Women – Page 10 – The Review Studio

RINGANA Travel Sets

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Sustainable, Vegan, Women

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

It’s the start of June and thoughts are turning to holidays, whether you are planning on staying in the UK or heading for more exotic locations it’s even more important to look after your skin as the heat, humidity and long haul flights can play havoc with your skin.

Many beauty brands now have miniature versions, enabling you to stick to your favourite tried and trusted products whilst you are away. I don’t miss the days of decanting favourite products into travel sized bottles and then finding myself using body lotion instead of face cream as the pen has rubbed off the bottle and I can’t tell which is which – I’m sure I’m not the only one that this happens to!!

If your holiday plans involve a flight, travel-sized products are perfect as not only do they keep the weight down they are essential when travelling with only hand luggage. Airlines still have restrictions on liquids and containers must hold no more than 100ml and fit in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm.

RINGANA are an Austrian skincare brand and their products are vegan, natural, ethical, eco-friendly and aren’t tested on animals. We’ve tried a few of their products recently and they also have a fantastic selection of travel sized products to suit all skin types. They sent me a couple of sets to try and I have enjoyed discovering some new RINGANA products.

The WASH sample box contains a great selection of holiday essentials to keep your hair and body lovely and fresh.

FRESH BODY WASH 50ml which lathers nicely to clean and freshen my skin after a day on the beach.

FRESH SHAMPOO 50ml this gentle shampoo leaves hair lovely and soft and shiny.

FRESH STAY FRESH 50 ml, a gentle foam that you spray onto toilet paper to leave your skin fresh and clean.

FRESH DEODORANT 5 ml, this handy bottle protects against unpleasant body odours and is small enough to keep in your bag to freshen up whenever you feel the need.

FRESH TOOTH OIL 15ml, used instead of toothpaste this oil-based tooth care is derived from the ancient practice where oil was swished in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. It doesn’t foam like toothpaste and I wasn’t keen on the taste but I did find it left my teeth feeling surprisingly clean and fresh.

I loved all these products but I would have liked to see a conditioner in this set as my hair can get wild and frizzy on holiday and I prefer to use the same haircare brands for shampoo and conditioner to get the best results.

€27.10

The BODY sample box contains smaller samples that are perfect for a weekend away.

FRESH BODY MILK 15 ml This rich body milk nourishes and soothes dry skin with high-quality plant oils, restoring its suppleness.

FRESH FOOT BALM 15 ml – Just what you need to soothe tired feet after all that sightseeing.

FRESH HAND BALM 15 ml – This hand and nail balm melts into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy. It leaves my hands beautifully soft and smooth.

€14.90

The FACE RICH Sample Box is ideal for trying out RINGANA’s skincare range, the samples are in now in handy sachets with a screw top lid which take up very little space in a wash bag. The set contains

FRESH CLEANSER 15 ml – Apply to damp skin, massage in and rinse with warm water, this cleanser is great at removing all traces of make up and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

The FRESH TONIC CALM 15ml is gentle on skin and removes the final traces of dirt, grime and impurities after cleansing.

FRESH CREAM RICH 10ml – This rich cream is perfect for my perimenopausal skin, it sinks into my skin effortlessly and leaves it nice and hydrated.

FRESH ANTI WRINKLE SERUM 5ml – The highly-concentrated serum nourishes the skin and RINGANA claim that over time it will boost the skin, correcting and smoothing wrinkles.

€29.80

These are just a few of the RINGANA sample sets so whether you are looking for miniature versions of your favourite products or looking to change your skincare routine then I recommend taking a look at the RINGANA website. In time for the holiday season the popular RINGANA travel sets are now in the eco-friendly foil pouches which are 100% PCR – post-consumer recycled plastic. Mono-material is the ultimate pioneer in terms of recycling, and its 100 per cent recyclability makes it a real winner. Other improved sustainability features are a 20% reduction in the packaging weight, and they are much easier to empty so no wastage. Thanks to the oxygen barrier layer the high-quality formulations are protected even better than they were before.

MooGoo Travel Pack

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Women

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

I suffer with very dry skin and eczema and when it flares up it my skin becomes red and itchy and the skin on my hands and feet starts to crack which can be incredibly painful. I grew up on a dairy farm and remember my mother using the cow udder cream on her hands as it really helped her eczema, so when I heard about MooGoo, whose first ever product was based on cow udder cream, I knew I had to try it.

MooGoo is a Australian company which came about by accident after the founder, Craig Jones noticed his Mum using cow udder cream on her hands. Udder cream is quite thick and hard to apply so he decided to reformulate the cream, creating a lighter, non-greasy version which was a big hit with family and friends – so much so that he ended up going into business with this new cream which was aptly named MooGoo. Initially they only made one product but over the years the range has expanded to include 40 products.

If you haven’t tried MooGoo products before then the travel pack is perfect to start with as it contains four different products in a handy travel bag.

