Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Pom-Bear crisps have always been a favourite in our house, so our mini reviewers were thrilled to try the two new flavours—Pom-Bear Cheese and Pom-Bear BBQ. The crunchy, flavourful crisps were an instant hit, especially with their adorable teddy bear shapes.
With just 65 calories per bag, these snacks are also vegan, gluten-free, and free from artificial colours and flavours, making them the perfect treat for children. With September approaching and lunchbox planning in full swing, Pom-Bear snacks are the ideal choice as they are a great lunchtime snack, offering just the right mix of taste and portion size.
Whether at home, at school, or on the go, Pom-Bear crisps are a convenient and tasty treat that kids will love.
The Cheese flavour will be available in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose and Co-op, and the BBQ flavour available from Asda
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
AD I’d been on the lookout for some travel sized hair products to take on holiday with me so was really pleased when Hair Gain offered to send me a selection of their hair care products. The handy sized products fit easily in my wash bag, making them the ideal companions on my recent walking and cycling holiday.
The Hair Gain Peptide Puff Dry Shampoo is a festival goer’s dream come true, with it’s ability to refresh your hair instantly it’s the perfect choice when showering isn’t an option. With its unique powder puff applicator rather than the typical aerosol, it offers a refreshing and eco-friendly way to freshen up greasy locks when you’re away from home. This method is not only better for the environment but offers a more precise application, absorbing excess oil and adding volume, leaving my hair feeling fresh and clean without the need for water. The other advantage to the powder is it doesn’t leave a chalky finish on my hair and feels less chemical-like than other dry shampoos I have used before. There’s no excuse for dull locks now, one application and my hair feels clean and full of life again.
RRP £15
The Scalp Foam is lightweight and easy to apply, providing a soothing and revitilising treatment for the scalp. It’s especially beneficial for maintaining scalp health whilst on the go, ensuring your scalp feels comfortable and balanced. The leave-in hair foam contains naturally derived ingredients which work together to nourish your scalp. It is applied to dry or towel dried hair and you simply massage it into your scalp. It doesn’t need rinsing out and by using it daily I have noticed that I am shedding less hair and my hair is starting to feels stronger. It also smells lovely too.
RRP £32
Finally the Hair Mask is a nourishing treat that deeply conditions and revitilizes hair. You apply it to towel dried hair, massage it in, leave for 5-10 minutes and then rinse out. There was enough in the 50ml tube for 5 applications on my shoulder length hair so is the perfect size for a summer holiday. I used it on a week long walking and cycling holiday where my hair was assaulted by sun and sweat every day and it really made a big difference to my dry curly hair. Using the mask a couple of times over the week meant my hair was more hydrated and manageable than it is normally. Since returning home I’ve been using it on a weekly basis and am very pleased with the condition of my hair – the mask gives a powerful dose of hydration, leaving my dry curls soft, shiny and bouncy again.
RRP £14.50 50ml
The wide toothed Hair Gain comb is the perfect tool to help distribute the Scalp Foam and Hair Mask. It can be used on wet or dry hair and it’s great for detangling my curly hair without excessive pulling or tugging. The sturdy teeth with rounded tips effortlessly glide through wet hair with less pulling which speeds up the detangling process whilst reducing breakage
RRP £11.95
I’m really impressed with these products, they are fantastic for both travel and everyday use and the handy sized products combined with their effective formulas makes them a must have for anyone looking to maintain their haircare routines whilst away from home this summer.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Like most middle aged women I have fallen into a rut with my make up, always using the same brands and colours so I was delighted when I was given the opportunity to try some new cosmetics from Be @ One
If you haven’t heard of Be @ One before, they are a brand new make up brand who offer an impressive array of cosmetics including BB cream, Mascara, Lip Gloss, Concealer, Lipstick, Eyeliner, Powder, Eye Pencils and Eye Shadow. The company are on a mission to change the way people think about make-up and beauty and their vegan and ethical cosmetics are the perfect choice for those who want to move away from the big brands and make a conscious choice to use cruelty free and environmentally friendly beauty products.
The Be Bold Eyeshadow Palette (RRP £19) contains five highly pigmented shades in shades of brown – Frosting, Sweet Biscuit, Butterscotch, Coffee Bean and Liquorice. Whether you are looking for a neutral every day look or full-on glamour you can easily create it with the colours in this palette. Normally with eye shadow palettes there is a colour that I never use however I know I will wear all these shades as they all look great with my dark brown eyes. The eyeshadows are easy to apply and it was easy to build up colour to get the desired effect. The eyeshadow was also easy to remove at the end of the day, one swipe of a bamboo pad with eye make up remover on and the eyeshadow simply melted away. Despite their affordable price these eye shadows certainly rival the high end brands I usually use, providing long lasting wear without creasing.
The Be Cheeky Compact Powder (RRP £19) is available in four different shades, catering to a variety of skin tones. The powder offers a smooth matte finish that helps control shine through the day. The powder feels lightweight and the vegan formula is gentle, making it suitable for sensitive skin. Additionally it includes a SPF15 rating giving your skin extra protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
The Be Radiant BB Cream (RRP £19.50) is the product I love the most, available in four shades it offers a natural, radiant finish with just the right amount of coverage. I have fair skin so opted for the Light Touch shade and it evened out my skin tone and hydrated my skin without feeling heavy, even on really hot days. The BB cream is enriched with the natural goodness of argan oil and has a SPF30 rating providing essential sun protection. As a vegan product it contains skin loving ingredients that nourish and protect making it an excellent choice for everyday wear.
