Category: beauty

Grace & Stella Mother’s Day Pamper Gifts

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day as it is more commonly known, falls on the 4th Sunday of Lent, meaning the date varies each year and if you’re not careful it creeps up on you without you realising! With the increasingly busy lives that we all seem to lead now, and with many people watching the pennies, it’s good to know that there are plenty of affordable and easily accessible gift ideas that mum will love this Mother’s Day. Amazon is my go-to place for last minute gift ideas and I know my Mum will love this selection of pampering treats from beauty brand Grace & Stella.

Rainbow Bath Bomb £19.99

The rainbow clouds are the ultimate bath time treat, scented with lavender extract and packed with nourishing oils to help you relax and unwind. The simple white clouds aren’t very exciting at first glance but when dropped in a bath full of warm water they quickly explode into a riot of vibrant colours, creating a swirling rainbow that is quite mesmerizing to watch. The beautiful lavender fragrance is lovely and relaxing and when you get out of the bath your skin feels lovely and soft.

Lavender Foot Peel Mask (2 pairs) £20

Winner of the “Best Footcare Product” in the 2023 Marie Claire Sin Awards these foot masks are the ultimate treat for tired feet. After soaking your feet in warm water for 10 minutes put the foot booties on, securing with the supplied tape and then put on a pair of socks, which helps speed up the peeling process. They need to be left on for an hour – so the perfect opportunity to grab yourself a cup of tea and a good book and relax whilst the magical ingredients do their stuff. After an hour you remove the bootie and then wash your feet with soap and water. My feet felt incredibly soft afterwards and I found the lavender scent was very relaxing. The peeling starts in 5-7 days and it is recommended that you soak your feet for 10 minutes everyday to help loosed the skin. I found it quite satisfying peeling the dead skin off and I was really impressed with how soft it has left my feet. While the peeling process might not be for everyone, I would say that the end result is definitely worth it.

Eye Mask (24 pairs) £17.50

Eye masks are a popular choice to help reduce under eye puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. These eye masks are simple to use, adhere nicely to the skin and stay put for the 15-20 minutes recommended use. The unscented eye masks are ideal for a boost when you haven’t had enough sleep and need to look bright and alert or you can incorporate them into a pamper session and sit back whilst they do their magic. I found they have really reduced puffiness, especially after a late night and after using them I look a lot fresher.

Face Mask £20.95

The Dead Sea Mud Mask is infused with Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera Juice and draws impurities like dirt and oil out of your clogged pores to give a clearer  complexion. Applying the mask was nice and simple as the mud spreads easily and then you then leave it to dry for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.  It took a few minutes to remove but my skin felt lovely afterwards and I was I was really impressed with how fresh and clear my complexion looked.

Lavender Body Lotion £14.95

Containing a whopping 470ml this body lotion contains Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oil that moisturizes, nourishes and soothes skin. This body lotion smells amazing, the lavender fragrance is calming and relaxing, yet not overpowering and it lingers nicely on your skin, creating a relaxing spa-like atmosphere long after it has been applied. The lotion is smooth and creamy and absorbs easily without leaving a greasy residue. My skin felt instantly hydrated and is a great choice for everyday use.

I’m really impressed with the Grace & Stella products  and I am sure lots of mums would be delighted to receive a selection of pampering products this Mothers Day.

Available from Amazon

Get Waisted With Biddy Shapewear

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Summer, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

New to this type of apparel I was excited to be sent some Get Waisted With Biddy (GWB) body shaping garments to help me get into shape for summer!  Make no mistake, these clothes won’t change my shape permanently or make me lose weight, but I was hoping they could make me look and feel different.

The first piece was the body suit. I am a size 16 so this suit was in XL size. Made of 85% Polyamide and 15% Elastane, it’s incredibly stretchy but also very strong.  There are no fastenings on this suit (except underneath) so you have to manoeuvre yourself into it by stretching it over your head.  This took some time the first time I wore it!  There’s some shaping there for the bust too but the lack of fastenings to the side or back give it the shape you’re looking for. Once the bodysuit is on, it gives fluid, tighter lines of sight under clothes and doesn’t give any lumps or bumps.  I would suggest trying this on and wearing it round the house before you wear it somewhere special like a wedding, so that the elastane shapes to your own curves. There’s no rigid boning so nothing sticks into you as you try and move or sit down.  Garment 1 gets a big smile!

The second shapewear were the Snatch Me Shorts.  These are pretty, high waisted shorts which fasten at the front with hook and eye fastenings.  These are impossible to get into without undoing the fastenings (trust me I’ve tried!) so you might need some help getting them on, especially the first time you wear them. The same advice applies – get used to wearing them before the big day otherwise they might not shape to you as you would like, plus it can take a long time to get them on.

The seams are constructed so that again, there are no lumps and no creases in unsightly or uncomfortable places.  There’s 3 settings on the hook and eye fastenings (like a bra would have) and you can start on the loosest setting and work your way up to something more appropriate.  I tried on a size XL which just about went over my thighs but I do have footballer’s legs!  The shaping around the tummy holds you in so that dresses especially have that clean look and the fastening at the front makes it easy to adjust and get in and out of. There’s also some engineering to make it easier to go to the toilet but I found it easier to just take it off. With time, the elastane may become more flexible for me to be able to wear it that way. I like how high waisted it is too so it can be worn under a dress or even under trousers or jeans.

I probably wouldn’t wear both garments in combination as they do the same thing and would probably be too tight together.  They are both incredibly well made, which is good to know when it comes to shapewear as you don’t want it tearing at the seams after time, or the lace fraying.  The shorts are hand wash only and I would suggest both of them are kept as hand wash to preserve the elastane and the shape of them.  

Not only are these great for creating the perfect shape but they make lovely gifts, or can be taken on holiday for the summer to give you that effortless, cool silhouette in all those vacation photos! With Get Waisted With Biddy, you’re Insta ready in no time! 

Bodysuit from £37.99: https://getwaistedwithbiddy.com/products/new-gwb-skxn-luxe-2-0-shaping-bodysuit

GWB Snatch Me Shorts from £51.99: https://getwaistedwithbiddy.com/products/gwb-snatch-me-short

Olay Protect Gift Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Mother’s Day is a great excuse to buy Mum some luxury skincare and with the Olay Protect Gift Set, it’s not just the day cream, but a night cream and Vitamin C eye cream that’s included! This gorgeous box set contains Olay Retinol24 Night (50ml), Olay Niacinamide SPF30 Day (50ml) and Olay Vitamin C Eye Cream for Day (15ml), all in a pretty gift box.

