Aurelia Skincare Miracle Cleanser

I'm going to be blunt - people can be incredibly dim about cleansing their skin. I've lost count of the times I've spotted a cheap, harsh, foaming bottle from the drugstore on the same counter as a $100 face cream and designer makeup, and it flies in the face of logic - stripping skin before slapping on expensive treatments to counteract all that damage. Madness! Oil is what breaks down oil, deep cleaning into pores without breaking the fragile lipid barrier - so stop using detergents on your face. Please.

 

So, as you might imagine, a good, creamy cleanser is always the first item I recommend to people looking to revamp their routine or improve problem compexions. I feel very strongly about it. I'm even forced into using exclamation marks. When skin is primed properly, and gently, you can toss expensive treatments, use less moisturizer and keep skin so much happier and healthier. And the act of cleasing itself - massaging a creamy dollop into your tired, dirty visage, then gently wiping off with a steamy hot cloth - really is sublimely therapeutic, to skin and senses. Basically, once you go hot cloth cleansing, you don't go back. 

 

The newest, brightest star on the creamy cleanser front, one that had me hooked at first use, is the aptly named Miracle Cleanser from Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, a small UK-based brand with the purest of ingredients and ethics. The cool, creamy concoction breaks down makeup and oils expertly with coconut derived cleansing agents, fatty acids, cocoa and shea butters, while soothing and nourishing the skin with botanical extracts like kigelia and baobab and their flagship probiotic proteins. But it's the blend of eucalyptus, rosemary and chamomile essential oils that's elevated this into cult classic status in the beauty world already. The gorgeous, invigorating scent is like a creamy, couture Noxzema - waking up senses in the morning and wiping away the stress of the day at night. Fair warning - it's additive. 

Since adding this to my routine, I find I'm looking for any excuse to wash my face. I've started humming chipper tunes in the bathroom while I cleanse. Yesterday I woke up at an ungodly early hour and went jogging. I'd be horrified if my skin didn't look so gorgeous. And it really is gorgeous. Obviously I take care of it, and it's ever really that bad to begin with, but there's a more even-toned glow, a clean, soft, smooth feel that the Miracle Cleanser has most definitely imparted. I've stopped using any serums, treatments, exfoliants - just this and my usual moisturizer, and the results are, well, miraculous. Unfortunately I've used my jar up much too quickly - it's easy to ration, but I like to slather on several finger-fulls and really go to town with the whole facial massage routine, meaning that stores are getting ominously low. Will I'll return to my sloveny, lazy self without my Miracle Cleanser fix? I don't intend to find out, as I'll be re-ordering. Ad infinitum.

The Miracle Cleanser is $53 for a 4 oz jar, not at all pricey for a luxury cream or balm cleanser, as it lasts for ages, but an investment for those of you used to skimping on cleansers (fools). Aurelia is one of those brands I'm so happy to see do well, and that I can stomach paying a solid price for. They're passionate, as they well should be, about products they've formulated with incredible detail, love and care. I love the little touches you get with a small, beautifully-run line like this - the gorgeous, hand-wrapped packages, the luxurious, heavy glass jars and bottles, ingredients of a quality that organic doesn't begin to cover. So go and buy this immediately - it gets The Blossom Shed seal of approval and then some. Now I'm off to wash my face. Again.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare is available at Net a Porter in the US, and from their website in the UK. Now be honest - are you guilty of crimes against cleansing, or do you keep things creamy? Let's discuss below...

 

*This product was a PR sample from the generous people at Aurelia Skincare. This in no way effects my opinions - if I don't like a product, I don't feature it!  

A Mother's Day Giveaway with New London Pharmacy

Giveaway closed .....

Congratulations Trish P!

Mother's Day is approaching, so let's just say it like it is - we'd be nothing without our moms. Besides the whole giving life, raising us, unconditional love part, there's those subtle little things they've given us that make us who we are. I think of my love of animals as something that defines me, but guess what? It comes from my mom. Ditto a penchant for English murder mysteries and pretty clothes, and one hell of a sweet tooth. Whenever we act kind, or silly, or hardworking or brave, it's because someone taught us well, and that someone is usually a mom.

So in celebration of all of mothers and mother figures, I'm thrilled to be able to team up with the fabulous New London Pharmacy to offer one lucky winner a ridiculously lovely beauty bundle, valued at over $400, and full of pampering goodies for the perfect girl's night in. Think a mom you know deserves a treat? Here's your chance to win a luxurious collection of pretty products just for her (of if you're a mom yourself, just for you!).

The Mommy Makeover Kit from New London Pharmacy includes....

Apple & Bee Train Case, Kevyn Aucoin Making Faces Collection Volume I Kit, Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner, The "Wet" Brush, Molton Brown Blissful Templetree Bath & Shower Gel, Forever Natural Bamboo & Jute Back Strap,The Thymes Lotus Santal Body Lotion, Supersmile Whitening Toothpaste, Elgydium Whitening Toothbrush, Fa Pink Passion Deo Roll-on, Jane Iredale Cherish Lip Fixation, Tweezerman Mani Brow Rescue Kit, Basicare Manicure Tool Kit, Gehwol Footcream, Butter London Primrose Hill Picnic Nail Color, and V Beaute' Lip Spread Anti-Age Tinting Lip Gloss.

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below to....

1. Follow The Blossom Shed on Bloglovin, Facebook or Twitter (or all three!).
2. Sign up for New London Pharmacy's Newsletter on their website.
3. Leave a comment below telling us what makes your mom (or a mom you know, or being a mom yourself) so special!

Open to US adresses only, and hurry, giveway closes at midnight, Saturday May 11th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photo via Pinterest

Spring Clean Your Skin....

It's spring cleaning time, and I love throwing open the windows and filling the house with the scent of fresh linen, clean floors and polished wood. After you've tackled those dust bunnies under the bed and dusted down cobwebs from the corners, spare a thought for your skin. After a long winter of cold wind and dry, forced-air heating, things are bound to be a bit of a mess.  Once a week, I like to do the skincare equivalent of a quick hoover 'round with a quick and super-effective exfoliating mask - working like a gentle peel, they leave skin soft, smooth and bright. Sweep dead skin, splotchy pigment, blocked pores and general dullness out the door, leaving skin deep-cleaned, glowing, and rejuvenated.

I love the Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask for it's heavy duty, deep-cleaning prowess - a 10 minute spa treatment in a jar, it brightens, smooths and reduces hyperpigmentation with azelaic and lactic acids. A cult classic (I've already gushed over it here) with a price tag to match, it's available in two strengths,and is worth every penny. 

The REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask is the perfect mid-range workhorse - effective enough to show instant results but gentle enough to be used regularly, it harnesses glycolic and lactic acids from fruit sources for cleaner, smaller-looking pores and smoother skintone. Extra points for the tidy and hygenic bottle.

Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel exfoliates with alpha hydroxy acids from its organic apple, grape and lemon extracts for a fresh smelling, quick acting clean - available in sensitive and full strengths, it's gentle, effective and utterly natural.

If you're planning to use a gentle peel this spring, remember the basics - apply to cleansed skin, and always start slow - three minutes is a good gauge of how your skin will react. Acids tingle and sting slightly as they work, but shouldn't feel unpleasant or burning. Remove with a warm washcloth, and follow up with a nourishing moisturizer - skin should look glowing or slightly flushed. Obviously, be careful you have incredibly sensitive, reactive skin - though for the record I have quite sensitive skin and have used all three of these with good results.  Most importantly, remember to be vigilant about the sun after any sort of acid exfoliant - all that baby-soft, delicate new skin needs to be protected!

How do you spring clean your skin? Have a favorite product? I'd love to hear from you below...

Spring Staple: Pink Cheeks

It seems like everyone this week, myself included, is in the hacking throes of a spring flu. I look like death, warmed slightly. So it seemed a perfect time to pull out that most reviving and brightening of of spring looks - the candy-floss flush.

My favorite incarnation of this bright cheeked look was on last year's runways, when Michael Kors sent out models with delicately pinned, flyaway hair, translucent skin and a cool, natural flush.  They looked like English roses caught in a chilly spring breeze, with a disheveled, 1930's, Love in a Cold Climate-vibe that was makeup perfection.

Let's be honest - these sorts of colors look absolutely terrifying in the pan, so cool-toned and bright, and I'm the first to veer away from them on the makeup counter. But be brave and play around with them - you'll be surprised how natural, sheer and soft they look, a much sweeter, clearer flush than the usual warmer tones impart. Hands down favorites here at the Blossom Shed are Dior's Rosy Glow Awakening Blush, for its impossibly fine and miraculously adjusting powder finish, and YSL's Creme de Blush in Babydoll, for its sheer, featherweight texture and gorgeous glow. Both blend beautifully with skin, seeming to impart a flush from within, and are perfection paired with long, glossy lashes and artfully disheveled hair.

How do you feel about a pale, candy-floss flush? Does it make you feel like the heroine in a fairytale too? How are you shaking up your makeup bag this spring? Share below...

Lazy Links

This was a rough week - frantic, tiring, and full of black clouds of gnats. Quite literally. So let's take a leisurely stroll 'round some lovely little things, and unwind for a quiet weekend. Don't forget to stop in at the comments and say hello! Tell us which literary hotel is your favorite. Do you take a good picture? Are you liberal or stingy with the SPF? More importantly, do you think if I bring a little appreciation card and a princess cake around to Florence Welch's house, she'll let me live there? Let's discuss below...

• An extremely useful and frighteningly detailed guide on how to apply mascara correctly.Unfortunately, it doesn't cover the old poke-yourself-in-eye-with-wand step which I can't seem to skip.

• Have a look around Florence Welch's gorgeous house. She is just the coolest, and so are her bookshelves.

• The lovely Garance Dore shares seven ways you can look better in photos. None of them work for me, but maybe you'll have more luck.

• Look at this fabulous list of literary hotels! I think I'll plan a little weekend at Thornfield Hall one of these days. Obviously doing a quick attic check first.

• Diptyque has come out with a jonquille candle, and I must have it. I go crazy for jonquil. Jonquil are kind of like narcissus, right? Narcissi? Oh never mind.

• This Swedish princess cake looks divine. I want it, and I want it now.

• This poor woman's body lotion set off airport security. If that's not an incentive to start buying greener, I don't know what is.

• The ever fabulous Beautymouth takes us through some idiot-proof SPF rules - timely, because the only time I ever burn is in the springtime. Thin air + strong sunlight = lobster shoulders and freckle moustaches.

• Aren't these random notes of appreciation adorable? Let's all stock up, and hand them out with gusto.

Head Over Heels for Suti Foot Balm...

Spring is finally, firmly here. Prepare yourselves - this means we need to talk about feet. The time is fast approaching when they'll need to be bared to the world again, and I know I can't be the only one that's a bit concerned. Up until now, I'm not really sure when I had last looked at my feet. Most of the sightings this winter have been just a quick glance between stripping off two pairs of woolly socks and leaping into a hot bath. All I can say is thank goodness for the soothing bliss and rejuvenatory prowess of Suti's Foot Balm...

After an lengthy duel with the pumice stone, there's nothing like this gorgeous, aromatic balm to breath new life into tired, winter-weary feet. The invigorating blend of rosemary, eucalyptus and peppermint oils rev up circulation and soothe the senses, while rich shea butter, olive oil, calendula and beeswax moisturize deeply and thoroughly  Top off with a pair of cotton socks before bed, and you'll awake to softer, smoother, summer-ready toes.

It's no secret that I'm a big Suti fan - I love the fact that they combine beyond pure ingredients and green practices with products that feel luxurious and special. It doesn't hurt that everything just really works too. My feet may not look any less childlike and chubby (they don't make a balm for that apparently) but they're now soft and dare I say almost pretty looking, ready for a season full of my favorite barefoot, Bardot-style looks.

If you work on your feet all day, or just neglect them a little more than you should, you need a little jar of this magic on your beauty shelf. And if you're feeling generous of spirit and purse this spring, keep it in mind as the perfect gift - doctor, waitress, athlete or frazzled mom, surely we all know someone whose tired, sore feet could use a little pampering? Perhaps with a complimentary foot rub included? Outside the UK, you can find Suti at Shen Beauty in the US, and Fresh Faced in Canada.

*This product was a PR sample from the generous people at Suti. This in no way effects my opinions - if I don't like a product, I don't feature it. Bardot pic via Pinterest.

