Origins GinZing Trio, Part One: Energy-Boosting Moisturizer.

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about a new range from 'Origins' which is the GinZing range. Complete with it's bright orange packaging, you simply can't miss it.

Today I'm reviewing the Energy-Boosting Moisturizer. 

According to the product notes it's a facial cream to instantly hydrate the skin and 'rev up' radiance. Origins are clearly down with the kids..

As always, let me cut through the blurb for you and tell you a little more about this moisturizer...

Firstly, I'm not a big fan of pots of product. I don't like the thought of having to dig your hand in every time you want to use it - it's surely the most unhygienic of packaging styles. I much prefer my moisturizer to be in a tube, but that's a personal preference.

The pot is deceptively large as it contains 50ml of product. 

When taking off the lid you are met with something highly unexpected; the smell. Remember at Christmas when you had a tin of Roses and after a few days you go to open the tin and all that's left are the Orange Cremes? This moisturizer smells EXACTLY like an Orange Creme. 

As for the texture...

It's quite thick but very lightweight. As soon as you pop this on the skin, all it takes is a small fingertip massage and it's instantly absorbed. It's a nice feeling and it's pleasant to apply.

Considering the aforementioned smell, it actually doesn't leave your skin smelling like an Orange Creme, which is baffling.

This moisturizer isn't greasy and you can start to apply foundation without having to wait too long for it to soak into the skin. 

Having said all of the above; I'm sorry Origins but this product doesn't wow me. After a while of using the Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, I noticed no notable difference in my skin. So for £23.00, I wouldn't be rushing back to the shop to repurchase this product I'm afraid. 

I certainly didn't feel like my skin had any more energy and other than my bedroom smelling distinctly of Christmas, there was no other benefit to using this product. 

You can buy this product from Boots online or in store. As well as other retailers that sell the Origins range.

If you're looking to make a purchase within this range, check out my reviews on the Origins Refreshing Eye Cream & Brightening Mascara too. 
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Ruffle No Feathers Cruelty Free Beauty Mini-Series Part 2

Hello lovely! Today is the second post in my cruelty free beauty mini-series - yippee!

If you missed the first post, you can find it here. 

In this mini-series, I am featuring products that have been sourced only from BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) approved companies. 

The products are all from www.rufflenofeathers.co.uk - the first, and only, online retailer in the UK to offer a wide range of various companies' products that meet the strict standards of the BUAV and in turn have been awarded the Leaping Bunny logo.

I champion Ruffle No Feathers because it's ran by Rebecca, a passionate and smart entrepeneur who is based locally to me. Rebecca maintains that even the beautiful packaging that her customer's products are sent out in is made from paper that is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified; made from sustainably managed forests and tissue paper that is 100% acid free recycled tissue paper - smart lady!

On to the mini series: Part 2, Shangri La Organics Angels Kiss Lip Balm.  

According to the product notes this lip balm has a blend of Apricot, Jojoba, Orange and Palmarosa essential oils, combined with Shea Butter and Beeswax. 

Make no mistake, this is a very luxurious lip balm... It smells absolutely divine and the little brushed glass pot is so beautiful! I'm not sure how well it would travel, it seems pretty sturdy though. 

The Angels Kiss Lip Balm will provide you with a solution to dry, chapped lips and with continued use you'll find your lips become softer and smoother. The lip balm also has a very subtle tingle that you'll notice 30 seconds or so after you massage it into your lips.

BUAV approved (of course!) and 100% organic, as part of the Shangri La Organics label, this product has been certified by the Soil Association and is guaranteed to have passed stringent tests and meet the highest standard for organic products. You can thus rest assured that this product was never tested on animals, and it’s certified to be kind not only to your lips, but also to animals and the environment.

How to use: Apply a small amount onto your lips and re-apply as and when needed - simples!

One of the nice things about this lip balm is that you can still smell it once applied to the lips. This is only a good thing if the scent is pleasant and let me tell you, you simply have to smell this lip balm! It's a really difficult scent to describe, but it's heavenly.

I would recommend this lip balm to anyone who doesn't mind a balm that isn't fragrance free. Especially if BUAV approved, cruelty free products are important to you and you have very luxurious tastes. 

Shangri La Organics have a number of other products, including a foot balm, rescue balm and hand balm - the epitome of luxury. 

You can find the Shangri La Organics Angels Kiss Lip Balm on the Ruffle No Feathers website, here.
  
Stay tuned for Part 3 of our cruelty free beauty mini-series next week!

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Amazon Locker

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to tell you about something that I'm quite excited about; Amazon Locker.