Starting with the Olay Niacinamide SPF30 Day Cream, the hydrating, renewing, age defying cream works perfectly as day cream either under make up or just on its own, especially as it is SPF30. For British weather, it’s a must to both moisturise and have some sun protection as we’re not used to the high temperatures in the summer and like now, the biting cold and wind that the winter can bring. Your skin will love you for looking after it with a rich day moisturiser! Couple this with the Olay Vitamin B3 24 Eye Cream.  Packed with lots of vitamins to work for as long as possible, this eye cream hydrates the delicate area around the eyes and acts as a barrier too, to prevent free radical damage.

The final piece to the Olay puzzle is the Olay Retinol 24. This cream moisturises and smooths skin overnight using the powers of Retinol and helps give your skin that healthy glow.  It’s fragrance free too so you still wear a scent with it.  This is a lovely indulgence to put on at night as part of your bedtime routine because it feels so soft against the skin and gives you a luminous glow before bed and when your skin regenerates as you sleep.

Each of the creams are lightweight and don’t feel greasy at all. They’re fabulous on their own, but in combination and over time they work together to give your skin a continuous glow and make it feel hydrated and smooth.  They’re so light in fact that you can wear them under make up and it won’t matter but the vitamins help protect your skin when you’re out and about.

If Mum (or Nan!) love Olay, then this is the perfect gift for her. You know she’ll use it, love it and appreciate having it all together in one box set is a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day.

And if you don’t give it? You could just keep it for yourself!

Available from £111.00 at: https://www.boots.com/olay-project-protect-day-and-night-moisturiser-and-eye-cream-christmas-giftset-10335161

Lacura Collagen Lip Oil from Aldi

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

A few weeks ago, some girlfriends and I went for a makeover in a posh London department store.  After buying a ton of new products, I was hesitant about buying the lip oil they had used on me. I had never heard of lip oil before and my usual lip covering is lipstick or sometimes a matt lipstick applied with a wand, so the lip oil was a new product to me.

Well, Aldi had other ideas! They sent me this Lacura Collagen Lip Oil (8ml) with Shea butter and Vitamin E to try, so after last weekend I was very happy to oblige!  The lip oil is a tube with roller glass ball for ease of application and is only about 7 centimetres tall so can fit into a handbag or purse easily when you go out.  The added shea butter and vitamin E are to protect and moisturise the skin and you can really feel the softness of both ingredients and taste the shea butter too!

Lacura Collagen Lip Oil applies easily and doesn’t leave your lips feeling sticky like a lip gloss. It’s more like a light oil, as the name suggest and leaves a shine on the lips. It’s colourless on application but seems to enhance your natural colour, or if you apply with a lipstick underneath, brings out the lipstick colour and protects a little from the make-up transferring onto glasses etc. It’s easy to wear on its own during the day or to mix it up at night with a lipstick as well and create a different look, especially if you’re really good with lip liner and can create a blend with the oil too.

I’m loving experimenting with the Lacura Lip Oil and being able to make a new look with it for both day and night.  It’s so easy to use too and doesn’t need to be precise at all. A new staple for the make-up bag!

Available from £2.99 at: https://www.aldi.co.uk/collagen-lip-oil/p/722836778210501

Freshwipes for Summer

Baby, beauty, camping, Children, Days Out, eco friendly, Family Life, Home, Plastic free, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

As spring is here, I was thinking about what I might need to stock up on now for the summer. Face wipes and antibacterial wipes are essential for my office which has no air conditioning and at our busiest times during the months of May, June and July, we need to keep cool somehow.

Freshwipes are 100% biodegradable wipes and completely plastic free. I abhor plastic in anything so I have always stayed away from any kind of wipes but Freshwipes are in a different league. As a small company, they are s till able to produce disposable wipes that don’t live forever and block up drains and damage wildlife which is why they are still in production even after a ban on all wipes comes into effect.

Freshwipes actually produce a whole range of wipes that are available on the market now. We were sent some of them to test; Antibacterial Mini Wipes, pH Balanced Intimate Wipes and Antibacterial Body Wipes in Coconut, Grapefruit and Unscented versions. All of the wipes are made of viscose, a biodegradable plant-based fabric and are made antibacterial with Chlorohexidine. This means you can have the power of washing with soap (and therefore being antibacterial) but without having to rinse afterwards.

Starting with the Antibacterial Wipes and Intimate Wipes, they measure 20 x 15 centimetres per wipe and come in tamper proof sealed packets of 10.  These are great handbag sized packets which can be taken with you anywhere. The packets seal up again after you use one for either cleaning your hands, cleaning children or even cleaning surfaces if needed. The Intimate Wipes are scent free whilst the Antibacterial Wipes have a slight coconut fragrance to them which in itself is very refreshing.

The Body Wipes are bigger at 20 x 30 centimetres each but also come in tamper proof sealed packets which are resealable. These body wipes are for when you might not be able to get to a shower or bath, like whilst camping, at a festival or if like me you work long hours during the summer. They also refresh your hands and face whilst on a long flight or car journey and the soft texture of the viscose fibre isn’t harsh like a flannel so can be used for taking off suncream after a day at the beach, or excess make up. 

Freshwipes are available in Superdrug, Montain Warehouse and online at Amazon among other places but also have their own store online which includes a starter pack for Freshwipes.

Available for various prices depending on type at: https://www.freshwipes.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3a2iBhCFARIsAD4jQB3CMQ3lZkRxxj9QdPMX9XKp6RZSDxgWUdUavGax9fCTlNNXF7Q9gMoaAoFIEALw_wcB

MONPURE Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

After years of straightening my curls, I am now embracing them and in my quest for perfect curls have tried a huge selection of curl friendly products, all with varying results. One product my hair likes is protein as it gives my curls strength, shape and structure so I was really pleased to receive the Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Strengthening Essence Conditioner from MONPURE.

If you’re not familiar with MONPURE they are a luxury haircare brand who know that the secret to healthy hair begins with the scalp. Their products contain retinol and lactic acid – products more familiar to us in skincare – and are effectively bridging the gap between skincare and haircare, taking haircare onto a new and exciting level.

The Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo £36 is a fantastic product, cleansing the hair and scalp without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture. The shampoo lathers easily, creating a creamy foam that lifts away dirt and debris and the vegan silk peptides in the shampoo create a breathable ‘second skin’ on both the scalp and hair to protect it from the effect of pollution, irritants and bacteria.

I love the fragrance of this shampoo, it smells fresh and luxurious and as you massage it in it instantly feels like it is doing wonders for both my scalp and hair. It rinses out easily leaving my hair clean and fresh.