The Be Bright Concealer (RRP £16) is available in four shades and the creamy formula which contains argan oil, aloe vera and avocado oil is easy to blend, effectively covering blemishes and dark circles. The formula is kind to my sensitive skin and offers buildable coverage for a natural finish.
Be Fabulous Lip Gloss (RRP £13) is moisturising and isn’t sticky and gives a beautiful shine to lips. The applicator scoops up just the right amount of gloss meaning you only need one application for gorgeous shiny lips and it glides onto my lips effortlessly. There are four different shades currently available – Punk Pink, Bold Red, Pink Crush and Morello so there is a shade to suit all occasions. Naturally enriched with argan oil, aloe vera and avocado oil, it is effortless to apply and leaves lips lovely and soft.
I’m really impressed with these products, Be @ One offer the perfect blend of affordability, quality and ethics and the high quality formulations are gentle on the skin and as good for your complexion as they are for the environment. As a new small brand Be @ One are making a significant impact and I’m looking forward to seeing what they bring out next.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Snacking is not just for picnics anymore, the working from home culture means that more of us are not only eating from home but treating ourselves when we grab a bite between meetings or for the school run. Higgidy have an increasing range of snacking foods which appeal to all tastes and ages thanks to their variety of vegetarian baked goods, as well as sausage rolls, quiches and muffins. We were gifted a lovely range (available in all big stores) to sample whilst watching the tennis, football and of course, sheltering from the rain this summer.
Starting with the Higgidy Beechwood Smoked Bacon & Mature Cheddar Quiche, this is a great lunch, snack or even dinner for the family thanks to the protein from the bacon and cheese! The combination of the thick-cut bacon with the rich, mature cheddar lends it perfectly to a more substantial snack or as part of a bigger meal. It’s great for picnics, or for taking as a gift to a summer gathering where you can choose your portion size. The quiche is yummy too with béchamel sauce in the mixture.
If a large quiche is too much to handle then the Higgidy Smoked Salmon & Spinach Quiche (also with béchamel sauce) might hit the spot. At 155 grams it’s more of a single serving for either lunch or a snack and can be warmed up or eaten cold. I had this for lunch one day with some deli favourites, which work beautifully with the poppy seeds in the pastry of the quiche crust. There are other quiches in the Higgidy range but I think the Smoked Salmon & Spinach Quiche is probably my favourite.
Onto the sharing snacks, and Higgidy do a lovely range of mini muffins, like these Mature Cheddar & Spinach with a pinch of cayenne. These muffins are slightly lighter than quiches but have the same dough-like consistency of muffins, just more protein heavy. The Mature Cheddar & Spinach Mini Muffins are bite-sized and can be heated or eaten straight from the sharing box but with the spinach included, and the cayenne for extra taste, these are healthier than their flour-made sweeter counterparts. They’re great to add to lunchboxes or to have as a sharing snack when watching a movie too!
The Higgidy range of rolls includes these Great British Pork Sausage Rolls and vegetarian Porcini Mushroom & Spinach Rolls. These packs of 6 mini rolls each have tasty fillings fit for any picnic and add something different that you can’t normally buy in the shops. The Great British Pork Rolls have the meaty centres where the Porcini Mushroom & Spinach have the mixture of mushroom and greens to give a slightly different edge to a British classic and which everyone can enjoy as they’re plant based.
Speaking of plant based, Higgidy also have a range of other vegan snacks which are widely available. These are the Higgidy Cheddar Cheese & Caramelized Onion Rolls and Higgidy Sweet Potato Katsu Curry Little Lattices. If you haven’t tried the Little Lattice sharing range, these are filled pastry treats especially for sharing and have a pretty lattice pastry design on top so your picnics will look great too. I like these as after school savoury treats or to add to a salad or soup at lunchtime. The katsu curry taste is very different to other snacks on the market and the sweet potato makes a change as it’s not as dry as other fillings and has that sweeter taste too. The Cheddar Cheese & Caramelized Onion Rolls are similar to their counterparts but the cheese is on top too, giving a crunch coating to add a little texture. The sweet onion filling makes a great accompaniment to any meal or picnic.
There are more items in the extensive range at Higgidy but I think you get the idea of what yummy things they have out there for you to try. It doesn’t matter that the weather isn’t great, you can still enjoy good company and snack on the go with Higgidy’s fabulous range!
Available in most big supermarkets, smaller supermarkets may have a limited range. See online for details of ingredients: https://www.higgidy.co.uk/our-food/
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
It is finally time to start summer and to do it right, Altruist have a range of sunscreens for the whole family. We were sent some to sample and in true British Summer spirit, it was a few weeks before we could go out and try it!
Altruist sunscreen were developed by Dermatologist Dr Andrew Birnie to be a high quality sunscreen but at an affordable price. The reduction of marketing costs and a slim profit margin were the key to Altruist being not just effective but safe and affordable to everyone.
