Tag: Serum

Aldi Lacura Make Up

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

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

Aldi’s Summer Beauty Collection arrived in the middle aisle this week and is packed with glow-boosting skincare, sun-kissed essentials and trend-led treats. Aldi’s popular purse-friendly line proves you don’t need a supermodel’s budget to look the part this summer.

We had a sneak peak of some of the products and it’s fair to say the Review Studio team were really impressed with the new collection which includes the iconic La cura Cashmere Glow Luminous Foundation (£5.99, 30ml) and Concealer (£3.99, 10ml) which offer price savings of over 80% compared to luxury brand Giorgio Armani. There’s also a fantastic selection of blushers, highlighters and serums so you can have a go at the  viral ‘pilates glow’ trend that has been taking social media by storm.

The Lacura Watermelon Serum (RRP £4.99) is going to be one of the hardest working products in your summer make up bag. Available in two versions – Brightening and Bronzing, the serums are designed to give your skin a natural glow. The Brightening Serum leaves skin looking fresh and radiant while the Bronzing Serum adds a touch of sun-kissed warmth that’s perfect for holiday skin.

The Lacura Cashmere Glow Luminous concealer (RRP £3.99) proves that good make up doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. The concealer is available in six different shades and the lightweight, formula blends nicely and gives long-lasting coverage. It is great at hiding the dark circles under my eye whilst leaving the under eye area looking fresher and brighter.  

The Lacura Sweet Blusher (£3.49 ) is available in two different shades – Pink Lace and Peachy Pink and it looks great layered with the Radiant Rose or Champagne Lacura Stay Illuminated Highlighter (£3.49). The blushers and highlighters have a silky, lightweight texture which makes them easy to apply and blend on your skin, giving a fresh, healthy glow, just like you’ve spent a weekend in the sun.  

Mascara is the one item in my make up bag that I can’t live without and the  Lacura Dramatic Lash Mascara (£4.99) is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great lashes. After applying a couple of coats, I could see an instant boost in both length and volume while the brush did a fantastic job of separating my lashes without clumping.

I was very impressed with the staying power of this mascara – it stayed on all day without smudging and even survived a sweaty aerobics class! It was easy to remove too with my usual eye make-up remover.

We often think about protecting our skin during the summer months, but our lips need just as much attention. The Lacura Collagen Lip Oil (£2.99) is a real beach bag essential, enriched with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Collagen to help keep lips feeling soft, smooth and hydrated throughout the day. The rollerball applicator makes it easy to apply and the handy sized 8ml tube is perfect for keeping in your handbag so you can reapply during the day. The colourless formula leaves my lips with a subtle shine and can be worn alone or layered over lipstick.

To finish, a quick mist of Lacura Illuminate Setting Spray (£4.49) helps keep your makeup exactly where you put it. The lightweight formula feels refreshing on the skin and helps everything stay looking fresh, polished and put together, even when the summer weather decides to turn up the heat.

Aldi’s Summer Beauty Collection proves that achieving a fresh, glowing summer look doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With affordable products you can easily pick up as part of your weekly shop, it’s well worth taking a detour down the middle aisle before they’re gone.


Curlsmith Hair Products

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

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


Like many people with curly hair, I’ve spent years straightening and blow drying it and it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve ditched the straighteners and started to embrace my curls. They are currently quite dry and unruly and it’s taken a lot of trial and error (and more money than I care to admit) to find a routine that really works. I’m always on the look out for new products to try and Curlsmith has been on my radar for a while, so I was delighted when a parcel of their products arrived for me to try.

The Full Body Weightless Cleanser (RRP £22) lathers beautifully and smells gorgeous – a lovely light, flowery fragrance that makes me want to keep smelling my hair all day long! The Full Body Milk Conditioner (RRP £22), with its handy pump dispenser, is easy to work through my hair and I found I didn’t need much to hydrate my curls. I leave it on for the suggested couple of minutes before scrunching and rinsing. My curls love the hydration and it leave sthem soft, bouncy, and far less frizzy. Even after a couple of days, they still look smooth and defined, which never normally happens with my hair!

Ordinarily, unless I spend ages carefully drying my hair, I end up with a halo of frizz. But since I started using these products I’ve found my curls spring back to life with no frizz in sight and once dry are defined, bouncy and look amazing.

The Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum (RRP £25) is enriched with sweet almond oil and argan oil has really helped banish the frizz. I’ve been using a blob about the size of a 5p which I warm in my hands before smoothing over my curls, concentrating on the top where the frizz is usually the worst. It instantly tames flyaways and is also great for defining individual curls. It does take a bit of trial and error to judge the right amount so start with a small amount and build up, otherwise you may end up with greasy looking curls.

Refreshing curls has always been the hardest part of my curly journey so I was curious to see how the Shake & Shine would perform. The lightweight mist sprays easily, locking moisture into the hair – in fact in Curlsmith tests it provided up to a 41% increase in moisture. It’s been a real game changer for my curls – a few sprays, a quick scrunch, and suddenly my curls bounce back, looking defined and revived with almost no effort.

Curlsmith products are vegan, cruelty-free, and packed with natural ingredients. I’m really impressed with these four products and the results speak for themselves. My curls are shinier, smoother, and, on most days, even cooperative. Every so often they do their own thing, but that’s curls for you!  

Saabuni Illuminating Saffron Serum

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

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

I’m always on the hunt for skincare products that enhance my complexion, so I was thrilled to try the Illuminating Saffron Serum from Saabuni. This natural, cruelty-free facial oil features a potent blend of Saffron, Liquorice, Indian Madder, and Banyan Tree extracts, designed to visibly firm the skin and leave it glowing with youthful radiance.

Saabuni’s story is as captivating as their products. The brand was founded by Naseema, who was inspired by her grandmother’s tradition of making soaps, creams, and hair oils from flowers and spices. Drawing on the rich tradition of Ayurveda, Naseema now crafts her own skincare products using these cherished recipes, with a deep passion for natural beauty. Each product is carefully handcrafted using only the finest ingredients which truly benefit the skin.

The star of this serum, Saffron, is well-known for its brightening properties, helping you achieve a stunning summer glow without the need for excessive sun exposure. Liquorice and Indian Madder work together to firm and tighten the skin, while Banyan Tree extracts add a youthful vibrance.

The facial oil is lightweight and absorbs nicely into my skin without leaving it feeling greasy. I’ve been using it at night time as it’s an excellent alternative to heavier night creams, providing a lighter, more natural feel on the skin.  

I’ve been using this serum for a month and I can genuinely say that my skin feels incredible – hydrated, softer, firmer, and noticeably more radiant. The transformation is undeniable, with a significant improvement in texture and overall glow. Gone are the days of dealing with dry skin on my face, this product has effectively addressed that concern and my menopausal skin is looking a lot better than it was a few weeks ago.

Suitable for all skin types, this oil fits seamlessly into any skincare routine, simply apply 1-2 drops on damp skin after cleansing. A little goes a long way, so the 30ml bottle should last 2-3 months.

A bottle costs £34.99, and with a current offer of buy 2 get 1 free, now is the perfect time to stock up. Whether you want to lighten up your skincare routine or achieve a radiant glow, the Ayurvedic Glow Facial Oil is a must-have that leaves your skin feeling lighter, brighter, and more youthful.