You may not know this but amazon have started a new delivery service called Amazon Locker. It's a self-service delivery location for you to collect parcels purchased from amazon.co.uk

So how does it work? Well, upon checkout instead of selecting to have your loot delivered to home or work, you can select a 'locker' location to pick up your parcel at a time that's convenient for you. Once your parcel is delivered to the Amazon locker, you'll receive a notification by email with a unique pick-up code.

Pop along to your amazon locker, use the touch screen and enter your pick-up code. You'll then be given a message with your parcel's locker number and the door will open. 

Here's my local amazon locker. Pretty cool, eh? 

 
You can search to see if there's a locker location in your area by going here. I believe that they are primarily in Co-Operative stores. And don't panic if you haven't seen a locker, a lot of the Co-Op stores are still offering a collection service even if there is no locker in store. They will just hold your parcels in storage on site. 

All you have to do to use the Amazon Locker service is select the option during checkout. If all the items in your shopping basket are eligible for delivery to a locker; then awesome!

You will have 3 working days to pick up your parcels from the Amazon Locker location, which is pretty cool. Let's face it there's little more frustrating than having to stay in for a delivery or indeed missing a delivery altogether. This is what makes the service so great.

You'll know when the item has been delivered to the locker location because you'll get an e-mail from Amazon to let you know. Then you can just swing by when it's convenient for you to do so and pick up your package.

How much does it cost? Well until June 30th, Amazon are offering a 'One-Day Amazon Locker Delivery' for £1.99 per delivery. After that, it will depend on the item(s) and prices will be displayed during the checkout process.

'Standard Amazon Locker Delivery' is also available. This service is comparable to First Class and until June 30th, Amazon are offering this delivery option for FREE. Woohoo!

Overall, I reckon this new service from Amazon is genius. Imagine you're going away across the country for a week and you order something - why not select an Amazon Locker delivery for the destination address and pick it up when you get there - brilliant! 

I'm sure you'll start to see and hear a lot more about Amazon Locker. What do you think?

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Pamper Morning at Francesco Group Derby

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about my recent experience at Francesco Group Derby - where a friend and I had our hair done for a girly day out in London. Woohoo!

First things first, I have to say that I can't believe I've never been to this salon before. I thought I had been to most salons in Derby since I moved here 5 years ago but this one is quite the hidden gem.

Francesco Group in Derby is based on Victoria Street and once you head on up the lovely mirrored and lit staircase, you are met by a very 'vogue looking' reception area. This space is really modern, fresh and clean.

My friend and I decided on having curly hair for our special day out - got to love a bit of volume! The day out was actually in aid of my birthday and I have to say I was rather depressed at turning 28, so I was definitely in need of a pamper. 

We had our hair washed at the basin area which is to the one side of the salon, it's a lovely little secluded area and the chairs are insanely comfortable. Which is always a relief.

Here we are undergoing the grooming process. We were in the safe hands of the manager Christopher and his colleagues. The stylists were very friendly, attentive and keen to help out with our hair questions. I always make the most of hair appointments by asking my stylist questions. Don't be shy when you're in a salon - if you have any hair queries ask the experts while you have the chance!

My stylist also had the new Wella Luxe Oil which I was particularly excited about and she used it on my hair. It smells a-ma-zing, it's a really lightweight oil and having read up online about it, it's good for transforming and conditioning damaged hair. It contains Argan, Jojoba and Almond Oil. With ingredients like that, you can't go too wrong, can you!

Francesco Group salon prices start from £20.00 for a cut and finish, £15.00 for men's hair and colouring starts from £30.00. Always speak to your salon about the type of stylist too - if you're on a budget, you can always see a trainee or junior stylist and you'll benefit from the best price possible. You'll still get the luxury of the salon, with the same treatments and service.

 
Here's my finished result which I loved, my hair stayed really volumised all day and I felt really glamourous yet understated, which is a very good thing indeed.

Here is my friend Jayne's hair - her hair is really long and she never curls or straightens it, so it was really good for her to have a new 'do' for our day out. 

And for all you local Chic Geeks out there, Francesco salon has WiFi - so fear not, you won't have to miss reading your favourite posts on FromGeektoChic while you are pampered in the salon. Phew!

I also got to take a look at the new ghd Eclipse straighteners while I was in the salon, they look really sleek and from what I can see they boast a more even heat than previous ghd stylers. 

If you're local to Derby or visiting for the day and want to pop in to the salon for a new hair do, you can contact Francesco Group directly on 01332 340 532. 