Milk Shampoo 100ml – Made using a combination of gentle Coconut and Glucose based cleansers it is designed for people with sensitive scalps, itchiness or flakiness. The shampoo lathered well and left my hair lovely and clean and after a couple of washes I noticed my scalp wasn’t as flaky.

Conditioner 100ml – This conditioner contains Jojoba Oil which moisturises hair leaving it soft, hydrated and free of tangles. It left my hair lovely and soft and it helped hydrate my curls leaving them shiny and bouncy.

Milk Wash 100ml – Made with a combination of 6 gentle, natural, low-irritant cleansers and designed to be used for the face and body. It is nice and gentle on my skin and a little goes a long way.

Skin Milk Udder Cream 100g – This is the original product that Craig first created. It is designed to hydrate skin using the natural ingredients and oils that contain the types of fatty acids needed for healthy skin. I have been using this on my hands and feet and it has really improved the condition of my skin in only a couple of weeks.

All the bottles have handy pump action dispensers, and they are just the right size to pop in my bag when I go away this summer.

RRP £19.50 Available here

TOG24 Glasson Womens Waterproof Jacket

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Sport, Summer, Women

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

National Walking Month is coming to a close now and we have certainly covered some miles. We normally go out walking a couple of times a week but at the start of the month we challenged ourselves to go out for a walk every day in May and the miles have been quickly totting up. I have really enjoyed exploring our local area and walking along the public footpaths that cross the fields as well as doing a few higher level walks on the fells. We have seen plenty of wildlife too, my favourite was seeing a beautiful barn owl fly around the fields one evening and we have also spotted deer and hares.

Living in the North West we are used to wet weather and a walk in the rain is certainly a lot better with the right gear so I was pleased to receive the TOG24 Glasson Women’s Waterproof jacket – especially as my current waterproof coat has seen better days and tends to leak. It’s bad enough walking in the rain but it it’s a million times worse if the rain gets through your coat leaving you wet and cold.

Available in either navy or faded pink in sizes 8-18, the coat is made from a 100% waterproof, breathable fabric with a DWR coating to repel water. The coat is also windproof so will keep me warm and dry no matter what the weather throws at me.

I normally wear size 14 clothes, but I do like to go up a size for waterproof coats as I like to be able to move about easily and on colder days have room for a fleece or jumper. The size 16 coat fitted me perfectly – the elasticated waist toggles meant I could easily adjust the fit, pulling in the waist for a smooth fit when wearing thinner layers and loosening them when I am wearing more layers.

Designed with two-way zips and magnetic fasteners (which are a dream to fasten) the coat has two roomy angled pockets that fasten with the same magnetic fasteners. This is the first time I have come across a coat with this type of fastener, and I really love it, they are so easy to open, especially if you have cold and wet hands and they fasten easily with a satisfying snap. It also has a zipped internal pocket which is perfect for keeping my phone safe.

The coat is a very flattering shape and I love the longer length with the fishtail hem. I was really pleased with the length of the arms, I am 6’ tall with long arms and find sleeve lengths in women’s waterproofs do tend to be too short. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when I put the jacket on and found the sleeves were just the right length. Another feature of waterproof coats that I look at are the hood, it needs to fit nicely on my head and stay up when the weather is bad. The hood on the Glasson coat was an excellent fit and with the zip fully up stayed in place nicely. The peak helped prevent the hood from flopping in my face and is deep enough to keep rain off my face and glasses. There is also enough room to wear a woolly hat when it gets colder and still be able to put the hood up.

The lovely, longer-length Glasson coat performed brilliantly when we tested it with the hosepipe (it’s not rained here recently so we had to create our own weather conditions!) This was way more intense than any rain shower I’ve ever been in and although the coat was absolutely soaked, I stayed nice and dry. I am really pleased with this coat, it is comfortable to wear and looks great too. It’s also smart enough for work so whilst the coat is on sale I’m thinking of buying the faded pink version to keep me warm and dry on my daily commute.

RRP £130 but currently on sale at £80

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/

Yankee Relaxing Summer Candles

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Mental Health Awareness, Mother's Day, Summer, Women

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

Whether you’re going on holiday this summer or relaxing at home, your mood can be seriously enhanced with some gorgeous candles, especially if they’re Yankee Candles! The famous luxury candle company have sent us these seasonal beauties to try out, in the hope that we bliss out and pretend we are on a Mediterranean yacht somewhere…

The first Yankee Candle we tried was the Cucumber Mint Cooler 368gram (medium size). This size has two wicks to light, so it burns more easily and fills the room with scent as it does so. The fragrance certainly comes across as very cooling, with the fresh cucumber smell taking hold first, then the mint is more subtle afterwards. The whole candle perfume is light and crisp, much like a white wine on a sunny day and doesn’t overpower a room at all. It could be used outdoors as well as indoors as the size of glass protects it somewhat, although I haven’t tried it yet myself.

