Author: Lipstick and late nights

Aberdeen Restaurant Week 2018 – my top spots for top eats!

| Lipstick and late nights

If like me, you’re part of the #dietstartsmonday gang, Restaurant Week will be fast becoming one of your favourite times of year. Forget Christmas, Aberdeen Restaurant Week is here!

(If you’re reading this Santa, I didn’t mean it, and I’ve definitely been a good girl this year..)

Through some stroke of dumb luck, I was asked to be part of the official blog squad covering the second ARW and bringing you revues of some of the finest eateries in town. I know, it’s a tough job right, but someone’s got to do it. FYI, Calorie counters need not apply.

In case any of you missed out first time round, February brought us the inaugural Restaurant Week, aimed at bringing the foodies of Aberdeen out in force to dine at some of the finest local venues for a super affordable price. This time round it’s a two course lunch for £10, or a three course dinner for £20 at over 40 carefully selected establishments.

What better way to support some local businesses and discover new favourites, and sample some damn fine food along the way!

Read on for a round up of some of the best dishes I’ve tried this week, and that you definitely should too.

DaVinci – Ristorante Italiano

‘Tartufi al cocco’ at DaVinci.

DaVinci is a fabulous Italian just out of sight of Union Street where you can enjoy authentic Tuscan food cooked with heart and passion. With a massive veggie and vegan offering, this was always going to be top of my list to try out.

These vegan truffles were just to die for; sweet little chocolatey balls rolled in coconut with a sticky rum infused sauce, what’s not to like?!

Read my full review HERE.

The Craftsman

I really just love The Craftsman. Just a stone’s throw from Union Square, it’s the best spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the high street and find a cosy corner to enjoy a carefully selected craft beer or freshly roasted cup of coffee.

It doesn’t just end there though, their food offerings are just the definition of comfort food, but cooked with finesse and skill, and I’ve been banging on about the most insanely sumptuous pie that I tried there all week long.

The veggie option of ‘Curried vegetable and chickpea pie with spiced potatoes’ was just everything that I love delicately layered inside a golden flaky pastry house, and washed down with a cold sour cherry beer, this was the ultimate Sunday lunch.


‘Curried vegetable and chickpea pie with spiced potatoes’

Read the full review HERE.

Bistro Verde

At the heart of the merchant quarter on the picturesque Green, family run Bistro Verde has been the home of fresh fish based cuisine for as many years as I can remember.

I don’t often break the rules and eat fish, but if I’m going to do it, it’s going to be for a dish like this!

Don’t miss out on the duo of fishcakes which you can enjoy as part of the evening menu this Restaurant Week. They were fresh, full of flavour, and that lime and coriander yogurt was the perfect flavour pairing to bring it all together. Plus it just looks really pretty! Instagram I’m coming at ya…

‘Duo of fishcakes – Hake/beetroot tartar , peppered mackerel/lime and coriander yoghurt’

Full review will be live HERE any time now!

Ninety-Nine Bar & Kitchen

As much as we all love 99 for an expertly made cocktail served by the cheeky chappies behind the bar and the funky weekend vibes, I came to the realisation that I had never had a full meal here, so what better time to give it a bash than Restaurant week!

‘Rowie and butter pudding’ at 99.

That’s right, it’s another pudding, but how could I not include this hip-widening, mouth watering, just plain awesome Rowie and butter pudding!? If the phrase ‘a what now..?!’ is springing to mind, a Rowie is an Aberdonian ‘delicacy’ (I couldn’t use the term more loosely..), otherwise known as a buttery, or a morning roll. It’s satisfyingly salty, fatty, and absolutely delicious. I’ve beaten off many a hangover with a couple of these bad boys, so imagine my delight when I saw that they were being used in a pudding!

A #seeninthedeen cocktail to wash it all down.

Read the full review HERE, and I dare you not to pick up the phone and book a table right away!

Hopefully this has been enough to tantalise your taste buds and inspire you to get off the sofa this weekend and out in to the city center to try out some truly amazing cuisine that’s right on our door step, not just during Restaurant week, but all year round.

If you miss out this time, don’t panic, Restaurant week is set to be a biannual event with the next round commencing in February, thanks to the hard working guys at Aberdeen Inspired.

