health – Page 5 – The Review Studio

RINGANA Summer Sunscreen and Light Legs

beauty, Family Life, health, Summer, Women

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

Summer often brings a need for different, and new, beauty products. RINGANA have sent us these 3 skincare products which are imperative for summer sun life, whether it be in this heatwave we have at home, or to take away on holiday with you.

RINGANA is an Austrian company that prides itself on the natural ingredients it uses for its skincare, beauty and supplement products. Unlike other companies, RINGANA, founded in 1996, use fresh ingredients to make the products from scratch and ship out worldwide to 34 countries, including many which they post products to for free. You won’t find RINGANA in the department stores or High Street, only online where their products are vegan and free from preservatives and additives.

With that in mind, their products are unlike any makeup you’d typically buy. We were sent three summer products to try, the RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20 (for medium sun days), RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPV 15 (face moisturiser for every day) and the delicious RINGANA Fresh Light Legs.

Starting with the RINGANA Fresh Light Legs, I didn’t know what it was so had to look it up on the website to find out what it was used for. Light Legs are for when your legs (or feet) are tired in the summer and need some rejuvenation. Think about walking around on holiday, in the heat, probably wearing shoes which are totally inappropriate for the weather and terrain. RINGANA Light Legs is for just this purpose! I sprayed some on my calf as a test to see what it was like. The light spray sits on the skin and you rub it in slowly so that it penetrates into the muscle. The feeling on your skin is a slight tingling as the ingredients work away to “pep up” your limbs. Looking at the ingredients, it includes magnesium, which is a known topical tonic for tired muscles and is absorbed through the skin easily. The fragrance is that of summer citrus, which also acts to boost your mood as you wear it. The effect of the Light Legs was to keep my legs (I eventually used it all over) fresh and tingly, giving me some extra energy in the long run, relaxed my leg muscles.

The RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPF 15 can be used in summer but with the SPF protection it can be used all year round too as your daily face moisturiser. Made with natural plant oils and fragrance free, it protects against UV rays, antioxidants and blue light. The breezy formula is designed for sensitive skin and is COSMOS certified, leaving your skin matt and smooth. I like this formula because it’s so light on your skin but gives you all-round protection and is easy to wear under make up, as well as on its own. My skin was super hydrated but not greasy and stayed that way throughout the day.

The final RINGANA product we tried was the Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20. This product can be used daily, but is more for occasions such as holidays or being outside for long periods of time. It’s waterproof and nano-free and relies on the natural mineral that is zinc oxide as a sun protection filter.

The formula is perfume free, except for the ‘fresh’ smell of the natural ingredients as you apply it, and absorbs with a little effort leaving no film on the skin. It’s nice and rich but also cooling and leaves skin moisturised. I like this Fresh Sunscreen Medium because it doesn’t smell of the synthetic sun creams you get in the pharmacy.

All of the RINGANA products feel so soft and luxurious as they are made with fresh ingredients and not kept in unfavourable conditions for months on end. The whole range of products are designed for everyday living, and summer especially is a great time to start using them. You won’t find many places that make your skin products with fresh, fragrance free, artificial ingredient free and vegan like RINGANA.

RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20 (£38.45) https://www.ringana.com/produkt/fresh-sunscreen-spf-20/?lang=en

RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPF 15 (£27.75)

https://www.ringana.com/produkt/fresh-sunscreen-face/?lang=en

RINGANA Fresh Light Legs (£23.93) https://www.ringana.com/produkt/fresh-light-legs/?lang=en

Balmonds Cooling Cream

Baby, beauty, Children, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Family Life, health, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

With these summer temperatures, everyone looks for new ways to stay cool especially if we’re spending time outdoors. Balmonds Cooling Cream is for that reason; to keep cool and sooth your skin with its aloe vera, menthol and lavender extracts.

A completely vegan recipe, Balmonds Cooling Cream helps moisturise dry or flushed skin, creating a barrier to dehydrated skin to prevent it feeling any more tired. The medicinal effects of lavender help heal skin that is mildly damaged from dehydration whilst the aloe vera soothes the top layers of skin. It’s ideal for the whole family as it only contains plant ingredients. The cooling cream is fragrance-free, paraffin free and cruelty free so also makes for a great gift.

The 99% natural cream is cool to the touch and takes a little while to absorb into the skin but when it does it gives a matt finish. It can be used as an after-sun lotion, hand or face cream, for hormonal hot flushes and for after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It’s very gentle, very soft and can be taken anywhere with you, especially on holiday!

Available for £19.00 from: https://balmonds.co.uk/products/cooling-cream-100ml-skin-salvation

Balmonds Tea Tree Balm

Baby, beauty, camping, Children, cruelty-free, health, Plastic free, Summer

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

My make up and beauty regime changes drastically as we go from winter into summer, and when it’s hot summers like this (remember last year?) then there have to be even more changes. What I was not expecting though, was to have a full virus in June which left me off work for a few days and completely incapable of ridding myself of the dreaded summer sniffles.

I would have liked to tell you about my fantastic Mediterranean holiday where I perhaps got sunburnt, or had to slather myself with body lotion because of the amount of time I spent in the sea or the pool but no, the Balmonds Tea Tree Balm came in extra handy when my nose was a scaling mess, thanks to the amount of tissues I needed. It was not pretty. However, the balm arrived just in time and I could put it through its paces for less glamorous reasons.

Balmonds are a British brand who make all their products with natural ingredients. Their healthcare products are particularly good for people with eczema and other conditions which need more gentle apothecary. The Tea Tree Balm can be used on holiday for everything from bites, scratches and grazes and any dry skin, including skin on the heels. However, my nose and face were drier than a British summer… and looked it. So on went the balm, which is particularly rich but thankfully very smooth and glides on easily. It contains 100% natural products with organic tea tree and safflower and comes in an aluminium tin. Perfect for travelling, but the screw lid also means it doesn’t leak if it melts in the hot summer.

The balm itself has very little scent and isn’t offensive. It hydrated my skin instantly, causing a barrier and allowing the skin around my nose to dry. Applying it to dry skin on my eye brows too, and to my lips for added gloss as well as protection. I couldn’t feel the balm on my skin, it absorbed very quickly but it also allowed my skin to heal underneath. You can feel the texture of the beeswax in it too, which explains why it feels so rich.