The second candle is the Hand Tied Blooms Candle, which is a lilac/pink colour and this larger size weighs 567gram. A much more floral smell, this candle is rosier, with petal tones to the fragrance and a bit stronger when it burns. It’s a very even, consistent scent with the lavender tones coming through, and a vanilla tone to it. I think it’s more of a feminine smell, unlike the Cucumber Mint Cooler which is more universal, but the Hand Tied Blooms candle would be great for celebrations or a family gathering over the summer. It reminds me of summer a lot, so it’s perfect for when the sun is out!

Both candles, like everything from Yankee Candles, are in sturdy glass jars, complete with lids so you can extinguish them safely if you need to, or keep them until they’re needed again. They make gorgeous presents and arrive in a lovely box which is ideal for gifting. Anyone who buys from the Yankee Candle online shop earns Fragrance Family Rewards which you can redeem later on – perhaps for another treat for yourself?

Cucumber Mint Cooler (medium size £24.99) https://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/yankee-candle/shop-by/new-arrivals/cucumber-mint-cooler/ORCL_1728904E.html

Hand Tied Blooms (large size £29.99) https://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/yankee-candle/candles/shop-by-type/signature-large-jar-candles/hand-tied-blooms/ORCL_1734800E.html

Martha Hill Marshmallow Eye Make Up Remover

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Women

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

The skin around your eyes is very delicate and it is often the first area where you notice fine lines and wrinkles appearing. As the skin is so fragile it is important to avoid rubbing the eye area so a good eye make up remover that dissolves eye make up and mascara with minimal effort is a must.

Martha Hill Marshmallow Eye Make up Remover is a lightweight cream gel which feels lovely on your skin. I have been using it on a reusable bamboo pad and I love the ease with which eye make-up is removed, one of two wipes and mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow simply melt away with no rubbing required. It also leaves skin feeling nice and fresh and clean too.

The Marshmallow Eye Make Up remover is free from parabens, artificial colour & fragrance and is cruelty free and made in the UK.

30ml tottle – £5.95

Environ Focus Care Youth+ Night Serum

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

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

As a perimenopausal woman, the hormonal changes that my body is currently experiencing are really playing havoc with my skin. My normal skincare products don’t seem to be as effective as they once were, and my skin has become incredibly dry and dull looking. Looking in the mirror I see fine lines and wrinkles appearing and with so much choice in the skincare market it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily Environ were on hand and kindly sent me the Environ Focus Care Youth+ Malachite NP-Complex Seriénce™ Night Serum to try.

The serum has been developed to target the effects of stress-induced ageing so perfect for menopausal women like myself. It is also the top aestheticians choice and according to Environ focuses on the power of award-winning overnight skin science to counteract the negative effects of stress-induced ageing and inflammation.

I have been using the serum every evening for the last month and can honestly say that my skin feels transformed. I apply after I have cleansed and toned my skin and massage it in, concentrating on those areas where I have lines (and unfortunately there are plenty of those!). The lightweight gel formula seems to just melt into my skin and feels hydrating without being heavy on my skin. After a month my skin feels softer and has a radiance that wasn’t there before. I have also noticed that the fine lines around my eyes seem to be fading which I am really pleased about. I haven’t changed any other elements of my “beauty” regime, so do believe these benefits are from using the night serum.

It isn’t cheap ( £45 for 30ml), but then nor are many of the similar serums on the market. You only need a small amount so a bottle will last a long time and I would say it is worth every penny.

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

Bumbles and Boo

Baby, beauty, Children, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Women

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

I love discovering companies that have incredible gifts so was really pleased when we received a gift from Bumbles and Boo. They have a magnificent range of baby themed gifts all beautifully packaged in baskets and mini suitcases (which are perfect for storing keepsakes and photographs afterwards) and are the perfect gift to welcome a new baby.

Bumbles and Boo was founded by two mums, both called Emma back in 2018. They became friends through their sons love of football and found themselves sharing the ups and downs of parenthood whilst holding down corporate jobs. Wanting a change from their careers they decided there was a gap in the market for baby and new parent gifts that not only looked beautiful but were practical too, containing all the essentials that they loved from their parenting journeys. The business is named after the nicknames of their young daughters – Bumbles and Boo

I always think a hamper is such a lovely gift to give (and receive) for any occasion and was thrilled with the “You’re One in a Melon” Treat trunk which is packed full of lovely pampering treats. The two mini suitcases were tied together with beautiful white ribbon and the addition of a gift card and an artificial rose took the gift up to a whole new level, it not only looked impressive it made me feel incredibly special to be receiving such a delightful gift.

When I opened the suitcases, I discovered that the beautiful packaging continues inside the gift, the contents are covered in tissue paper and nestled in shredded paper and it was really exciting lifting the top items to see what treats were underneath. The little artificial roses were a lovely touch and I especially liked how the exfoliating glove had been folded, making an everyday item look really special.

I was really impressed by the variety of items in the hamper, it contained the following which are all perfect gifts for any mum-to-be or new mum.

Candle.
Make a wish bracelet.
Box of You’re One in a Melon Sour watermelon
Hard backed Journal & Pen.
JoJoBa, Vanilla & Almond Oil hand cream.
Exfoliating glove

Hampers are a great gift for new mums, as you get lots of little presents and Bumble and Boo have some lovely pampering products in their hampers. Being pregnant or a new mum can be exhausting and receiving some special treats to help relax and have some me/pamper time is very much appreciated.