It’s been an fantastic week of eating my body weight in incredible food produced by some of the finest culinary talent around. The scales at the gym won’t thank me for it, but do I feel bad about it? Not one bit…

The Makeup Revolution foundations you NEED in your life!

| Lipstick and late nights

Just as I was about ready to give up on my eternally weary quest for that seemingly mythical, always just out of reach, product of dreams – the perfect drug store foundation, BOOM! Makeup Revolution come to the rescue once again with not one, but TWO newly certified favourites that I just don’t know how I got by without before!

This brand has been speedily working it’s way up the charts when it comes to my favourite makeup brands on the market today – we’re talking top five here guys, this is big! I’d be lying if I said that one of the reasons wasn’t the affordability factor, but the incredible quality of the majority of the range is really putting them up there with the big boys, and no more so than with the Pro range.

I’m sure like many of you out there, when the Pro range first stumbled on to my radar, I got to thinking – ‘what’s the catch?’. There’s got to be a sizable hike in price or something, right?

Could it really be a that a pro quality range is available on the high street for the same budget friendly price range as the everyday Revolution collection? Well actually, yes! And I bloody love it, so obviously I had to share my views on these two top notch foundations with you all so that we can put those extra pennies back in to the gin fund for when the weekend comes around.

Makeup Revolution Fast Base Stick Foundation – £5.

These little beauties have been getting a whole lot of hype lately, and for good reason.

Since trying the Makeup Forever stick foundation a couple of years ago and being pretty blown away by it, I’ve constantly been keeping an ear to the ground for a cruelty free version that would live up to it’s standard. Revolution have really hit it out of the park with this one, but it might not be perfect for everyone.

The foundation comes in 18 shades with a range of undertones, and aims to leave a dewy finish. I picked up F1 and F3. Believe it or not, F1 (the lightest shade) was too pale for even my pasty skin! I figured F2 would be my ideal shade, but as per my usual luck, it was out of stock. I was too full of determination to go home with the foundation every one had been talking about to leave empty handed, so instead I opted to go with a combination of F1 and F3 and hope for the best.

Swatches of the three shades I’ve been trying.

When blended the two together, it was actually a pretty damn good match! If anything it was a little pink, but by the time I slapped on the rest of my face, I was kind of loving the result.

It was full coverage, super glowy, and melted on to the skin like butter. One thing I will say is that I had to powder the hell out of my face to set it. Talk about hydrating! At this point I was starting to get a little worried, as usually no matter what I try, I’m just that wee bit oily a few hours in to any foundation.

I wasn’t wrong, later in the day the shine was becoming real, you would be in real trouble if you didn’t have a touch up kit with you, so I wouldn’t consider this for a night out makeup, but it’s an MUA’s dream for flawless looking models putting in a short stint in front of the camera.

This foundation would definitely be best suited to those with slightly drier/less oil prone skin.

Revolution Pro Full Coverage Camouflage foundation – £7.

Ok put down whatever it is you’re doing right now and PAY ATTENTION.

If you’ve already tried the Fast Base stick and loved it, prepare to fall harder for this absolute hero right here.

I stumbled upon it by accident while looking for an eyeliner, and I have to admit that it’s not one I’ve heard many people talking about, and I just can’t understand why not! When they say full coverage, they ain’t messing. The formula is thick and creamy, and blends seamlessly in to the skin. It reminds me of Illamasqua’s Skin Base, but with even better coverage!

I picked up shade F2, which as suspected was just right. Actually I’ll take that back, on first impression it was a little pale, but after a couple of minutes it did oxidise a tiny bit (which would normally be a bad thing, but in this case just works) and then it was just perfect!

Now prepare yourselves kids because things are about to get scary…but I’ve decided to take an extra dose of brave pills and show you my (half) naked face, just to give you a real view if how badass this coverage actually is! So here goes…

Half face, full base, then finished result.

Ok now that we’ve had a minute to get over the fact that I’m secretly a spotty little gremlin, can we just look at that coverage?! I mean wow!

I’m not going to lie and say that this somehow magically feels lightweight, it doesn’t, you can definitely tell that you’re wearing make up, but so long as you’ve got time to really let it set on, you won’t regret it. It’s even WATERPROOF. And here’s the real winner for me; this is the first foundation I think I’ve ever found that does not sink in to my smile lines, I’m actually amazed, as this is no mean feat, I smile a hell of a lot!

So well done once again Revolution I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again, and again, very soon.

Have any if you tried these foundations? Let me know what you think!

B x

P.s. This is not an ad. All views are my own!

B. By Superdrug skincare – my top picks.

| Lipstick and late nights

There’s a whole lot of hype surrounding the B. skincare range right now, and rightfully so.