The Strengthening Essence Conditioner £36 is designed to hydrate both your scalp and hair, the lightweight formula glides through my hair leaving each strand silky and free of tangles. I found a walnut sized amount was perfect for my shoulder length hair and I left it on a few minutes before scrunching it into my hair and rinsing with plenty of water. The conditioner deeply hydrates and nourishes my hair and scalp and the blend of strengthening vegan silk peptides, Argan oil and pro vitamin B5 has left my hair incredibly shiny and it definitely looks a lot healthier than it did a few weeks ago!   

The key to great curls is to keep them moisturised and hydrated and these products do just that, helping keep the dreaded frizz at bay and enhancing my curls.

Whilst the products are fabulous they aren’t the cheapest so with Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day coming up it’s time to start dropping a few hints!!


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Annabelle Minerals Lipstick, Jumbo Lip Pencil and Refill

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Home, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

What beautiful Mother’s Day gifts!  Annabelle Minerals have been around since 2012 and founded in the UK to provide handpicked ingredients that are both minimalist and natural. The idea is that the ingredients pamper your skin so that you don’t have to suffer unnecessary layers of heavy chemicals just to look your best.  The theme of the ingredients being natural also carries across into the style of make up – natural and understated but still with a flare for style.

We were sent some lovely lip make up for Mother’s Day.  Annabelle Minerals have both lipsticks (with refills available online) and jumbo lip pencils which can be used as both lip liners and as a lipstick. There’s several colours online too, including these shades; Apricot for the lipstick you can see and Brown Fig for the refill.

The Shear Lipsticks are presented in these gorgeous gold swizzle sticks and come in Apricot, Brown Fig, Coconut, Dragon Fruit and Strawberry. The names of the colours give away the type of natural ingredients Annabelle Minerals strives for! The Apricot colour I received is a slightly darker shade of my lips, so it’s very natural and glides on superbly. The colour stays all day too, as I discovered when I went out one Friday night wearing it. Only a small amount of the middle of the lips was missing at the end of the night, and probably as a result of drinking.

Once you’ve bought one lipstick, you can buy refills in either the same colour or a different one, and saving not just the packaging but also a bit of money!  I was sent my second choice of Brown Fig, a slightly darker shade with a touch of red in it.  This was a great colour for when I was wearing a darker outfit and wanted my lips to pop.

The Annabelle Minerals Jumbo Lip Pencil is probably my favourite of all the lip products. I was sent the Marigold colour which compliments all the other lipstick colours in the range. I used it as a lip liner, then you can fill in your lips with that colour, or dab it on as a base before you add a lipstick on top to vary the colour. You can also do the opposite and put the lip liner on top of your lipstick and seal it in and also change the colour.

With each of the lipsticks and the lip liner, they glide on perfectly, don’t come off easily and keep a constant colour. I didn’t notice them on my lips as they’re not greasy at all and in fact, I didn’t even need to blot with each application. They travel really well too, with a pencil lid to the liner and magnetic locking lipstick cases.  I’ll be exploring more of the range at Annabelle Minerals, and looking at what Mum would like for Mother’s Day.

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick: £12.90 (Apricot)

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1368-sheer-lipstick.html

Annabelle Minerals Jumbo Lip Pencil: £11.90

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1268-1922590-jumbo-lip-pencil.html#/364-jumbo_lip_pencil-marigold

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick refill: £9.90: (Brown Fig)

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1368-1922976-sheer-lipstick.html#/478-lipstick-brown_fig/485-options-refill

Martha Hill Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Martha Hills are one of the brands available from the Beauty Naturals team, the natural beauty company since 1980. Their extensive range of beauty items online covers everything beauty related, and this Anti-Aging All Day Crème Gel is no exception.

The new Anti-Ageing Crème Gel is new to the market, formulated with natural probiotics preBiulin FOS™ to protect and restore the skin’s natural microbiota barrier. What does that mean? Well it means that it protects the ‘good bacteria’ on the skin that is needed for your skin to be healthy and therefore keeps a balance that’s more favourable to clear, well-nourished skin.

It’s suitable for all skin types and not oil based so it absorbs in easily without a greasy shine. The Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel keeps your skin moist and nurtured all day to give a glowing complexion and the gel seals moisture in.  Along with the preBiulin FOS™ to protect the microbiota barrier, the All-Day Crème prevents wrinkles, protects from UV damage and acts as a buffer between pollutants and harsh chemicals. It also works wonderfully under make up to create a beautiful skin texture.  Over time, the crème will build up protection along with keeping moisturiser in to give you ongoing defence.

I have been using the Martha Hill Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel for a few weeks now. It’s not heavy at all, and keeps skin light and hydrated.  It works well under make up, and if you’re wearing it to bed or with exceptionally dry skin, you can still add a moisturiser over the top. It’s fragrance free too!

Available for £21.00 but currently on sale for £14.70 at: https://beautynaturals.com/product/?mh=200

Avon Hydramatic Iconic Red Lip Giftset

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

A cheery red lipstick is just we need to bring a flash of colour to these dreary January days and Avon have come up trumps with the Hydramatic Iconic Red Lip Giftset. The set contains a lovely creamy lipstick and a matching lipliner in a vibrant red that can’t fail to set your day off on the right foot. Beautifully packaged in a striking red fabric drawstring bag this set contains everything you need to add a spot of glamour to your working day.

The Hydramatic Matte Lipstick in Siren red glides on nicely with no bleeding or feathering, leaving  my lips plumped and hydrated. The colour remains vibrant, even after eating and drinking and stays fresh and bright for about 5-6 hours.

The Glimmerstick Lip Liner in Ruby Shock complements the lipstick perfectly and the creamy texture is a dream to apply, outlining lips effortlessly. The twist up style means there’s no need for a sharpener and the fine tip allows you to line lips with total precision.

The drawstring bag is ideal for keeping the products together in your handbag or you can use it for for storing small items like hairclips or bobbles.

At £12.50 it is excellent value for money and a great way to blow away those winter blues!

Josh Wood Miracle care for Dry, Damaged Hair Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Josh Wood is a world leading colour expert and has developed a great range of hair products to keep your hair in fantastic condition. As my curly hair is currently very dry and frizzy – a result of all this cold, wet weather and a bit too much straightening over the Christmas period – I was really pleased to receive the Josh Wood Miracle Care for Dry, Damaged Hair set with the hope that they would be able to work a few miracles on my unruly mop of curls!

The Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner are designed for dry damaged hair and being sulphate free are great for curly hair. The duo are full of natural active ingredients as well as Josh Wood’s signature Colour Shine Complex of Quinoa Extract, Green Walnut and UV filters. The products worked really well together, adding moisture to my curls and helping reduce the dreaded frizz. The shampoo lathers beautifully leaving my hair feeling lovely and clean. The conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply, I used a couple of pumps on my shoulder length hair, leaving it on for a couple of minutes before scrunching it into my hair and rinsing with plenty of water. It rinsed out easily, leaving my hair tangle free.

The Miracle Mask can be used once or twice a week and as well as helping to protect colour from fading it gives a much needed hydration boost to my curls. It’s easy to use, a couple of pumps were enough and after leaving it on for the recommended 5 minutes it was easy to rinse off. The creamy consistency felt like it was doing my hair the world of good and my hair felt lovely and moisturised after only one application.

I have been using these products for a couple of weeks now and I am really pleased with the results, not only does my hair look nice and shiny, but it also feels a lot more nourished. After a couple of washes my hair was noticeable less frizzy and the curls are now a lot less straw like and are defined and bouncy again. These products have transformed my dry, frizzy locks and each time I use them I feel as though I’ve just walked out of the hairdressers!

RRP £44



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Nanogen Hair Thickening Shampoo and Conditioners

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Home, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Take a few moments to think about how 2024 could be different for you. Small steps, rather than grand gestures or resolutions that won’t last are the key to improving your health, your self-esteem or wellbeing.  One way of taking a small step to make yourself feel better in 2024 is switching to more targeted products in your beauty care.  Nanogen shampoos and conditioners help thicken your hair (for both men and women) over time.  We were sent a lovely selection to try over the Christmas holidays, taking us into 2024 with luscious, healthy looking hair!

The range at Nanogen includes Shampoo for Women, Shampoo Luxe for Women, Hair Thickening Conditioner for Everyone, Shampoo for Men and Shampoo and Half-Conditioner for Men. If that sounds like a lot to choose from, don’t worry, they’re all explained on the Nanogen Shampoo & Conditioner page: https://www.nanogen.com/collections/shampoo-conditioner

Starting with the Nanogen Shampoo for Women, the 240ml tube of shampoo goes a long way with just a small 5 pence-piece sized portion which washed my shoulder-length hair perfectly. The shampoo feels luxurious and not only cleans beautifully but has a silky texture, which no doubt helps the thickening process.  After using the Shampoo for Women, I went straight to the Conditioner for Everyone to finish the nourishing process. The Conditioner for Everyone is universal, meaning anyone can use it and even children will probably find it easy to use because it’s so soft, it takes away tangles without you even knowing it. It’s very lightweight, so as well as its moisturising properties, it washes out easily and doesn’t make your hair really heavy. If you need to, you can add products afterwards but I just let my hair dry naturally.

The Shampoo Luxe for Women is super, super hydrating and probably good for when your hair is in need of some TLC long term before using the other Nanogen products as part of your daily routine. It feels amazing because it’s so rich, and again, you don’t need very much of it to make your hair feel soft. Its intensity is comforting because you know that as soon as you let the conditioner work its magic, then your hair will be softer once it dries. Over time, I found that after a few washes and letting it dry naturally, my curls were more defined and my hair smoother, as well as being less flat. I’m looking forward to seeing how my hair looks after a few months of using the Nanogen products!

Nanogen aren’t just for women, but there’s the Shampoo for Men and Shampoo and Half-Conditioner for men too. Both products work to thicken men’s hair, which obviously can be thinning for different reasons to women but men can still use Nanogen to thicken their hair as well as have a bit of luxury. Unlike other hair thickening products aimed at men, Nanogen doesn’t have a chemical fragrance and you can feel that the Shampoo and Half-Conditioner isn’t abrasive but instead, more nourishing.  The men’s products also make excellent gifts!

Taking 2024 by the horns, Nanogen shampoos and conditioners for thickening hair are a lovely treat to help improve the condition of your hair, make it fuller and allow you to enjoy healthy hair again.

Available from £7.95 at: https://www.nanogen.com/collections/shampoo-conditioner with 20% off your first order if you subscribe.

Avon Advent Calendars

advent calendar, beauty, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

We’re 12 days into December and I’m really enjoying opening the doors on these fantastic Avon advent calendars. December is always a crazy month and I usually find myself racing around trying to meet deadlines at work and getting ready for Christmas so it’s lovely to have an advent calendar that is packed full of treats. Whilst more expensive than a chocolate advent calendar, the products in these beauty advent calendars will certainly last a lot longer than the few seconds it takes to eat a piece of chocolate!  

I’ve used plenty of Avon products in the past so I’m familiar with this iconic brand and even though I’m an adult I must admit it’s quite exciting opening a door each morning to see what’s hiding behind it.  

The Self-Love Wellbeing Advent Calendar is a 12 day treasure trove containing all the products you need for a spot of head to toe pampering. With a nice mix of skincare and body care products it has felt like a daily indulgent treat and opening the doors has been the highlight of my day. I’m quite disappointed that it’s only a calendar with 12 days as I’ve loved all the products, especially the Planet Spa Sleep Ritual Pillow Mist which has been a godsend as I have been having difficulty sleeping recently. A couple of sprays on my pillow and I’m off to the land of nod in no time at all. The skincare products are giving my skin a real boost, I haven’t tried Avon’s skincare products before and I have to say that I’m really impressed! Not only are they lovely to use they’re also a lot cheaper than the brands I currently use I so I’ll definitely be switching to these in future.  

The calendar costs £35 and the contents are worth £81.75 so it’s well worth getting one whilst they are still in stock – you don’t just need to count down to Christmas why not use it to count down to the New Year or a birthday instead?

Self Love Wellbeing Advent Calendar contents:

• 1 x Anew Renewal Power Serum 10ml.
• 1 x Anew Renewal Power Serum 30ml.
• 1 x Anew Ultimate Night Cream 15ml.
• 1 x Planet Spa Radiance Ritual 50ml.
• 1 x Anew Lifting Dual Eye System.
• 1 x Restoring Cuticle Cream 15ml.
• 1 x Planet Spa Sleep Ritual Pillow Mist 100ml.
• 1 x Planet Spa Aromatherapy Beauty Sleep 30ml.
• 1 x Foot Works Clay Mask with Lavender 75ml.
• 1 x Anew Revitalising Micellar Water 50ml.