The range includes sunscreens at SPF 30 and SPF 50 in different bottles (with an increasing amount of bottles being produced with recycled materials) and SPF 30 and SPF 50 Face Fluids, all of which we were sent to try. We were also gifted the Altruist 50 SPF Face Primer to accompany the Face Fluids.
Starting with the Altruist Sunscreens, we tried the SPF 30 and SPF 50 varieties, each graded as 5-star UVA protection. That’s not all, as all of the varieties are vegan, coral friendly and cruelty free. That means the chemicals used in the Altruist Sunscreens won’t affect sea coral if they get into the ocean and they’re not tested on animals either. It’s telling that the Altruist Sunscreens start at SPF 30 and nothing less, as SPF 30 is a good starting point for sun protection no matter which climate you’re wearing it in. SPF 50 is what is sold in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere to give the maximum protection against the sun. The Altruist SPF 30 and SPF 50 are easy to absorb and go a long way. I can’t say we’ve been able to test their sun blocking ability in this British Summer so far though!
The Altruist Face Fluids at SPF 30 and SPF 50 work in a similar way to the sunscreens but are lighter for the face. They are also 5-star UVA and UVB blockers which exceed EU standards, but are moisturising antioxidants too, which are beneficial for the face. Both Face Fluids also contain Vitamin E to prevent cellular damage and are designed for sensitive skin. Additionally, they are all fragrance free, paraben free, hypoallergenic and water resistant!
Finally, the Altruist Primer SPF 50 is worn under make up (foundation, moisture tint etc) to give extra SPF protection. Just as light as the Face Fluids, it can also be worn under the sunscreens if you need extra heavy sun protection or your skin needs moisturising. If you’re not just sunbathing but going out socially in the sun, Altruist Primer SPF 50 is much lighter than sunscreen and allows you to wear whatever make up you prefer, with no residue or stickiness. It’s also water resistant so you can be around the pool or at the beach and not have to re-apply too often. It’s lovely and light too, so if you’re in the garden it can also be used for short periods of time.
Lots of lovely options for everyone this summer at the Altruist website, and even better, they start at £5.25!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Whilst we haven’t seen much sunshine in the UK in recent weeks, it is still important to use sunscreen. Even on a cloudy day you are still exposed to damaging UVA & UVB rays, so it is very important to use SPF all year round.
My family spend a lot of time outdoors, usually walking and cycling, so I always make sure they apply suncream before they leave the house, to protect their skin from the powerful rays of the sun. As my son has eczema, I always look for suncream products that are suitable for sensitive skin, so I was really pleased to receive a selection of Organii sun care products which are organic, natural, vegan and cruelty free and suitable for the whole family
Given the atrocious weather we’ve all been having this year I feared that testing this sunscreen may prove a little difficult. However, I popped them in my bag on a recent trip to Dorset and I’m really glad I did as the weather was much better than forecasted and we enjoyed a couple of glorious days of sunshine which gave us the opportunity to really put them to the test.
The SPF15 Face Everyday Anti-Ageing Face Cream is an anti-ageing moisturiser designed for year round daily use. It is suitable for all skin types and ideal for sensitive skin. When I squeezed it out of the tube, it was quite thick and white and I was expecting my face to resemble a ghost after the first application! I was therefore amazed when I realised just how easily it absorbs, the trick is to not use too much though! The sun cream has a gentle fragrance which is quite pleasant and it leaves my skin feeling lovely and soft as well as protecting it from the sun.
RRP £16.95
The SPF30 Medium Protection Sun Lotion is enriched with organic aloe vera, green tea leaf extract and coconut oil and offers broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection to help prevent sunburn. I did find the cream a little heavy – more like a SPF50 cream and even when I had rubbed it in it left my skin looking white, but this does mean that you know where you have applied it! I applied it in the morning before a full day hiking, reapplied it on my neck and shoulders (which are prone to burning) mid-way through the day and despite the heat my skin didn’t burn or turn red at all.
RRP £19.95
The organic SPF50, fragrance free, mineral Sun Milk protects against UVA and UVB rays, and is uniquely formulated to protect and care for your skin. The lotion is slightly sticky when you first put it on and like the SPF30 lotion it does make your skin look white. My husband tried this cream as his skin is quite fair and prone to burning and he spent a whole day in the sun without going red so he was really pleased with the protection it gives. With this SPF50 cream you can feel confident that skin is well protected and it is perfect for keeping little ones safe in the sun.
RRP £27.95
With its UVA, UVB, and water resistant properties, Organii sun creams offer great all-round protection, whether you are playing on the beach, walking, sailing or just out and about in the sun.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Who needs lessons in cocktail making when you can buy the cocktail mixers ready-made nowadays, and enjoy your cocktail without any of the mess!
Marty’s Virgin Bloody Mary is a pre-mixed Bloody Mary cocktail but without the alcohol. If you’re a fan of just the tomato juice, apple juice and apple cider vinegar summer drink then pop this in the fridge and drink away. Hugely hydrating, Marty’s Virgin Bloody Mary has no additives, is vegan and only contains natural sugars. You can of course, add your favourite alcohol to it to make up your own cocktail (conventional Bloody Marys have vodka but you can add anything you like to this!) or you can use it to create a completely new cocktail by adding other ingredients. The high tomato content in this 750ml bottle can also be added to cooking – Bolognese sauces will never be the same!