During my formative years, I was a Boots girl through and through when it came to drugstore cosmetic products, you’d find me lurking in the makeup aisles every Saturday afternoon without fail, eyeing up the latest Barry M dazzle dusts. Not much has actually changed by the way.. (Dazzle dusts still rock and I’ll fight anyone that says they don’t!) apart from the location. Superdrug has become my high street hero since embarking on my cruelty free journey, and right now they are just going from strength to strength when it comes to furry friend friendly products at great prices.

For anyone that doesn’t know (where the heck have you been?!) Superdrug’s entire own brand product range is cruelty free, with absolutely tonnes of vegan options, at prices so affordable that you find yourself tempted to pick up something new to give a whirl every time you ‘pass by’.. ahem.

The range that’s on every bloggers lips right now is the B. By Superdrug collection. The make up range is getting a fair amount of attention, but it’s the skincare that’s really been catching my eye of late.

This well considered and extensive range, created with scientifically proven ingredients, and a multitude of skin types in mind really has something for everyone. The collection is even divided into age ranges (or skin phases) to help you identify the right products for you. That said, don’t feel like you can’t give something from another age range a try if it takes your fancy. I have a habit of going for products targeted at more mature skin because they just work for me, and let’s face it, I’m no spring chicken anymore! The point is, they’re just guidelines. If you think something will work for you, go for it.

Top tip: if you’re shopping for skincare at www.superdrug.com, you can search ‘vegan’ products by using the refine option, how good is that?!

My B. wishlist of products to try is currently about the length of my arm (B. Calm, Camomile face spritz, I’m coming for you..), but today I thought I’d give you a run down of some of the products I’ve been using and loving so far.

FYI: if you’re wondering if these products will work for you, my skin type is extremely combination, oily and breakout prone with large pores, but also with underlying dehydration and dry, red patches on the surface – all the fun for me! Essentially I aim for ‘do it all’ kind of products with a focus on evening skin tone, exfoliation and hydration.

1. B. Pure, Micellar Oil. £6.99/150ml.

“Oil to milk cleanser that quickly and effectively dissolves makeup and impurities. For all skin types, even the most sensitive.”

Move over Micellar waters, you’re so last year. It’s time for Micellar oils to step in to the limelight.

Let me just start by saying that I LOVE this product. As an oily, spotty kinda gal, I’m always wary of using oils on my face, but lately I’ve been discovering that the secret is just finding one that works for you.

What it promises:

Deeply cleanses – dissolves waterproof and long-lasting make up.

Softens and smoothes – Pomegranate seed oil moisturises.

Protects and soothes -with Vitamin E.

Purifies – with Chia seed oil.

Directions for use are to apply with one cotton pad and remove any residue with another, but this really isn’t my favourite way to go about it. For one I’m trying to reduce the amount of cotton pads I’m using, and for two the oil is so effective that it tends to make my cotton pads fall apart! Instead I prefer to pour some in to my hands and massage in to my face and neck until milky, then wash of with a hot flannel. The results are just incredible. Even a full face of ‘out out’ makeup is honestly removed in seconds, leaving skin super soft and feeling nourished, but not oily. Cannot recommend this highly enough.

Oh and by the way, if you’re struggling to spot this on the shelf, it’s actually yellow in colour. Word to the wiser than me, pay attention when it says ‘do not store in direct sunlight’ on the back or you’ll end up with it losing all of the colour like mine did, whoops!

Top tip: stick to use on the face, eyes can get a little stingy so stick to an eye specific remover.

2. B. Clean, Creamy Foam Hydrating Cleanser. £6.99/125ml.

“Deeply cleansing, purifying and hydrating. Clinically proven results. For all skin types.’

I’m not here to rant and rave about this cleanser and say it’s the best I’ve ever used, but it does what it says on the tin and is pretty pleasant for every day use and keeping my skin calm and balanced.

What it promises:

Indulgent, rich and creamy formula – hydrates, soothes and comforts.

Instantly cleanses and purifies – with salicylic acid to unclog pores.

Leaves skin feeling smooth and comfortable – contains a blend of mild cleansing and skin conditioning ingredients.

After using this my skin feels super clean – without the squeaky feeling – and softened, although for me it could be a little more hydrated since this is one of it’s main claims. I don’t mind using a little extra moisturiser afterwards though for the effective cleanse that it gives me. The real winner for me in this product is the salicylic acid, which is fab for keeping breakouts at bay.

