MissPrint Little Trees Bedding from John Lewis

I stumbled across MissPrint's range of bedding back in November, during a weekend amble around John Lewis. MissPrint is a design company that produces printed materials (fabric, wallpaper and window-film) featuring hand-illustrated from co-founder Rebecca Drury. The brand's bedding, made from their most popular patterns, is exclusively available from John Lewis in a range of sizes.

Rose Theatre Fashion Show in Kingston

Elemis Skincare at John Lewis Kingston

John Lewis Kingston stock some really fabulous beauty brands (all housed in their gorgeous newly renovated beauty floor), and in November they very kindly sent me a package of Elemis products to trial. I haven't used very much from Elemis before so I was really excited to try more from the brand, and I have to admit that I've been pretty impressed!

Mio High Intensity Bodycare Fit Skin Kit

Japonesque Makeup Haul

Murad's New Treatment Room at John Lewis Kingston

Last Monday I headed over to John Lewis' Kingston branch to see the newly launched Murad Treatment Room. Murad are a brand that I've become more and more invested in this year after I visited their Kingston counter in January for a mini-facial. I wrote about my experience with Murad's on-counter (which just means that they occur at the counter in the department store, rather than in a seperate room) facial treatments on my blog (link here). Although it was a very positive experience, I was really happy to hear that Murad were launching their own private treatment room in John Lewis' Kingston branch, so that facials and other treatments could occur in a more relaxing environment.

The photos featured above are all of the Murad counter in John Lewis' Kingston branch. You can see the general area that the counter takes up and that two facial consultations can occur at once, but that there's only really space for one facial treatment. The on-counter treatments tend to only be mini-treatments that last roughly 30 minutes. However, now that Murad have their own dedicated and private treatment space they can offer 60 minute facials - along with more holistic treatments such as relaxing massages.

The treatment room is tucked away just around the corner from the rest of the beauty department and outside the treatment space there's a big, comfy armchair for waiting visitors to relax in - as modelled by Ellie from Kingston First. Opposite this prive waiting area is the treatment room itself.

Murad's new Treatment Room is an intimate space that completely transports visitors away from the hustle of a department store and into a relaxing spa-like environment. It's a perfect way to privately indulge in expert skincare treatments from Murad's knowledgeable and friendly in-house team. All of the Murad representatives that I've met have been incredibly helpful and kind, and they're exactly the sort of people that you'd want looking after you in both a retail and treatment setting. 

In the next month or so, Murad are also set to release new gift vouchers which will enable Murad customers to purchase products or treatments for not only themselves but also for their loved ones. I think that they'll be a fantastic gift option for those people in your life who already seems to have everything. If you'd like to make use of this treatment room then just pop by the Murad counter in Kingston's John Lewis and have a chat to one of the brand's assistants.

Reviewing Some of InStyle's Best Beauty Buys 2015

Earlier this month I received an incredibly generous package from John Lewis in the post containing InStyle's Best Beauty Buys 2015 magazine as well as a selection of beauty products from the many wonderful brands that they stock. I haven't yet had a chance to try out everything that I was sent, but I  thought I would start by trying out the products that I was sent that also featured in InStyle's "best beauty buys list", so I'll be sharing mini-reviews of these products.

I'm always in two minds about these sorts of magazines as you always see the same brands and products being mentioned, and there isn't much scope for smaller brands getting recognition. However, that being said, I always enjoy reading expert recommendations and I did spot a couple of products that I hadn't seen before, which I now fully intend to go out and buy! Although all the products that I'll be featuring in today's blogpost are featured by InStyle (all of which have been very kindly gifted to me by John Lewis), I just wanted to make clear that this isn't a sponsored post and I wasn't obligated to write this blogpost. All my reviews today are entirely based on my personal experience with the products, which I fully enjoyed putting to the test!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish*
available form John Lewis for £15.50 for 100ml

I discovered this cult cleanser when I first began writing my blog. I initially thought - because it had the word "polish" in the title - that this would be an exfoliating cleanser. However, since having the opportunity to try it for myself (I've gotten through two 250ml tubes in the last two years!) I now know that it is a thick, cream cleanser that you remove with a muslin cloth. And it's the exfoliating cloth that offers the "polishing"/exfoliating element. I was very grateful to receive a handy 30ml travel size tube of this cleanser as it really is a fabulous skincare product, and I especially like reaching for it when I have a lot of makeup to remove! 

Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash*

available from John Lewis for £18.00

I'm already a rose otto fan but I hadn't actually tried this Body Wash before! I've been using Balance Me's Rose Otto Body Wash for months and months and this Ren Body Wash is really similar but has a slightly thicker more jelly-like consistency. I really do quite like this product from Ren, I'd definitely repurchase it as it gives my daily shower such a luxurious feeling.

Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub*

available from John Lewis for £29.00

Holy moly... this is a really nice body scrub. Like, really nice. It has the smallest little exfoliating particles that really get down into your pores and cleanse and scrub you into an oblivion of smooth-skin goodness. It's really gentle but incredibly effective - and also super easy to use. I like to use this on my arms and decollatage, applying the creamy scrub to dry skin, buffing it gentle across my skin before stepping into my shower and washing it away. It might seem expensive but it is a great option for sensitive skin and it really is one of the most effective yet gentle scrubs that I've ever used. Incredibly impressed! I can totally see why people would rave about it - good for you Clarins.

Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream*
available from John Lewis for £14.50 for 200ml

I'm already a very big fan of Balance Me's Rose Otto Range - I've gotten through two of their Rose Otto Body Washes in the last six months - and their hand cream doesn't disppoint! It has a thick, creamy texture with that same delicate rose scent that I've come to love. I really like this hand cream and I think it will appeal to so many people. Balance Me is one of the few brands that consistently impresses me and I'd highly recommend investing in their skincare and bodycare ranges.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair*

available from John Lewis for £48.00

I haven't given this a "proper" try as I've only used it for about a week. However, what I can tell you is how it compares on first impression to the other skincare oils that I'm used to. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair has a lighter consistency than my MyChelle Argan Oil* and a similar consistency to my Mount Purious Rosehip Oil*. However, it doesn't feel as nourishing as either when you first use it. Instead, it seemed to do more overnight and the results were noticeable the next day when I woke up with smoother, fresher looking skin. Overall, my first impression is that this is a really good option to incorporate into your skincare routine and I can see why it featured in InStyle's Best of Beauty Guide - but it's just too expensive to tempt me to invest as I'm a really big fan of the oils I already use.

GHD Hairspray*

available from John Lewis for £3.95 for 75ml

This is sort of "cheating" as the hairspray itself wasn't listed in the Best of Beauty Guide, but GHD's  range did get a prominent feature so I thought I'd try out this hairspray anyway. I have to say, on first inspection I'm impressed with the hold and finish that it gives my hair. However, I think I have found my true hairspray love in L'Oreal Elnett so I don't think that I would repurchase this. But it definitely isn't a bad product and it's reasonably priced (even though you're almost certainly paying more for the brand name).

Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight*

available from John Lewis for £21.50 for 150ml
This is another "cheat" because Aveda's haircare range got a mention, but not specifically the Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight. This is a really nicely textured liquid-cream product that you work into your hair before blowdrying to reduce frizz and help achieve a naturally straight looking style. I found that it offered decent hold and did help keep my hair looking neater and less wavy than normal. However, my hair is naturally quite straight so I can't say if it does a truly tremendous job. But that being said, I love the texture of the product and the way it left my hair feeling so I'd definitely reach for it again if I had the choice!

I have to say a big thank you to John Lewis for giving me the opportunity to try out some of InStyle's Best of Beauty picks - and you can view all the winners on John Lewis' website here. I'd love to know if you've tried any of these products and what you thought about them. And you'll be happy to know that I'm now trialling the rest of the products that I was sent so that I can share some more mini-reviews next month :)

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

My First Experience with Japonesque

My First Murad Facial

At the beginning of the week I was very kindly invited to John Lewis Kingston to visit their Murad counter for a complimentary facial - an experience that is often made available to John Lewis customers! I was greeted at the counter by Felicity who expertly talked me through Murad's products and explained the holistic ethos of the Dr. Murad's company - the idea that skincare is only 20% of the solution and the other 80% has to come from healthy living. 

It was fascinating to have my face properly scanned and to actually see what my real skin concerns are. I was very happy to see that my eye area is much less dehydrated than it was when I had my skin scanned by Balance Me in December (regularly using eye cream makes such a difference), however, Felicity did help me identify that my real skin concern is pigmentation caused by sun damage. The only real way to battle this is to religiously apply products containing SPF, but she did also inform me that products containing high concentrations of Vitamin C can also really help minimise the appearance of dark marks and pigmentation. Murad actually has an entire Vitamin C range - I've been using their Vitamin C Cleanser since the beginning of December and it was one of my favourites from 2014 - and I'm really keen to incorporate more of these products into my daily routine!

However, my actual "facial" consisted of Felicity pampering my skin with a full skincare routine based on my scan. I was sat in an incredibly comfortable reclining chair, that despite being located in the beauty counter still felt surprisingly private and quiet. The treatment included a double cleanse using two of Murad's cleansers (Murad's AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser followed by the Essential C Cleanser) followed by a facial treatment (the Blackhead & Pore Refining Duo). Felicity talked me through all the different products and made me feel incredibly comfortable with the entire process. When we'd finished my skin really did look much brighter and I felt great. I'd highly recommend the entire experience, especially as they're often available in John Lewis free of charge! It's a really great way to try out products before buying them and it's also just a wonderful treat that will leave you looking and feeling great.

