Devonshire Spa Experience and New Ishga Facial

After a horrific journey to Buxton, (Bank Holiday traffic nightmare), I was MORE than ready for my spa treatment. The Devonshire Spa invited me to try out the latest edition to their treatment menu, the Ishga Facial, which features their brand new Exfoliating Face Mask.

I've never been to a spa before, but I was so glad to try out the spa and treatments after a few stressful weeks.





The treatment began with a foot scrub, I dipped my feet into warm water and the therapist began to massage the feet with salt scrub to remove any dead skin cells. We chatted about my skin care concerns so the treatment could be targeted more on my problem areas. I currently have 3 mountains on my chin, (cystic acne is not fun, thanks hormones for creating those), so I asked if the treatment could help reduce the size of those and help my oily skin.

Once my feet were dry, I lay down on the bed and the treatment began. Soft sweeping motions with a cleanser removed any traces of make-up.

Each step was slowly applied and massaged into the skin, the experience was very relaxing and soothing. The products that were used in the routine are as follows:

Hebridean Sea & Salt Oil Scrub - Used to exfoliate the dead skin cells during the foot scrub.

Ishga Active Cleansing Lotion - Used to remove traces of make-up and to create a fresh canvas for other products.

Hebridean Marine Toner - Used to cleanse the pores and revitalise the skin.

Ishga Exfoliating Face Mask - High quality seaweed is combined with seawater to create a revitalising, repairing and moisturising mask.

Nourishing Face Oil - To rehydrate and balance the skin.

Peel Off Power Mask and Seaweed Extract - These are professional only products, which are mixed together. It has a cooling sensation, and peels off.

Invigorating Body Oil - Used during the mask while it sets, it's massaged over the arms and chest to further relax you.

Regenerating Face Serum - Aimed at treating pigmentation and ageing.

Anti-Oxidant Marine Cream - Seaweed extract helps to freshen, brighten and hydrate the skin.

Two masks were used in the treatment which I've never thought of doing, combining two can help you target two skin concerns. The Ishga Exfoliating Face Mask was used first, the therapist used tapping motions to apply it to my skin. She used one finger with the products on and tapped spots all over my face until the joined up to create a full mask. This is to help the active ingredients work their way into the skin as the mask sets. I'll be trying this with my other masks to improve their performance.

The Ishga Exfoliating Face Mask has rich ingredients such as seaweed, which has high levels of skin boosting vitamins and anti-oxidants, as well as aloe vera and cucumber extract.

The second mask was a cooling gel which was applied thickly over the skin. It's cooling ingredients really helped to lift my skin and keep it taught and smooth. The best bit was that it peeled off in a thick sheet.

After the facial had ended I took a look at my skin and it was so firm and clearer. Since the treatment I have noticed the cystic acne reduce in size. I'd love to have a spa treatment each month but it's a little out of my budget. I would however recommend it before special occasions, it was 55 minutes of pure relaxation.

Afterwards, I was treated to tea and cake, honestly the sticky toffee cake was heavenly, the perfect end to my day. If you want a pamper, I would fully recommend the Devonshire Spa in Buxton. The staff are incredibly friendly, the treatments are so relaxing and you'll see improvements to your skin instantly.



Have you ever been on a spa day? 

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*The treatment was complementary, but all views are my own.

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One Wash Wonder: MAC Groundwork Paint Pot Review

MAC's Bare Study paint pot was a disappointment to me, a shimmery unblendable mess, so I was put off buying any other shades from the range. There was a moment of weakness at Cheshire Oaks' Cosmetics Company Outlet and I decided on a whim to purchased Groundwork, a warm matte brown shade.

It's a dream, I know that it's a big statement to make but I am in love with this paint pot. It's creamy and easy to blend, I use a MAC 217 to diffuse any harsh lines and blend the colour up towards my brow bone. The colour is just what I wanted, it adds definition and a slight eye socket contour without being too dark.

I currently team it with smudge out brown pencil liner from Urban Decay, just across my lash line and lashings of mascara.

It's a one wash of colour wonder, all done in one sweep and swish of a blending brush. You need it!

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Ooh La La Spring - Spring Picnic with Joules Clothing

Spring feels like a new beginning doesn't it? I just want to be out in the sun. Joules provided me with a picnic blanket and cool bag to take on a Summer picnic, so Rhys and I travelled to Chester and found a nice patch of grass down by the river.

