How to treat Pre-teenage Acne breakouts

I was on the hunt for a gentle but effective cleanser and treatment lotion for my son, who as he approaches his teen years, has started to get a few spots! 

Now you know something works when it runs out and you feel a sense of panic if you don't have another one. 

My son felt this exact rise of panic when the tube of La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo he'd been using ran out. ... If it goes on the shopping list above milk and bread AND chocolate!! Then you know it's good-Un!!

I have to admit the two step attack on his pre-teen spots really seems to be keeping them at bay, with the odd appearance now and again which is to be expected. He is extremely happy and has stuck to the routine religiously!! Which surprised me.

So here's what I recommended for him.....

10 things that make me happy....

10 things that make me happy....

1. Watching Friends... 

(or should I say re-watching for the 100th time!). Nothing cheers me up like an episode of Friends. Any one episode is guaranteed to make my day brighter and make me chuckle with laughter!!

Disappointing product Alert ....

Disappointing product alert.....

Having loved the Vaseline 'Spray & Go' moisture lotion, thought i'd give the Palmers Cocoa Butter formula version a try, as it was released fairly recently. As you can guess from the title of this post I did not get on well with it.....

The actual moisturising spray is lovely and hydrating to apply. My skin felt lovely and smooth. Delivery in a can is such brilliant idea and really works. My only bug bear is ..... I can't seem to get on well with the scent. 

Don't know if the fragrance is the same in their body butter, as have never tried it. 

Unlike the Vaseline version it is too over powering for my sensitive nose. That's not to say you won't enjoy this, but if you are easily offended by strong smells then maybe this version is not for you.

It is a fantastic idea, great for use after the gym, swimming or a quick spritz in the morning but I'm afraid i shall be sticking to Vaseline spray and go cocoa version being my current fave!

If you are a regular reader to my blog you will probably have noticed I have never posted a negative or disappointing product review.

The reason for this is mainly because the majority of products I buy, I research before-hand, read reviews and of course consult the blogs! So am usually very happy with the performance. This one I picked up on a bit of a whim having seen it on a tv ad, then on offer in boots. Felt I had to share for the fellow sensitive noses out there!

Have you tried the Palmers spray moisturiser? Did you enjoy the scent?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Dr Bronner's Magic Soap Review

Have been wanting to try this for ages and when I found it in TK MAXX last week I actually squealed with delight!!

I picked up the Almond scent. Oh my .... I am in love! 
It smells amazing!!

There was also Lavender, mild baby, tea tree oil, citrus and peppermint.

Dr Bronner's pure castile magic soap is organic and suitable for vegans. 

'Castile' means any vegetable oil-based soap, versus animal fat-based soap. 

"Pure-Castile" means you are using real and simple soap, not complex blend of detergents.

Dr Bronner's magic soap is commonly used to clean make-up brushes in the beauty blogger world but it also has lots more uses.... 

As a soap of course! Liquid soap and a body wash. A little goes a long way, as it is concentrated and foams up nicely. Doesn't strip the skin or leave it feeling dry. It feels nice to use and the Almond one i've tried smells delicious! During and after the fragrance lingers.

I've also used it as a shaving gel. Foamed up onto my legs and shaved as I usually would do. Left my legs feeling lovely and smooth. Not a nick or cut in sight as I was able to see what I was doing.

Cleaning... not tried this yet but it also says that you can use in both laundry and cleaning. Can be diluted down depending upon your needs.

It actually says there are apparently 18 in 1 uses for this magic soap!!

Have you tried Dr Bronner's Magic Soap? What do you use it for?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 'TURN ON' Review

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick 
in

'Turn on'

 Buttery soft and creamy a delight to apply!!

Since trying the Urban Decay lipstick from the Pulp Fiction collection 

in

'MRS MIA WALLACE' 

I just had to try another shade. 

The sheer creaminess and wear of the lipstick got me hooked!

This Month's Magazine Freebies! October 2014

This month In-Style and Marie Claire Magazines are offering up beauty goodies for us to try.

Instyle has a free Elemis Face Moisturiser 15ml in either Day or Night version. 

Quick note! Buy it from Tesco it's only £2.50 instead of £3.99 everywhere else!!

Having not tried Elemis moisturiser before,  I am impressed. I picked the Day cream (hydra boost for dry skin). This has a pleasant scent but not too overpowering. Sort of a clean fruity smell if that makes sense! Your skin feels lovely and nourished, well taken care of. I am going to have to nip back to Tesco to pick up the Night version too as the day one is just lovely.

Marie Claire has L'Occitane Hand Cream in a choice of 4 fragrances: 

Zesty Lime, Vanilla, Original Shea and Rose. 

I chose Vanilla, it smells delicious!! Really nice and nourishing to apply and best of all sinks in quickly so doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy and sticky afterwards!!

I love these mini tubes as they are so great for popping in your bag, I don't know about you, but my hands get really dry come the colder months!! So it's great to have one in your bag! They all contain shea butter so the hands feel lovely and soft.

Will you be picking up this month's offerings?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Ben Nye Banana Powder Review

Ben Nye Banana Powder Review

I originally was hoping to pick this up from my trip to London, however it was unfortunately out of stock.

 I got an email a few weeks ago - it was back in stock so I ordered it from the gurumakeupemporium website. Excellent service and super fast delivery.

So back to the powder...

I only went in to boots for a nail varnish remover....

And this happened!!

September 2014 Favourites Round-Up

September Favourites and Round-up of make-up and skincare I have been enjoying using this month.

Sanctuary New Wonder Oil Serum

With the weather now turning to Autumn, I find myself reaching for oils to use on my face. 

This new product from Sanctuary Spa is a Serum and an oil in one bottle!

Lovely to apply, smells nice and more importantly I notice the difference on my skin when I wake up the next morning.

My detailed review is here

MAC Electric Cool 'Superwatt' Eye-Shadow

from 

MAC's A Novel Romance Collection

(September 2014)

A lovely neutral taupe-y-beige with a slight shimmer to it. Lovely to apply, works best when applied with finger tips. A fantastic swipe and go, similar to the Maybelline Colour tattoos. Stays put all day and on me doesn't crease.

Soap and Glory Super Cat 'FAT' Eye-liner.

Have enjoyed using this eye-liner, easy to use and stays put. 

Creates a dark black line! Perfect to define those upper lashes.

Fresh Sugar Lip Balms have been gracing my lips frequently this month .... 

Both the 'Rose' 'Tulip' and the lip treatment balm at night. Delicious lemon sugar scented balms. The rose and the tulip add just a nice pop of colour whilst hydrating and moisturising the lips.

Weleda Akendoron

This has really helped my blemish prone skin, especially around my chin area. Has helped to clear up and dry up the majority of my spots. Will be continuing to use this before bed to prevent and clear up some more pesky blemishes.

Indeed Hydraluron Moisture Jelly

I know this featured in my August Round-Up but still absolutely loving using this amazing moisturising jelly. Does a really good job of hydrating without feeling sticky and heavy.

My review is here if you want to know more!

Non Beauty Related.... Whittards Dreamtime tea.

A lovely and refreshing drink, nice to have before bed. Honey, apricot and vanilla help you to unwind. Delicious!

Epsom salts

With starting my training towards my 5km in Nov. To say my muscles have been aching is somewhat an under-statement!! I have been enjoying epsom salt baths ... which are amazing and really do help ease the pain!! Not neccesarily straight away, but i do definitely notice a difference the next day.

How to have an Epsom Salts Bath and other uses can be found over on my in-depth post.

So there you have it my September Favourites Round-Up. 
Products i've been loving and using all month!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo