babyurbeautiful

As you may have guessed, I love to try out new beauty products, however I do have a few loyal items that I couldn't be without. One of which is very crucial to me now that winter is fast approaching and my skin is no longer protected by the sun's spot clearing magic :( 

It's hard to know what products to use on the sensitive skin of your newborn, or in fact any age baby; many of our favourite lotions and potions contain ingredients that we can't even pronounce, let alone know what they are. 

So hurrah for the new JOHNSON’S^® Baby FIRST TOUCH^™range: wipes, moisturising lotion, oil, all-in-one wash, shampoo and barrier cream. All are specifically formulated to contain only essential ingredients (no fragrance, no colour). 

The products are just as lovely as their original ones but with the added knowledge and reassurance that they are designed and formulated especially for newborns. What I especially love is the way Johnson's have really thought about the packaging. The moisturising lotion has an easy-to-hold bottle with nice big chunky flip-top lid, yet has a tiny nozzle - perfect as little newborn babies only need a teeny squirt, not a big splodge. The barrier cream comes in a tube rather than a tub so it's great for your changing bag, and (hopefully) less chance of leaking by the lid coming off. The cream has a clay-like consistency but at the same time it's not too thick - just right for rubbing into the skin. 




The product that has me intrigued the most are the wipes. I am yet to get my hands on some but I will certainly be tracking down a pack in the next few days - they are described "As safe as cotton wool and water". When I was in hospital after just having my little girl, the midwife repeatedly told me to use just cotton wool and water. It worked fine at first, but after a few weeks, (and then months) my little one kept getting a red bum and preparing warm water and cotton wool in the night (with the dimmest lightbulb ever) wasn't the easiest thing. I didn't want to use any products but the cotton wool and water method just wasn't practical. Moving to wipes made my life SO much easier and she hasn't had a sore bum since - but it would be great to have the best of both worlds. Tomorrow I will be off to Tesco to hunt down some wipes...(exciting times!) 

Prices from £2.49
Currently on offer at Tesco, save £3 when you spend £12 or more on Johnsons Baby toiletries/wipes

CQ x

Nestled in bustling Kensington, West London, and a stones throw from Shepherds Bush station, (although according to my incompetent iPhone – up, down and round and round in circles). The K Spa and Hotel is the perfect retreat for those wishing to remove themselves from the hustle and bustle of daily life - even if for just a few hours.

After my excruciating journey from Essex, mainly due to the latter part of getting lost, it is in fact, just three minutes max from the station. The K Spa could not have been any more perfect in timing, as a new mum... I'm exhausted.



Bursting out of the elevator, My best friend and I were greeted by a brightly lit reception, laden with products, which then led us into a waiting room with cosy leather beds, lunch menus, delicately flavoured water, magazines - everything to take your mind off of poos, teething and tantrums.One of the biggest buzz ingredients in beauty right now is Baobab, one of Africas best kept secrets.

The green fruit delicately hangs from the African Baobab tree, and the white flesh resembles fluffy marshmallows; high in antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium and potassium. It is natures own Berocca.Usually served in powder form, and in K Spa's case, a scrub, oil and delicious smoothie, the fruit has now become part of one of their signature treatments: The Feel Good Baobab Treatment costs £110 for 70 minutes. £2 of your purchase will be donated to the Aduna Foundation.



As a very stressed mum (mainly due to partner, not baby), I had high hopes the treatment would deliver escapism, and perhaps a little soujourn to the Sahara. The treatment uses Germaine De Cappucini 'Perfect Forms' products throughout. The Oil Tonic Scrub for starters, Firm & Tonic Oil, then the Dreamy Legs cooling gel. The piece de resistance (or Baobab) is a delicious smoothie, made with Aduna's Baobab Superfruit Powder.



First, I was gently eased onto a warm, heated bed. The start of the treatment was a scrub, which I usually find painful as the seeds or kernels attack my crocodile-like skin. However, the scrub was very delicate, in scent, and delivery, and as I've neglected my body for so long, it was such a treat to be pampered, yet at the same time receive a targeted treatment. I felt the dry skin melt away with each and every stroke and felt really relaxed. The scrub also works to remove impurities and aims to leave skin as soft as my baby's bottom. Beautiful!

As the therapist set to work, when it came to removing the scrub, it was a delightful yet different experience. Using a soft rocking motion with a towel to improve energy flow and also remove the debris, It was deftly whipped off. Despite the fact I was being covered in an abrasive scrub, I still felt the urge to nod off, and in my dreamy state I kept wishing my little tootsies would be included too, my poor, weary feet, but more of that later...

As I was gently rolled over onto my front, the Germaine de Cappuccini Baobab unctuous oil was applied bountifully. Now, if you think you're booking in for a massage, this it is not. There's no petrissage (deep tissue), nor Swedish techniques. It's African, don't you know! The technique they use is actually long, sweeping movements, sometimes a little eye-wincingly painful, but designed to improve energy flow and remove blockages. And this old gal, will have very little of the former. The 3-in-1 treatment (scrub, massage, pressure points) is a great way to ease yourself back into the world of pampering. Who would want to be pummelled and sore after a massage, anyway? As the skilled therapist applied more oil, I got a distinct whiff of menthol, one of the key ingredients in the product, which will help tired and weary limbs. And also a nasty cold, that seems to be going around right now. As I subconsciously willed the therapist to release the tension in my poor, neglected feet - she did! Remember, positive thinking, ladies.

Whether it was part of the treatment, or not. My throbbing feet were enveloped in the sweetly-scented products and left satisfied and relieved (as far as tired feet go).The therapist continued the sweeping massage strokes - which help the lymphatic and circulatory systems relieve tension and completely relax you (even if you are still worrying about that washing that needs rescuing from the washing machine....)

If I'm very honest, when I was gently placed on my front, it was game over. My body completely gave in, and I found myself in a dreamy state. Wandering along the Sahara with a soft, white sand blanket sifting between my toes. It was only when a heated towel was placed under my neck and used to lift my head up slightly and roll it from side to side. As my stiff tension-filled neck cracked with the movement, it awoke me from my pleasant daydream. This was the most painful part, mainly as it's where you hold the most tension, but not at any point was it not enjoyable. It was bliss.

For the final stage of the treatment, the therapist finds the pressure points on my face and scalp. Never something I've found relaxing due to sinus problems, and I always feel the point between the eyebrows a little tender. Then comes the baobab super charged smoothie. I could detect banana, and possibly papaya or mango, I'm not sure, but it was so tasty, and I was gasping after my trip to the desert, so I downed it in one - probably not the best move. Delicious as it was, it sat on my chest for a good hour after!After your treatment, and dreamy state, there's the opportunity to visit the spas' wet room, literally the most heavenly spa I've seen. And I've seen a lot.

We gasped as we walked into the cleanest, whitest of white room, with a smattering of brown and gold, twinkly lights and the most inviting aura. There are foot baths, sauna and steam room, snow room (yes!), and huge jacuzzi-pool big enough for 10! It's worth popping along just for some time out here. It's really, really peaceful and stunning. Therapists float in and out to ensure it's spotless and serene.



This is a great treatment if you are feeling de-energised and run-down – or if you want to indulge in a long and blissful massage that will scrub new life into your skin.K Spa gets a big four star 'mums' up.

LN x

As parents, there's nothing in the world more rewarding and heartwarming than experiencing your baby's first milestones.  

Some of the most endearing and magical moments, belong to those first ones you share together. That first little gurgle, the first precarious steps, even the first bear hug - they're moments you can't possibly beat, and ones you'll never want to miss.

Which is why, here at Babyurbeautiful we are proud to be supporting this incredibly worthwhile Pampers campaign to help more babies around the world experience their firsts.