You can also visit their blog on francescoderby.wordpress.com or the official Francesco group website on francescogroup.co.uk.
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Ruffle No Feathers Cruelty Free Beauty Mini-Series Part 1

Hello lovely! Today is the first in my cruelty free beauty mini-series - yippee!

I'm going to be featuring products that have been sourced only from BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) approved companies. 

The products are all from www.rufflenofeathers.co.uk - the first, and only, online retailer in the UK to offer a wide range of various companies' products that meet the strict standards of the BUAV and in turn have been awarded the Leaping Bunny logo.

I champion Ruffle No Feathers because it's ran by Rebecca, a passionate and smart entrepeneur who is based locally to me. Rebecca maintains that even the beautiful packaging that her customer's products are sent out in is made from paper that is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified; made from sustainably managed forests and tissue paper that is 100% acid free recycled tissue paper - smart lady!

On to the mini series: Part 1, Amie New Bloom Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes.  

According to the product notes these fragrance-free wipes are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.

They contain skin-friendly natural extracts of pomegranate, cranberry and green tea for clear, soft and radiant skin. They are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

These wipes have a really soft, pleasant smell and I have really enjoyed using them. They take off even the most stubborn of make up - which was a pleasant surprise. 

With make up wipes, I occasionally find myself running for the make up remover liquid to take the last parts of mascara or eyeliner off. But not with the Amie wipes. 

They are really soft on the skin and don't cause any irritation. They are free from parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals and animal extracts. Awesome.

How to use them: Really simply just wipe them over your skin morning and evening whenever your skin needs a refreshing cleanse or to remove make up. After you've used a wipe, dispose of it in a waste bin in the proud knowledge that these wipes are biodegradable. Yay. 

I am very occasionally, I must admit, swayed by packaging. And I have to say that the packaging for these cleansing wipes is super cute. I'm always very proudly displaying them on my dressing table. Amie has really lovely branding. 

I would recommend these cleansing wipes to anyone. Especially if BUAV approved, cruelty free products are important to you or if you have particularly sensitive skin. (Or both!) 

You can find the Amie New Bloom Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes on the Ruffle No Feathers website, here.
  
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our cruelty free beauty mini-series next week!

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about my all time favourite product for a quick beauty fix, a pick me up or a 'girls night in' - it's Montagne Jeunesse's face masks. 

The main thing I love about Montagne Jeunesse products is that they are full of natural ingredients and are as eco-friendly as possible. They are also cruelty free. 

They are a massive staple in my beauty regime and I like to try and use a face mask once a week on a Sunday. (Let's face it, it's the best day of the week to pamper yourself.)

The range of face masks can be broken down into the following sections: 

• Clay Spa's
• Creams
• Exotic Fruits
• Fabric
• Face Food
• Non Drying
• Muds
• Peel Offs
• Scrubs
• Self Heating
• Skin Heroes

Each range contains products that perform in slightly different ways to help your skin with it's particular 'SOS' or with your particular desired end result. 

Fancy a 'pick me up'?

A 'Fabric' is always my go to face mask for a quick pick me up. These are great if you only have 5 minutes to spare but really want your skin to look like it's had a beauty treatment at a salon. 

Recommendation: Try the Aloe Vera fabric face spa. It smells lovely and contains aloe vera and green tea. 

Good for all skin types, just lean back and place the fabric mask over your face for 5-10 minutes, remove, splash your face with cold water and you are good to go! For £1.29 your skin will LOVE you for it.

Girly night indulgence?

A 'Mud' mask is always super when you've got much more time and you want a long and relaxing treatment. They will open your pores, then draw out impurities and dirt for a full on cleanse - don't worry, it's not as gross as it sounds.

Recommendation: Give the Virgin Olive Face mask a whirl. It contains olive oil and shea & cocoa butter to leave your skin deeply cleansed and really smooth. Best for dry, normal and sensitive skin. 

If you've got combination or oily skin, try the Dark Chocolate Deep Cleansing Mud mask. These mud masks are an absolute steal at £1.09 each.

Need a good scrub?

The Montagne Jeunesse scrubs are super exfoliating facial scrubs which are great to buff your way to clean and cleansed skin, a much more intense way of getting rid of those impurities. And the buffing is quite theraputic.

Recommendation: I like the Apricot Scrub, containing crushed apricot kernels and sweet mango. This is brilliant for removing dead skin cells and as it contains aloe vera - your skin is left feeling really soft.