Marty’s Mild Virgin Bloody Mary comes in a 750ml bottle but we were also sent the spicy version in 250ml. This had more of a kick to it and I would recommend the spicy version for cocktails where the alcohol balances out the spices. Both drinks are sold alcohol free though, so you can really taste the rich tomato flavours coming through in them, the spices that add the summer flavour and best of all, there’s no pulp from the tomato that you have to wade through in order to get to the flavour! It is best to shake up the bottle first though as the natural juice does settle.
Best of all, Marty’s has won the Great Taste award in 2023 and A in the Aurora International Taste Challenge. Whenever a food wins such prestigious awards, I always like to find new ways of using it, so my lasagne is going to taste amazing this week, and I have ideas for a new salad dressing too!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
National Picnic Week is here and with warm and sunny weather forecast for the weekend it’s looking like it’s going to be perfect picnic weather.
Crisps are one of my staple picnic snacks, crunchy and packed full of flavour they are great to munch on whilst chatting with friends and are the perfect accompaniment to sandwiches, salads or even a bottle of beer! If you’re looking for an extra special crisp then you really need to try some of the hand cooked Artisan Olive Oil Company crisps – made in Italy they will add a real touch of luxury to any picnic basket.
The Fox Salt and Truffle Vintage Crisps are thickly cut and have a satisfying crunch which you bite them. I’ve never tried a truffle before so I can’t tell you how close the flavour is to a real truffle but the earthy flavour combined with the saltiness of the crisp works really well and you find yourself reaching for more!
The Fox Italian Vegetable Crisps are made from the finest root vegetables including beetroot, parsnip and carrot. Baked to perfection and lightly salted they are lovely and crispy and incredibly moreish! They’re a reasonable thickness and well-seasoned and the saltiness really enhances the flavour of the root vegetables.
With a RRP of £4.25 they are in the more pricey, premium crisps bracket however for a special treat they are certainly worth the extra money.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
July is Plastic Free month and the beauty industry is notorious for creating products with plastic packaging, and sometimes products which contain plastic too. LipQ have created this beautiful Liquorice Balm which comes in its own tin and doesn’t have a scrap of plastic in sight. Never heard of Liquorice Balm? Well, that’s because this novel idea is borne from a need to prevent cold sores. Liquorice in highly concentrated quantities, as included in the LipQ Liquorice Balm, has been proven to protect lips from cold sore outbreaks by weakening the virus that causes them.
LipQ Liquorice Balm contains glycyrrhizic acid to fight cold sores. Even if you’ve not been prone to them though, the balm works for everyone, combining a sweet almond and beeswax oil with avocado and sunflower seed oils and the liquorice root extract gives the balm it’s distinct scent. It’s not too overpowering though so you can detect it but even if you don’t like liquorice to eat, it’s not too strong. The balm is lovely and cooling though, and it keeps the moisture in on your lips whilst giving a shine and it really isn’t that greasy either. There’s not the sticky marks left on drinking glasses like with other balms but it does work to give you hydrated lips. The handy tine of 30 grams lasts ages too, and is much easier to carry around than other brands.
It doesn’t matter if you suffer from cold sores or not, the LipQ Lquorice Balm is a plastic-free beauty alternative for all summer long.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Some smart person somewhere in Russia discovered that birch is a great detoxifier and exfoliator for skin and can help prevent acne. Clarol have used this information to bring out a new exfoliating wash that works in 4 different ways to clean, exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin. We were sent some to try this week, and I must say, the scent alone is enough to brighten your skin!
Birch bark is known to detoxify the skin but uses natural ingredients instead of salicylic acid and methyl salicylate so your skin won’t dry out. We don’t use birch bark anywhere near enough but the botulin in it reduces inflammation and Lupeol and Erythrodiol help produce the proteins needed to speed up the healing process. If you’ve had long term acne like me, then you’ll know that healing is part of a long process.
Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash also contains MicroSilver, which has long been known for its antibacterial features. Brilliant for acne, it doesn’t irritate the skin either so you won’t ‘make it worse before it gets better’ like some over the counter products. The exfoliating aspect of the wash takes away dead skin and helps clear pores allowing extracts of Bladderwrack and White Nettle to calm skin and Coffee Seed opens pores, which should help the extraction of oils and bacteria too. There’s tiny amounts of pumice stone and rice bran in there too, to add to the exfoliation.
This gentle exfoliator lathers up on wet skin and when massaged in, takes away a lot of the surface grease and dead skin. You don’t need much of it to create the lather, and after 2-3 minutes, rinse with water (I like to use warm water) and your skin is cleared plus not as dry as with other brands of exfoliant washes. It’s also paraben free, vegan and perfume free too.
Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash from Clarol is a lovely gentle wash, perfect for summer and especially for skin that suffers from acne and especially lots of make-up and not enough time to clear it!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, we will be sharing some great gift ideas with you to help you find the perfect gift for your Dad or Father figure. French haircare brand Leonor Greyl have a great selection of haircare products and the special men in your life won’t have a hair out of place once they’ve used them!
The Gentle Volumizing Shampoo is made with 96% natural ingredients and as the name suggests will improve volume – great for those Dad’s whose hair is starting to thin. The gentle action of real lavender honey combined with rose extracts mean it is gentle enough to be used daily and it leaves hair soft and shiny. The shampoo lathers easily, creating a creamy foam which removes dirt and grime from hair, leaving it feeling lovely and clean.