I also think this would make a lovely gift for a baby shower, I really don’t like giving gifts for babies before they arrive so this is the perfect solution. With a lovely selection of gifts for the mum to be it is bound to put a smile on the recipients face and be treasured for many years to come.

The hampers start at £15.95 and there is one to suit every budget, you can even design your own too!

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

Justice Smooth & Grow Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Women

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

I have curly hair and looking after it can be quite troublesome. At the moment it is dry and frizzy and I am certainly having more bad hair days than good so I was really pleased to receive a couple of Smooth & Groom products from Justice Haircare to see if they could transform my wild, frizzy locks.

Justice Haircare is an Australian brand which was founded on the sun-kissed beaches of Sydney Australia back in 1990. Inspired by nature their philosophy is to harness the very best elements of Australia – nature, authenticity and fun – and create haircare products that can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what type of hair you have. They have a fantastic range of products including, shampoos, conditioners, anti-dandruff and dry scalp products, leave-in treatments as well as styling products and hair colours.

I love their simple, yet stylish packaging, the vibrant pink looks stunning against the white bottle and definitely brightens up the bathroom.

The shampoo smells lovely, very sweet and floral and is a nice consistency, it lathers well leaving my hair feeling fresh and clean.

My curly hair tends to be dry, frizzy and dull so a hydrating conditioner is an important step in my haircare routine. The Smooth & Groom Deep Conditioner is rich and creamy and contains Pro-Keratin formula, plant stem cells and marine collagen which has really helped give my curls a healthy dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection and has left them noticeable shinier and softer. It was easy to apply to my hair and after combing through I left it on for the recommended 5 minutes before scrunching it into my hair to help add moisture to my curls. It rinsed out easily and left my hair tangle free.

These products leave my hair feeling super soft and nourished and my curls are shinier and more defined. I usually leave my hair to dry naturally, and I have noticed that my curls are a lot less frizzy now. I occasionally use a hairdryer with a diffuser and when I dry it this way my hair is easier to style and has a lot more bounce and volume.

My curls really adore this duo, the dry frizzy mop has been transformed into glossy, defined curls.

If you are looking for a product that smells lovely and gives quality results at a very reasonable price then I recommend that you give Justice Professional a try, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

The 300ml shampoo and conditioner bundle costs a very reasonable £20

Nanogen Haircare

beauty, Fashion, Women

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

I have recently had a dietry deficiency which caused my hair to thin, plus it won’t grow very long now so it seems to be getting shorter and shorter with each cut I have! Nanogen Haircare has a solution to thinning hair which includes shampoo and conditioner, Hair Fibre Locking Spray and hair fibres. Intrigued, they sent me some samples to try along with instructions.

Nanogen’s products are designed to thicken your hair in as little as 30 seconds. With 20 years of experience and a variety of products and also boast a wealth of information on their website as to how to care for you hair and how to make it look instantly thicker.

Starting with the Nanogen Hair Fibres, choose your hair colour online: https://www.nanogen.com/pages/what-shade-are-you The Nanogen Hair Fibres are designed to bounce light from the transparent fibres to make your hair appear thicker and more like natural hair. Choosing your shade of hair colours allows the Nanogen Hair Fibres to blend in with your natural colour, and a mix of shades often makes the blending much easier. I have medium brunette hair so I was sent the shades No 05 Medium Brown and No 06 Light Brown.

Once I had styled my hair for the day, I took the darker colour to my roots, sprinkling the fibres onto where my hair needs thickening. Lightly patting the fibres into my hair to make them more even, I then applied the lighter shade of Nanogen Hair Fibres and patted the area again to even out the distribution. Essentially, that’s all you need to do, but if you want to change the thickness, or the tone of the colour, you can repeat the process to get the desired look. As with all products, practice is the key. I was also advised that ‘less is more’ with building up the thickness and colour, so keep trying at small intervals until you get the look you like.

To keep your new thicker looking hair water resistant and to fix in place more, Nanogen also have the Hair Fibre Locking Spray, which I used on my hair before I went out.

If you’re a bit nervous about using thickening products on your hair straight away, Nanogen has other haircare products that might also benefit you. I was sent the Shampoo Luxe Thickening Hair Experience for Women and Conditioner for Everyone. I love trying out new haircare products, so this was another way for me to get thicker hair and also love pampering myself a bit more. As with most shampoos and conditioners which are designed to do a bit more than just clean and condition, it takes a few washes for the condition of your hair to change. Having said that, after one wash I could feel that my hair was coated more rather than stripped back which is what most High Street shampoos do. The hard water in my area doesn’t help the condition of my hair either, so the protection of the conditioner helps.

After a week of washing my hair with the Nanogen Shampoo Luxe Thickening Hair Experience and Nanogen Conditioner for Everyone, my hair began to feel stronger and dried less frizzy when I left it to dry naturally. The fragrance of the Conditioner for Everyone is to die for too – I loved conditioning my hair with it and the scent it left!