Spring Staple: Mint Nails

Isn't it nice when a really fabulous color is having a moment? I might not have been able to muster up much enthusiasm had 2013 seen a resurgence of maroon or pepto-bismol pink, but I'm quite happy to jump on the bandwagon for a cool, creamy customer like  this year's ubiquitous mint green. Anyone who loves the shade is in luck, as there's an absolute avalanche of accessories out there right now - from watches and Wayfarers to chunky sweaters and flirty skirts - all in that perfect icy hue.

So where better to add a little minty kick than fingers? The right shade adds a fresh, fun touch that's still subtle and flattering on skin, and looks a bit more laid-back and tomboyish than some of this season's more saccharine pastels. Every polish brand under the sun has a shade or two in their lineup this year, but the hands down winner here is Butter London's Fiver. Somewhere between an creamy spearmint green and a pale Tiffany blue, it's a stunner for its perfect hue and fabulous formula - thinner and quicker drying than most, which makes application a breeze for those of us less than gifted in the nail art department and more than a little chunky and unwieldy in our finger areas. And the whole non-toxic thing doesn't hurt its case either - wave goodbye to formaldehyde fingers and hello to healthier, stronger nails.

So how do you like a spot of refreshing mint on nails? Does the color remind you fondly your 80's childhood as well? Do you think chocolate only exists as an accompaniment to mint, and find yourself adding peppermint extract to inappropriate dishes? No, wait, that's me. Discuss below!

photo via Pinterest...

Scrub Amnesty - Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

Let me start this by saying that I am, in principle, anti-scrub.  I'm usually one of their most vehement opponents, believing, quite rightly, that no good can come of treating your skin like a block of wood that needs sanding. They make skin feel super clean for ten minutes until oil production goes into overdrive to recover from all that sandblasting - thus beginning a dreadful cycle. 

However... there are those of you whose skins do perfectly well with a gentle physical exfoliant two or three times a week to remove dead skin, brighten up the complexion and add an extra glow. And there are those of you who will just refuse to toss out your gritty scrubs and like the feeling they give. So if you must scrub, I beg you - toss out your foaming walnut shell concoctions, and try something like Balance Me's lovely Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm instead.

A smooth, rich balm in a handy tube, it uses sweet almond, kukui nut, camellia and coconut oils to deep clean and dissolve dirt and makeup, while finely ground oatmeal polishes and exfoliates skin. I love the beautiful orange blossom-type scent and the glow it gives skin in the mornings. You can still feel the invigorating scrubby-effect, but aren't stripping your skin with quite such gusto, and the lovely oils will soothe and nourish along the way. The oatmeal will eventually clog up your sink a bit, and if you use it while staying over at friend's houses you won't be invited back. But we must all pay a price for beauty, and a clogged sink is a somewhat small one.

Balance Me is a fabulous new and fast-growing brand that makes pure, high-quality products with reasonable prices. The line is simple and easy to navigate, with cute, user-friendly packaging - it's a great place to start if you're looking to buy some skincare staples to "green up" your beauty cabinet this spring. Readers outside the US can buy from Look Fantastic, which offers free, albeit slow, international shipping.

So there you have it - a somewhat confusing message. Don't use scrubs! But if you must, use this one - it's lovely. 

So now's the time to spill your secrets below - what's the worst thing you've ever done to your face? For a time as a teen, I used an exfoliating pad from the Body Shop that had the exact texture of a Brillo pad. It somehow seemed like a good idea at the time...

*This product was a press sample. Samples in no way affect my opinion - if I don't like a product, I don't write about it. 

Cult Classics - Body Brush (aka Cellulite Lightsaber) Edition

 

Ah cellulite. That great equalizer of womankind. Rich and poor, plump or thin, we will all have a touch of those unpleasant ripples at some time in our lives - whether it be through genetics, a weakness for French pastries or general sluggishness (I'm three for three). I might have a fairly slim and active physique, but there was definitely a creeping pudding-like quality happening around my lower half this autumn that was, quite literally, weighing me down.

Despite what countless beauty mags and posh french toning creams would have you believe, here's technically really only two things that have can improve the appearance of all those lumps and bumps -  toning the surrounding skin and muscle, and boosting circulation. The first thing sounded unpleasant and like there might have been sweat involved, so I dove headfirst into the second.  I went out, bought a $10 natural bristle body brush, and have never looked back.