The Balmonds Tea Tree Balm is a lovely addition to the holiday bag, and does so many things, including keeping dry skin hydrated, that it can be used at home too. The smaller size (there’s either 15ml or 50ml available) fits in your handbag too, or the baby bag for children from 6 months.

Available for £4.65 for 15ml from:

Tea Tree Balm

Modibodi Basics Period Pants

beauty, eco friendly, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Plastic free, REUSABLE, Sustainable, Tech, Women

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

Period products have come a long way in just a few short years, not just because of the environmental impact of throwing away disposable pads and plastic but because the materials which can be used for more innovative products has greatly improved as well.

The company Modibodi.co.uk have created a range of products for everyone, from pregnancy pants, incontinence clothing and period knickers. We were sent a sample of the Basic Mid-Rise Brief Period Pants (in pink!) to try as part of their bigger range.

The briefs come in 6 different colours including black and various shades of skin-colour plus sizes from UK 8 (extra small) up to UK 24 (5XL). These pants are different to what you buy in the clothes shops for one particular reason – you don’t need to use pads or tampons when you are on your period because there is built-in technology to prevent you from needing them. You can of course, still wear them but just use the Modibodi Period Pants for insurance!

These Modibodi period pants have a moderate to heavy absorption, which is good to know if you find that other brands aren’t good at keeping up with your needs. There are other varieties which are light to moderate absorption available too, also in a range of colours. At present, there’s an online deal on of 5 pairs of briefs for under £80 in a mix-and-match offer. One pair costs £15.50 without postage so it’s worth buying 5 pairs or more so that you have the choice of colours. Bearing in mind how much you’ll save on tampons and pads over the next few years, it’s an economic save in the long run too.

As for using them, I loved the colour of these Modibodi mid-rise briefs, and was very pleased to see where the absorptance technology was. Other brands don’t re-enforce in the right areas so you’re still prone to leaks, or the threat of a leak because you’re not sure how well they fit. These lasted as long as any pads would, and in conjunction with a tampon worked really well especially as I was wearing an evening dress and didn’t want to be uncomfortable. When it comes to washing, I try and soak them as soon as possible as well as put them in a cool wash as soon as I could – 20 Centigrade would be ideal but 30C works just as well. The pink colour comes up well in the wash and they do keep their shape and absorbency over time.

I would take advantage of the 5 for Under £80 deal online, with different colours and different types of brief so that these last a long time and can also be used in a variety of ways with different outfits. They work brilliantly and give you peace of mind as well as help to save the planet and a lot of fuss with remembering what to bring with you when you go out! The Modibodi online site also has period bikinis for holidays and new products coming out all the time.

£15.50

Dentek Eco Friendly Products

beauty, eco friendly, health, Plastic free, Sustainable

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

It’s World Environment Day today and the perfect opportunity to tell you that the popular dental hygiene brand Dentek has gone green! Their interdental brushes and floss picks now have handles made from a naturally derived, organic, plant based resin and the interdental brushes have plant based bristles. In their efforts to become more eco friendly they have also changed their packaging – it is now made from 30% recycled material which can be recycled.

The Dentek Plant Based Floss Picks are perfect for cleaning between your teeth and removing those stubborn bits of food that don’t get removed when brushing. They are easy to hold and can be used in 3 different ways.

Flossing– the floss pick has a soft ribbon that gently removes food and plaque without irritating sensitive gums. It is perfect at getting in the gaps between teeth where a toothbrush just can’t reach.

Pick – it has a curved pick to enable you to gently massage gums.

Tongue Cleaner– this helps remove bacteria from your tongue and can help prevent bad breath.

I’ve been trying out two different floss picks from the range – the Sensitive Clean and the Whitening floss picks. They are both easy to use and I especially liked the minty taste which leaves my teeth feeling fresh. Flossing is a great way to remove plaque and help prevent tooth decay by removing the small pieces of food that get stuck between your teeth

The slim interdental brushes are just what you need to remove food and plaque from the gaps between teeth helping prevent cavities and gum disease. There are 32 brushes in a packet and it is recommended that you replace the brush after 3 uses, or when it is worn.

I found the brushes very easy to grip and they do a great job of removing those little pieces of food that get stuck between your teeth.

Using both products is a great way to keep your teeth clean which is bound to keep your dentist happy!

DenTek products are available at Boots, Amazon, Waitrose, Ocado and from the the DenTek website.

Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra

Birthday Gifts, camping, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, health, Sport, Summer, Women

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

May is National Walking Month and a brilliant time to start walking as a new hobby with the spring flowers out and summer just about to begin. What clothing do you need though? Apart from the obvious walking gear, it’s prudent to have a good quality sports bra and the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra is just that.

This is the first padded sports bra Anita have ever launched. It’s padded but not wired so it’s an easier fit but I particularly like how modest it is with not showing much cleavage, and there is minimum movement. It’s a very, very firm hold so your shape doesn’t change much no matter the exercise. The design is very appealing too with three colours available. The design sent to me was the snakeskin pattern, and along with the modesty and hold, it works perfectly as a sports bra either under a top or if you are in the gym, you could wear this alone especially in the summer.

Speaking of bras in summer, the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra has exclusively designed air-permeable Delta Pad foam cups which acts as coolants to the chest and allow your skin to breathe and keep a constant, cooler temperature. The sealed seams in the straps mean they don’t chaff as you move, especially with more vigorous sports and they help create a perfect fit. The bras are sold in individual sizes too (as opposed to small/medium/large) to give a better overall fit which makes them more effective at minimising movement too.

I tried the bra for a weight lifting session, which also happened to be my first ever Anita bra! If you’re not familiar with weight lifting, then there is a lot of jumping with heavy weights so there’s a potential for a lot of movement. Thankfully, the super control of the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra meant that there was very limited movement! The bra fits very firmly, although I did find that stretching the straps to the back for the first few times was difficult. However, it is fastened with 4 rows of hook and eye fasteners so there’s extra support there. The wide back strap also makes it more comfortable and the breathable material meant I had no problem with sweat! The straps are adjustable too, so if you need that extra bit of comfort, or are walking all day and start to feel tired, it’s easy to change the fitting to suit your needs, especially if you’re carrying something heavy on your back.