I was also sent the Nanogen Shampoo and Half-Conditioner for Men, which lathers up to exfoliate the scalp as well as lightly conditioning. The conditioning aspect of the product is from panthenol and glycerine, which is to prevent hair feeling weighed down. I don’t normally use 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners so I had a good opportunity to test it when I went away for a night and didn’t know what the haircare products would be like. It has a similar fragrance to it as the Nanogen Shampoo and felt like it was just as nutritious as the separate shampoo and conditioners.

From fretting about my thinning hair to suddenly having a 30-second fix and being given a long-term solution with different shampoos and conditioners, Nanogens has given me both confidence and hope, and more healthy looking hair. Thanks Nanogen!

All products available from £9.95 at: https://www.nanogen.com/collections/all

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

FFØR Haircare

beauty, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

We love trying new hair products so were very excited when FFØR sent us some new products to try. The Re:Nourish shampoo and conditioner and Re:Plenish hair mask has worked wonders on my dry frizzy hair (read our review here) so I had high hopes for these new products!

I have a bit of a love hate relationship with my curls, some days they look fantastic and others they go a bit wild and unkempt and the only way to look presentable is to tie them back so at least I look a little more presentable! Luckily there are so many amazing curl products available now and I always try to use products like FFØR which are free from nasties like sulphates, parabens and alcohol which tend to strip my curls of moisture.

FFØR stands for Free From, Original, Real and are an ethical company who believe in Clean Beauty, both for you and the planet. Their products are vegan, cruelty free and free from nasties and they only work with likeminded, ethical suppliers who can provide verified information about their sourcing, and who share their important values. They are also winners of the Marie Claire 2022 Hair Awards and the Global Green Beauty Awards.

I use a leave in conditioner to help moisturise my curls but have found that some can be quite heavy and leave my hair looking and feeling quite greasy. I was therefore pleased to discover that the FFØR Show off Leave In Conditioner is incredibly light and can be sprayed onto damp hair. After a couple of washes, I worked out the right amount for my curls and can honestly say my curls have never looked better. It has made a real difference to the look and feel of my hair, it is now a lot softer and has certainly helped to tame the dreaded frizz!

RRP £20

Designed to leave hair looking fuller & thicker, the Re:Vamp spray is the newest edition to the FFØR range,enriched with a blend of organic bergamont & vetivert it not only smell amazing but gives plenty of bounce and volume to my curls. The light mist isn’t sticky and gives light, natural volume to my hair, and more definition to my curls. I also noticed that the volume I got from my freshly washed hair, didn’t drop and go flat by evening and even the following day I still had some volume which I was really pleased with.

RRP £21

The FFØR Super Shine Gloss Mist gives my hair the most lovely shine. You really don’t need a lot – a quick mist over dry hair is all you need for a fantastic shine. Infused with a ethically sourced ingredients including Bergamot, Vetivert and Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil (Brazil Nut Oil), the mist also left my hair feeling super soft.

RRP £19

I am really impressed with these products and can’t wait to try more products from them!

The Ritual of Ayurveda Gift Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, 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

If you are looking for a last minute Mother’s Day gift then the Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Gift set needs to be top of your list, it is beautifully wrapped (always a bonus when you have left your gift buying to the last minute!) and contains a lovely selection of products for your mum to pamper herself with.

From the moment I unwrapped the origami designed packaging and discovered the sturdy floral designed cardboard box I could tell that this was going to be a special gift set. On lifting the lid of the gift box, I discovered four travel sized products – foaming shower gel 50ml, rich body oil 30ml, body cream 70ml and hair & body mist 20ml – everything you need to bring a little luxury into your bathroom.

The Ritual of Ayurveda products are designed to help you achieve inner harmony and are based on the aromas of Indian rose and sweet almond oil. These products all smell amazing and are a real sensual treat.

The foaming shower gel lathers nicely and when used alongside the body cream helps carry the delicious scent around with you all day. The body oil is wonderful to apply, it glides on like silk and supercharges my skin with moisture. The oil is light and absorbs quickly, leaving behind the most gorgeous scent and leaving my skin smooth, soft and with a healthy sheen. The hair and body mist has the same beautiful fragrance and the handy sized bottle is perfect to keep in your handbag.

The Ritual Of Ayurveda giftset makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift – pure luxury & the ultimate indulgence for that special person in your life.

RRP £27

Small Sterling Silver Plain Heart Locket Pendant

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Jewellery, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, 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 soon upon us and treating Mum is always high on our priority list. There may be plenty of items available out there but finding the right one, which is good quality and timeless, can take time.

Gatwards of Hitchin have a range of jewellery items available for Mother’s Day, and beyond, which are perfect choices. On offer are necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets, earrings, silver photo frames and keyrings. Don’t worry about jewellery being too expensive as there’s a variety of prices from the £25 Silver Crossover Ring to the beautiful £49 Ti Sento CZ Stud Claw Set Earrings. If you really want to push the boat out though, there are several high-ticket items such as the 18ct Yellow Gold Memoire Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Bridal Eternity Ring for £1050.00 or Platinum Skye Round Cut Diamond Eternity Ring for a cool £3935.00!