I teamed the red and blue stripped Harbour top with blue jeans and my new suede Faith boots. I enjoyed the sun on the Navy Floral Fold and Carry Picnic Blanket and brought along the Flip Flap Lunch Bag.

Joules' Spring/Summer clothing range is lovely, you can expect high quality, English inspired designs. I also have a Chambray shirt from Joules which I plan to wear with jeans and converse for a relaxed look.

Fancy having a picnic yourself? Check out Joules' collection here.
I'd like to say a special thank you to Rhys for taking these shots!

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Manuka Doctor ApiClear Foaming Facial Cleanser, Skin Treatment Serum and Bee Venom Mask Review

Honey is well known for it's health and skincare benefits, that's why I was eager to try some skincare items from Manuka Doctor.

I've previously talked about my oily, acne prone skin, it's a bit of a nightmare at times. The ApiClear range from Manuka Doctor, is formulated to prevent acne and dramatically improve your skin's quality. I've been trying out the ApiClear Foaming Facial Cleanser and the ApiClear Skin Treatment Serum.

I always expect acne face washes to be a gel, which is drying, just like my La Roche Posay Foaming Gel Cleanser, but the ApiClear Foaming Facial Cleanser one is a cream, which is super soft on the skin. It foams nicely under water and doesn't leave my skin feeling uncomfortably tight or dry. Recently, my skin has been a little more balanced then usual so I don't have any active breakouts but I think this wash has prevented any more spots occurring.


The ApiClear Skin Treatment has replaced my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, while I've been testing it. I have quite a few steps in my skin regime, I would use the Foaming Cleanser, then my La Roche Posay Serozinc as a toner, followed by the ApiClear Serum. Unfortunately, I felt like the serum alone wasn't even to moisturise my skin, so I would add my La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Treatment over the top to complete the routine.
I did wake up the next morning and noticed my skin was a lot more plumped and the acne scars looked slightly reduced. I'd like to test this further to see if it can reduce my scars more over a 3 month period.

The last product I'll be talking about is their Best Selling Rejuvenating Bee Venom Face Mask.  This is something I wanted to try because of it's 'bee venom' ingredient. Apparently Bee Venom has a combination of enzymes, peptides and amino acids, which are anti-ageing and help blemish prone skin.
From what it looks like in the pot, you'd imagine it to be a thick face cream, but it's a firm cream, which you slather all over your face and leave to dry. It does tighten and dry like other masks, but it's transparent/off white colour threw me, you can hardly see it as you apply it.
Once it's had 10 minutes to dry, I washed it off with warm water, it gave me a boost of moisturise, without being greasy and my skin looked more plump, like before with the serum.

*Yes that's my unphotoshopped face, shock horror!

Overall, I'm impressed by Manuka Doctor's products. I like the scent of the products, and have a seen improvements in my skin, although they aren't dramatic changes, but changes still. The products are well balanced, the products don't leave you too greasy or too dry and my skin has been thankful for this.

Have you ever tried products from Manuka Doctor?

*This post contains PR samples

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Spring Wishlist feat. Topshop, ASOS, Next and Boden

I've been on an unintentional spending ban, I paid off my holiday to Barcelona off in one pay check, so that didn't leave me lot of money to play with. I'd love some pretty summer dress and sandals for my holiday! Instead I've been window shopping online, mostly at things I can afford, but I thought I'd show you want I'm currently lusting over!

You can click the product so you can go to the item directly!

Do you like any items from my Spring Wishlist?

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A Red Lip and Neutral Eye Make Up Look with MeMeMe Cosmetics

I first heard of the brand MeMeMe when I was looking for Benefit dupes, they had some lovely boxed blushes just like their higher end counterparts. Since then MeMeMe have expanded their lines and created products, which have a great write up in the beauty community.

Today's look was created using two of their products, the Enchanted Eyes Dual Ended Eye Wand in Burnt Amber and their new release, the MeMeMe Lip Glide in Deep Scarlet.

I used the lighter end of the Eye Wand, which is a super pretty nude with a shimmer, all over the lid and blended the darker colour, a sheeny taupe, in the outer V. The colours really helped define my eyes without too much heaviness. Of course, I added my favourite eye liner, SuperCat from Soap and Glory and a few coats of mascara to bring it together.