The designs are lovely and very versatile, I’m glad I had the chance to try a whole new brand of sports bra, and I’m so happy with the way they work for me!

Available from £50 (currently in the sale but otherwise priced at £67) at: https://boobydoo.co.uk/anita-air-control-padded-sports-bra/

My Little Sudocrem 22g Travel Pot

Baby, beauty, camping, Children, Days Out, Family Life, health, Home, Sport, Summer

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

Cycling weather is upon us and if you need to take provisions, any cyclist knows there’s not much that can be carried on a bike when you go out and about. There’s also not much you can buy in shops or rely on the local amenities so something like the My Little Sudocrem for minor ailments is ideal. Sudocrem is also excellent for chaffing especially on really long rides!

The My Little Sudocrem tubs are petite circular screw top pods which weight only 22grams. Durable and able to be kept in pockets or tucked into the smallest of rucksacks or handbags, they pack a punch with the full benefits of Sudocrem, just delivered in smaller vessels so that you can transport them anywhere. Cyclists will love My Little Sudocrem because of the size, and because it’s so handy to prevent, or relieve chaffing. If you’ve never had little children around or ever used Sudocrem, then I can tell you it’s a dream for so many purposes. As a rich, scentless cream it can be used on almost anything on the skin, from grazes to allergies or even just to keep you skin soft. I use it as a body moisturiser for the summer months when my legs are dry and I’m wearing skirts and dresses, and on my face for outdoor sports when my visage is chapped, such as out cycling or on the water.

The My Little Sudocrem is also brilliant for taking on holiday, or keeping in your car for when out with the children or after outdoor sports. There’s something very soothing and medicinal about a cold cream on your face after a day out in the wind, rain or sun and Sudocrem has the soothing effect like an aftersun cream, only with a thicker, richer moisturising effect. Also great for the playground when the children have grazes on the swings, there’s a whole host of uses for My Little Sudocrem this summer.

Three available for £8.99 at Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Sudocrem-Barrier-Multipurpose-Family/dp/B088RJF58C/ref=asc_df_B088RJF58C/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=435764429196&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6858848114809714868&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045873&hvtargid=pla-931863630238&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=101204935637&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=435764429196&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6858848114809714868&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045873&hvtargid=pla-931863630238

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple and The Anatomy of Yoga – books

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health

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

I have dabbled in yoga for around 20 years and more recently got back into regular sessions. With age comes the knowledge that you aren’t flexible forever and any yoga session from this point on shows that to me time and time again. What I wasn’t ready for was the need to know how and why I wasn’t flexible any longer, and the thirst for knowledge of yoga, not just from the physical aspect but the spiritual aspect too.

We were sent 2 new yoga books to review, both of which go into a lot more detail than you can glean from a weekly session with an expert tutor. The Anatomy of Yoga by Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones and Yoga Anatomy Made Simple by Stu Girling both go into a lot of depth about the anatomy of yoga with excellent illustrations and diagrams of the human body.

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple (by Stu Girling) starts with Part 1 looking at the Key Concepts of Yoga including Posture, Movement Basics, Muscles and Fascia and Breath. The final chapter in the first part is Other Considerations, which includes Environment and Psychology which go into depth about considerations around what impacts us now and in each yoga practice and how as a yoga teacher or expert, the holistic approach is always necessary.

Part 2 looks at Body Bits, which is literally going into parts of the body (Foot and Ankle, Knee, Hip etc) and giving the science behind each of the bones, muscles and workings of the body plus how they relate in yoga practices. The final part of the book is the Postures, complete with illustrations and helpful hints. There’s an Appendix too, which details more about terminology and Stu’s (the author) notes. It’s an interesting book ordinarily but if you’re into yoga, it becomes captivating as you recognise poses, and then yourself trying to fit into the pose and see where you’re going wrong!

The Anatomy of Yoga by Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones is called a ‘Colouring Book’ but it is really another detailed book about yoga just with line drawings. Looking first at the body with the muscles and fascia plus each of the bones, Jo Ann goes into minute detail about how everything works and how it related to yoga. Again, it’s a trap to think you can just read one part of a chapter, you end up getting completely involved and reading more and more. There are not just line drawings in this book but illustrations and the science behind the physics of the body too. There are tons of drawings to relate to, and I can’t help but think this looks like a text book, or could be used as a text book to further your understanding as well as teach about yoga as a separate subject.

Both books are fascinating and the fact that they come from a yoga background means they work together really well to flesh out the rudimentary knowledge you gain in studio classes. If you’re interested in studying yoga further or going into teaching, these are both excellent books which have slightly different ways of teaching the same anatomical information. The different diagrams and illustrations work in tandem between the two books and you might find one style of writing is better to learn from than the other, but both are excellent resources for yoga enthusiasts, or teachers alike.

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple available from £18.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Anatomy-Made-Simple-Illustrated/dp/1913088359/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TMICRSG4LQQ&keywords=yoga+anatomy+made+simple&qid=1684161092&sprefix=yoga+anatomy+made+simple%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1

The Anatomy of Yoga available from £14.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anatomy-Yoga-Colouring-Book-Biomechanics/dp/1913088278/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1M55MTI1WBS77&keywords=the+anatomy+of+yoga&qid=1684161143&sprefix=the+anatomy+of+yoga%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Enertor Socks and Insoles

Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Him, health, Sport

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

Walking is such a good form of exercise, not only is it free but it is also good for wellbeing too. May is National Walking Month so we’ve been going for a walk every day and it’s been a great opportunity to try out some new gear.

Decent socks are crucial if you want to keep your feet comfortable and blister free when out walking, they provide a buffer between your foot and shoe, preventing rubbing and chafing. It’s worth buying a pair of dedicated walking or running socks rather than just grabbing a pair out of the drawer as they have been specially designed to increase ventilation, wick moisture and offer support to your feet in all the right places.

The Energy Run socks from Enertor contain advanced Nilit® Innergy energy return fibre, EnergyKnit™ band and NanoGLIDE® anti-blister technology. The socks are made in Italy and are really comfortable to wear. They fit nice and snugly and the double layer of fabric around the ankle helps to prevent rubbing and blisters. I have worn them for a 10 mile walk and they were comfortable and not too hot in my shoes.

The socks cost £13.99 and are available in small, medium, large and extra large (size 2.5 to 15) so you will easily find a pair to fit your feet.

Enetor also sent me a pair of their Shock Absorbing Insoles which I have tried in both my walking shoes and fell running shoes. The insoles have shock absorbing PX1® technology which Enetor claim has up to 89% more shock absorption than their competitors. This helps to spread the load on your feet helping to reduce the impact on your feet, knees and hips.

I hadn’t tried an insole before but now I have been using them for a couple of weeks I am finding them very comfortable. I soon got used to them after starting with shorter walks and runs and I find them especially good for fell running where my foot gets thrown about on the uneven ground. They really do help cushion the feet and whilst I am only a casual fell runner, my times have started to improve which I have put down to the insoles – they are used and recommended by Usain Bolt so watch out for me sprinting on the fells!!!

£39.99 available in sizes 3-14

Both products are available from the Enertor website here

LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm

beauty, health, Women

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

With summer comes the need for a change in our beauty routine. Lips are prone to be dry when we’re out in the sun so a lip balm is always a good idea, but if you’re prone to cold sores, the LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm is especially helpful, thanks to liquorice’s unique properties.

The virus which causes cold sores lies dormant in the body until it is activated by stress or by being in direct sun and heat. Cold sores are itchy before they start to show, usually around the lips and under the nose and give you some warning before they start to show. Rather than use harsh prescription medicine, or before you do, LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm helps prevent the severity of the Herpes virus and the length of time it takes for the sores to heal. Especially during periods of increased sun exposure, the Herpes Virus Association trialled LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm and found that regularly using it increased the time between outbreaks, making it an effective preventative measure.

The liquorice ingredient (and the lip balm does not overwhelmingly taste or smell of liquorice if you’re wondering!) is what does the trip with the virus which causes cold sores. All of the ingredients are 100% natural and the balm is free from MI, SLS, parabens and perfumes.

The 30gram balm is bigger than what you usually buy on the High Street, but is still handbag sized, and I think it would be useful to take on holiday with you too. The balm might include liquorice as an ingredient but there isn’t an overpowering aroma to it, just a slight hint so if you’re not a fan of liquorice, it won’t affect you. The balm is surprisingly light so you can use it without make up, or I found it will glide on over lipstick to create a light gloss effect. I might prevent cold sores, but the make-up properties of it are just as good as any other lip balm and left my lips moisturised.

I don’t normally suffer with cold sores so I can’t say that the balm prevented them, but I did have soft lips and enjoyed using it with the slight liquorice fragrance.

Available for £9.50 at: https://www.skinshop.co.uk/lipq/liquorice-balm

CCS Footcare Products

beauty, health, Sport

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

You may recall that I set myself a challenge for National Walking Month and planned to do a walk every day. We’re almost 2 weeks in now and I’ve managed to fit in a walk every day, they haven’t all been long walks, but it has been great to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful countryside on our doorstep. Walking is fantastic for both physical and mental health but it can take a toll on our feet so it is very important to care for them so that you can enjoy many miles of pain free walking.

I’m certainly guilty of not looking after my feet as well as I should and since my feet have been wrapped up in socks and boots all winter, they have become quite dry with hard skin on the heels and soles of my feet. A parcel of footcare products from CCS and National Walking Month was just the motivation I needed to give my feet some much needed TLC.

The Foot Care Cream is a rich cream that simply melts into my feet and doesn’t leave them feeling greasy or sticky. It feels lovely and hydrating and leaves my feet feeling soft and refreshed. It is great as an overnight treatment too – apply before bed, put a pair of cotton socks and you will wake to beautifully soft feet. I have been using this twice a day for the last 2 weeks and I am so impressed with the results, the dry skin has gone and my feet are lovely and soft again.

RRP £7.99

The Warming Foot Cream is an interesting product, it’s not as rich as the Foot Care Cream and easily melts into my skin. It has a lovely citrus fragrance and once you have rubbed it in you feel your feet begin to warm up. It doesn’t feel unpleasant or tingly, just a gradual warmth spreading over your feet. It’s lovely to use after a long walk and I think it will be brilliant in winter when I always suffer from cold feet. It’s a lovely product and is a real treat for my feet.

RRP £11.99

The Cracked Heel Repair foot balm is specially formulated for very dry feet with cracked heels and hard skin. It contains Cabamide (25%) and Lactic Acid which exfoliates, softens, moisturises and strengthens the skin barrier. I have been using it twice a day and I started to see an improvement in the hard skin on my heels in about 3 days

RRP £8

Now that my feet have been well and truly pampered they will be good for many more miles this month – Happy hiking!!

The products are available from Boots, Amazon and Superdrug

1000 Mile Fusion Walk Sock

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, health, Mental Health Awareness, Mother's Day, Sport, Winter, Women

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

May is National Walking Month and is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. I have set myself a challenge to do a walk every day in May as walking is not only a good form of exercise it is a great way to destress after a busy day at work. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country with plenty of good walks on our doorstep, so I am hoping that it won’t be too difficult a challenge!

When you are going hiking it’s amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes and this pair of Fusion Walk socks from 1000 Miles are going to be doing plenty of miles this month.

The socks are a double layered 3 /4 season sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Combined with the high volume Merino wool, the socks offers warmth and volume, making the socks ideal for wearing from Autumn right through to Spring.

As soon as I put the socks on my feet I noticed how comfortable they are, and that’s before I even started walking! The Merino wool and Tactel mix gives a comfortable, breathable sock that wicks moisture away from the foot and elastane ensures a close fit that doesn’t slip or bunch in your boots The ribbed cuff is a comfortable fit and not too tight around my leg and the socks are a mid-calf length and they fit nicely in both my walking boots and trail shoes meaning I can wear them for both hiking and fell running.

I was especially pleased when I saw the sizing of the women’s socks, the medium size is for UK sizes 6 to 8.5 and it’s nice to find a company who recognises that women do have feet bigger than a size 7!

The socks come with 1000 Miles’s blister free guarantee and they will give you your money back or a replacement pair of socks if you experience either blisters or the socks wear out within 1,000 miles – provided that the socks have been cared for following their guidance and are returned with the receipt.

The socks are mid length and easily cover the bottom of my walking trousers, the heel padding comes up the back of the heel and finishes slightly higher than the back of my walking shoe, meaning the backs of my ankles are protected and comfortable. Available in Ladies (3 to 8.5) they cost £18.00 but don’t be put off by the price, given the excellent warranty they really are a worthwhile purchase

Dark Chocolate Malt Loaf with Orange from Lovingly Artisan

coronation, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, health

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

Lovingly Artisan produce home delivered sourdough bread, and like the name suggest, the bread is not your run-of-the-mill baker’s lot. Their sourdough loaves are created with organic ingredients near Kendal, in the British Lake District. Their slow fermentation method with heritage flours and unique flavours create some delicious breads which can be posted to your home.

For the King’s Coronation this year, the Dark Chocolate Malt Loaf with Orange. This unique malt loaf is made with Mediterranean orange peel, Belgian Chocolate and chocolate malt. Marbled into a loaf shape, it’s a hybrid of bread and malt loaf with a deep crust and soft, almost gooey centre which is sweet, chocolatey and punctuated with citrus lemon.

I had a one loaf delivered early on Saturday morning, fresh from the Kendal bakery and beautifully presented! Cutting a piece for myself, I could either eat it as it was or slather it in butter, which is my preferred method. Eaten on its own, it tastes more like a cake, but with butter and the thick crust, it makes for a tea-time treat when you add butter. You could add jam as well but I think it would detract from the taste and become too sweet. You can really taste the Belgian chocolate pieces and candied orange peel with each bite and it’s not heavy either. It has a texture more like a patisserie than bread, probably due to the lighter flour used and good quality ingredients.

I don’t usually eat bread and when I do, I make it at home so it’s a treat to have artisan bread delivered that I didn’t have to work for! I would never be so adventurous as to make a sourdough bread with added chocolate and orange but it really works. Even children would love this bread, and with the added advantage of the sourdough being good for tummies, especially with organic, heritage flour used for baking.

If you’ve never seen the Lovingly Artisan website before, have a look at the other sourdough breads including their artisan range, all of which is delivered to your door.

Celebrate the Coronation with the Lovingly Artisan Dark Chocolate Malt Loaf with Orange this May and discover the perfect sourdough you’ve been missing.

MyPura Baby Wipes

Baby, camping, Children, eco friendly, health, Plastic free, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Thankfully, it has become well known in the last few months that all types of bathroom wipes aren’t good for the environment. They cause blockages in your own domestic plumbing but beyond that, the wipes cause devastation to the wildlife once they are released into the reservoirs, rivers and seas. They may say they’re disposable, but many are not.

MyPura Baby Wipes are NOT disposable via the toilets in homes and plumbing system across the UK. They are however, designed to be more environmentally friendly in many other ways, so there is less guilt about using them once you throw them away. Made of 99% water and organic aloe vera, they don’t have any plastic content and therefore are 100% compostable and 100% biodegradable, so landfill isn’t a problem.

Each pack contains a generous 24 wipes and perfect for baby, they are perfume and alcohol free. Alcohol often dehydrates the skin, so with the aloe vera, they help to hydrate baby’s skin and can be used by you too. Brilliant for taking off make up! I was particularly pleased to see that the packaging is 100% recyclable and the wipes are verified vegan and Allergy Friendly too.

Do they work though? I particularly liked the MyPura wipes because they could be used on me as well as children, and they didn’t have any scent that put me off or made me feel self-conscious. Sometimes when you use wipes on your face, there’s the alcohol smell or a fragrance left behind that you’d rather not be smelling all day, and these MyPura ones don’t have that. They’re also really efficient because they are made of aloe vera and a high content of water, so don’t dry out as soon as you take them out of the packet. The packet is also really handy too as it seals up again quickly after use!

From £2.03 per pack (on subscription) at: https://mypura.com/products/eco-baby-wipes

KIND Caramelised Biscuit Nut Cereal Bar

Family Life, Food & Drink, health, Lunchbox Fillers

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

I’m a big fan of cereal bars. They’re great for snacks at home, or in your bag to go to work and children love them. KIND have a variety of cereal bars of different flavours, but all of them are high in fibre, high in protein and have no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. They’re gluten free too!

The team at KIND send us a box of their new Caramelised Biscuit Nut flavoured KIND bars to try, which have the same high fibre, high quality ingredients. The main food factor in these Caramelised Biscuit Nut KIND bars is nuts making up 81% of the bar overall. They actually contain peanuts, almonds and cashews with added spice biscuit and caramel. The result is a sweet, slightly sticky cereal bar with a honey coating and nutmeg and cinnamon flavouring. Despite the cinnamon, they don’t taste ‘Christmassy’ at all, more like the coffee biscuits you get in cafes when you order a latte.

I really enjoyed the KIND Caramelised Biscuit Nut bars and found them really filling as either a snack or part of a lunch. They have the added bonus of being high in fibre and have all the nutrients you find in nuts but with all of the flavour. The bars are great for protein too, although at 226 calories it’s not really a health bar, but will pack in the energy if you need a sugar rush in the afternoon.

As with all KIND bars, these became addictive! Everyone in the office loved them for both their flavour and texture, which is more for adults than children due to containing nuts. If you’re a fan of KIND bars, you’ll love these too!

More details at: https://www.kindsnacks.co.uk/products/kind-bars/caramelised-biscuit-nut

Purchase from Ocado, Waitrose and other stores from £1.30.

Ayluna Shampoo for Dandruff & Dry Scalp

beauty, Family Life, health, Home, Home & Garden, Women

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

Dandruff and dry scalp shampoos used to be medicated and foul fragranced concoctions, only available over the pharmacy counter. Nowadays, there are alternatives including the Ayluna Shampoo for Dandruff & Dry Scalp.