A quick brush down of dry skin before the shower - maybe 90 seconds max - and within a month things were looking up. Six months later, and the results are, if I do say so myself, stunning. Smoother, softer and altogether less evidence of eclairs. The benefits to the appearance are of course delightful, but I swear it also just makes me feel healthier - the brushing revs up circulation, helping the body rid itself of toxins and altogether invigorating the system. Plus all that exfoliation makes for some seriously lovely skin - I barely use messy scrubs at all anymore, there's no need, so there's also much less chance of me slipping in a greasy tub and cracking my head on the soapdish. A win-win situation by all accounts.

I only brush about twice a week -  when I remember/can be bothered. I've had such incredible results so far that I'm almost apprehensive to see what would happen with a daily brushdown. Where would it all end? Circulatory overload? Victoria's Secret contract? I shall find out, and report back.

For now, all I know for sure is that the humble skin brush now holds a place of honor on my bathroom shelf. I feel better, I certainly look better, and I shall be celebrating this all with some seriously short skirts. I suggest you go buy a brush and join me.

The Elemis Cactus Bristle Brush is considered the gold standard by most, but I'm perfectly happy with my $10 Whole Foods variety. Whatever brand you buy, you just want natural fibre bristles like cactus or agave, and a comfortable handle.  Watch this handy dandy tutorial for clear instructions on how to brush - basically, it's just long, light strokes, always towards the heart.

Spring Staple: The Fuschia Lip

Ready for a little makeup bag spring cleaning? Now's the perfect time to toss out those dusty old formulas and breathe a little new life into your look...

First on my spring staple list is the perfect fuschia lipstick - in particular the creamy, semi-matte NARS Funny Face. It looks like such a bright, punchy color in the tube, but something about this particular hue makes it completely wearable and fresh, much more youthful and casual than the classic, slightly stuffy red. The formula is incredible - soft and velvety, but shockingly long lasting, with no bleeding or feathering to speak of. Just lush, rich pigment and hydrated lips. And though I've seen it flatter a myriad of skintones and colorings, I must say it looks particularly brilliant with green eyes. For the record, I'm terrified of bright lippies - I live in fear of the deranged clown look - so if I can wear this and feel good about it, anyone can.

Just add clean, dewy skin, fluttery lashes and voila -  the perfect antidote to this cold, ever hesitant spring.

Has a lip color ever suprised you with it's wearability? Are you feeling the fuschia lip trend? Tell me all about it below!

Cult Classics - Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream

 

Sometimes there's a time when skin doesn't need to be constantly bombarded by cutting-edge ingredients that are plumping, filling, brightening or reversing things. Sometimes it just needs a lovely long drink of something soft and soothing. Like a holiday where you let it laze about a bit and feel indulged. That's when I pull out my tube of  Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream. A true cult classic, it's beautiful in its simplicity - no fancy scientific claims, wonder ingredients or trendy packaging. Just high quality, nourishing ingredients in a perfect formula. 

I used this religiously as a young teenager - when living at very high altitude in thin, dry air - and I never got over the way it would give my skin this instant glow, with an almost warming effect - excellent for a climate where you're always cold. You'll take any warming you can get.  The price has unfortunately gone up by almost double since I started using it, which is a scary indication of how old I'm getting. So it is quite pricey, but each tube contains the essence of 30 roses, and that sort of thing doesn't come cheap. Think about pressing your face into a bushel of silky rose petals. Gorgeous, right? That's kind of what this feels like, but without the worry of thorns or a stray beetle getting into the mix. 

The original version is extremely rich and hydrating, but the essential oils are almost a bit too much for my skin these days - which is why I now prefer the Rose Day Cream Light. With all the same beautiful ingredients and pampering effects, with a lighter, smoother texture, it's my favorite straightforward, soothing and nourishing all-round moisturizer. The light version uses sesame and apricot kernel instead of the regular's peanut oil and shea butter - and is perfect for younger, combination or summertime skins. Should my skin get particularly thirsty, or I spend time in colder, dryer climes this winter, I'll be pulling the original back out. It's been a cult classic and celebrity favorite for years, and rightfully so - it will certainly always have a place of honor in my skincare arsenal.

