Elemis Japanese Camellia Bodi Oil Blend

On my never ending quest to try and ensure that I don’t end up covered in stretch marks by the time Baby B makes an appearance, I’ve been trying a HUGE range of lotions, potions, balms and oils.

One of my top five products I can reveal to be Elemis’ Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend.

Containing key ingredients of Camellia Kissi seed oil for its anti ageing and anti oxidant properties, soothing and nourishing sweet almond oil and Vitamin E, this delicious, light weight body oil is a real treat for my bump.

For many centuries camellia oil from Japan has been used for the care of nails, hair, scalp and combination skin, and when massaged into the skin, the light oil is easily absorbed and the rich, plant collagens within help to keep the skin moisturised and supple, thus helping to prevent stretch marks.

It has a very delicate and subtle fragrance, not at all over powering and it is captured within a really rather lovely looking glass bottle, as you can see!

The oil is extremely light, not at all thick or 'oily'!

Now, this may sound daft, but for an oil, it’s not at all oily. It is really light on your skin and is absorbed almost instantly, meaning you aren’t left feeling like you’re one giant oil slick, which is always a bonus!

Your hands are left feeling lovely and soft too after you’ve applied it!

Elemis’ Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend costs £29 for 100ml and is available from the website Time To Spa.

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter

One of my biggest beauty concerns since becoming pregnant, is the emergence of stretch marks.

While considered by some as being and inevitable side effect of pregnancy, they are still something that I’d like to do my best to avoid!

Don’t get me wrong, I am already home to several slithery, silvery lines across my hips, due to weight gain and loss, but If possible I’d like to get away without having them strewn across my tummy, as although they fade with time, they never go.

 Prevention is always better than cure, so with that In mind I started my war against the stretch marks from about week 12, and my weapon of choice? Mama Mio’s Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter.

This cream is a decadently rich, non greasy, creamy butter that melts into your skin leaving it feeling incredibly soft and nourished while it’s fresh, slightly citrusy fragrance envelops your senses!

I have been using this twice a day religiously all over my bump and hips and its texture combined with its relaxing and fresh fragrance has on more than one occasion, seen me utter the sound  ‘aaaah’!

The butter helps to strengthen and retain your skins elasticity with the help of Omega 3,6,and 9, and as yet I haven’t seen a single mark emerge!

My one criticism is that it is only available in 120ml tubes- I slather this stuff all over me and would love a big juicy pot of it rather than a relatively small tube.

Mama Mio’s Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter costs £23 for 120ml and I think it’s worth its weight in gold!

Elemis Skin Nourishing Bath Milk

One of the things I look forward to most of an evening, especially now we are coming into winter, is a lovely, warm soak in my bath.

There is no better way of leaving the stresses of the day behind than by sinking into the tub and feeling the warm water soothe your aching limbs and tired mind. 

Aaah. 

There is nothing better in my opinion.

Except wait, there is actually one thing better than that, and that’s a bath with Elemis’ Skin Nourishing Milk.

This award winning product has a rich milk protein base of nourishing vitamins, amino acids and minerals with natural plant collagens that help to feed and nourish the skin while keeping it soft and supple.

Unlike some bubble baths that can be drying on your skin, this milk is extremely gentle and is suitable for sensitive and dry skin, so for me is perfect!

Did I mention it smells amazing? Think really soft, delicate baby powder. Mnnnnnn

This milk is the perfect treat for mums-to-be, soothing tight, itchy skin while you bathe and can even be used neat on dry patches and your bump!

Now, it costs £42 for a lovely big 400ml bottle, which may sound a lot, but it really is so worth the investment, especially if like me, bath time is something you cherish! 

You can get your Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk at Time to Spa, Here.

Mama Mio Clean Slate Cleanser

Ok so, I am currently still waiting for the glowing skin that they all say comes with being pregnant.

Since the day I found out I was expecting, I was especially excited at the prospect of my glowing and healthy skin. Alas, no doubt due to a little bad luck and to the huge amounts of hormones that are currently surging through my body, this has failed to happen and I am instead, looking a mess.

My skin is as greasy as hell and prone to both small whiteheads and large, sore under the skin cysts.

Lovely!

Thankfully, there is a brand that has come to my skins rescue, Mama Mio, a brand who believe in giving you fit skin for life and their cleanser, Clean Slate has been my best friend now for months!

 Clean Slate is a deep cleansing, SLS free, lightly foaming gel that feels like it kisses your skin clean!

It smells beautiful, botanical almost and never, ever leaves your skin feeling tight or dry thanks to its 5 eco-cert cleansers set in organic Aloe leaf juice with pre plus probiotics, firming proteins and moisturising omegas.

I cannot recommend this cleanser more highly!

It doesn't foam up or dry out your skin

 It was gentle on my sensitive skin, didn’t dry out or strip my skin of its natural oils and it didn’t irritate my already irritated and sore spots.

The smell was extremely fresh and relaxing and I almost feel like I’m being treated to a mini facial every time I use it!

Now, yes it does cost £22.50 for a 150ml bottle, BUT I have had mine for almost 3 months now and I still haven’t used it all, PLUS I’d have been prepared to pay so much more for a cleanser that actually worked and loved my skin back!

Mama Mio’s Clean Slate is available from their website.