Gatwards have sent us this gorgeous Silver Sterling Heart Locket Pendant to review for Mother’s Day. At £28 it’s very affordable but the design makes it versatile and easy to wear. Lockets have long been a way of mourning a loss, or keeping someone close to you with the position of the locket always being close to the heart.

The Gatwards Silver Sterling Locket is a plain heart locket, made in Sterling Sliver with a hinged mechanism that allows you to open the locket and add not just a photo but anything from a lock of hair or even put in a special note to Mum. The locket is smooth on both sides with minimal decoration so you could also have it engraved or embellished. It’s very delicate without being breakable and I actually found it easy to open and close again. Small children will love giving this to Mummy with its tactile face and the hinge that opens to reveal the surprise inside!

The locket arrives in a beautiful presentation box and with a gift wrap bag from Gatwards and gold wrapping paper. There isn’t a chain included, but this can be bought separately.

The Silver Sterling Heart Locket is such an all-round piece of jewellery which can be worn with almost any style and will last forever, and at £28.00 it makes the perfect gift for Mother’s Day from anyone in the family.

Small Silver Sterling Heart Necklace available for £28.00:

Innoteck Kitchen Pro Electric Kettle

eco friendly, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, Plastic free, Women

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

Innoteck are the kitchen pros with all sorts of appliances such as air fryers, coffee makers, sandwich makers and kettles. Along with their appliance range they also have small kitchen items like bamboo chopping boards, baking trays and even photo frames. We were sent the Innoteck 1.7 litre electric kettle as a Mother’s Day gift to review to see how we liked it. We did!

The kettle comes in 4 different colours – green, white, grey and the version we were sent is black and each colour has a corresponding toaster too. The outside of the kettle is textured which makes the black body more interesting and far more stylish than the old-fashioned plastic kettles that used to adorn the worktops of kitchen but added no aesthetic.

The Innoteck Kitchen Pro stands apart from other kettles, not just because of its stylish, timeless design but because because it’s BPA-free and therefore not toxic. The main body of the inside of the kettle is made of metal with stainless steel accents and for anyone who is following the plight of plastics in the ocean, you’ll know that it’s not only the fish and wildlife who are suffering from ingesting plastic but also the human effect of eating small plastic particles when they enter the food chain. Heating water to high temperatures with plastic kettles is one of the ways microscopic plastic particles end up in our bodies.

With that information, you can see why more and more appliance makers are turning to stainless steel machines, as well as making them more recyclable.

The Innoteck Kitchen Pro kettle takes hardly any time to boil, at less than 2 minutes for a full kettle. The instructions ask that you don’t put less than 0.5 litres of water in to protect the element but the kettle can take 1.7 litres of water in all. It’s also got a circular base, which makes it easier for people like me who are left handed and need to move the kettle around to get to. The electric lead is around 50cm long too, and conveniently the element has an overheating guard if you don’t manage to fill the kettle with enough water before you switch it on and will switch it off without sufficient water.

This is a nice gift for anyone and will be used for a very long time on a daily basis in most households. Mum, or Gran, will love it for Mother’s Day.

Innoteck Kettle available for £27.99 at: https://innoteck.co.uk/product/1-7l-black-kettle/

Jasmine Silk Ultimate Silk Pillowcase

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

Sleeping on silk has many benefits and lots of my curly haired friends have switched to silk pillowcases since discovering they help to reduce frizz. Sleeping on silk is also good for your skin as silk absorbs less moisture and dirt than cotton meaning your night cream will stay on your face and keep your skin hydrated, rather than ending up all over your pillowcase.

Although silk bedding sounds incredibly luxurious I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the Jasmine Silk website and discovered that silk bedding doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. With pillowcases starting at £16 it is definitely worth considering, as not only is it lovely to sleep on, the added health benefits add to the attraction.

They kindly sent me one of their Ultimate Silk Pillowcases to try and as soon as I took it out of the packaging I could feel how luxurious this product was. Made from 100% Mulberry silk I love the feel and softness of the pillowcase and when I went to bed it was a delight to sleep on. It was also lovely and cool which is a huge benefit as now I am perimenopausal I am suffering from the dreaded hot flushes which are invariably worse at night, and I don’t sleep very well anymore. After a few good nights sleep I am considering getting the matching sheets too as I am so impressed with the pillowcase. When I woke up my curls were still nice and bouncy and noticeably less frizzy so not only do I sleep better my hair looked better too.

The pillowcase was a good fit on my pillow, well-fitting but loose enough to easily take on and off. With an envelope closure it looks neat on my bed. The pillowcase was easy to wash, it can be washed in a machine at 30 degrees and tumbled dried at a low temperature. I dried mine outdoors which helped reduce the creases and a cool iron quickly removed the rest.