RRP £24.60
The Lait Lavant A La Banane shampoois made with 97% natural ingredients and is very gentle on hair. The shampoo lathers well and the vegetal proteins and banana sap extract help improve softness and shine on fine and oily hair. This shampoo smells lovely and as it removes odour and perspiration is great for sporty Dads.
RRP £26.95
Made with 90% natural ingredients the Alcohol-free styling gel is just what Dad needs for styling his hair. The alcohol free formula with hibiscus extracts is suitable for all hair types and provides support at the roots of thin and limp hair. Use it to create an all-over slicked-back look, or simply for controlling stray hairs or a pesky cowlick. It won’t dry out the hair, and with a firm hold that doesn’t flake, it’ll keep Dad’s hair looking fab all day.
RRP £ 18
The Baume Bois de Rose is a matte finish modelling and sculpting balm which is made with 93% natural ingredients. The styling balm can be applied to either dry or damp hair and the non greasy formula also hydrates and protects hair. It’s great for smoothing fly away hair and a little goes a long way. It holds hair in place all day without leaving it feeling sticky and it smells amazing – I will definitely be borrowing this one – don’t tell Dad!!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
We love going on picnics as they’re a great way to spend quality time with friends and family away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When the sun is shining, we’ll pack up a bag with treats and head off to find a picturesque spot to sit and relax and whether we’re on the beach, by a stream or up a hill the food always seems to taste a lot nicer outdoors!
LOVE CORN recently sent us a selection of their tasty snacks to try which went down a treat on our last picnic. Made by roasting corn kernels and by adding a little oil and spices LOVE CORN is incredibly crunchy and full of flavour and very moreish! With no synthetic flavouring the plant based snack is vegan, gluten free, Kosher and Non GMO and with 50% less fat than crisps is a much healthier choice.
Sea Salt is probably my favourite, it is a great alternative to popcorn or crisps and the saltiness works really well with the corn. My sons both love something with a bit more of a kick to it so the habsnero chilli really hit the spot for them.
Eating outdoors has a certain charm, so whether it’s a family day out, catch up with friends or a romantic picnic you won’t go wrong if you include a selection of Love Corn snacks in your picnic basket. Available in 7 different flavours – Sea Salt, Salt & Vinegar, Smoked bbq, Habanero Chilli, Cheese & Onion, Sour Cream & Chive and Milk Chocolate & Sea Salt which one will you try first?
LOVE CORN is also a great addition to salads and grazing boards. Try serving some of the habanero chilli LOVE CORN on a charcuterie board or sprinkle some sea salt LOVE CORN on a green salad to liven it up a little.
Sea Salt Multipacks are available from Sainsburys and Ocado for £3.25 and the Grab & Go Boxes containing 24 x 20g bags are available from Amazon at the current price of £18.99
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts an opinions are our own.
On a sunny afternoon there’s nothing better than sitting in the garden with a good book and a refreshing G&T but the downside is the hangover that one too many glasses bring! Fortunately, there are some excellent non alcoholic gins available and we have been enjoying this Clean G Rhubarb from Clean Co which has all the deliciousness of a rhubarb gin but doesn’t leave you with a groggy head the next day.
If you’re not familiar with the brand Clean Co they were founded back in 2019 by Spencer Matthews and they create premium non-alcoholic spirits which taste just like the alcoholic versions. Their drinks are in lovely art-deco style bottles that would look stylish on any drinks trolley and unless you read the label you would be forgiven for thinking they are regular spirits.
Distilled in copper pot gin stills the Clean G Rhubarb non-alcoholic fruity gin is infused with an array of fruit and botanical flavours, creating a well-balanced, complex spirit that has the beautiful taste and fresh dryness that you expect from a premium gin. I mixed it with an unflavoured light tonic to get the full flavour, adding the recommended wedge of lemon and found it to be a really refreshing drink. I was really impressed with the taste and it was so like a traditional rhubarb gin that my friends were amazed when I told them it was actually non-alcoholic!
With less than 0.5% ABV, no sugar or additional sweeteners and only 14 calories per 50ml serving it’s the perfect choice when you want something special that isn’t alcoholic. A party taste without the hangover – what’s not to like!
A 70cl bottle costs £16 and is available from Clean Co and supermarkets.
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you have just started to embrace your curly hair, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products available, all promising to create amazing curls. Finding the right products to define your curls is not only time consuming but can be expensive too, as what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. Not everyone can afford to spend a small fortune on hair products so I was really pleased to discover the Everyday Expert range from celebrity hairdresser Phil Smith which costs a very purse friendly £4.
The range, which includes Curl Control, Radiant Blonde, Coconut Shine and Weightless Volume products has been designed to provide great quality, high performance haircare at an affordable price – the question is would the Curl Control shampoo and conditioner be able to tame my unruly curls??
The Curl Control products contain Grapeseed Oil which helps redefine and hydrate curls and both products have a lovely gentle fragrance. The shampoo lathers easily, creating a creamy foam which removes dirt and grime from my hair, leaving it feeling lovely and clean.
The conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply to my hair, I leave it on for a couple of minutes before scrunching it into my hair to help to add extra moisture to the curls. It rinses out easily, leaving my hair tangle free.