Ayluna, although effective at beating dandruff and moisturising a dry scalp actually contains organic rosemary and juniper wood oil which banishes the dandruff and dry skin. The combination of herbs adds a more delicate, but strong scent to the shampoo which lathers up beautifully in the shower. Surprisingly, the Ayluna Shampoo doesn’t contain silicone or paraffin, no synthetic colourants, nor artificial scents or preservatives. The smokey, aniseed fragrance is completely natural from the herbal ingredients.

When used in the shower to wash my hair, it was very potent and filled the room with the scent of the oils, but struck me as not being overly feminine, so it could be used by anyone in the family. You don’t need much shampoo to lather up either, and I felt that afterwards, the dark colouring of the mixture enhanced my dark coloured hair as well as leaving it with the herbal fragrance.

I don’t have particularly bad dandruff but occasionally, when I’m stressed, it flares up. At the moment though, my hair is very clear from using the Ayluna Shampoo and making sure it rinses out thoroughly and leaving my hair squeaky clean.

Ayluna Shampoo for Dandruff & Dry Scalp is a perfect alternative to the over-the-counter medicated shampoos that really put me off with their fragrance and harsh chemicals. Ayluna does the job just as well but has a much more friendly after-scent.

Available online at:https://www.ayluna.com/products/hair-care/shampoos/index.htm

See the Ayluna website for more details at: www.ayluna.co.uk

NOMO Chocolate Easter Eggs

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gluten Free, health, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

If you’re unable to eat chocolate due to being lactose intolerant, have an allergy to nuts or are vegan, you used to struggle to find chocolate on the High Street. Nowadays, there are a lot more options available to you though including NOMO chocolate. No More Missing Out? That’s their slogan. Does their chocolate live up to it though?

We were sent a selection of different flavoured chocolate Easter Eggs and Easter character chocolates. Although not necessarily aimed at children, anyone can enjoy them but we are also treated to an Egg & Lolly character egg for very young children. All of the chocolate are vegan and free from egg, nut, dairy and gluten.

The adult Easter egg flavours included Cookie Dough, Orange Crunch and Caramelised biscuit. Each Egg weighs 160 grams and has an extra Bunny included in the egg. The chocolate is listed as ‘an alternative to milk chocolate’ which is slightly darker than conventional milk chocolate but not bitter like dark chocolate is. We particularly enjoyed the Orange Crunch chocolate which had a distinct flavour of orange with a slight texture to it which added an interest to the confectionary. The Cookie Dough flavour is similarly textured and very sweet whilst the caramelised biscuit is as grown-up as it sounds with crunchy biscuit pieces and the sweetness of the caramel. The added bunnies (a character chocolate, each one weighing 30 grams) are similar milk chocolate substitutes but just as tasty!

The Egg & Lolly character Easter Eggs are also vegan and free from egg, nut, dairy and gluten. The 92 grams cute little eggs are perfect for younger children who won’t know the difference between milk chocolate and these free from eggs. Inside the egg there’s a chocolate lolly to enjoy, as well as some fun activities for children to do over the Easter holidays.

You can also buy the NOMO Easter Bunny separately. At 30 grams, the chocolate bunnies are also vegan, dairy free, gluten free etc and are filled with flavoured truffle in either Orange Crunch or Cookie Dough like the Easter Eggs.

Dairy free, Gluten free and egg free chocolate has come a long way in the last few years, and for anyone who needs a ‘free from’ diet, NOMO Chocolate Easter Eggs and Bunnies are so similar to the real thing, you won’t know the difference!

NOMO Easter Eggs are available at: https://nomochoc.com/collections/nomo-easter-range and health food shops.

Menthoderm®

beauty, health, Winter, Women

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

I have suffered from eczema most of my life and it is especially bad on my hands and feet. It has flared up again due to the cold weather, so I was very pleased when SK1N sent me some Menthoderm® to try.

If like me you haven’t come across Menthoderm® before, it is a Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) free menthol in aqueous cream which can be used to soothe and cool heated, dry, irritated and itchy skin conditions. The unique formula has two preservatives, which provides double the protection and helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination, especially if hygiene is an issue. The preservative Undecylenic Acid also helps to protect dry and irritated skin.

I received a 100g tube of the 2% formula and a 30g tube of the 1% formula and since I started using them I have seen a huge improvement in the skin on my hands and feet, they are no longer red and itchy and the chapped skin between my fingers has finally started to clear up. I have been using the 2% cream at night, leaving it to soak in overnight to help calm the redness and itchiness and keeping the smaller tube of 1% cream in my handbag, using it as a hand cream during the day to top up the good work the stronger cream is doing at night.

The cream is really easy to smooth in, you don’t need to rub too hard, and it is absorbed quickly. The consistency is perfect, it’s not runny or sticky so is very easy to apply and it doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy after application. When the cream is applied, it feels instantly cooling and soothing and I really like the menthol fragrance, which has had the added benefit of helping clear my airways as I seem to have picked up a cold this week!

This is a very soothing and moisturising cream and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with eczema or other dry skin conditions.

Menthoderm® is available in 4 strengths – 1% and 2% are available in a 100g tube, 500g pot and 500g pump and the 0.5% and 5% versions are available in a 500g pot. Prices start at £5.76 for a 100g tube and £21 for the larger 500g size.

Available to buy here

B.fresh Juices

Drinks and Mixers, Fitness, Food & Drink, health, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

New Year – New Me. At least that’s my intention!

I’m trying to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables that I eat and as a glass of juice counts as one of the 5 a day I was really pleased to receive a selection of delicious mixed juices from B.fresh. The fresh, cold pressed juices and juice shots are made from 100% natural ingredients, with no added sugars or sweeteners and are produced on their farm in Shropshire.

The three juices I tried are

Happy Greens

Get Up and Glow

Strawberry Shines.

The Happy Greens drink has an apple base with kale and spinach. I really loved this one, the earth tones of the spinach and kale were perfectly balanced with the natural sweetness of the apple juice.

The orange, Get Up and Glow, cleverly mixes carrots with orange juice and apple with a hint of turmeric for that on trend health boost. Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C a glass of this juice is a great way to start the day.

The Strawberry Shines drink combines 35% strawberry with apple, carrot cucumber and beetroot, I was expecting the strawberry flavour to be stronger but the flavour that stood out more was the apple with the strawberry coming in as a very pleasant aftertaste.

Each 250ml bottle counts as one of my five a day and with no added sugar makes a great healthy start to my day. I’ll pop one in my bag for a lunchtime treat too!

Available from the B.fresh website from £3.65 per 250ml juice

Hair Boss – The Heat Protecting Spray

beauty, health, Women

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

There are so many hair products on the market nowadays, and getting to know what might be available for your hair routine is just as difficult. If you style your hair with a hairdryer (who doesn’t in winter!) or use straighteners, you may find that the condition of your hair suffers when so much heat is applied.

Hair Boss by Lisa Shepherd is a revolutionary spray which protects hair before heated tools are used, or as a hairspray after styling, to give extra hold.

Lisa Shepherd is a Kidderminster based colourist and hairdresser whose accolades include being the most awarded hair colourist in the UK today. As a mentee of Umberto Giannini, she has spent more than 30 years perfecting her craft. Lisa also has a drive for her business and a philosophy in life to be true to yourself and shower clients with love, whilst at the same time being honest. With this enthusiasm, Lisa has developed the 4-step programme for hair, personally evolving the products herself to give clients, and you, the best possible hair.

The Hair Boss Heat Protection Spray is number 4 in the list of 4-steps developed by Lisa. The spray can protect hair up to 230 degrees centigrade, which is about as hot as most hair straighteners can get. I tried the spray twice – once on wet hair and again as a flexible hold hairspray on finished hair. Using the usual 10-15cm rule of spraying from a distance, on wet hair it took a bit more spray for it to cover all of my hair, which is almost down to my elbows and very curly. I usually put on some kind of heat protector if I’m using straighteners but not always when using a hairdryer. I used both on my hair to give a straight look and try out how the protection works.

After The Hair Boss Heat Protecting Spray, I used the hair dryer and straighteners on my hair. My hair was better hydrated and protected from the heat, allowing a shine to come through once my hair was straight. I think I need to use more though, especially on the ends to give an even protection, so the first few times are very much trial and error to see what is right for your hair, and depends on what heated styling tools you use.

Lastly, I used the spray on my dry hair to see how it held. It does seem to have a really firm hold, even in this weather and brushes out easily without destroying my styling, which is always the problem.

I will happily be using Lisa Shepherd’s Heat Protecting Spray from The Hair Boss more, and hopefully getting the application 100% correct to give my hair the best possible style.

Available for £8.99 at: https://www.thehairboss.co.uk/products/the-heat-protection-hairspray

Hada Labo Day Cream-in-Milk Moisturiser

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, 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.

Hada Labo is Japan’s Number 1 skin care line, which although being available from Superdrug in the UK, it isn’t very well known here. It is remarkably cheap though for such a good quality product as I discovered when I tested the Hada Labo Day Cream-In-Milk.

The product gets it’s name from the milky essence of the moisturiser, delivered in a pump to make it easier to carry and travel with. It contains 5 types of hyaluronic acid, which is not only the newest type of skincare ingredient but is very fashionable at the moment, found in a lot of the high-end skincare products available on the market. Hada Labo’s Day Cream-In-Milk works on different layers of the skin to provide moisture, filling and wrinkle-smoothing throughout the day.

Best used in the morning, it is best to pat the cream into the face and neck area rather than rubbing it in, which can damage the structure of the moisturiser and doesn’t particularly help repair the skin. You can then apply make-up on top of the Day Cream but Hada Labo suggests using their Premium Lotion Super Deep Hydrator and night cream. As it’s a rich moisturiser, it is particularly good for lifeless skin that might be dehydrated. Anyone living in the UK at the moment probably has dehydrated skin, thanks to the cold weather and the need for central heating this time of year!

Using the cream in the mornings after my shower, the fragrance-free Day Cream-In-Milk blends into your skin beautifully, although it is quite rich. I can see why it has the moniker ‘In-milk’ because it does have that slightly rich texture of milk but it does blend in easily. I could see that at first, it left my skin quite dewy then as it absorbed and dries, it leaves a base moisturiser which is great for applying make-up over the top. It certainly as a filling effect on the fine lines on my face too.

For the price, this is a remarkably good day cream, with all the ingredients you find in the top day creams available today and with a lovely texture to boot, too.

Available from Superdrug from £15.33:

https://www.superdrug.com/anti-ageing/expert-anti-ageing-skin-care/hada-labo-tokyo-premium-day-cream-50ml/p/817393

ARRAN After The Rain Bath Salts

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

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

Arran Sense of Scotland is based on the beautiful Isle of Arran, if you haven’t visited Arran, I recommend that you do – the island is beautiful and the breath-taking views from the summit of Goatfell are definitely worth the climb! Their skin care products and home fragrances are inspired by the unspoiled way of life on Arran and the intoxicating fragrances aim to help reconnect you with nature.

The latest addition to their iconic After the Rain collection is the After The Rain Bath Salts. A carefully crafted blend of natural sea salt and Epsom salts, they are fragranced with Lime, Rose and Sandalwood and are formulated to revitalise skin, relax the mind and aid restful sleep. As a perimenopausal woman I struggle a lot with sleep, often waking several times a night, so I was very interested to see if the salts could help.

I added a good handful of the salts to a hot running bath and the salts quickly dissolved, filling the whole bathroom with comforting scents of Lime, Rose and Sandalwood. The salts created a heavenly experience to unwind in, especially when teamed with candlelight and I was soon laying in a relaxed state feeling the warm water over my body. All my worries seemed to melt away and when I finally dragged myself out of the bath I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I even slept all night, waking up feeling energised and rested which was amazing.

If getting a good night’s sleep is top of your list of priorities, this product is definitely worth trying. Using the salts and following a simple sleep routine has worked wonders for me and has enabled me to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep and soothed my aching body and tired mind.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching why not treat your loved one to a bottle of these amazing bath salts?

RRP £16

RapidLash and RapidBrow Serums

beauty, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Women

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

The world seems divided these days between those who have false eyelashes and micro-bladed brows, and the rest of us who persevere with mascara and eye brow pencil. I am in the latter group, and only recently released that as I get older, my eyebrows especially need more help.