Oh and it smells divine, in case you needed another reason to award it coveted cult status. Creamy, soft and natural. Would you expect anything less of thirty roses jammed into a tiny metal tube?

Rose image via Pinterest...

Seven Days, Seven Ways...

I don't know about you, but my hair is stuck in a terrible rut, and I've had enough of it. I'm over at She Said Beauty today with a challenge for us straight-haired girls - seven days of easy, quick styles that even the most inept stylist (that's me) can manage. Head on over and find some inspiration for even the most tired, boring locks - and go on, I challenge you - try one for every day this week!

Suti Giveaway Winners Announced

It's results day! Thank you all for entering our first giveaway - we're thrilled that each and every one of you from so many places all over the world stopped by, and after reading your lovely comments we wish we could send a bottle to you all. We actually felt quite bad about it, like we were playing skincare God. But we eventually managed to pull ourselves together, and were strict and fair. Random numbers chosen, and the laws of probability have spoken - the four lucky new owners of a pretty glass bottle of golden Suti Rejuvenate Face Oil are:

The Procrastinator (who said that her skin could use a treat after a hot, Toronto summer)

MoonRae (who needs to keep skin hydrated in dry west Texas)

SayAnything (who needs to treat her stressed out skin after slogging at Uni)

and 

XXAubreyAnn (who says she needs some pampering because she's a worrier!)

Thanks again to everyone who entered and helped to make our first giveaway such a success, and to Suti for supplying the beautiful prizes. If you want another chance to win something to pamper your skin, stay tuned -  we'll have another lovely surprise coming this fall....

Lazy Links

Enjoying the Olympics sweetie darlings? Have you made a pledge to start on a new fitness routine and bought new snazzy workout clothe,s which will be worn twice and then consigned to the back of a drawer until Rio 2016? Yup, us too. Take a break from planning your podium face and gold medal wave with a little wander 'round our favorite stories this week....

Beautymouth's brilliant guide to idiot-proof skincare. Basically, stop obsessing over your pores and for god's sakes don't scrub your face with walnuts. 

While we do not share Western Europe's obsession with cycling - (except when they crash, which perversely adore,) we will take one of these fabulous posters.

Let's see what New Yorkers are reading on the subway....

BBC has an online test to see what kind of Olympian you would be according to your body type. It's not very accurate, because we got marathon runner. Ahahhahha. No.

Harvey Nic's and Penhaligon's have teamed up to create the Peoneve Terrace, a magical little secret garden full of pink peonies and sweet treats . If you're in London this summer, stop in for a gooseberry fool and peony punch served in a perfume bottle. Our kind of place.

Will and Kate seem to be having an adorably grand time at the games. We think they enjoy spending time around people their own age.

Some genius has invented a Facebook app that replaces pictures of other people's babies with cute animals. 

The most fantastic story of the week - apparently Kate Moss got in a spat with Gwyneth Paltrow as a result of throwing cheese puffs at her as she jogged by. And we didn't think we could love her anymore than we already did....

We would give our left arms right now for a slice of this Rose Pistachio Cake. This is what happens when you try to eat healthy and skip desert. You end up cruising the internet looking at cake porn.

Photo via Pinterest

August Favorites - Lazy Summer Beauty

I don't know about you, but I get awfully lazy when it comes to beauty in the summer. A hint of sun on the skin and some healthy outdoor living, and I can just about forgo all the fuss so required in greyer months. Hair is left easy and undone - a spritzing of Surf Spray through damp locks leaves my straight, fine locks wavy and tousled with minimum effort. NARS brilliant new tinted moisturizer somehow covers imperfections thoroughly while leaving skin sheer and glowy - with a good helping of SPF included. A slick of juicy, pink Beach Tint dabbed on cheek bones leaves a healthy looking flush, and several lashings of Dr Hauschka's soft and simple mascara is the perfect natural-looking definition for my sensitive eyes. I love the deep shine and Aegean teal hue of Butter London's Slapper on toes - and accept that the name is alarmingly fitting, though somewhat accusatory. Shins and shoulders on show get a golden sheen from a few drops of Huile Prodigieuse, and a dab of Philosykos solid perfume on wrists and neck leave a light, fresh cloud of tart, green fig in your wake. 

