Come rave about something S&B

[diggerdigsdogs]

I'm coming back to the UK next month and like to have a good list of things to buy like a sheep look at.

So please, rave about your latest or greatest loves. Can be anything S&B related - clothing, a shop, skin care, make up, whatever. Feel free to say what you didn't like too.

For me I'm surprisingly impressed by Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm which I have in Pretty Pink and Rosey Red. Sali Hughes didn't like it in the guardian but I've found them great.

I also keep raving about Stila CC cream which is my HG foundation product.

As an aside do you ever wonder if PRs come on S&B and ask for a recommendation for say mascara and then fill the board with sock puppets saying "Oh buy Blah, it's amazing." Or am I mega cynical?

I sometimes wonder about that too.

As for the original question, I don't have recommendations. I replace things as I need them or as they take my fancy in the shops. The few things I bought after others raved about them have been a disappointment.

I recommend Tesco's spray body dry oil, it looks a bit like the Sanctuary range and is called something like Calcot Manor. Nice light smell and perfect for summer legs, and about £6.

I strongly suspect Boots of doing that btw and frequently report posts to MNHQ for it but they don't find anything conclusive. Like when the new Protect and Perfect range came out there were threads started to big it up in a really weird way. And then also for their colour matching foundation thing. Haven't spotted them in a while though.

Una Brennan's Vit C Serum - the first time I can say something has properly made a difference to my skin.

I love Balance Me serum and their face oil is pretty good too. One of the few products that doesn't break me out.

I LOVE this tshirt from next. I bought it in white and loved it so much I got the blue, and I'll be getting the grey too.
It's the perfect non-see through, non-clingy cotton, with a flattering v neck and dipped back hem. I love it.

Also, I am a pr, I've worked with some beauty brands. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I wouldn't bother and nor would any of the pr teams I've worked for, as our work is measured by impact, so if we get an item mentioned in grazia or on guardian online we can say to the client 'heres a piece of press coverage, the reach is x million, that's worth £x' based on the readership of the media title and how much they would charge for the equivalent amount of advertising space.

It wouldn't impress my client to show them that I'd made up some usernames and posted some comments, as that's not what I'm paid for or what my skill is.

As I say, I'm sure it has happened, but the kind of major brands you're talking about just wouldn't bother for the limited reach a thread would have, compared to, say, putting in a phone call to daily mail online

Oh balls, forgot the tshirt link after all that!
www.next.co.uk/g0d10020s1

Ooo that shirt looks nice :)

I picked up boots botanical BB cream on foot of raving here and it is exceptionally good, would def recommend it!

I think the glycolic fix pads by Nip and Fab too.

My skin is really clear and even at the moment and feels very smooth. This has been since I started using them every other day about two weeks ago.

I am definitely not a PR for anyone.

I'm using glycolic fix pads and I'm not sure it's doing anything. Do you leave it a while or do you go straight to the next step of your routine?

the game changer for me has been vichy aqualia serum. Its just great. I think I need an acid toner in life but don't know which one? I have dry dehydrated skin.

also the superdrug hot cloth cleanser is great. I've just finished soap and glory ultimelt which i also really like.

I have just ordered the Vichy Aqualia, I need a good hydrating serum as I've simplified my skincare routine right down to Cetaphil for cleansing and Cerave PM for moisturising, but I need more moisture.

I would second - third? the recommendation for an acid toner but I use Bravura's calendula toner. It's made an immediate and dramatic difference to my skin. It's all about acids!

Bumble - I also have dry dehydrated skin and the Bravura calendula one doesn't irritate my skin at all. It's quite strong so I use it every 2/3 nights with no problems at all, my skin is smooth and glowing.

Lily Lolo mineral foundation. The only foundation I've ever enjoy wearing.

Lush solid shampoos - effective and long lasting

I've totally gone off all the Body Shop skincare ranges.

Thanks Coastingit - I will give it a go. that sounds great. Has anyone tried the garnier night cream? this one:

www.boots.com/en/Garnier-Miracle-Sleeping-Cream-50ml_1656092/

curls that's interesting. What about if by sock peppering you got onto the Mumsnet swears by email. Could you take that to a client and preen or would they still be unimpressed?

Sock puppeting not peppering ffs.

I still wouldn't be able to take that to a client as it's not a piece of media coverage that I could 'own'.

PR is about speaking to journalists, pitching in stories and negotiating space and publishing dates for those stories. I could speak to the mn team and put a client forward for a mumsnet q+a, or have a story covered in an article on mn, but conversation on the forum isn't my remit, and mn organically choosing something from that conversation and mentioning it would be nice, but not something I could ask a client to pay me for

thanks

Agh posted to soon. I meant thanks curls.

I second the boots botanical BB cream it is really great, not orange at all and has a nice texture. Also like the nip+fab dragons blood pads for my oily skin, boden t-shirts and joules or boden breton tops, next lift & shape jeans...also bras, get your fitting done at somewhere like bravissimo and a properly fitted bra is a life changer!

I am using the St tropez in the shower and love it. Got it on offer in boots and you can't really go wrong. Did have a spray tan booked for a event but cancelled it - the St tropez in the shower gives me perfect results for under a tenner ;)