Herbal Essences Bio:Renew

I was given the amazing opportunity to try out the some of the latest Herbal Essences Bio:Renew line as a member of  Super Savvy Me’s Savvy Circle. Who doesn’t want to try new products that promise to make your hair look better than ever?

Washing my hair can be a real chore especially when I don’t have the products to match my hair’s needs which seem to change a lot! To combat this feeling, Herbal Essences have brought out a new Bio:Renew range.

This collection uses the finest ingredients Mother Nature has to offer to give you the best wash. One of these ingredients is Histidine which is an antioxidant and a natural purifier in the body. What is even better, is that the range is completely free from gluten, parabens and colourants.

 

There are 7 different duos in the Bio:Renew range, they are:

• Coconut Milk – focuses on hydrating dry hair
• Golden Moringa Oil – perfect for for smoothing frizzy hair
• Cucumber & Green Tea – makes dull hair extremely shiny
• White Strawberry and Sweet Mint – leaves hair feeling clean
• Argan Oil of Morocco – repairs damaged hair
• Rosemary & Herbs – moisturises dry hair
• White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint – gives fine hair some volume

I was given Cucumber & Green Tea, White Strawberry & Sweet Mint and Argan Oil of Morocco.

Argan Oil of Morocco

I have struggled with my hair breaking recently and I’ve been on the search for a product to combat the issue.

I was pleasantly surprised  by  this shampoo and the matching conditioner are brilliant. My hair is in such good condition it really has made a difference. My hair is soft and the ends don’t look as brittle as they did before.

The shampoo is quite thick which initially I was wary of but it certainly does the job of repairing the hair – this ones a keeper and I highly recommend it. The smell is also fantastic – a mix of citrus, spice and sweet .

Cucumber & Green Tea

I have quite thick hair so I didn’t think this duo would make much of a difference to it’s appearance. I have to hold my hands up and say that I was very wrong! My hair was left feeling soft and it definitely had an increased shine. Additionally, my hair felt really smooth as if all my cuticles were laying the correct way. I think this was due to the sea kelp. The conditioner is nice and thick so it has great slip for detangling any knots. The smell is very fresh and lasts for days!

White Strawberry and Sweet Mint

I have to say that this duo is my ABSOLUTE favourite out of the three I was able to try. This shampoo and conditioner left my hair and scalp feeling extra clean but not stripped or dry so I didn’t feel the need to reach for a deep conditioner. My hair still felt moisturised just without any product build up.

The best part of this duo is it’s award-winning worthy scent! OMG – it smells soooo good! I found this scent to last longer than the other two.

 

Overall, I think Herbal Essences are onto a winner with this new range. All three of them did exactly what they said they would do and left my hair smelling amazing. For £4.50 a bottle, they are really good quality and comparable to salon products.  I recommend giving this range a chance. I am definitely going to be trying out a few of the others to see how they get on.

Project B – Box 2

Project B is a subscription box for pregnant women. Each month you receive products, from relaxation, to healthy eating, to household, to pampering, with expert advice. Each Project-B box has been created to match the stage of pregnancy you’re at. You can sign-up for any month from 12 weeks and it is only £14.99 a month.

I signed up to Project B when I was 18 weeks pregnant so I received box 2 which is designed for women who are between 16-19 weeks pregnant and had a theme of Blossom. My box arrived pretty quickly and I was surprised by the quality of the products for the price I paid!

Here’s what I got:

• Project Baby Magazine – This magazine is made by Project B and it covers all things baby and pregnancy. It is packed with helpful advice, product reviews and fashion.

 

• My Mini MIdwife Guide by Denyse Kirkby (RRP £8.99)

  

  Click book to purchase

   Written by an experienced midwife and lecturer, this book provides all the reassurance and guidance you need during pregnancy. This book is very easy to read as the writing is not too formal. It’s like having a close friend telling you all you need to know.  I would definitely recommend this book especially if you’re a first time mum as the advice starts from the beginning and goes along each stage of pregnancy, preparing you for the unknown.