How do you pare down your makeup routine in the dog days of summer? Any hero products? Share them below!

Honeyed Kisses

I mentioned HollyBeth Organic's Grits and Honey Scrub this last week in passing as the lip smoother that dreams are made of, but it deserves a post to itself.  You know those days when your lips look reasonably smooth and soft, and then you apply lipstick and are utterly disgusted? Flakes and lines and general unpleasantness abound? This will make those days merely a bad memory. Gentle, effective and hydrating.  I'm afraid I can attest to its deliciousness as well -  I usually end up eating at least a large spoonful per scrubbing session. Luckily the ingredients read like a sweet southern desert - organic corn grits, almond oil, vitamin E and Tupelo honey - it's basically a really lovely breakfast. I have a small, lipbalm sized pot, which is why I happened to use it on my lips to begin with, but it's actually marketed as a body scrub. I can only imagine the luxury of slathering this on in the shower - it's something I intend to find out sooner rather than later. 

In fairness this would be relatively easy to make yourself, and for a bit cheaper, but sometimes you just need a special treat, and don't want to have to pull out a mixing bowl and whisk before your bath. Use this for those times. Your skin will be left smooth as silk and smelling like honeyed heaven. Dare I say the perfect choice for a date night?

HollyBeth Organics is a tiny little company in Atlanta that makes charming and simple organic products by hand in an old cotton warehouse. Besides this honeyed masterpiece, I love their adorable sample tins, and like to keep a few on hand for easy, thoughtful little hostess gifts. 

How do you keep lips in tip-top snogging shape? Are you a fan of grits? Tell us about it below...

Dressing Table Dreams

Is there anything lovelier than a mirrored dressing table? I think here in the States we call them vanities, but a childhood spent with too many English novels means they will always be known to me as dressing tables. Regardless of moniker, every girl should have some form of one in her life - whether it's a simple, pretty tray of bottles atop a dresser, or a converted desk and mirror combination, we all need that little place to retreat to and meditate over our lipsticks and perfume. A place where we can be unabashedly feminine for a little bit, and add a little ritual into the day. A temple of pretty things and quietness in a loud and busy world - and no more sitting cross-legged in the sink to apply your mascara. What's your dream table? I'll take any and all of these beauties....

photos via Pinterest

Sans Ceuticals Haircare

Surely you all know how sensitive my skin it - not least because I never shut up about it -  but it really does seem to find new ways to annoy and thwart me at every turn. Recently, I've been having trouble with shampoos and hair products - they irritate my scalp and do nothing for my long, lifeless tresses. That is until a box arrived from Sans Ceuticals, a lovely little line all the way from New Zealand. The aptly named Sans is a boutique, Auckland-based haircare line that takes green to a whole new level. Entirely chemical-free, only the most potent and effective natural extracts and vitamins are used, while every effort is made to make sure ingredients are organic, locally sourced, sustainably harvested and highly active. Even the packaging is ecologically sound - the simple and chic little bottles are made of non-leaching plastics and printed with vegetable inks. 

I'll admit I was a bit doubtful trying out the line - yes the idea and ethos of the brand is great, but who hasn't had some unpleasant run-ins with so-called natural shampoos and conditioners that leave hair a limp mess of snarled tangles?. The Nourishing Hair Wash sudses up beatifully but subtly into a dense, velvety foam,  leaving hair feeling clean but not stripped. After the a few pumps of the Nourishing Hydratant (that's fancy Kiwi talk for conditioner), ends felt soft and smooth without any of that creepy silicone slickness.  To top things off, I'm in love with the beautiful scent as well - fresh, natural and softly sweet - like tangerine peel and freesia blossoms. 


All in all, a big hit here at the Blossom Shed -  pure luxury that you feel good about using. Clearly hair likes it too -  my straggly ends are softer and smoother, while my roots are less weighed down by build up and heavy silicones. I have to break the news to you now that it is rather expensive, particularly if you're used to drugstore-priced shampoos. Not everyone will be able to justify it - but I'd highly recommend the line if you have sensitive skin, are committed to using only the purest products, or have invested in expensive highlights or color that you want to gently protect. 