The other calendar I have been opening is the 24 Days of Beauty Advent calendar which costs £65 and the contents are worth a whopping £190.25. The majority of products are make up but there are a couple of skincare products to discover too, including the Anew Reversalist Day Cream, Anew Renewal Power Serum and Anew Renewal Power Eye Cream. I am in quite a rut with my make up so this calendar has given me the perfect opportunity to update my make up bag and try some new looks without breaking the bank. Trying products that I wouldn’t normally consider has actually been fun and after avoiding red nail varnish for years I’ve discovered that actually I do like it so will keep using Avon’s Power Stay gel Nail Enamel – The Red One.

Another new to me product I really like is the Blush Pearls which were hiding behind door number 1. They are perfect for giving my pale winter skin a gentle glow and are now a staple of my make up bag.

I’ve still 12 more days to go but in the days I’ve opened I’ve found a great mix of new products as well as a few old favourites and I’m looking forward to trying out the rest of the products over the next couple of weeks.

The 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar Contents:

• 1 x Anew Reversalist Day Cream 15ml.
• 1 x Lash Genius Multitask & Multiply Mascara in Blackest Black 10ml.
• 1 x Power Stay Liquid Lip in The Red One 6ml.
• 1 x Ultra Matte Lipstick in Marvellous Mocha.
• 1 x Power Stay Gel Shine in The Red One 10ml.
• 1 x Attraction for Her Eau de Parfum Purse Spray 10ml.
• 1 x Planet Spa The Sleep Ritual Pillow Mist 100ml.
• 1 x Hydramatic Matte Lipstick in Mauve.
• 1 x Blush Pearls in Warm 28g.
• 1 x Ultra Colour 60 Second Express Nail Enamel in Mauve It 10ml.
• 1 x Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray 150ml.
• 1 x Bronze & Glow Bronzing Powder in Warm Glow 13.5g.
• 1 x Ultra Shimmer Lipstick in Spring Bling.
• 1 x Anew Revitalising Micellar Water 50ml.
• 1 x Glimmerstick Eyeliner in Brown Black.
• 1 x Anew Renewal Power Serum 30ml.
• 1 x Angled Precision Lip & Eye Brush.
• 1 x Glimmerstick Diamonds Eyeliner in Twilight Sparkle.
• 1 x Brow Boost Volume in Clear.
• 1 x Glimmerstick Lip Liner in Mystery Mauve.
• 1 x Anew Renewal Power Eye Cream 15ml.
• 1 x Exxtravert Extreme Volume Mascara in Blackest Black 9.5ml.
• 1 x Advance Techniques Absolute Nourishment Treatment Serum 30ml.
• 1 x All-Over Face Brush.

I know we’re half way through December now but these calendars are such great value and will make an ideal present for any makeup-obsessed or skincare enthusiast in your life.

Altruist Christmas Box

beauty, Christmas, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Vegan, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

The cold weather always plays havoc with my skin, so I was really pleased to receive a lovely selection of skincare products from Altruist. The Christmas Box contains four fantastic products, chosen to offer round the year skincare and the products are beautifully packed in red shredded paper, making them look very festive.

Altruist products have been developed by consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr Andrew Birnie and whilst they are suitable for all skin types, they are especially suitable for sensitive skin.

Inside the box are the following products

• Altruist SPF 30 Face Fluid – 50ml
• Altruist Moisturising Fluid – 50ml
• Altruist Primer SPF 50 – 30ml
• Altruist Moisturising Body Lotion – 200ml

It can take a month to see improvements in your skin when you change your skincare routine and I’m pleased to say I am now seeing positive results – my skin feels more hydrated and now has a radiance that definitely wasn’t there before.  

The Moisturising Fluid contains 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid and is enriched with glycerin, urea and shea butter to enhance the skin’s natural moisturising factors. It can be used as a both a day and night cream offering plenty of hydration for my dry, sensitive skin.  The cream soaked into my skin without needing to rub too much and it felt instantly hydrating.

I always use a face cream with SPF protection no matter what time of year as even a sunny day in the winter or a cloudy day in the summer can have very damaging UVA & UVB rays. I spend a lot of time outdoors, so it is very important for my skincare products to have a SPF rating so was pleased to find that both the Face Fluid and the Primer are SPF rated. The SPF30 Face Fluid is nice and light and is easily applied on top of the Moisturising Fluid. Once applied it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky like some SPF creams tend to be and is perfect for everyday protection.  

The SPF50 Primer is a light cream which is applied before foundation, as well as offering protection from UVA and UVB rays. It absorbs into my skin nicely, creating a soft, hydrated canvas for my makeup which now seems to last for longer. 

The moisturising body lotion is a lovely rich consistency and is nice and easy to apply. The skin on my arms and legs is quite dry and this body lotion is very moisturising and smoothing and I have noticed that after using it morning and night for a month a persistent patch of dry skin on the back of my arm has cleared up too.

I am really pleased with the Altruist products, my skin is looking much better and is no longer dry and problematic.  The Christmas Gift Set is a lovely set and is bound to be well received by anyone finding it underneath the Christmas Tree this year.

Altruist also donate 40p for every box sold, to charities that support children with albinism so when buying the giftset you are also helping a good cause.

AOURA Body Mist Giftset

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review, but all words and opinions are our own.

If you are looking for reasonably priced Christmas Stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts then the Aoura Body Mist giftset is perfect, costing a very reasonable £13 it can either be given as one gift or split up for stocking fillers.

The set contains four fragrances, Paradise Bliss, Pretty Woman, Midnight Passion and Love Rush which are packaged in pretty jewel coloured 60ml octagonal bottles.

Love Rush in the deep pink bottle is a fruity and spicy scent which is perfect for day and night. It has hints of vanilla and aims to remind you of what falling in love feels like again! With notes of bergamot, blackcurrant and pear it is a fragrance designed to capture the excitement of life. It’s light and easy to wear and is a great everyday fragrance.

Pretty Woman comes in a light pink bottle and is a lighter fragrance scented with bergamot and pear. When you spray it, you initially smell the delicate rose fragrance which is followed by sweet vanilla notes with a hint of musk and patchouli. This is my favourite of the four and I receive lots of compliments when I wear it.

Midnight Passion in the purple bottle is a heavier fragrance and one I would wear in the evening when going out. The floral fragrance has top notes of bitter orange and anise, middle notes of rose and almond and base notes of tonka bean, creamy vanilla, and sandalwood.

Paradise Bliss comes in a beautiful turquoise bottle and reminds me of the sea and walks on the beach. The enticing mixture of heliotrope, orange blossom and mango combined with the closing notes of hazelnut, wood and creamy coconut milk is sweet and fresh and a lovely fragrance to wear during the day.

