Lush - Snow Fairy and Bubblegum Lip Scrub

** Lush- The Return of the Snow Fairy  **

Before I break the news I would just like to apologise for the quality of the following photographs as I actually took them last December when I first began blogging. The lighting is fairly poor and last year I was a happy little editing bunny and enjoyed making my photos look aged... for some reason? Anyhow, the very important news is that the beloved Snow Fairy is returning to Lush stores this September! Yes, that's right, a source (my boyfriend out of all the people) was informed by a Lush employee that the precious soap is making a come back and will be available to buy from mid September. Now before you leap down to the store and buy yourself £50 worth of this liquid gold please keep these factors in mind:

a) Snow Fairy has a 'use by' date which is usually around a year and a half, therefore, it must be used before this date.

b) A large bottle of Snow Fairy has lasted me eight months and I shower everyday (almost)- a little goes a long way with this product.

 =So, what I am trying to say is, if this comes around once a year just buy enough for a year! I have seen so many girls purchasing bottles upon bottles of this. Snow Fairy is one of Lush's most popular Christmas products and I doubt they will discontinue it any time soon. 

Despite all of the Fairy craze craziness;  Lush is a fantastic unique brand which offers natural, fair trade and most importantly non-animal tested products all of which are handmade. The brand promotes a positive image and although their products may seem expensive it is important keep in mind why they are. When I first spied a large bottle of Snow Fairy I slightly chocked at the price of it. But I thought about the positives of my purchase, how Lush deal with my money and those little bunny rabbits I was saving from being tested and was instantly swayed. Each time I purchase from Lush (not very often I must admit) I do feel a sense of pride, knowing that my money has gone to a better cause.

What on Earth is Snow Fairy?!#

To those of you unaware Snow Fairy is a body/hair gel for use in the shower. It's a bright pink gel sprinkled with lots of blue glitter. The best and most desired part of this little beauty is the scent. This stuff smells incredible, the best way to describe it is like candy floss... (although on the label it suggests that it's actually pear drops). Have you ever smelt something good enough to eat? Well this is one of those things, though I would advise against trying to have a nibble on it. 

(Photograph taken from www.lush.co.uk)

What on Earth is Snow Fairy?!#

To those of you unaware Snow Fairy is a body/hair gel for use in the shower. It's a bright pink gel sprinkled with blue glitter. The best and most desired part of this little beauty is the scent. This stuff smells incredible, the best way to describe it is like candy floss... although on the label it suggests that it's actually pear drops. Have you ever smelt something good enough to eat? Well this is one of those things, though I would advise against trying to have a nibble on it. I must say I haven't used this on my hair but on the skin it is fabulous. It is not at all drying, foams easily and most important of all the scent lingers on your skin for a good while after showering. As I have previously stated I have had the same bottle for a whopping EIGHT months! I brought myself a large bottle thinking it would not last very long but as I used it I found that I only needed less than a 2p sized amount on a sponge/body puff to wash my entire body. 

 Lush's Bubble gum Lip Scrub isn't under the Snow Fairy label however it does come in and out of stores at the same time the Snow Fairy range does. The lip scrub is essentially sugar which you rub into your lips. It ex-foliates away dead skin cells leaving lips polished and smooth. When you've finished rubbing just lick away the excess. The taste is sensational. If it wasn't for how expensive this little pot is I would just buy it to eat. I love using this before applying dark lip colours. Sometimes a dark lip fades and gathers around dead/dry skin on my lips which isn't very attractive, the Lush Lip Scrub prevents this from happening to me. This is definitely a little gem to keep a eye our for during the colder months, especially as darker colours slip into fashion around this period. 

Ellabella

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5!

Feel: Non-drying, leaving skin smooth and fresh

Smell: Heavenly (Candy Floss)

Use: Both products are very simple and take seconds to use.

Value for Money: Slightly on the expensive side, however, you're paying for quality and fairness.

Would I purchase again: I believe I'll be purchasing this every year until Lush gives up!

Random Fact: 92 percent of experimental drugs that are safe and effective in animals fail in human clinical trials because they are too dangerous or don’t work.

Slimming World- First Impressions

Slimming World- First Impressions

Weight loss at the end of September, are you insane? 