Should the mood strike you, you'll find Sans Ceuticals products in the US at Woodley and Bunny or Anthropologie, and in the UK at Love Lula. 

*Products was kindly provided by Sans for consideration.
Picture via Pinterest

Lazy Links

Today is a bit too hot to sunbathe, so here we are - sprawled out under over-worked ceiling fans, eating popsicle after popsicle, and generally making a sticky, grape-colored mess of the keyboard. If your Monday is looking as lazy as ours, how about a little wander around some of the things that caught our eye this week?


Cleanse your palate after this week's Venetian excess with some light-filled, clean interiors From Scandinavia with Love. Makes us want to buy a cheerily painted summer house and eat lots of herring.


A list of the best secret British beaches. Chilly, pebbly heaven.


An ode to the style icon that is Clair Huxtable. Say what you like - the woman could wear the hell out of a chunky sweater.


We have finally discovered the cure for dry, peeling lips. It involves tupelo honey and corn grits, and it's very difficult not to just eat the stuff straight out of the tub.


Some genius has built a library in a vineyard. They're our kind of crazy.


This sweater isn't just criminally fabulous, it's also coronation-appropriate. Now we just need the weather to cool off a bit so we can wear it.


Are we the only ones to think this whole Coachella cruise thing sounds like a really terrible idea? Like scores of drunk girls overboard bad? Though the thought of fruity drinks at the ship's bar with Jarvis Cocker almost saves it. We feel he'd be a pina colada man.


The house of Yves Saint Laurent is changing the brand's title to Saint Laurent Paris. This is too idiotic for us to care to comment on. 


Those sneaky minxes over at Domestic Sluttery have started a pudding club. It's chocolate month apparently. We would like to join a club where other people make us lovely puddings and then drop them off at our door without wanting to come in and chat. 


Did you know there's a Jane Austen festival held in Kentucky every year? Everyone dresses up, has tea, and we can only assume does some serious matchmaking and/or verbal sparring. Oh and there's gentlemen's DUELS. We're in.


Have you entered our absolutely fabulous giveaway yet? Why on earth not?


We have absolute swathes of scent, skincare and makeup reviews on the way again - let us know if there's anything you'd particularly love to see, or if you have any burning beauty questions you're dying to ask. Leave a comment, or write us at theblossomshed@gmail.com - we adore getting mail....

image via Pinterest

Giveaway! Win a Sumptuous Face Oil from Suti - CLOSED!

Here we are at The Blossom Shed's very first giveaway, and it's a fabulous one if we do say so ourselves. The lovely ladies at Suti, that temple of all that is pure, luxurious and nourishing, have generously sent us FOUR bottles of their divine Rejuvenate Face Oil to share...


Remember how we gushed over the sumptuous Nourish Oil earlier this year? The Rejuvenate Oil is like its younger, peppier sister - a bit lighter and zestier, with an uplifting, citrus scent and bright, golden color. A blend of the purest, highest quality oils - rosehip, argan, evening primrose, sandalwood, frankincense, tangerine and neroli - it's utter heaven for your your senses and your skin.


Hydrating, balancing and soothing, it's a fabulous choice for dry, sensitive, mature, combination and acne-plagued skins. Basically, everyone. Wear it daily, nightly, or as a treat when your skin needs a little extra pampering. It's lovely under sunscreen, and I feel like it keeps my skin soft and hydrated while still allowing it to breathe - I use it on weekends when I want to give skin a break and a bit of a pamper - a few drops massaged into damp skin leave it glowing and radiant.


Want to read more about the product? Peruse some of the glowing reviews at Beauty Mouth, A Model Recommends, Elle UK and Fig + Sage. We also want to send a huge thank you to Tina and Suzannah of Suti for sponsoring this giveaway - they're skincare geniuses and generous to boot.


CARE TO WIN A BOTTLE?


Leave a comment telling us A) how you follow The Blossom Shed - GFC, Bloglovin', Twitter or Facebook (if you want us to love you forever you'll follow via ALL of them) and B) why your skin deserves a treat. Giveaway ends August 1st, and is open to anyone, anywhere - it may take us ages to mail it if you're in Siberia, but send it we will.


Four winners will be chosen randomly - make sure you leave a contact,  via email or Twitter, so that we can contact you if you're one of the lucky few!