I am really impressed with these products, after leaving to dry naturally my curls were beautifully defined and looked amazing – shiny and bouncy and no longer flat, frizzy and fluffy. I really can’t believe these products only cost £4, they are so much better than some of the expensive shampoos and conditioners I have tried and are a fraction of the cost. Those that follow the Curly Girl method will be pleased to hear that they are Curly Girl Approved too.
After using these products for a couple of weeks I can see a huge improvement in my hair, it not only feels more nourished and hydrated, but the curls are more defined and it looks much shinier than it was before.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Founded in 2020 the mission of Chantic Home is “to create impactful and premium handcrafted gifts whist upholding the highest sustainable and ethical values.” Based in Harrow they offer luxury fragrance and skincare products that are both eco friendly and reasonably priced too.
I’ve been trying out their 100% natural lip balms this week, which are handmade and available in in four fruity fragrances – Wild Cherry, Watermelon, Sweet Orange and Passionfruit. Packaged in handy screw top tins they are the perfect size to pop a handbag or pocket, to keep lips moisturised when out and about.
I could tell from the minute I opened the tin that these lip balms are much better quality than an off the shelf lip balm. They smell lovely and fruity and have a silky smooth texture which glides easily onto lips, The balm is quite solid in the tin but quickly warms up with the warmth of a finger and once on your lips it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky and it leaves my dry lips feeling soft and hydrated.
My ideal lip balm is one that pampers and nourishes my lips, keeping them soft and hydrated no matter what the conditions are and these lip balms tick all these boxes. Whether I’m out walking, on the beach or on the top of a windy mountain a quick application of this lip balm is all I need to keep my lips in tip top condition.
Chantic Home have a lovely selection of gifts on their website and they are all very reasonably priced. If you need a gift for a loved one or just want to treat yourself then it’s definitely worth taking a look – there’s even free shipping to the UK so even more of a reason to shop with them!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love citrus scented products so was really pleased to receive a tin of Japanese Citrus moisturiser from Steamcream. Founded in Japan over 15 years ago Steamcream offer a “straightforward yet effective approach to skincare.”
Handmade in small batches the cream is made using their unique Pure STEAM process, a unique steam emulsification technique which not only makes the cream lovely and light but means it absorbed into your skin easily too.
When you open the tin, you can’t fail to notice the beautiful citrus fragrance and it feels quite indulgent massaging it into my skin. It feels a lot thinner than my normal moisturiser, so I was quite surprised at just how much moisture it gave to my dry skin, leaving it soft and hydrated all day long. I am really impressed with this cream and started to see an improvement in my skin after about a week, it looks fresher and there is a radiance that I didn’t have before.
With key ingredients Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Sugar Squalane, Citrus Sudachi Peel Extract and essential oils Yuzu, Iyokan, Citrus Nobilis & Kabosu this is a lovely fresh, light cream and perfect for the summer months. It’s great for travelling as it can also be used as a hand cream and body moisturiser too, not only saving space in your suitcase but leaving your skin hydrated and delicately fragranced too.
All the Steamcream moisturisers come in beautiful little tins that are perfect to keep in your bag and are great for storing small bits and pieces in once empty.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Gin and tonics are becoming more sophisticated these days, especially with home-grown gin from the British Isles. Not only is Clean G a non-alcoholic gin though, but it has the botanical flavours you’d expect of a rhubarb gin, plus none of the sugar. Oh, and it’s vegan too!
Clean G Rhubarb won 95 points in the IWSC Awards 2021 and is becoming a favourite amongst those who love gin, rhubarb gin and particularly people who are not drinking alcohol. Think post-lockdown, where everyone is trying to give up alcohol, save money and still work from home. There’s no harm in a 2pm G&T if it’s made with Clean G non-alcoholic gin but it still feels like you’re celebrating or winding down because of the flavour.
Let’s talk about the flavour. It’s a take on a London Dry Gin, so it has the flavour of rhubarb by with a dryness that makes it more like a grown-up drink. Added perfectly to a tonic (we were sent a set of Fever Tree tonics to try it with!) you can still add lemon or any of your favourite garnishes and the flavour of a gin and tonic is still there. The texture of a London Dry Gin is also there, with the tangy aftertaste of the rhubarb to remind you that it’s still got spirit, if not any sugar or alcohol.
There’s no reason why you couldn’t use Clean G Rhubarb in cocktails as well. The Clean G website has some fantastic cocktail recipes based on well known bar cocktails at: https://clean.co/blogs/clean-cocktails?spirit=clean_g_rhubarb We particularly like the Clean Applepolitan which includes apple, cranberry and lots of ice along with the Clean G Rhubarb of course!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
These days there is so much choice when it comes to Easter Eggs and no matter what your taste there is an egg for you. Some of my friends and family are vegan and there’s also a couple with dairy intolerances so it’s fantastic to see such a good selection of plant based chocolate this year, meaning they don’t need to miss out on this chocolately tradition.
Love Raw make the most delicious plant based chocolate and they have just launched a limited edition Easter box, although you’ll need to be quick as it’s only available from the 22nd to 24th March!
Nutty Choc Balls are a crunchy hazelnut coated in a delicious vegan cream and then covered in a crisp wafer shell and finished with Low Raw’s iconic m:lk choc and hazelnut pieces. They are absolutely scrummy and it’s probably a good job there’s only 9 in the box!!
