - Dorothy Perkins £29
14. Khaki Gypsy Top - Asos £28
15. Monochrome Skirt - River Island £35
16. Striped Dress - Zara £45.99
17. Checked Dress - Asos £35
18. Statement Neck - Asos £18
19. Cutout Silver Heeled Shoeboot - Dorothy Perkins £39
20. Yellow Satchel - New Look £17.99

What are your favourites, and whats on your wishlist this week?

Jessica h x

Charlotte Tilbury: First Impressions

'The Rock Chic' Colour-Coded Palette, 'Penelope' Pink K.i.s.s.i.n.g Lipstick & 'Bardot Beige' lip lustre luxe colour-lasting lip lacquer


I couldn't wait to get my mucky paws on these Charlotte Tilbury goodies, as you can see from my foundation- stained box!

I received these beautiful gifts for Christmas, packed away in their deep maroon and gold gift box under the tree. It is only now, in February that I feel it's time to take them out of the box and let them live amongst my other makeup... I am one of those people that has to keep new beauty products in their box, until I feel I have had them long enough to let go of the packaging. Sureley I'm not the one one that does this?

I have to say that sometimes in the blogosphere we can get sucked into thinking our whole makeup bag should be filled with expensive cosmetics, and it can be hard to keep up. I usually ask for luxury makeup and skincare items on special occasions, or buy them as a treat now and again, and have built up my collection that way.

These are my first Charlotte Tilbury products, so these are my first impressions after using them a handful of times. The packaging is really lovely and they certainly feel glamorous. There's something about the Charlotte Tilbury counter that just oozes glam, they really are a special treat for your makeup collection.

The Rock Chic Colour-Coded Palette £38

The eyeshadow quad certainly lives up to its name. It feels luxurious in it's mirrored gold packaging, with four beautiful colours inside. With a gorgeous all over lid colour, two deeper grey tones and a chunky shimmering deep silver, it is essentially all you need for a smokey eye. I was really impressed with how well the shadows applied and the shimmer colours are really soft and blend well together.

As a long standing Naked Palette super-fan it is hard for me to justify spending £38 on a quad. Urban Decay offer such amazing shadows, of high quality and such great value, that it's hard to stray away from this. However, I do think if this fits in your budget, and you are a looking for a glam quad that fits in your bag for the evening, then these are really perfect.

Penelope Pink K.i.s.s.i.n.g Lipstick £23

From the name, to the gorgeous packaging, this lipstick is a really good contender with other high end brands. I love the vintage look of the lipstick, I can imagine my Grandma carrying something similar in her handbag in the 1940's. It is a lovely nude-pink colour, with a creamy texture that glides on and doesn't feel drying. I would recommend, as with any lipstick, to scrub your lips first as it can highlight any dryness. Charlotte Tilbury actually offers a Lip Renewing Honey Bee Scrub at £20 and a Rejuvenating Smoothing Propolis Balm at £25.

If you are a fan of nude lipsticks then this is definitely one to add to your collection. It comes with a competitive price tag if you compare it to the likes of a YSL or Chanel lipstick.

Bardot Beige lip lacquer £16.50

Of the three products I have, I would say that this was my favourite one. I am trying to get into lip lacquer, as I was put off by the lipgloss school-day-stereotype of a sickly sweet, sticky mess. (I remember carrying a Lancome Juicy Tube in my denim jacket pocket and thinking I looked ultra glam!)

However, times have changed and lip glosses and lacquers have come a long way since then. This one in particular is a really lovely formulation. It is super creamy and glossy without being sticky. It is really opaque, so the colour you see is the colour provided on your lips. It also lasts quite a while before re-applying. It eliminates the need for a base colour as it's pay off it really strong. I would be interested to try another shade, as I really love this product.


I am impressed with the products that Charlotte Tilbury has to offer. They would make fabulous wedding day makeup purchases, as they would be great products to keep and look back on your special day with. I think their 'Get The Look' boxes are great gifts, as they are a way to try a range of their products.

jessica d x

All photographs are our own. We own all rights to our photographs.

Benefit Skincare Review

I began January on a quest for better skin, as I do quite often. As someone that suffers with problem skin, I have tried many many products which claim to tame it, even fix it. Some work for a while, some not at all, others send my sensitive skin into a frenzy the moment I put it on my face. I really hoped Benefit would be different...

It is worth mentioning that these purchases were a bit of an impulse buy. I needed a new moisturiser and had been browsing the beauty counters in Boots when the girl working at the Benefit stand asked me if she could do my make up. I had some time to kill and fancied trying the brand so I agreed. She talked me through a whole range of products from skincare right through to mascara, she was fantastic and my make up looked great (a good bit of customer service obviously goes a long way!) Eventually I decided to purchase two skincare products 'Triple Performing Face Emulsion' and 'Boo Boo Zap'. I've now been using them for about a month so now seems like a good time to share my thoughts.

Triple Performing Face Emulsion (£21.50)

This product is above all, a moisturiser. It claims to 'hydrate, protect & comfort the skin with an oil-free, lightweight formula'. On the whole, I would agree with this statement, it is most definitely a lightweight moisturiser, and it leaves my skin feeling really fresh and bright. It has a really fresh smell, which is great in the morning, and it is a great base for make up, it really does feel like an 'emulsion' without feeling heavy. The product goes a long way, you don't need much for you whole face & neck. Also, the packaging is beautiful!
My main issue with this product is that I don't really find it very moisturising. Considering I have troublesome skin, it can be very dry so I feel like I always need a strong moisturiser but I always avoid anything too heavy. (Not an easy balance to find!) With this product I feel like I still need a moisturiser first, then apply this on top as it gives such a great finish. This is just a little disappointing as I expected much more from the brand. However, if you do not have dry skin, I would really recommend giving it a go.