I probably wouldn’t repurchase this, as I just feel that there are better cleansers out there, but I’m enjoying it while I use it all the same.

3. B. Revealed, Glycolic Cleansing peel.

“Improve your complexion with Glycolic Acid exfoliant and polishing muslin cloth.”

So I might be kind of obsessed with this product…

I have to exfoliate routinely to keep my often flakey skin at bay, but scrubby exfoliants can often aggravate the dry/red patches on my face. I’ve never really tried a peel before, (using acids on your face just sounds a bit scary, right?!) but I’m so glad that I gave this one a try. This peel aimed at normal to oily skin promises to ‘gently soften and buff away dull, dead skin cells for a smooth, youthful looking complexion’. You simply apply an even later to the face and neck, leave to work it’s magic for three minutes nd then wash off using the muslin cloth.

Skin feels polished and soft without feeling too stripped of natural oils; this really seems to just strike the perfect balance between deep cleansing and radiance revealing that my sensitive skin so badly needs. My face appears glowy and fresh and feels lovely and soft to the touch. I would absolutely repurchase this again, although it also has me keen to step in to the world of peels and see what else is out there.

Use 2-3 times a week, and don’t forget the sunscreen after use since it contains AHA.

4. B. Refreshed, Essence Lotion. £6.99/150ml.

“Designed to replenish and soothe skin after your cleansing regime. For all skin types’.

What it promises:

Instantly soothes – Allantoin helps to soften, protect and soothe.

Softens and soothes – Packed with Hyaluronic acid to moisturise deep down.

Ok, we all know hyaluronic acid is the most popular kid in the skincare class at the moment, but Allantoin? Ever heard of him? No, neither had I! Turns out Allantoin, while chemically produced, in it’s natural state is found in plants such as chamomile. When used in skincare has properties such as smoothing, anti-aging, wound healing, and deeply moisturising. Now you know!

I’ve been using this essence every night as part of my evening skin care routine, and I really just can’t praise it highly enough. I have never been able to use a night cream as no matter how many I’ve tried, I always wake up massively broken out in the morning, however my skin does still need a bit of moisture post cleansing. This product is absolutely ideal; it’s lightweight and fast absorbing, but still leaves my skin feeling super smooth and with just the right amount of hydration. It just feels so fresh, this is my favourite product from the range so far!

Mums corner!

I’ve selected these products to review because I really do feel that they are any age, any skin type kind of guys, but for a more broad review, I also roped my mum in to help! She’s been trying out the B. Restored
Peptide Rich Serum, £13.99/30ml (not pictured, sorry!).

The one I encouraged her to pick up was from the phase 3, 40+ age range, even though she’s a teeny tiny bit older than that.. It promises to plump and smooth skin and reduce wrinkles and signs of aging.

Here’s what she had to say after just a week or so of use:

“I Definitely feel an improvement in general skin tone & have noticed a marked decrease in age spot blemishes. I would strongly recommend.”.

The best thing about this range is that Superdrug almost always has an offer on, right now they’re even on BOGOF, so don’t miss out.

Have you been loving any of the B. Range? Is there anything that I should add to my wishlist? Let me know!

For now I’m off to enjoy another day of rarely seen Scottish sun, hope you all have a fab Thursday too.

B x

P.s. this is not a sponsored post, all views are my own.

Art on your doorstep…Look again festival and the Etsy made local launch night.

| Lipstick and late nights

Whoever said that “nothing ever happens in Aberdeen” (ahem..me a hundred times in the past..) couldn’t be more wrong. This weekend has been the most wonderful few art filled days celebrating our local creative minds in the way that they truly deserve, and I’ve loved every moment of it.

‘Look again’ festival returned for it’s fourth year determined to get our creative juices flowing through a well imagined mix of artistic installations, cinema screenings and talks, and a host of other activities.

Also on the agenda was one of my favourite social events of the year, the Grays School of Art degree show launch. What better way to spend a Friday evening than immersed in a world of creative loveliness, discovering a wealth of fresh talent, surrounded by like minded people, and of course with several wines to wash it all down. Don’t wine and art just go hand in hand so gloriously? There’s something nice about the sense of being cultured that you feel when in an artistic environment, whether people know that I’m about as cultured as a yogurt in real life or not. I’ve been going to the Grays show for years now, and the class and quality of what’s on display never ceases to amaze me. It really is inspirational.