I have to say a big thank you to John Lewis for arranging the entire experience for me, and to Felicity who was so friendly and knew so much about Murad. It was lovely to come across someone so passionate about the brand they work for, she knew the answer to every question I threw her way! If you have a John Lewis near you then I'd definitely stop by the Murad counter next time you visit to ask about their facials. They'll honestly be more than happy to help you.

Christmas Stocking Fillers from John Lewis

I wouldn't usually think of popping into John Lewis for stocking fillers or secret santa gifts but they actually have a fantastic selection of smaller gifts! If you're a little bit crafty, or buying for a little-one, then you might like the Make Your Own Pom Pom tree Decorations* - it's a super adorable set and would make an affordable gifting extra. Alternatively, if you know someone who might like some fun decorations for their home then I particularly like the look of Livingly's Paper Mobiles* and the Blue Sky Designs Timeline Photo Organizer* which offers an easy way to display photos (or Christmas cards).

If you're buying for someone with a sense of humour then you might just like the Sculpt Your Own Boyfriend* kit. It's definitely a tongue in cheek sort of present but I already know someone who might get a giggle or two out of it! But if you're looking for something slightly more serious then stationery is always a good bet. I love the look of this Magnetic To Do List*, not only is the design really cute but it's functional too! It can be stuck on a fridge and really help with organising those with a particularly hectic household. 

Or if you're looking for something a bit more "fun" then what about a scented candle? I love Jasmine scents and this Jasmine Petals Boxed Candle* has a lovely fragrance that would make any living room come to life. And finally, we come to my top pick, some of John Lewis' Nail Polishes*. I have the shades Brick (a warm orange) and Poppy (a shimmering red) and not only are they very pretty colours but they're perfect for wearing at this time of year. 

Do you like the look of any of these stocking fillers? Where have you been shopping for your gifts this Christmas?

Getting #Inspired: Christmas at John Lewis Kingston

Last night I had the real pleasure of visiting Kingston's John Lewis store for an evening of Christmas inspiration! Hidden away inside the shop, the John Lewis team had kitted out a series of rooms in the design of a traditional home - but with a very festive twist. There was a children's bedroom full of fairy lights, a seriously cosy living room, as well as an adult's bedroom and a dining room display decked out with Chritsmas trees galore. Across these rooms, I was able to experience how John Lewis' furniture and homewear could really transform a generic space into something incredibly homely, comfortable and stylish. 

Upon arriving I was greeted very warmly by John Lewis' staff and PR team. There were only a few, select bloggers in attendance and by comparison there were a large number of people from the John Lewis team to talk to and this, I feel, made everyone in attendance feel really valued and appreciated. Whenever I had any questions there was always someone to talk to about the products or about the John Lewis Kingston store, and everyone's glasses were topped up the moment they appeared to be running dry! I felt as though I learnt a lot about John Lewis and their products by being able to see them in a constructed space and being able to interact with them as a "user" rather than as a "consumer". The whole thing was a great idea and I was so glad that I was invited to attend. 

My visit to the store definitely got me into the Christmas spirit and inspired me to include some more festive posts in the coming days and weeks. All of the beautiful displays made me realise that you only need small touches to transform your normal, everyday space into something resembling a cosy Christmas grotto! The addition of blankets, cushions, fairy lights, candles, a wreath or even just a faux-fire (hosted on the television with an accompanying crackling soundtrack) - all these little touches changed an otherwise airy and high-ceilinged room, into something with a more intimate feel. The message was simple and effective - you don't need to overhaul your home to get in the Christmas spirit. All that are needed are small updates - examples of which the Kingston John Lewis team sprinkled throughout their displays, which I've shared with you today in my photos. 

As an extra treat, we were also introduced to some representatives from ESPA Skincare who were giving arm massages using some of their gorgeous body oils. When we walked into the community room where this part of the event was being hosted, the fragrance of the products was simply beautiful! I went away seriously lusting after the reed diffusers and candles, whose scents offer another easy way to infuse your home with a new lease of life. Very kindly, we were also given some products from ESPA Skincare and John Lewis to take home with us, and I'm going to be sharing those with you all soon. A very big thank you to everyone at John Lewis Kingston and ESPA Skincare for a lovely evening - and I know I'm going to be visiting again (the Kingston branch has the most beautiful beauty department with every beauty brand you could possibly hope for).