The pump spray is nice and powerful giving a good spray from just one pump. Obviously, the mist isn’t as strong as perfume, so it does need topping up during the day which isn’t a problem as the 60ml bottles fits nicely in my handbag.

This is a lovely giftset and anyone receiving it on Christmas Day is going to be delighted with it.  

Available at Boots ( included in the 3 for 2 Christmas offer) and Amazon

Annabelle Minerals Sheer Shine Lipsticks

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I don’t leave the house without putting lipstick on so was very pleased to receive a selection of Sheer Shine lipsticks in the most gorgeous shades of nude, pinks and red from Annabelle Minerals.

Available in six shades, these lipsticks are a lovely creamy consistency which glides nicely onto your lips, enhancing as well as nurturing them. The colours are lovely and last well but the main benefit to me is how moisturised my lips now feel. Enriched with a blend of natural butters, oils, waxes, and vitamin E they have the moisturising qualities of a lip balm but in a lipstick formula – a winning combination which not only makes your lips look good, keeps them lovely and soft and hydrated too.   

The shape of the lipstick enables a precise application, and it was easy to adjust the intensity of colour from a subtle wash to an intense full lip. We all know the packaging of lipsticks is important and these are available in a chic golden magnetic case, with a snug fitting lid and there is also a refill option too which is a great sustainable option.

The colours available are –

APRICOT – a fresh peachy nude shade that complements both warm and cool beauty types. A very versatile everyday colour that will suit most people.

BROWN FIG – a gorgeous pink caramel colour that can easily be glammed up if you are going out straight after work.  

COCONUT – a warm brown hue, great if you have a tan.

DRAGON FRUIT – this fuchsia pink lipstick teamed with smoky eyes is a winning combination for Christmas party glamour.

GUAVA – a powdery pink shade that will suit all complexions.

STRAWBERRY – a stunning red lipstick that will add a touch of drama to any outfit.

As a user of more expensive lipsticks, I can honestly say that these lipsticks could easily rival any of my normal brands so are a great choice if you are looking to save a little money but aren’t prepared to compromise on quality.  The choice of shades is great and they keep your lips lovely and moisturised which is very important now we are heading into the winter months.  

From daytime to evening glamour, Annabelle Minerals have a great selection of makeup and skincare products that would make amazing gifts this Christmas, so whatever your budget you will easily find the perfect gift.

RRP £11.90 and the refill is £9.90 – available here

Aldi Lacura West Hollywood Eye Make-up and Brightening Concealer

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’re popping into Aldi this Christmas to get all the party food, Christmas day meal and all the trimmings plus general festivities, then have a look at the Lacura beauty range by Aldi.  Every year they have something lovely and this year is no exception. We were given the West Hollywood Eye Make-Up set and Brightening Concealer to try our as part of their extensive range.  Are you feeling in the festive mood yet?

The West Hollywood Eye Make Up set is 16 shades of the gorgeous Natural Radiance range, with 8 of the shades a matt colour and finish and 8 highlighting shades to compliment them.  You don’t have to use the complimentary shade with each block, and you can mix and match them (I have already!) and create a whole new look but there’s enough range there to give you a whole host of choice.  From the base neutral colours which would suit various skin tones to more vibrant and sparkly golds and metallics, this pallet isn’t just for Christmas but for all year, and all day too. There’s a lovely Espresso dark charcoal colour which is great for smokey eyes, and teaming it up with either a shiny top colour like Glam or Auburn would give you great ‘party eyes’ or something more subtle like the shade Toasted would make it more of a day wear colour.  Whichever shades you like to use, there is plenty of choice and it glides on beautifully with little effort and doesn’t go sticky or rub off easily.

The Lacura Brightening Concealer, which is in the palest shade Lacura produce (yes, I am that pale!) is a rich concealer that needs a minimal amount to blend in. You can see from this test patch on my hand that the colour is deep and you don’t need much to give all the coverage. Depending on what you need to cover (such as under eyes, or maybe a scar) you only need the tiniest amount as it goes so far so quickly.  If you do use too much though, it has a tendency to be a tiny bit chalky so start small and build up layers if you need to. I don’t think you would need to though as it gives great coverage and don’t forget it’s just a concealer, not a foundation that give all over coverage. 

The West Hollywood Eye Set and Brightening Concealer aren’t on the Aldi website yet so they won’t be in stores for a while, but when they are, get them asap! The Lacura range often sells out early!

The Kind Edit Co. Spa Botanique Garden Glove Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Home, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Calling all of you who need a Secret Santa this year… or who are struggling to find that little gift for Mum or Gran! The Kind Edit Co. have this beautiful Luxury Garden Glove Set and Hand Cream in a gift set, which any garden enthusiast will both love and need.

The set includes a pair of green and pink gardening gloves with elastic fit and finger grips and 125ml hand cream of bergamot, ylang-ylang, lily and sandalwood. The hand cream formula is 95% natural, hence the Kind Edit Co endorsement.  You can either put the hand cream on before the gloves when you work in the garden, or apply the cream after working in the garden although you could use it at any time. The hand cream has a lovely floral aroma which is not lost on the fact that this is part of a gardening set!

I like the gloves especially because they’re very heavy duty but made of cotton, so they’re not waterproof but they are softer on the skin. They’re hand wash, which is easier when you’re working outdoors and can just leave them to soak.  The hand cream is nice and rich and has a lovely fragrance so if you do put it on under your gardening gloves, it leaves them smelling so sweet!

This is a great gift for the price of £4.99 for anyone who enjoys gardening, and I especially like it as a Secret Santa gift for someone at work.

Available from £4.99: https://well.co.uk/the-kind-edit-co-spa-botanique-garden-glove-set/

Chit Chat Nail Varnish Colour Wheel

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Toys, Vegan, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

This lovely gift set is aimed at girls but with the ten different colours, including pinks and red, it could be a lovely gift for anyone!

Chit Chat’s Nail Varnish Colour Wheel is also vegan, which is not something you find very often in beauty products especially nail varnishes. There are 10 colours (including pink and red but also blue, green and yellow) which are 3.5ml in size each.  In the centre of the wheel there’s 12 different glitter colours to add to your nail colour.  Whether you use the corresponding glitter and varnish colours or do something outlandish and mix up the complimentary colours, the combinations of glitter gems and nail varnish are endless, and so much fun!

