Lush 'Soak and Float' Shampoo Bar Review

This is the second shampoo bar I've used, the first one being the 'Honey I Washed My Hair'. If you're not familiar with shampoo bars, check out my review as I explain it there or click here for explanation on Lush's page.

I got the 'Soak and Float' because my scalp goes through periods of feeling itchy and I occasionally have get dandruff, so I wanted something that would help soothe and clear my scalp. I didn't want to get another bottle of Head and Shoulders as that stuff makes me lose a lot of hair - a surprisingly common thing for a lot of people, although there's no scientific evidence linking the product and hair loss.

Anyway, this is much gentler. It contains rose oil and cade oil that helps sooth the skin and so far, it works fairly well. It hasn't completely solved the issue but it's toned it town.

I was a little freaked out about how it contains dried rose and marigold petals in it - I was worried they'd stick in my hair but these washed right out, even out of my mane of hair without a problem. It has a strong rose scent which I find quite pleasant and soothing.

Overall, a really nice product and I would recommend it to anyone with scalp or dandruff issues!


Cost: £5.95
Cruelty free? Oh yes. Lush is known for producing cruelty free, environmentally friendly, vegetarian friendly and occasionally vegan products.

Writing Update #18

Everything's settled down a little bit, so I'll try and get back into the swing of blogging! I've started making these writing updates in a video format - I'll still make a blog post but the written format will be more of a summary whilst the video will go into more detail about everything.

Writing Update

• One of poems has been published! I'm in BedBoat magazine, a gorgeous new indie lifestyle publications. It's a gorgeous magazine run by lovely people, I'm so happy I get to be part of it!
• I've also got a short story in Exetera magazine - it's about virtual reality. It follows a court case where a woman has destroyed several avatars and is on trial for mass digital murder - cheery stuff, I know! I'm on page 30.
• I reviewed American Idiot the Musical recently - fantastic show! If you love Green Day, go go go. 

Music

• I met the lovely Sadie Horler who has a new EP out! She's a singer-song writer who does folk music, super talented - check out her music here. 

Real Life and Other Nonsense

• I've moved out of uni, and have graduated which is weird and scary stuff.

That's enough about me, how are you all?

Writing Update #17

VERY quick post as I haven't written in ages. End of degree is coming. There is a lot of fear in our souls. I'm working on my dissertation and a big essay - they're like big brick walls I have to break through because I hear there's light on the other side. So here's some stuff I've been up to since the last post:

Writing

• A poem and short story has been accepted for BedBoat magazine, either they'll both be in the upcoming issue or split between Issue 3 and 4.
• I wrote a poem title 'The Sky People' and I want to make a video to go along with the video and have animation but all my friends are in the same boat as me and finishing up our degrees. Will keep you all posted.
• New radio play I was working on has unfortunately been cancelled due to being too busy with everything. 

Other Projects

• I won the Paddon Award again (second year running) - which was uber amazing. I made a short film this year.
• YouTube channel is going well but sadly I can't spend much time making videos right now.
• Started a podcast with my younger sister. We've called it 'The Lemon Water Podcast'. It's still very rough as we're starting out but it's fun.

Ok that's all I have time for! Bye!

Garnier toner review

Cleanse, tone, moisturise.

All beauty guides chant this like some sort of creepy mantra. I understood the cleansing and the moisturising, but what's the point of toner?

I read a Wikipedia page did a little research - toner cleanses the face and apparently minimises the size of pores. I talked to a doctor (messaged a family member who's a GP) and it's not possible to actually change the size of your pores, it's just part of your face. When pores are clogged they dilate, so keeping them clean can make them less noticeable.

I started using toner a few years ago to see what it's all about. I've used a few in my time and so far I like this one the best.

Garnier Fresh Refining Toner Shine Be Gone!

This is a high street brand and is very affordable. I used to avoid toner that contained alcohol as I was worried that it would be too harsh on my sensitive skin. However, I suffer from blackheads so I fancied trying something stronger.

It's quite gentle and leaves a tingly feeling on the skin. I've used this daily for about a year now* and my blackheads aren't as bad as they used to be. I put a little on a cotton pad and sweep it over my nose and forehead. It seems to help clear the oil that builds up in the pores and manage the oil on my skin. This hasn't banished all blackheads, but it's helping me manage them.

Overall - very nice product.


Price? £3.29
Where can I get some? Boots or Superdrug
Size? 200ml
Cruelty free? No


*the bottle looks full because I photographed this a while ago

Readathon Wrap Up - Seasons of Reading 'Winter's Respite'

I did the Seasons of Reading readathon - this one was the Winter's Respite which runs from 18 - 24 Jan. Actually managed to make another video, so this is my wrap up - you can see what I read and how I did!

My links:
-Goodreads
-Youtube
-Twitter
-Instagram

Seasons of Reading Links:
-Blog
-Facebook group
-Twitter

Books mentioned:
'The Road' - Cormac McCarthy
'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft' - Stephen King
'Wuthering Heights' - Emily Bronte
'The Bone Clocks' - David Mitchell