For the 9th year, Pampers have joined with UNICEF to support the '1 pack = 1 vaccine' annual campaign and  really need our support. Since 2006, the campaign has funded an incredible 300 million vaccines for fatal newborn tetanus, eliminating the disease in 15 countries. But there are still babies in 24 of the world's poorest countries at risk and we want YOU to help us out here.

All you need to do is simply watch this video, then pampers will donate the cost of 3 vaccines to UNICEF.

It will take less than a minute of your day to make such a difference to such precious young lives. So please click on the video here:

We've already told you about Treacle Moon Dusted 'Cocoa Dreams' bath and shower gel, so i'll keep this short but sweet... I couldn't not tell you about Treacle Moon 'Warm Apple Pie Hugs' and 'Sweet Sugared Almond' bath and shower gel (available exclusively at Tesco). 

Love us or loathe us, the full team can hold their hands up and exclaim we're stretch mark free.

As a rather well versed skincare expert and mother, I'm

I have enough hair styling issues to worry about without the added problem of dandruff, especially as winter is upon us and I'll be wearing a lot of black. I wouldn't say I have a serious dandruff problem, but I do get the odd itchy scalp day and I'd rather nip it in the bud. 'Philip Kingsley flaky/itchy scalp shampoo' has been going for years but I've personally only stumbled upon it in recent months.

The first surprising thing with this shampoo was the scent; some anti-dandruff shampoos that I've used in the past have had an awful smell to them, almost like tar or some kind of chemical concoction gone wrong. This however, smelt of apples! Not too sweet, the kind of fresh scent that could appeal to men, women or kids; it was lovely to use.  The second surprise was how well it lathered up with just a small amount of product, and at £21 a bottle, I was using it sparingly. The added bonus was that it claims not to strip any colour from your hair, perfect as I just got my highlights done. 

So, what is your baby bag essential, mummies?

I trust my GP, I honestly do, but sometimes you have to listen to your inner voice; this is even more true when it comes to 'mothers instinct'. My little 10-month old daughter has developed some kind of red rash on her face and chin and my GP is adamant that it is eczema – it's not that I don't believe him, but I feel like this eczema 'label' is dished out a bit too easily. I think it's quite mild but equally I don't want it to start itching and becoming too bothersome so I'm trying to banish it before it gets any worse.

Olay Total Effects CC Cream Complexion Corrector

I'm the type of woman that would scare people half to death if I went out without makeup on, or at the very least I would get enquiring looks as if I were ill. I'm pasty, patchy and spot prone.

It's not uncommon for the doorbell to ring and I'm bare faced, or I have to urgently dash to the corner shop. Thank goodness for my Olay CC cream. It looks like foundation but has the texture of my normal Olay moisturiser – it gives a light coverage whilst keeping dry skin at bay, provides SPF protection, anti ageing and over time it evens out skin tone too. You gotta love multi-action products, I don't always have time for the full facial routine.

I also feel like I'm being frugal, (love that feeling) there's no point in 'wasting' my pricier foundation to just nip to the park with my baby for half an hour, especially when this CC cream does the job in just one pump of the bottle.

The cream rubs in easily and gives me the slight glow I need to feel okay about leaving the house – it's not a foundation substitute, but it's great if you're just nipping out, or if you're lucky enough not to have to wear make up everyday.

The only point to consider is that it's a little greasy; I've got spot prone skin so to avoid blocking my pores I tend to only use it a couple of times per week (or when the postman knocks on my door).

Available at stores nationwide, RRP 14.99 for 50ml.

We've also recently found a fabulous new toy for little man courtesy of Asda: The 'Revving Racer'.

Relax me - skin is dry, summer is ending and it's almost back to work time after a lovely year of maternity leave - are you like me? Are you in need of a product that fills your senses so bad you forget everything and just want to breathe it in? 

I've got it - well I found it, shall I say! Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate retailing at £40.50 for 28ml