Yes I am insane. After suffering yet another summer feeling like a washed up whale I have decided that I have had enough. Beginning something in September makes sense for me, I always feel like September is a fresh start. If you have read my previous post on all of this business (**LINK**) you will know the real reason I have had a change of heart. Prior the Slimming world diet I was classed as obese with a shocking BMI of 32.7. At the age of just 19 this is an awful feeling. If I think of the circle of people in my life; friends, family ect I am always most definitely the largest person. I became sick of ordering clothes online and having to send it back because it didn't fit. Being a teenager and not being able to have one successful shopping trip is very depressing. My aim is to be able to go into a shop again and think, 'yeah that's my size, I'll have that', instead of pondering on whether it will suit me, what size, will it cover the lumps ect... Not only that, my health is beginning to deteriorate. My back, hips and now even my knees struggle to cope with the amount of weight I carry. Feeling tired and lazy is something which has increased over the years. I have slowly began to feel like 90 year old Grampa not a 19 year old girl. Most importantly, I don't feel good about how I look. Not feel good about myself lowers my confidence and self esteem. Overall I am fed up of feeling so depressed just because I have not been able to control my food intake, enough is enough and it's time for change. 

Out of the blue one evening I went to Slimming World with my mum (who was already a member) to sign up. Joining a Slimming club can be very intimidating but you have to remember that each and every single human in that little room is in the same position as you. Everyone has joined because they are or were unhappy with their bodies, some are young, some are old, but everyone is there for the same reason. With this in mind I try feel comfortable within the environment. Talking about your weight loss journey in front of others actually makes you feel more confident as well as others. If you've had a little nibble on something you shouldn't have, just admit, 9 times out of 10, so have all the others in the room. Admitting your weaknesses only makes you stronger. I have learnt some great recipes and food ideas by attending the meetings and listening to what others have to say. If you have a great recipe, share it, others will praise your creativity essentially boosting your confidence. 

Talk to me?

I used to think that Slimming World was just milkshakes, cereal bars and little cheese biscuits snacks; I had no idea how wrong I was. On arrival I was given a big pack of booklets which explains the whole diet plan. I follow extra easy which is, by the title, the simplest plan to follow. The majority of fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables are super free foods, which means you can consume as much as this as you like. Then, there are free foods which include things like; rice, pasta, potatoes, beans and noodles. Unlike most diets you can eat as much of these types of carbohydrates as you wish. Then there's an A and a B choice which involves one dairy and one fibre rich food- these choices are so they a healthy, balanced diet is maintained. All other foods have a syn value. Up to 15 syns can be consumed within one day and they cannot be collected or passed onto the next day. At first the diet is slightly complicated but after a few days I got my head around it. In contrast to fad diets that I have repeatedly attempted, Slimming World allows me to be in the driving seat. It's refreshing to know I don't have to be constantly counting or worrying about the weight, volume and points of the food I'm eating. 

Saying NO. 

One major concern for me was how on earth will I be able to stick to plan when I'm not in control. For example, I spend a lot of time at my boyfriend's house. Usually we cook meals which are full of syns and it's no wonder why I have piled on the pounds. However, I am very pleased to say that we have been cooking our own meals and surprisingly he likes Slimming World recipes too. Though at times my boyfriend has been like 'can we have pizza? Can we add this into our meal? Chocolate for pudding?' I just have to say no. It doesn't mean that the person who is offering can't have it. It's important to make them feel comfortable about your weight loss journey too. Another example is when I went to visit my Dad when he was having a little holiday in the seaside town of Skegness. Skegness is the home of fatty food and it was so so difficult to steer clear of the fish and chips, doughnuts, ice cream and sweets. I had to say no to lots of offerings and I did feel quite rude but at the end of the day it's ME who wants to lose the weight. Unfortunately it's true that you have to put your foot down and say no because without doing so weightless will not happen.

Overall 

I have now lost 6lb in two weeks which I am more than pleased with. Slimming world is definitely the most positive thing that I have stumbled across. Within the short space of me joining my whole mind set about food has changed. I will admit I have given in to the odd sweet or two but I just look past that and think next time I can say no. There are so many free or low syn recipes which only take minutes to make, there are also many options for takeaways, eating out and on the go meals. Slimming World cost £5 per week plus a joining fee which many deter people from signing up, however, if you're struggling with weight loss and have been for a long time (just like myself) I highly recommend giving this club a go. 

Ellabella

 ♥ ✝ ☮

Random Fact: A healthy weight loss rate is between 1lb and 2lb per week.