The gift set doesn’t say what age range it’s aimed at, but I would guess children aged 6-10 years old, and not much younger due to the smaller parts.  The wacky colours are great to experiment with but also teach children fine motor skills with the application of the brush and then the tiny gems which go over the nail varnish and stock to the surface.  To make them really secure, you can use a top coat nail varnish over the top, although that isn’t provided with this set.

Even if you don’t have children in the house, this is a great kit for the colours and nail art, especially as the varnish pots are a smaller size and you can take them on holiday with you.  The quality of the varnish is good too. This kit is great as a bonding exercise with an adult and child.

Available from £ 7.50 at: https://well.co.uk/chit-chat-nail-varnish-colour-wheel/

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Giftset

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

You can’t go wrong with a fragrance gift and lots of women will be thrilled to discover a Gucci perfume gift set under the tree on Christmas morning, especially if it is the gorgeous Flora Gorgeous Gardenia by Gucci. The floral fruity women’s fragrance was launched back in 2012 and is inspired by the House’s renowned Flora pattern. With fruity top notes of pear and red berries, middle notes of gardenia and frangipani and base notes of patchouli this perfume is light and feminine and perfect for everyday wear.

The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia gift set is packaged in a stylish cream and black box, nestled inside the gift box are two bottles of perfume, a 50ml and a very handy travel sized 5ml bottle. The hexagonal glass bottles with black bows look very striking and will look good on any dressing table or bathroom shelf. The lids of both bottles fit snugly so they won’t come off in your handbag and both bottles give a good strong spray.  

The perfume is very much like the bottle, chic and stylish and perfect for anything from work, a day out shopping with the girls or a date. It is a very versatile fragrance and I feel it could be worn by anyone, young, old and by both dress and heels or trainers and jeans type of girl!

I found the perfume lasts really well, I first sprayed it in the morning before work and could still smell a hint of the fragrance by the end of the day. If you are out all day and want to refresh the fragrance the handy 5ml handbag sized bottle is perfect to pop in your bag for top ups.

You can always tell if a perfume works well on your skin by the number of people asking what perfume you are wearing and since I started wearing this perfume, I have lost count of the number of people asking me what the fragrance is.

I love floral and fruity fragrances, so Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is a real winner for me. From the very first spray I loved it, the fruits and floral notes work so well together creating a beautiful fragrance that is perfect for all ages.

Currently costing £82.99 the 50ml perfume gift set is available from Perfume Direct and would make a lovely gift for any woman this Christmas.

Baylis & Harding Royale Garden Luxury Pamper Keepsake Tin

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

There has been talk in this office this week of our annual Secret Santa and with a limit of £15 the Royale Garden Luxury Pamper Keepsake Tin Gift Set from Baylis & Harding fits the bill perfectly.

It is one of a number of gifts from the Royale Garden range that contain products scented with a beautiful Rose, Poppy & Vanilla fragrance. The products are beautifully packaged in a keepsake tin and all the products are all individually wrapped in tissue paper, making it feel like an extra special gift.

Inside the tin are

Soap 50g

Body Wash 50ml

Body Butter 50ml

Hand & Nail Cream 50ml

Body polisher

The soap and body wash lather up well and if you layer up the products it helps the beautiful fragrance linger on your skin all day. The body butter is nice and rich, melting into my skin leaving it lovely and soft and fragranced. The hand cream was a delight to use, it was just the right consistency, not too thick where you need to rub your hands a number of times to help it absorb and not too thin where it runs through your fingers. It left my hands feeling soft and smooth without any greasiness. The 50ml tube is perfect for keeping in my handbag too.

As well as being a great Secret Santa gift it is perfect as a stocking filler or a thank you gift for teachers.

RRP £15

Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multigroomer

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own 

It’s the same every year – what do we buy the men in our lives? Male grooming is big business and beards are very much in fashion so the Wahl Aqua Blade 10 in 1 Multigroomer will make a great Christmas gift for all those men who like taking pride in their appearance.

Wahl are well known for their hair clippers and this small re-chargeable trimmer has 4 interchangeable heads and 16 guide combs allowing you to trim, shave, edge clip and detail. It can be used for haircuts, beard trimming, shaving, body grooming and it even has a head for removing unwanted ear and nose hair.

It’s quite compact and feels comfortable in the hand due to the sides of the trimmer having ribbed rubber, allowing for a good grip when using it wet. This is Wahl’s closest trimmer shave at just 0.2mm and the extreme precision ground T-blade keeps beard lines sharper for longer. The finished cut is excellent as the blades are sharp meaning they don’t tug or pull when cutting. My son was very impressed with it and found it was excellent for trimming his beard and around his ears as it is less cumbersome than his own clippers.

The trimmer has an impressive run time of 180 minutes meaning you won’t need to charge it if you’re away for the week. The LED battery indicator tells you when the battery is running low and the quick charge feature is very useful if you forget to charge your trimmer, giving 3 minutes of cordless use from a 1-minute charge.

The storage pouch keeps everything together nicely, there’s lots of bits in this set so it’s good to have a pouch to keep it in as it will prevent losing bits in the bottom of the drawer or the bathroom cabinet.

This is a great set for anyone who likes to do their own hair at home or those who like to keep hair tidy in between visits to the barbers. Easy to use and with a long charge this set would make the perfect gift for any man in your life this Christmas.

RRP £104.99

Purifide Skincare

beauty, health, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Rarely do you find skincare companies who pride themselves of creating products which are solely for preventing acne, and if like me you’ve been in that vortex of severe acne, antibiotics, dermatology and all of the medical world that involves skincare, then you’ll be very grateful that Purifide is out there and has some beautiful products on offer to help.

Purifide products help treat ailment such as acne, dry skin, discolouration, redness and the side effects of some medical treatments. We were sent Purifide Post-Breakout Serum and Purifide Power Patches for acne breakouts. Thankfully my acne days are mostly behind me now but it’s still worth having these on hand for when the inevitable happens!

The Purifide Power Patches are translucent patches, much like plasters [Band Aids] which go over a spot when it appears.  The technology behind the Power Patches shrinks the visible spot, protects it from the elements and sooths any redness away within 4 hours.  Putting these on before bed also has the advantage of preventing a spot from developing overnight, or limiting how far it gets before it become a bigger problem.  Power Patches contain Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica and Canadian Willowherb to help with all the symptoms of acne and reduce the redness and swelling we all hate.

Purifide Post-Breakout Serum reduces the damage caused by acne, which can be permanent on facial skin. This rich serum reduces dark marks, smooths skin texture and helps with skin tone overall. It’s very rich, and although it helps in the short term, a few months of using the serum will be more beneficial. It contains Bakuchiol and Niacinamide to help healing. In combination with the Purifide Power Patches and other products, your skin has a good chance of both healing and fighting off acne.