I didn’t want to go down the false eye ashes and cosmetic enhancement route (the cost being one reason) so when I was offered a try of the RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum and RapidBrow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum, it seemed like a good idea. The research into both products seemed promising too;

88% of testers* of the RapidLash Serum experienced improvement in the appearance of lashes and 86% experienced fuller looking lashes.
93% of RapidBrow Serum testers* experienced improvement in the appearance of brows and 93% also experienced their brows being fuller looking.

*Consumer Study of 102 subjects over 56 days.

With this is mind, it was worth me having a try to see if it made a difference. The marketing suggest 8 weeks is all it takes for you to see an improvement, so with that in mind, I set about reading up what needed to be done.

For the RapidLash Serum, the supply only needs to be applied once a day, at night, to the upper lashes with the applicator along the base of the eye lashes. Eyelids need to be clear of make up and the serum shouldn’t be on the eyelid itself, just the base of the eyelashes themselves. For the RapidLash Serum, the formula is used twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Using the applicator, RapidBrow needs to be applied to the full length of the brow, and again should be completely clear of make-up. In each case, the serum needs to allow to dry.

Neither serum was difficult to apply, as they are both much like applying make-up or mascara anyway. Once the serum dried, they were still soft enough to not notice that they had any kind of products in them, and it’s easy to sleep without them being rubbed off.

It’s difficult to show in photos but my eyelashes were stronger after about 3 weeks so I’m guessing that after 8 weeks they will be much stronger! This led to them being longer too. My brows were thicker and didn’t have the gaps between them as much as I used to have without the serum. Over time, I hope that they become thicker still and I won’t need any make-up for either eyelashes or eyebrows.

RapidLash and RapidBrow serums are a great addition to a make-up bag and beauty routine to improve the appearance of lashes and brows, without the cost of expensive cosmetic enhancements.

RapidLash available at Boots for £40: https://www.boots.com/rapidlash-eyelash-enhancing-serum—3ml-10103497

RapidBrow available at Boots for £37: https://www.boots.com/rapidbrow-eyebrow-enhancing-serum-10137216

ECO Professional Hair Styling Gel

beauty, Family Life, health, Women

Whether it’s a new hair style, a New Years’ Resolution for haircare or if you feel like a change, your hair styling is something very personal to you. For 2023, I am trying more hair styles, colours and drying methods to see what suits me, so the Eco Professional Hair Styling Gel, made with olive oil was on my radar to try!

Olive oil has long been used as a beauty product, and the Eco Hair Styling Gel is made with 100% olive oil. The oil acts as a way of keeping in the moisture and keeping hair soft, as well as working on the scalp to keep it hydrated. The effect of the olive oil overall is to keep hair slick and sheen and easily managed, especially as it’s so light weight.

The gel can be used on wet or dry hair, and hair of all lengths. Obviously if it’s used on wet hair it keeps in more of the moisture, and on dry hair you can style better. Both methods should give good hold.

I tried the Eco Hair Styling Gel on both wet and dry hair. With my hair roughly dried but not long out of the shower, it was difficult to assume how much gel to use without it looking ‘crunchy’ so I used it sparingly at first, with the texture of the gel coating locks of hair. My hair is naturally curly so it was easier to work it through long strands. When it came to drying, I let my hair dry naturally and found that I should probably have used a bit more gel than I did so that the curls had more definition, but with trial and error, I managed to get an even, defined curl throughout.

When I used Eco Hair Styling Gel on dry hair, there was more of a ‘wet look’ and it made it easy to pull my hair back into a tight bun or pony tail. My preference though, is to use the gel for defining curls, and anyone who has curly hair knows how difficult that is!

Available from Boots from £3.99: https://www.boots.com/eco-style-olive-oil-styling-gel-237ml-10261195?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc-_-PLAs_HeroCompare-_-Toiletries_Hair-_-UK_Smart_Shopping_Toiletries_Hair&gclid=CjwKCAiAk–dBhABEiwAchIwkR_MKSkfzxIYdAB2snpW3y8Iq4qX4rHnu3ZfMKRT7H5z_emU_zXw-BoCPRsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

New Years’ Resolution, New Hair style, new hair, hair styling, Hair gel, curly hair

#NewYearsResolution #NewHairStyle #NewHair #HairStyling #HairGel #CurlyHair

Wahl Peaky Blinders Clipper & Beard Trimmer Gift Set

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, health

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

Like many others I started cutting my husband and son’s hair during lockdown, my first attempts weren’t great and it’s a good job they weren’t leaving the house but after watching a few YouTube videos and with three heads to practise on I quickly improved. With the cost of living crisis my barbering skills are being called on again so I was really pleased to receive the Wahl Peaky Blinders Clippers & Beard Trimmer Gift Set.

Wahl are known for their hair clippers and this is a great set containing everything you need to keep control of your hair and beard. Male grooming is big business now and with beards very much back in fashion along with shorter hair styles, cutting your hair at home makes more sense than ever before.

The mains voltage clipper is very solidly built and not being limited by battery power will run as long as you need it to and as is always ready to use. The clipper has a long power lead and includes a thumb operated fade blade to get that modern crisp look. There is a choice of 12 attachment combs offering cutting lengths between 0.8mm and 25mm with left and right tapers so whether you want a close cut or something a little longer you can achieve it with this set.

The clippers are extremely comfortable to hold and give a nice clean cut without pulling or tugging the hair. They move through hair nicely and don’t get clogged up and are very easy to use either by yourself or on someone else’s hair.

They can be used for cutting hair, trimming sideburns and beards and for trimming around the ears and neckline.

The battery powered trimmer is handy for smaller areas, my son found it particularly useful when trimming his beard and around his ears where the main clipper was a little cumbersome.

The set even includes a cape in the set to protect clothes whilst your hair is being cut. When not in use you can store everything away neatly in the stylish grey bag.

Also in the set are the following items to give you the full barbers shop experience at home

Scissors

Barber Comb

Fade Brush

Barber Cape

Blade Oil and Cleaning Brush

Storage Bag

Style Guide

This is a great set for anyone looking to purchase clippers for the first time or as a replacement set. It has everything you need to maintain the sleekest look in town – just like the Peaky Blinders!

RRP £100 but currently on offer for £50 on the Wahl website