Boo Boo Zap (£13.50)

This is a 'specialist' product from Benefit's skincare range for acne and spots. As with many spot treatments it aims to dry out the spot, reduce redness and purify the area to stop new spots from forming. The great thing about this product as different from others is that it is a clear liquid- meaning you can apply it under or over your makeup, and can re apply it multiple times throughout the day.

This appealed to me as I have found products in the past that have worked to really dry out spots (PanOxyl, Freederm) but they are only really for use under make up so not great if you're out all day. 

Boo Boo Zap seems to be doing the job so far, though maybe not quite as well as some stronger products I have used before. I also don't feel like it will last long for the price. Even so, applying it throughout the day has helped to keep pesky spots getting worse. 

Have you tried these products? Or do you have any products you could reccomend?

Until then, the quest continues...

Jessica h x

All photographs are our own. We own all rights to our photographs.

Our January Eight

Welcome to jessicajessica! We have finally crossed the finish line of January. We may not have made it to the gym as often as we thought, a chocolate brownie may have passed our lips, and the 'new me' may not have kicked herself into place just yet.. but we are ready to promise ourselves all over again in February.. sort of..

So we welcome you to our first blog post! jessicajessica is composed of one beauty lover and one fashion frontier, we will bring you double the products, double the reviews and double the content.

So lets delve straight into the products we have rated this January..

jessica d

Essence Longlasting Lipstick
06 Barely There!

An amazing find of a lipstick for a steal at £2.30. The quality of this product is unbelievable, a great formula with even greater colour pay off. With a non-offensive smell and no tacky packaging, you wouldn't think that you had just paid less than a Costa coffee for this beauty bargain. This Kylie Jenner- esque shade should be in every girls makeup bag. Essence products are available at most Wilko stores.

The Body Shop
Vitamin E Moisture Cream

This moisturiser came into my life as a freebie from a Body Shop online order. When it comes to moisturisers I look for three things: a pleasant scent (you are putting it on your face every day), a good formulation and it has to be void of any greasiness. This moisturiser is pretty much ticking all of those boxes. I am currently using it morning and night, in between other products. I was wary of introducing a new product into my current longstanding moisturiser members club. However this one seemed to settle in quite nicely. I will be honest in saying the scent draws me to this moisturiser the most, however it didn't seem to unsettle the balance in my skin.

Collection Lasting Gel Nail Colour
10 Almost Nude

I have been looking for a good neutral polish shade for a while. This Collection polish has a nice caramel look to it, with a creamy smooth formulation. I really think these are great nail polishes. I have a some more expensive nail polishes, that in all honesty haven't lasted very long. I do much prefer the cheaper brands, as you don't feel so guilty about money wasting when it comes to clearing them out. This polish provides great coverage in just one coat.

Clinique All About Eyes (rich)

My all time favourite eye cream. This product comes in two types of formulations, one for all skin types and this one, which is the 'rich' formulation. Having tried both, I do prefer the rich formulation as it is similar to the texture of a body butter. It really soothes the eyes and leaves you feeling as though it is soaking into the skin. I really believe it is worth investing time and a good product into the skin around your eyes, starting from a young age. The skin around that area is a lot thinner than the rest of your face, so putting a nice moisturiser into that area will ensure it's taken care of later in life.

jessica h

Lush Mask of Magnaminty
This mask is the holy grail of all rescue remedies in my book! I've been partial to a Lush face mask for a while, nothing says pamper like a face masks and a huge mug of tea on a Sunday eve. The 'Mask of Magnaminty' is my absolute fave. Its got a really strong minty smell which is instantly refreshing. The thick texture feels like its really sinking into your skin whilst it's on, and the exfoliating texture is great when washing it off. Every time I've used it it leaves my skin feeling tingly, fresh and soft and I can really see a difference the next morning. A small pot is just £5.50 and you can probably get about 10 masks out of it.

Soap & Glory
Whipped Clean Luxe Cream Wash
I (like many others) received the Soap & Glory gift set from Boots this Christmas, and I'm really loving the products inside. My top pick has to be this "Whipped Clean" shower butter. It smells divine! As someone that loves a long shower full of beautiful smelling products, this has shot straight to the top of my list. It smells somewhere between popcorn and freshly baked biscuits, really good enough to eat. The product itself is also fantastic, really creamy, yet still foams up well, leaving your skin feeling moisturised and very soft.

Slogan Tee's
I've always been a fan of a good slogan tee, and they are perfect for jazzing up a lazy January outfit. These two can be found here ('Mr. Styles' - River Island) and here ('Kate' - Boohoo). They look great to dress down those party season skirts, or (if you're like me) to add a bit of cool to the comfy jeans you've been hiding in all month. You only have to take one look at the street style pages on Pintrest to see how cool these babies can look...
I've also listed a few more on my wishlist right now below;
'Pizza Never Lies' - Asos
'Totally Agree with Myself' - New Look
& my personal favourite
'Faux Sake' - Topshop

Statement necklaces
Theres some really gorgeous statement necks around right now, a great way of bringing a bit of glam to a dark winter wardrobe. I've been really drawn the brighter colours in the ones above- they've also been a pretty purse friendly way of updating outfits when trying to claw back the bank balance after December! Just match up a pair of heels, clutch bag or nail polish and you're ready to hit the town & put the January blues behind you.
Clockwise from top; Claire's Accessories, New Look, Johnny Loves Rosie, River Island & Primark



What have been your favourite products been this month?

jessica d & jessica h x

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