As for the lip colour, it's just stunning. I'm used to matte reds, so this was a welcomed change, which was more comfortable to wear on the lips. It's easy to apply and lasts well, and I think the dark red shade would suit everyone.

Have you tried anything from MeMeMe?

*This post contains PR samples

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Spontaneity - A Trip to North West Wales Photo Diary

The thought of an empty Bank Holiday weekend was a little depressing so I asked Rhys along to Harlech, where my family own a caravan. The trip wasn't planned so unfortunately I didn't have my DSLR so my iPhone captured the scenery. Forgive the quality, spontaneity doesn't mean you are well prepared!

I took hundreds of photos as the views on Criccieth Beach and the Castle hill top, it was blue seas for as far as the eye could see, I've selected my favourites to show you.

There is something about the sea that calms me, and the sea breeze blows away the cobwebs, leaving you windswept but refreshed. This weekend left me dreaming of growing old by the sea.

What did you get up to over the Bank Holiday?

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My Clarins Counter Experience: Skin Consultation and Makeover

My two favourite beauty bloggers, Caroline Hirons and Vivianna Does Makeup always rave over Clarins products, but I've never actually tried anything from the brand.

I've had my drugstore blinkers on and shopped the lower end priced items in the aisles of Boots, but something that Caroline Hirons always says, is invest in skincare, so I popped along to the Broughton counter, just outside of Chester, to see their latest products.

Bare faced and ready, I was welcomed by the lovely ladies Amelia and Danni, both wearing immaculate make-up (jealous!). I sat on their red chair and to start my skincare consultation. Amelia explained how they like to create a 'Clarins Bubble' with a spritz of their fragrance around the head, the scent takes you away from the shop floor to a spa like treatment zone.

We began with a skincare consultation, Amelia asked a few questions about my skin. It's generally very oily and spotty but after she felt my skin she discovered it was also dehydrated. Yes oily skin can be dehydrated!

The first step she used was the Purify One-Step Cleanser, just to remove any make-up on the skin, this was followed up by the Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. Caroline raves about this toner so I was excited to see it in action at the counter. It's ingredients create a chemical exfoliation of the skin, which gets rid of any dead skin cells and leaves the skin looking fresh.

The next two steps were the Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum and the Ultra-Matte Rebalancing Lotion. The Serum, again refreshes the skin, it's properties are much like the Toner in that they help fade acne scarring too. Moisture was added to the skin at the right balance by the Lotion, which mattifies the skin, ready for make-up and keeps you oil free through out the day.

I'd explained to Amelia that my eye area was dry and crepey, which she remedied with the Eye Contour Gel, which has a wonderful cooling sensation to de-puff your bags. I've been using it since the consultation and I adore it! 

I also got to preview their best selling Lotus Face Treatment Oil, it's so luxurious to the touch and smells so spa like, a perfect pick me up treatment for your skin.

We then moved onto the makeover part of the consultation. Taking into consideration my oily skin, Amelia matched me with the Everlasting Foundation in 103. The famous Instant Light Perfecting Touch Concealer was added to create a flawless base.

My eyes were dressed with their lovely Cream Eyeshadows, one being the limited edition rose gold shade. We went for a soft look with the eyes so a touch of their Be Long mascara was added and my brows were defined with their Perfect Brows Kit to finish the look.

Another limited edition product was used, the beautifully designed Aquatic Treasures Summer Bronzing Powder was dusted across my temples and in my cheek hollows to add warmth to my face.

The look was completed with a bright coral red lip, which was a combination of the lipstick shade Poppy Red and a gloss of the Instant Light Natural Lip Balm Perfector in Red. The mix of both created a vibrant shade which brightened up my complexion and made the green in my eyes pop.

*Sorry for the candid shot here, I always look so awkward when trying to show off makeup!*

Overall, I am super happy with the service that was provided by Amelia and Danni at the Broughton Clarins counter. They made me feel really welcomed and took the time to explain the products and examine what was best for my skin. I would thoroughly recommend you visit a counter and treat yourself to a makeover and skin consultation.
They gifted me some samples to try, so expect mini reviews on the blog soon.

Have you tried anything from Clarins? What's your favourite product?

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