Studs and Dreams: Neal's Yard Remedies

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Sleeping Well

When it comes to sleep, I find I'm on one end or the other. I can either sleep so well. I'm a heavy sleeper so that works or I'm right at the other extreme and am struggling every night. I go through phases of both and this post is going to let you all in on a few of my best beauty buys for helping with those restless nights.

Relaxing is SO important and I honestly cannot tell you how important it is to switch your 'work brain' off long before you're going to bed. Its the nights I stay up editing videos or writing posts until god knows what time and then expect to sleep right away that I have the biggest issues. I'm constantly thinking of new ideas and I just can't get my brain to stop... This is the worst idea, and I really don't recommend it. Tip number 1 right there, I suppose.

But it's when we ARE having these issues and maybe we can't help but do these things that we know won't help with our sleeping that we need a little help and of course some of our favourite beauty brands have got our back on this one...

A great idea to help with getting to sleep is by using a moisturiser targeted at sleeping well. My favourites are the Elemis Fresh Skin Dreamy Sleep Night Time Moisturiser and the Neal's Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate*. My pick Elemis is great for hydrating your skin overnight. It's a range targeted from your teens to your 20's and is a little more subtle with the 'sleeping well' properties so if you're just looking for a little nod towards getting to sleep then this is your guy. A little more intense and the Neal's Yard Beauty Sleep Concentrate has been formulated to support your skins natural night time regeneration and the scent is just so soothing.

Then there are products that aid relaxation like the Origins Sensory Therapy Peace of Mind. Not specifically targeted at sleeping well, but it definitely can't hurt the process. You'll sleep best if your relaxed, it's just natural. Just rub a little of this on the back of your neck, temples and earlobes and it'll just help with your relaxation. I've had this product for such a long time and I always forget it's there. I really need to make sure I crack this one out more often as it's a definite fave.

Onto products a little like my pick from Origins but ones targeted specifically at sleep. The This Works Sleep Balm and the Seascape Sleep Oil* both have aromatheraputic benefits that'll help you get to sleep a little easier. Super relaxing and they smell so good.

Just pop a few of these products on your bedside table and see how you get on with them. I love them, they really help me to relax but the only issue I find is actually remembering to use them...

Lorna x

Monday, 15 April 2013

Neal's Yard Remedies

Neals Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate* - £31.50, Geranuim & Orange Body Balm* - £29.50, Plum Lip Gloss* - £9.50

I was recently invited down to the Neal's Yard Remedies Camden store for the opening of their Treatment rooms. I had heard of Neal's Yard before, I was just yet to try it and was very excited to hear more about it.

The evening included a cheeky Indian Head Massage, wine and plenty of browsing their products. The store was small and beautiful and was filled with products with their signature blue packaging. It was beautiful! We were talked through the products and the heritage of the brand, they have been around since 1981! - I absolutely love that they still sell their natural herbal remedies.

The store owner was lovely, and so was the lovely lady that gave me an Indian head massage. I know that if I want to try anything out I will pop down to this store. Great customer service makes all the difference.

I was lucky enough to be given a few products to try out to introduce myself to the brand and their products.

Beauty Sleep Concentrate

This is a night moisturiser/concentrate that is easily absorbed into the skin, it supports your skin's natural night time regeneration and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As someone with quite dry and dehydrated skin, I was a little apprehensive about this product. I am forever loving my Clinique Moisture Surge and couldn't imagine using anything that would meet up to it. You cannot compare the products, they are so different but I do like both of them. This is a little less moisturising than I would normally use, but I do still really like it. I love using it on those days that you don't need as much moisture or will use it after a different serum or moisturiser. The scent is lovely, it's great to put on before bed as it is one of those scents that just help you sleep. So if you have trouble sleeping or are looking for a new night product, then you should definitely give this a go. Plus, the packaging is beautiful! Who wouldn't want this on their dressing table?

Geranium & Orange Body Balm

When seeing this product in store, I knew instantly that I wanted to try it. I hadn't used a body balm before, but after seeing this I was really intrigued and definitely wanted too. Luckily enough, this was in the goody bag and I really couldn't wait to try it. The product is a lot different to a moisturiser as the product is a lot more of a hard and oily consistency. It is meant to restore vibrancy and nourish dull or dry skin. I wasn't too sure on the scent at first but the more I have used the product, the more I have grown to love the scent. It is really moisturising, although it does take a bit more time to use and apply than a usual moisturiser does.

Plum Lip Gloss

I'm not really much of a lip gloss wearer, so I can't really say too much about this. It contains antioxidant white tea and a minimum of 92% organic ingredients including their beauty oil and organic sweet orange oil! Unlike a normal lip gloss, these are formulated to nourish, nurture and protect while still having the same glossy properties a normal lip gloss would have. The lip gloss has a lovely shimmer running through it, that looks lovely in the light. Again, this isn't something I would wear but if you like shimmer then this is definitely great for you!