At just £1.09 each for the scrubs, this range will be sure to make your dull skin look brighter and healthier in just 10 minutes. (Or longer if you're in the bath and fall asleep with them on occasionally, like I tend to. Don't do this at home...) 


Where can you buy them: Directly via the Montagne Jeunesse website, Boots online or in store and many other beauty, drug and department stores. 

Have you tried any Montagne Jeunesse face masks? Which is your favourite?
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

The Best High Street Foundation?

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about my current favourite high street foundation which I truly believe rivals many high end counterparts...

It's Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation.

According to the product notes it has a light moisturising texture that applies smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable all day. 

Let me cut through the blurb for you and tell you a little more about this foundation...

Shades: This foundation has a 6 shade range. (Kate Moss wears shade 200 Soft Beige and I wear shade 100 True Ivory.)

As you can see from the above graphic, the shade range does leave a lot to be desired, which is a massive shame. 

Coverage: I would say that this is a medium coverage foundation and it's buildable for full coverage. It blends really nicely into the skin and if you get the right match for you, it will melt right into the skin and make your face look virtually flawless.

Other Important Info: The foundation has SPF 15, which is really handy. Also keep your eye out in Boots because this product is regularly on 3 for 2. 

And more excitingly, I have found myself leaving my Chanel Aqua Lumier foundation on the side and reaching for this foundation time and time again. I know, right?!

Price: At £8.99 it's an absolute steal! I'd highly recommend this foundation if you're looking for a new 'holy grail' - forget how affordable this is, it can definitely pack a punch when directly compared to a high end foundation.

Where can I buy it: Boots online or in store. As well as other retailers that sell Rimmel products.

Have you tried this cult foundation from Rimmel?
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Google Glass - What do we know...

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about something that I can barely contain my excitement about; Google Glass.

Unless you've been on another planet, you'll have heard lots about Google's hotly anticipated Glass project which was formally announced in March. Wait, what's Google Glass? Ok, if you've had your head under a rock, I'll explain...

Google Glass is a headset that looks somewhat like a pair of glasses. (We already approve...) And it contains a small mobile computer, a camera, a microphone and a glass display that projects a screen into the wearer's view. 

This means that the person wearing Google Glass will be able to see mentions on Twitter, Facebook updates, news bulletins, local information, etc.

 
It also functions as a 'face cam', so with a quick voice command you can instantly take a picture or record what you see. Google Glass will have Wifi, 3G, Bluetooth and Voice Control. Amazing, right?

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has explained why he thinks that the eyeglass-based, always-connected screen is less intrusive than constantly checking your smartphone. We've all been guilty of spending too much time checking our phone when out with friends and Brin admitted he was as guilty as anyone else of this. 
 
I have to say it does really appeal to me to have the power of a mobile phone in my field of vision. To have instant information, instead of having to pull my phone out of my pocket to check it. 

 
It was originally reported that Google Glass would be available to the public for "around the cost of current smartphones" by the end of 2013, but other reports have stated that the Google Glass isn't expected to be available for purchase any time soon.

So here's a GeektoChic style round up of what we know about Google Glass and it's features.

• Release Date: Likely to be 2014. You can register your interest with Google here. 
• Cost: Expected to be between £150 - £300.
• What you'll be able to do with Google Glass:
• Take Pictures
• Record Video
• Facetime (Video calling)
• Reminders
• Weather Updates
• Text Dictation
• Travel Alerts
• Maps

And I have a feeling a few more features may just surprise us...

My only concern is how these will look paired with my actual glasses, which I need to wear in order to see! It would be a shame for me to have to wear contact lenses in order to use them, but sadly I assume that will have to be the case.

However, I know I'll definitely be in the queue to get my hands on Google Glass, will you?
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

What's your Essential Gadget?

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to 'Geek Out' a little and ask you all a question; what's the one gadget you simply couldn't live without?

First things first, let's start with a definition...

Source: Google Define

So what is important gadget criteria for you? Something that makes your life easier, or perhaps something that makes it a little more interesting...

When asking myself this question, I start to think about all of the gadgets that I use day to day.

• Mobile phone
• Electric cleansing brush
• Hairdryer
• Straighteners
• Electric Toothbrush
• Kettle
• Headphones
• Laptop
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Oven 
• Television

At lot of these we probably initially see as a necessity, but these are all gadgets that serve a purposes to make our lives easier, not possible.

However, I think if I'm truly honest, I couldn't live without any of the above. Not only do I rely on gadgets, but I absolutely love them. 

If you absolutely had to pick one gadget that you couldn't live without, what would it be?

(Even with a gun to my head, I'd struggle to choose just one!)
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.