However this blog post is to tell you about an event that I’ve always missed in the past, and I really wish I hadn’t, the Etsy Made Local Summer showcase. Yes that’s right, I’m banging on about shopping local again, but that’s because I really to feel so strongly that it is our responsibility to support our local creative industries in any way that we can.

This design fair held a well deserved spotlight over some of Aberdeen’s finest Etsy sellers, and offered us a selection of stalls exhibiting everything from illustration and ceramics, to jewellery and homeware.

The Liberty Kitchen had some extremely tempting delights on offer.

Attendees were treated to the prettiest glass of Pimm’s I’ve ever seen to stay cool while perusing the wares on display.

I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favourite vendors from the night with you all, in the hope that you might consider them the next time a birthday or special event comes round, so that you can give the gift of something genuinely unique and made with love.

Beauelle – by Rachel West.

Rachel is predominantly a jewellery designer, but I have to admit, it was her selection of gorgeous marbled coasters, trinket dishes and plant holders that really caught my eye. If I wasn’t on a trinket dish ban from the BF (apparently one in every room is enough..what does he know?!) I would have snapped a few of these right up. As a self confessed copper (read: anything shiny) addict, I absolutely adored the bang on trend mix of marble and metallics. If anyone really feels like being nice to me, I’ll have one of everything from this range for Christmas please!

Check out Rachel’s stunning clay work here.

Rose-Tea & Rabbit – by Deborah Cowan.

Lovers of Alice and Wonderland, Harry Potter and anything magically beyond, pay attention! Deborah’s vast collection of handmade bespoke jewellery is the perfect mix of modern vintage and boho chic. From skull cameos to beautiful agate bracelets, Rose-Tea & Rabbit has it all. Be prepared to spend a long time lustfully working your way through their extensive collection of beautifully detailed, whimsical pieces.

Take a look here.

Juniper Press – by Laura Bremner.

Juniper press offers intricate botanical inspired wares, covering everything from prints, to stationary, to homeware. I first fell for Laura’s designs at Botanica last year where we picked up a Gin print, which takes pride of place above our wee gin bar, and I’ve followed her work since. You might have spotted a Juniper Press design occupying a door near The Green as part of the Painted Doors project.

Find the perfect gift for the gin lover in your life here.

Leanh La Jewellery.

Leanh La creates quirky geometric wooden jewellery, laser cut and hand painted. These unique and stylish pieces are the perfect gift for that fashionable friend who has everything. Top of my wishlist is the ‘Triangular dots on dusty pink’ necklace, which personally I think would suit me just perfectly… (can you tell that I’m hoping the BF is reading this post?!). These colourful pieces are just what the fashion doctor ordered to really make an otherwise simple outfit pop.

Shop the collection here.

So there we have it, my round up of some if the finest Aberdeen based designers that you simply must check out next time you’re on a gift hunt. Stand out from the crowd and #SHOPLOCAL!

See you soon loves,

B x

A BLOGGERS EVENING WITH… THE BODY SHOP.

| Lipstick and late nights

Oh my. My second bloggers event already, and I’m just about starting to feel like less of a phoney…

On Friday night I was kindly invited along to The Body Shop Aberdeen for an evening of exploring their new ranges and rediscovering some old favourites.

I have to be honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve shopped with the Body Shop, we’re talking years here. As an ex Lushie, you’re still ingrained with that slight feeling off infidelity when you even shoot a flirtatious side glance into a Body Shop store while still exuding that familiar Lush scent that becomes semi-permanent after years of slinging soap and unpacking bath bombs. The truth is, Lush and the Body Shop share a closer history than most people realise, and I’ve come to justify that if after all these years they can still play nicely together, then there’s no reason that I can’t engage in a little cosmetic ménage à trois too.

So I entered the Body Shop with a blank canvas and an open mind to what skin perfecting beauties I might find, and possibly even invite to join me and my never ending Lush stash in polyamorous matrimony.

We were greeted with bubbles and goody bags; a nice touch I thought, as there’s nothing worse than recieving a goody bag right at the end just to find out that it already contains that extra item that you decided to splash out and treat yourself to.

The lovely Holly introduced us to the reason that we were all there, the launch of the new Facial Mist and Body Yogurt collections, a range of expectedly divine smelling summer essentials. We then had the rest of the evening to slather ourselves in heavenly scented lotions and potions, take advantage of hand and arm massages and scrubs, and to delve in to the wealth of skin care expertise that we had at our disposal for the night.

