Tag: beauty

Grace & Stella Mother’s Day Pamper Gifts

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

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

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

Rainbow Bath Bomb £19.99

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

Lavender Foot Peel Mask (2 pairs) £20

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

Eye Mask (24 pairs) £17.50

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

Face Mask £20.95

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

Lavender Body Lotion £14.95

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

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

Available from Amazon

MONPURE Hair Products

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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Nanogen Hair Thickening Shampoo and Conditioners

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Altruist Christmas Box

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

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

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

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

Inside the box are the following products

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naturally European Milk Travel Collection

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

The school holidays are almost here and whether you’re jetting off to far flung exotic places, camping or visiting friends and family the chances are you’ll want to keep your luggage as light as possible. One easy way to save both weight and space in your suitcase is to choose beauty products in travel friendly sizes like the Milk Travel Collection from Beauty Naturals. This suitcase friendly set contains all the essentials for a trip away –  Shower Gel, Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Lotion and comes in a handy fabric gift bag which will be perfect for keeping bobbles and scrunchies in once the bottles are empty.

Fragranced with cedarwood and patchouli, these products will add a touch of luxury to any holiday and keep your hair and body lovely and fresh whilst you are away.

RRP £8.95 but currently on offer at £4.45 on the Beauty Naturals website

Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer

beauty, Gifts for Her, Summer, Women

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

Summer is a traditional time for beauty brands to launch new products and when it comes to make up there is a plethora of summery, shimmery eye shadows, lipsticks and highlighters available to enhance your sun kissed skin.  

Whilst I love summer and being able to try out lots of new make up products, there is always the risk that as the temperature rises the make up I carefully applied first thing in the morning will start to slip and slide off my face, leaving it looking patchy. So how do we stop this happening? Well, this is where a good primer comes in, applied after moisturiser and before foundation, adding this extra step to your routine means your make up will still be in place long after the sun has gone down.

Primers work by minimising/blurring the appearance of fine lines and pores and create a smoother surface for make-up, meaning your make up goes on smoothly and stays put for longer. It’s been really hot this last couple of weeks and the Skin Perfecting Primer from Super Facialist has kept my make up in place despite the heat. This innovative multi-tasking product not only looks incredibly summery thanks to the swirls of lavender, peach and green but also primes, colour-corrects, moisturises and brightens skin to create a flawless complexion.

The pump dispenser is really easy to use and a pea sized amount is ample for your face. It is a dream to apply, absorbing instantly into your skin and it doesn’t leave it feeling sticky or greasy. It left my skin super smooth and I definitely noticed an improvement in terms of a dewy finish. My foundation looked more even and didn’t go patchy by the end of the day, despite the heat. It made a real difference and from the second I applied it I could see my skin looking more awake and radiant.

It’s also great for days when you don’t need to wear foundation, it blurs, smoothes and gives a fresh glow to skin and once you’ve tried it you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. A real make up bag essential!

RRP £17 available here

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. 

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

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