3 x White Choc Cream Wafer Bar Each bar contains a deliciously crispy wafer, oozing with Love Raw’s signature cre&m® filling and generously smothered with vegan white chocolate. Whether you’re vegan or not you need to try these!
3 x Milk & 3 x White Choc Peanut Buttercups Each cup oozes smooth, creamy peanut butter and is covered in Love Raw’s iconic m:lk® and white choc. In my opinion peanuts and chocolate are a winning combination and Love Raw are definitely on to a winner with these.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Anyone with teenagers knows it is essential to keep your cupboards well stocked with food as no matter how much they eat at mealtimes, they are invariably hungry an hour or so later. My teenage sons are always raiding the cupboards for nibbles, so when we were given the opportunity to try some snacks from Tropical Sun Foods I certainly didn’t need to be asked twice! Fortunately the box arrived quickly and it contained a fantastic selection of snacks to feast on, which I hoped would keep the boys satisfied for at least a week!
The first snack we tried was the plantain chips, there were four different flavours in the box –Lightly Salted, Sweet Chilli, Sweet and Chilli and Lemon. Plantain chips have a flavour that is reminiscent of potato crisps but the thicker chips have a more exotic taste and unlike their counterparts, offer a hint of sweetness alongside the saltiness. Made from ripened plantain, they are hand-sliced and then batch-cooked following a traditional recipe with no added sugar. The standout feature of these plantain chips is their irresistible crunch and as they are thicker than potato crisps, they are also great with dips and salsa and with less fat they are a much healthier option. My favourite is the Lightly Salted, it has just the right amount of crunch and saltiness, making it the perfect snack to eat at my desk or whilst watching a film. My younger son who has a sweet tooth loved the Sweet chips, the sweet flavouring is very similar to sweet popcorn and again is a great snack when watching a film. Those who like a kick to their snacks will enjoy both the Chilli and Lemon and the Sweet Chilli chips. The Chilli and Lemon flavour is surprisingly mild, it’s not a flavour combination I have tried before but the lemon pairs surprisingly well with chilli and we all found them incredibly moreish. The Sweet Chilli plantain chips have more of a bite and were the first to disappear.
A 450g tub costs £4.49 and they get a big thumbs up from my teenage taste testers.
I love peanuts so was very intrigued with the selection in the box – Crunchy Coconut, Crunchy Coffee, Crunchy Sriracha, Crunchy Wasabi and Crunchy BBQ peanuts. The delicious nuts are roasted to perfection and have a very satisfying crunch when you bite them. They are great as a snack but can also work really well as ingredients in cakes and biscuits, the Crunchy Coconut peanuts were a tasty addition to both my peanut cookies and Rocky Road and my bakes didn’t last long when I took them into work. My sons loved the Crunchy Sriracha and Crunchy Wasabi peanuts best, but I found these a little hot – much to their delight as it meant there were more for them!
RRP from £0.99
The Crunchy Mixed Crackers were a big hit with everyone, an irresistible mix of seaweed, green peas, soy sauce, garlic, spices and more, these little snacks have a pleasant hot kick to them and look nice and colourful in a dish. They are perfect for parties or even a mid morning snack.
RRP £2.99 (150g)
The final snack we tried was the Cassava Chips, made with cassava root they are thinner than plantain chips and are a delicious alternative to traditional crisps. The thinly sliced chips are light and crispy and the 80g bags are the perfect size for sharing (or not!!)
RRP £1.49
Tropical Sun’s snacks are now a staple on my weekly shopping list and the winning combination of flavour and crunch is helping keep the hunger pangs at bay – no mean feat with teenagers. So whether you’re craving the tropical sweetness of the plantain chips, the crunch of roasted peanuts, the mix of heat and flavours of the mixed crackers, or the light and crispy crunch of the cassava chips, Tropical Sun have a snack for you.
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.
TheStrengthening 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.
TheStrengthening 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!!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
This one is especially for vegans! Ginsters, famous for making the pasties we all love, have created a gorgeous Creamy Garlic Mushroom Slice with all vegan ingredients. Using their finely-honed knowledge of what makes a great pasty, Ginsters bring you this lunch, or snack that incorporates a garlic twist to give you that afternoon flavour.
Made with vegan puff pastry, the pasty contains chestnut mushrooms in a white wine sauce which is also vegan. The filling also contains coconut milk, garlic puree, potatoes, onions and a mix of herbs to give it that extra flavour. I’m also told there’s a touch of lemon zest in there too, to compliment the mushroom flavour. At 170 grams, the Ginsters Creamy Garlic Mushroom Slices can be eaten as a snack, or even as a lunch, particularly if you’re adding a salad to it. Alternatively, there’s enough slice here to make a dinner if you add some vegetables to it too! It’s recommended that you eat it hot, probably oven baked, which I agree with because if eaten cold, it loses some of the extra flavours that the herbs and garlic bring to it.