For more details, see the Purifide website:

https://acnecide.co.uk/purifide?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpompBhDZARIsAFD_Fp-aM_WJBQeZSXyrTBxWuBnqlsoAAflbDskxxf9gxonk27Kt0yJ8jK8aAkhLEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Cetaphil Skincare

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, health, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

There are a host of different skincare brands and products on the market, all aimed at different ailments or even have different objectives that we find irresistible to choose.  Cetaphil are the sensitive skin experts, specialising in moisturisers for face and body plus cleansers which are all aimed at sensitive skin and the ailments around it.

We were sent a batch of different products including; Cetaphil Gently Clear Clarifying Blemish Cream Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Blemish Moisturiser, Cetaphil Pro Tinted Moisturiser Day Cream SPF30, Cetaphil Moisturising Night Cream for Redness Prone Skin and Cetaphil Gentle Clear Triple-Acton Blemish Serum. If that’s not a full medicine cupboard full of skincare, then I don’t know what is!

The Cetaphil Gently Clear Clarifying Blemish Cream Cleanser is just what it says it is – cleans the skin gently especially after make up and when you’ve been out in polluted air. It’s cool and easy to use with white tea and aloe vera to keep pores clean but not dry them out. Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Blemish Moisturiser contains Salicylic Acid to reduce the size and appearance of pores whilst still keeping the skin fresh and moisturised. It also contains prebiotics which help keep the bacteria on the skin in balance which is important for overall health. Cetaphil Pro Tinted Moisturiser Day Cream SPF30 is probably my favourite because it’s made for sensitive skin so is ever-so-light and absorbs beautifully.  The SPF 30 is a big help with day to day wear so you don’t have to think about going out in the British summer and wearing sunscreen on your face because you know that Cetaphil has the sun protection covered for you. The tinted nature of the moisturiser covers like a foundation, giving you a flawless complexion. 

Cetaphil Moisturising Night Cream for Redness Prone Skin is more of a specialist product, again designed for sensitive skin but skin which is already prone to redness due to allergies, acne or general dryness.  As a night cream, it’s slightly richer and takes a little while to absorb in, but also cools and calms skin thanks to the vitamin E, B3 and Pro-vitamin B5.  It’s cool and gentle which can sooth any skin type regardless of whether you are prone to redness or not. Finally, the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Triple-Acton Blemish Serum is another friend to sensitive skin especially skin which suffers from breakouts. The serum reduces post-acne scaring and sooths skin, helping it heal whilst also preventing breakouts with the added Prebiotics, PHA, BHA and succinic Acid.

In combination or as individual products, Cetaphil has you covered for all of your sensitive skin problems. Find out more here: 

https://www.cetaphil.co.uk

Baylis and Harding Luxury 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

advent calendar, beauty, Christmas, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year and I especially love the build up with all the traditional festivities like going to the pantomime, decorating the tree and counting down the days with an Advent calendar. In the last few years ‘grown up’ calendars have really taken off, offering a wide selection of daily treats to enjoy in the run up to Christmas. Beauty Advent calendars are especially popular and you often find that the combined value of the products inside is usually far greater than the price of the calendar making them excellent value for money.

The Luxury 24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar from Baylis & Harding is one of the more reasonably priced calendars, the stylish purple calendar is tied with a co-ordinating ribbon and looks more expensive than the £45 price tag. Behind the 24 numbered doors are a fantastic selection of bath and body products in two of Baylis & Harding’s popular fragrances – Sweet Mandarin and Grapefruit and Jojoba, Vanilla and Almond Oil. The box is sturdy and sits nicely on a mantlepiece or dressing table and I was really pleased to discover that the inside of the calendar is made from cardboard rather than plastic so it wins points for being eco-friendly too.

So on to the contents of the calendar – there are 30ml bottles of Bath Milk, Bath Bubbles, Crème Bath Bubbles, Shower Gel, Hand Cream, Body Wash, Foot Lotion, Body Lotion, Body Butter, Shower Crème as well a 25g bar of soap and 25g boxes of Foot Soak Crystals and Bath Soak Crystals. I am really pleased with the selection of products in the calendar as they are all products that I use regularly and I will enjoy having plenty of pampering nights in the lead up to Christmas. With 24 products they will last me well into the new year and the travel sized bottles will be great to pop in my washbag when we are staying with family over the Christmas period.  

Overall I think this is a great Advent calendar, it’s full of products that I will use and will brighten up the dull and dark December days and if you’re quick it’s currently on offer at Ocado for £30.

.

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser and Hydrating Night Cream 

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

We are all aware of the effects of hyaluronic Acid on our skin to give us glowing, tightened and hydrated appearance so the Dermatologically recommended brand Cetaphil is a lovely choice as a Christmas gift this year.

We were sent both the Daily Hydrating Moisturiser and Hydrating Night Cream this week. Both fight the 5 signs of skin sensitivity, don’t clog pores and are either fragrance free or have no added fragrances. 

The Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser for sensitive skin boasts long lasting hydration that fights dryness, irritation, roughness and a weakened skin barrier.  It works for 24 hours, but can be added throughout the day. The handy 88ml size is great for handbags and as it’s under 100ml, it can be taken on a flight as hand luggage to keep skin hydrated and keep away the effects of jetlag and flight dehydration.  The cream itself is cool and fresh, absorbs easily and isn’t heavy at all.

Cetaphil Hydrating Night Cream is a heavier cream, designed to be absorbed into the skin during the night when the body repairs skin the most.  This 50ml tub protects skin from dryness for over 24 hours, so working in combination with the Daily Hydrating Moisturiser, it will enhance the effects of each other.  This cream is for normal to very dry skin, hence the richness. It’s still luxurious though, and you can feel the moisturiser seeping into your skin, and your fingers, as you apply it.

The combination of both the Daily Hydrating Moisturiser and Hydrating Night Cream give a lovely combination of daywear and nightwear creams that work together to give 24 hours of skincare. They’re so gentle on the skin as well that it’s hard not to keep them handy to just top up throughout the day to give you that silky feeling.  As we go into winter, this is a lovely gift for Christmas to anyone who appreciates the change in seasons but not the changes to their skin.

Daily Hydrating Moisturiser from £9.66: https://www.cetaphil.co.uk/moisturisers/daily-hydrating-moisturiser/5020465201779.html

Hydrating Night Cream from £14.50: https://www.cetaphil.co.uk/moisturisers/hydrating-night-cream/5020465203018.html