Jasmine Silk have silk pillowcases in a variety of styles and a choice of 11 different colours and they also have silk bedding so you can sleep in luxury every night. With Mother’s Day fast approaching why not treat your Mum and give the gift of sleep this year?

Rituals

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, 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 however all thoughts and opinions are our own

I love walking into a Rituals shop, from the moment you step inside a calming aura encircles you and the hustle and bustle of the high street instantly become a distant memory. Once inside this tranquil haven, soothing music and beautiful fragrances add to the experience and with incredibly knowledgeable staff on hand to share the delightful products with you it soon becomes apparent that this is more than just a store selling beauty products. I always leave the shop with not only a bag of goodies but an over-whelming feeling of relaxation and being pampered. Taking time for yourself is very important and Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself or a loved one to some lovely pampering products and Rituals have some lovely gifts for just that purpose.

They kindly sent me one of their fantastic gifts – the Ritual of Sakura Renewing Routine gift set. Now I love receiving a gift set, it’s so exciting opening it to discover a special collection of items and when they are as beautifully packaged as this it becomes even more of a treat. Initially I thought this box was just too pretty to open however, the alluring scents of the products proved too much and after carefully opening the origami designed packaging I discovered a sturdy cardboard box with a beautiful floral design that just shouts out to be reused.

Inside the box are;

Zensational foaming shower gel 200ml

Renewing body scrub 125g

Magic Touch body cream 100ml

Relaxing Scented Candle

I was looking forward to the rice milk and cherry blossom scented products bringing on a feeling of relaxation and enabling me to switch off from daily life, even just for a short period of time.

After using them I wasn’t disappointed – the shower gel lathers nicely with a creamy foam and used in conjunction with the body cream helps carry the delicious scent around with you all day. Using the body scrub is truly a sensual experience and real treat, it provides just enough exfoliation and I love how it leaves my skin feeling invigorated yet pampered, adding a moment of luxury to my daily shower.

If you are looking for a gift set that boasts something a little more special that your standard bath and body Sets, you must try Rituals, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!! The Rituals of Sakura gift set is a wonderful starting place to begin your Rituals journey.

RRP: £43

Stockist: Rituals stores, rituals.com & Look Fantastic

Cabotine Rose Eau de Toilette

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

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

There’s still time to pick up a Valentine’s gift for a loved one and we have some lovely fragrances to share with you. Lasting longer than roses (and cheaper too!) Agence de Parfumerie’s Cabotine Rose EDT is a delightfully fresh perfume that looks and smells like a luxury perfume but without the hefty price tag. With top notes of cherry blossom, mandarin and pear, heart nots of mimosa, peony and pikake flower and base notes of vetiver, sandalwood and plumeria petals this floral perfume is light and feminine and perfect for every day wear. I found that I only needed to apply this perfume once during the day as the perfume is quite long lasting. I received many comments from my friends and colleagues who said how nice it is and wanted to know what the fragrance was.

The box is very pretty with a raised floral design which is also picked up on the lid of the perfume bottle which is a lovely pink floral design and looks stunning on my dressing table.

This is a lovely perfume and is suitable for all ages, at £14.95 for 100ml it is very reasonably priced for such a lovely, long lasting fragrance. It is perfect as a gift or why not treat yourself!

Available online at Superdrug and Aromorfia

Royal British Legion Champs de Fleurs (Rosé) Champagne

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, 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

The Royal British Legion are the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, with 180,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and a network of partners and charities. In 2021 they celebrated their 100^th birthday and to mark the occasion they partnered with Eminent Wines and launched a trio of champagnes, the RBL100 range, which includes these three champagnes.

Reveille (Brut) – A name inspired by the music which follows The Last Post and Two Minute Silence at Remembrance services. £45.00

Champs de Fleurs (Rosé) – translates from French to ‘fields of flowers’, in reference to the fields of poppies that flourished on the Western Front following the First World War, which lead to the red poppy becoming a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.

Centurion (Blanc de Blanc) – A name, quite simply, in reference to 100 years of the Royal British Legion.

They kindly sent us a bottle of the Champs de Fleurs (Rosé) champagne to try which has a lovely illustration of poppies on the label and I think it would make a lovely Valentine’s gift. The champagne is pink in colour and fizzed up nicely in my tall flute and there were plenty of bubbles which popped satisfyingly on my tongue. When I tasted the champagne it has a crisp, clean flavour and the lively delicate bubbles leave your tongue tingling.

This February The Royal British Legion are suggesting you celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Poppy instead of a Rose which I think is a lovely idea, not only do you get a lovely bottle of champagne you are helping to support The Royal British Legion with 10% of the bottle price going to the charity.

I am sure your Valentine would be thrilled to receive a bottle on Valentine’s Day and if you are lucky they might even share it with you!

Available from Eminent Wines

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, 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

I’m the first to admit that that I’m not the best at taking care of my hair and it’s currently not only long overdue a cut but dry and frizzy too. I was therefore really pleased to receive a pot of Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and to see if this cult product could transform my unruly mop of hair.