Once heated, the aromas of the garlic and mushroom fill the room and you can see the generous white wine filling. I enjoyed this as a lunch because it has such a hearty punch to it with the mushrooms and potato but the flavour of the garlic and herbs comes out too. The pastry is lovely and you wouldn’t know it was vegan because it’s so flakey and soft. There’s a real taste to the mushroom sauce from the white wine which comes through with the vegetables, and why it’s best that this Creamy Garlic Mushroom slice is eaten hot. Delicious!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Whether you’re an old hand vegan or starting out on your vegan journey this January, Costa have a surprising amount of food items on their menu which are perfect for you. We were sent out to our local Costa Coffee to see what was available and check out the new items on the menu.
For 2024, there are their new Hot Milkshakes. In three flavours, White Chocolate and Strawberry, Salted Caramel Coffee, and Chocolate Hazel they are thick like a milkshake, but made with warm milk and topped with different flavoured sprinkles, dependant on what flavour you order. They’re a cross between a hot chocolate and a milkshake, especially with the Light Whip cream on top to make it extra indulgent.
We tried items from the Plant Based menu, including this Plant Based Saucy Chicken Fajita Wrap. It doesn’t contain chicken at all; every ingredient is plant based, but the substitutes taste like chicken and even have a chicken-like texture. They’re slightly lighter than the meat version though, with the ‘chicken’ pieces as you would imagine, a tortilla wrap, roasted peppers and a spicy tomato sauce. We paired that with a beautiful Chocolate Tiffin Cake, which although it’s not plant-based, it is vegetarian. If you’re not into chocolate for New Year, then there’s a new range of cakes (which are also vegetarian) such as new Banana Loaf Cake and new Orange and Raspberry Victoria Sponge. Anyone who remembers the Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake will be very pleased to see that it’s back on the menu and as delicious as always!
Lastly, there are the assortment of Costa drinks. It sometimes feels like you could have a different drink every day of the month and still not try all of them in their different configurations of milks, toppings and additions but the staple drinks we all love are still there – namely coffee. We tried a Salted Caramel Frappé which was made vegan with coconut milk instead of cow’s milk and the whipped cream on top was vegan too. The drink is laced with Salted Caramel and topped with tiny caramel pieces which not only add to the flavour but add a gorgeous texture as well. I found that the Chicken Fajita Wrap, Chocolate Tiffin and Salted Caramel Frappé were all very filling and no different to a meat-eating lunch I would normally choose.
Costa Coffee Plant Based items are available in store and you can see their menu and prices here: https://www.costa.co.uk/menu
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
This year I have decided to take part in Dry January and whilst we’re only a few days in I’m enjoying discovering lots of great new drinks like these delicious sodas from Quenched. New to the market and bursting with flavour, Quenched sodas are available in three lightly sparkling flavours, Lime & Soda, Orange & Soda and Blackcurrant & Soda.
All three are bursting with flavour and are more on the side of sparkling than fizzy, which allows the flavour to develop nicely in your mouth. The sodas all taste incredibly natural, the lime and orange ones are incredibly zingy and the blackcurrant one has a pleasant sharpness. My favourite of the three was the lime, it tasted so fruity and natural, whilst also being nice and refreshing.
All three drinks are 100% natural and have no additives, preservatives or artificial sweeteners and with less than 69 calories per 330ml can, they are a great choice if you have overindulged over the festive period and are now on a New Year diet!
I’m really impressed with these drinks and will definitely be buying them again. Once Dry January is over I think they will be the perfect accompaniment to gin!
A pack of 12 costs £14.99 and if you can’t decide which flavour to go for there is a multipack containing all three flavours. Available from Amazon or Quenched Drinks here.
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.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Ava May of Mayfair have just released the first ever Fairtrade wax melts to the UK market, made from products cultivated in Sri Lanka and the result of 2 years’ work to produce some beautiful home fragrances. Wax melts vary from candles because although they are made of ‘wax’ like candles, they don’t have a wick and are instead melted over a flame in a special wax burner. The aroma from the wax melts fills the room and slowly melts away but has the advantage of lasting longer than a candle.
We were sent a box of 7 of Ava May’s most popular wax melts to try:
Lavender, Geranium & Chamomile
Bergamot, Coconut & Tonka
Rose Water & White Musk
Saffron, Pepper & Oud
Damask Rose, Cedar & Oud
Pear, Patchouli & Orange Blossom
Neroli, Eucalyptus & Musk
Each of the waxes lasts for about 8 hours and can be re-melted in that time so if you don’t get a continuous run of 8 hours, the wax solidifies and can be melted later. There’s no cleaning up after a candle either, but it is recommended that you clean out the wax burner after each fragrance so that you don’t get cross-contamination.
All of the ingredients of the Ava May wax melts are 100% natural, and certified Fairtrade meaning there is a fair deal for all the producers who supply from around the world. The Ava May products are cruelty-free and vegan too with one of the main ingredients being coconut oil with added pure essential oils to create the different scents.
The fragrances are all designed to help relax you and take you to another place at the end of the day, especially in winter when we all need a bit of help. The sensory impact of scents such as Damask Rose and Lavender & Chamomile help with relaxation when the evenings are long. My favourite (and I haven’t had a chance to sample them all yet) is the Rose Water & White Musk scent for its fresh melodies and reminder of clean laundry. The wax melts take just a few seconds to start releasing the fragrances and filling the room and they linger on for longer than the 8 hours melt time.
Ava May of Mayfair Wax Melts are an elegant way of adding comfort to your home, or being able to gift to someone the ability to relax at home.
The Review Studio 