Lending my hand to a fabulously indulgent scrub and massage using the Brazilian Cupuaçu scrub-in-oil from the spa range..

Rediscovering the make up range after a ten+ year long (yes I’m old..) hiatus. These Drops of Glow were a definite favourite.

The new light weight, fast absorbing Body Yogurts. Delicately fragranced and non-greasy, these are a holiday must have!

Ok, let’s get down to it. With such an extensive range of sensory delights, I could go on all night, but instead I’ve decided to give you a run down of just a few of my favourite products that I bagged, and recommend that you do too.

1. Facial Mists in ‘Coco Calming’ & ‘Mattifying Mint’ – £6/60ml.

I have something to confess.. My name’s Becca, and I’ve recently become a fully fledged face mist addict. They may be the in thing at the moment, but a face mist is something that I can see firmly remaining a part of my skin care routine for the forseeable future, so I was particularly intrigued to see how the Body Shop’s latest offerings compared to the competition. FYI, my can’t-live-without-it misty favourite right now is the Superdrug Vitamin E hydrating mist. The Coco Calming spray boasted similar ingredients and effects to this, so I was delighted to find it in my goody bag to give a whirl. I have to be completely honest, it wasn’t as hydrating as I hoped it would be, but the summery scent and refreshing fine mist did leave my skin soft, and I would definitely say try it out for yourself. The real hero for me though was the Mattifying Mint. Despite having a lot of underlying dehydration, my skin also turns in to a complete oil slick in summer, to the point where you can see your reflection in my freckle covered forehead, so after giving it a good test run, I’ve decided that this is definitely the one for me. Mint and aloe refresh and tone, while kaolin powder soaks up that shine. A winning combination for a sweaty Betty like me! Top tip: These can be used over make up when you’re on the go, but when it’s not in your handbag Keep in the fridge for extra cooling loveliness.

There are five nature inspired variations, so pop in to your local TBS and give them a spritz to find out which one is perfect for your skin.

2. Camomile sumptuous cleansing butter – £10/90ml.

If you haven’t heard of this little baby yet then WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! My guess is under a giant rock…that doesn’t have wifi.

With Youtube stars such as Belle Jorden amongst a hoard of others singing it’s praises, I’ve been blue with envy (geddit? Camomile blue? Oh never mind…) over the multitude of people that have tried it before me, so I was pretty pleased with myself to get my well moisturised hands on some at last. This cleansing butter claims to ‘melt away make up and inpurities, even waterproof make up’, while staying sympathetic to even the most sensitive of skins, and oh boy does it!

The best – and most fun – way to use this is to scoop out a small amount, rub between your fingers and just go to town gently massaging the days make up away, then once you’ve gotten over the fright of temporarily looking like a Marilyn Manson impersonator, wash away with a hot cloth to reveal the softest smoothest skin imaginable. I adore this product, and can see it taking pride of place in my bathroom cabinet for a very long time. Just wow.

3. Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner – £6.50/250ml.

This was a risky one for me having been a long term fan of the Lush Tea Tree toner water, but this is a year of breaking habits and trying new things, so I decided to give it a bash.

As afore mentioned, I have the most indecisive skin imaginable, but in general I go for fairly hydrating products. However as a former acne sufferer, I have to be careful not to over-do it on the moisturisation front, so I decided to go for something to add a little balance to my routine. With these surprisingly hot days, I’ve been breaking out a little more too, so this seemed to be the right guy for the job. The intense tea tree essential oils definitely pack a punch, and you can feel the effects almost instantly. This toner also contains mattifying powders to eliminate shine, although for me this is a bit of a redundant point as I would always moisturise after toning anyway. Regardless, I really am loving this toner, and will continue to use it until we have a change in weather, which I hope won’t be any time soon!

Bag yourself this cute free gift when you currently spend over £20 in store. Also pictured are a few samples that I was given including the banana hair care range, which smells good enough to eat!

So there we have it, my childhood love affair with the Body Shop has been well and truly rekindled, and I can see it being a love that stands the test of time. One of the best things I discovered at this night was also that they offer an in depth skin consultation service using fancy hydration and oiliness tests to provide you with a taylor made skin care routine unique to you. Unfortunately they were in high demand on the night, but I’ll be popping back in to have one myself soon for sure.

Holly from TBS Aberdeen giving an expert consultation.

See you lurking round my local Body shop scouting for new favourites soon!

B x