Originally designed for Audrey Hepburn back in 1974, this classic hair product was created to deep condition her hair after being damaged by weeks of styling on set. Fast forward almost 50 years and it is still a best seller and loved by many, including Kate Winslet, Georgia May Jagger and Cate Blanchett.

Developed by leading trichologists it can be used in a couple of different ways – as an overnight conditioner to treat very dry, brittle or damaged hair and as an intensive anti-frizz treatment.

As it is a pre shampoo product it is really easy to use, simply wet your hair and then apply in sections to ensure all your hair is covered. You then cover your hair with a shower cap (don’t worry there’s one in the box) or a warm towel and leave it to work it’s magic for 10-20 minutes. The heat created helps open your hair’s cuticles enabling them to absorb the nutrients in the mask.

I tend to wash my hair in a morning and have found if I apply the Elasticizer just before bed I get the best results as it has all night to soak into my hair. Once applied I use a turban style towel that fastens with a button, rather than a shower cap, which also helps to protect my pillowcase overnight. In the morning all I need to do is rinse it off and then shampoo and condition my hair as normal.

I have noticed that once my hair is dry it feels much softer, smoother and the dreaded frizz has gone. My curls are now much bouncier and healthy looking and it has been so easy to fit it into my haircare routine so no more bad hair days for me!

Available in 4 sizes – 75ml, 150ml, 500ml and 1000ml starting from £19.50 from the Philip Kingsley website here

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

5 Second Rule Uncensored Round 2

Birthday Gifts, Games, Gifts for Her, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

Galentine’s Day is a new concept and was started back in 2010 on the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation. Celebrated on 13^th February it is a day to celebrate important female friendships and is the perfect excuse to get your girlfriends together for the evening.

If you are planning a get together at home this Galentine’s Day then the 5 Second Rule Uncensored Round 2 from Playmonster Games is bound to give you a good giggle. The game is a spin-off of the popular family game but in this version the cards contain some questions with an adult content and comes with a recommended age of 17+

Inside the box are:

150 doubled-sided question cards
Twisted timer – which makes a silly noise whenever it’s flipped.
Rules

The game is really easy to set up, you simply choose a question card from the box, turn the timer and you’re ready to play. You have 5 seconds to name 3 things on the card – which sounds easier than it actually is so you do have to think quickly. With questions like “Name 3 things you nibble”, “Name 3 things you can do with whipped cream” and “Point to 3 places sand gets stuck after a trip to the beach” it’s not a game for people who are easily embarrassed or prudish. There are some quite risqué questions in the box too so it’s probably best to play it with people you know very well and not your Mum!

To score a point you need to name 3 items and you then keep the card, making keeping track of the points nice and easy. If the player can’t name 3 items, play passes onto the next player however, they can’t use any of the answers that have already been used, making it quite tricky.

If no one can get three answers and all the players have had a turn, the original person is awarded the point by default. The player to the right of the starting player then picks a card and it starts again until the agreed upon number of rounds has finished.

We had a great night playing 5 Second Rule Uncensored, it is a great adult party game that quickly gets everyone laughing.

RRP £14.99 from the Playmonster website

The Flower Shop Valentines Handbag from Vendula

Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

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

The most perfect Valentine’s gift, a handbag which you can use again and again, is even more perfect when you realise its vegan leather!

Vendula London celebrate 20 years in business this year, and are planning some new collections to celebrate the achievement. The Flower Shop Pink Heart handbag is one of them and we road tested it this weekend to see how it fares.

The 15cm by 16cm bag comes with two straps, one shoulder strap and one jumbo pearl strap to make it a clutch. The heart-shaped bag is covered in fluted pink fabric with a single brass clasp fastener. Inside, there is one compartment and it’s lined with the iconic Vendula London lining. The details on the front of the bag are hand stitched pink and white hearts with pink rose details.

Although a great Valentines gift, this handbag could be used all year round especially to match a pink dress, or to dress up a plain black or white number. Going to a summer wedding? This would be ideal for a friend-of-the-bride, or even as a gift for a Matron of Honour! It’s also a great prom accessory, to go with a long gown and the talk of the town. I can really see this Vendula London handbag making an appearance at Ascot this year too!

The fine detail on the bag is really tactile, but well made. It really looks like leather but is actually completely vegan. As it comes with two different straps, it’s more versatile for going out but the straps can be taken off completely and used as a hand clutch. The bag is quite wide at 8cms but can’t fit too much in so you either need someone else to carry your phone for you or to have good pockets in your outfit! It would carry a cash card and keys easily though. It is great for packing though as it doesn’t crush easily with its metal frame and all the decorations are flat. You can fit each of the straps inside as well if you need to transport it in luggage.

The Vendula Flower Shop Valentines handbag makes a very cute gift and a lovely accessory to a night out or wedding. It looks and feels like a collection piece which you’ll keep for ever and ever and won’t go out of fashion.

Even better, Vendula were voted the Most Innovative UK Vegan Accessory Brand 2022 by Life Lux Magazine too!

Available from £108.00