 

• B-Sensible Breathable and Waterproof Pillow Cover (RRP £16.99) –  B-Sensible Pillowcases are an environmentally friendly product. They are made from Tencel (A Natural Nanofibre ) which provides relief for particularly sensitive skin, the combination of the smooth surface of the fibre and its extraordinary moisture absorption gives a healthy environment particularly if you have delicate skin.  Since being pregnant, my face has been really sensitive…if I even looked at my face funny, a spot would be guaranteed the very next day! Since using this pillowcase, my skin has slightly improved. I no longer wake up with a greasy spotty face!

 

• Swisse Pregnancy Supplements (RRP £14.99) – Swisse Pregnancy Ultivite are vitamins which support your baby’s development as well as your healthy diet before and during pregnancy. It works particularly on foetal brain & eye development, bones and teeth development, reducing fatigue, maternal tissue growth and increased folic acid levels. I have already been taking pregnancy vitamins before receiving this box so I haven’t tried them but they do have great reviews online.

 

• Science of Skin Stretch Mark Defence 150ml (RRP £24.99) – Stretch marks are usually one of the key things mums to be worry about during pregnancy. With my first, I thought I had got away with not getting any until 2 days after she was born, a few popped out of nowhere! Now that I am expecting my second and the old stretch marks have faded immensely, I am conscious of adding more to my old collection! In comparison to all the other stretch mark creams and oils I’ve used, this one is very different as it is a spray rather than a cream. The oil is very lightweight, fragrance free and not greasy at all. It absorbs into my skin easily and leaves my stomach feeling silky smooth. I’ve only been using it for a month and it has been great at keeping the stretch marks at bay but I will report back at the end of my pregnancy.

Overall, I think my first Project B box was a great purchase. It is great value for money and the products are well thought out. I’ve already received my second box and I cannot wait to open it.

You can purchase a Project B box here: www.project-b.com and use this discount code to get £5 off your first box:

Oral-B Gum & Enamel Repair Toothpaste

I was given the amazing opportunity to try out the latest Oral-B toothpaste as a member of  Super Savvy Me’s Savvy Circle. I was excited about this particular project as I have found that during this pregnancy, my teeth have become quite sensitive to cold drinks and my gums have been bleeding when I brush my teeth. This has been a big issue for me because at the moment I only like my drinks ice cold and I hate going to the dentist! I thought I would give this toothpaste a try before forcing myself to book the dreaded dentist appointment.

The Oral-B Gum & Enamel Repair toothpaste has ActivRepair technology which targets the gum line area with a dual action on gums & enamel, to get to the root of many oral health problems. As we age, our teeth can become  more sensitive and our gums may be irritated during brushing and during pregnancy this can be accelerated. I’ve even heard horror stories about women’s teeth crumbling during pregnancy!!!

When I initially tried the toothpaste, I almost quit the project straight away. I didn’t like the texture at all. I am used to a super smooth paste whereas the Oral-B one has a slightly grainy feel to it.

I have to admit I was a bit sceptical about the results I’d get before I tried this toothpaste but I was actually impressed. I can honestly say that in the 2 weeks that I tried the toothpaste,  my teeth are in better condition than before the trial. My teeth are definitely less sensitive and I haven’t experienced gum bleeding since. Whilst it worked for me, my partner didn’t notice much of a difference but then he doesn’t suffer from any noticeable oral issues.

My only downside would be the price of the toothpaste. At £4 RRP, it is a bit high and is beyond what I would normally pay for a tube of toothpaste for regular use. It is also not the easiest product to locate in stores at the moment, possibly because it is quite new!

Overall, I would recommend this toothpaste as a quick fix for teeth sensitivity and gum repair. I am going to continue to use it throughout my pregnancy in the hopes of preventing my teeth from falling out!

*I received this product free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

Time for a new subscription box!

Over the past few years, I’ve had several different subscription boxes including: Glossybox, Pink Parcel, Latest In Beauty, Nailbox, Scent Pick and Meebox; a lot of which I am no longer subscribed to.

In fact, I am only subscribed to Pink Parcel now which is not really useful considering I’m pregnant so don’t need all the period essentials anymore.

I’ve therefore decided that it’s time for a new subscription box and I’m surprised that there are pregnancy subscription boxes!

I am still undecided on which one to go for but here is a list of the ones I am currently looking into:

• Project B – A subscription box which is personalised to you depending on how many weeks pregnant you are. It contains products from relaxation, to healthy eating, to household, to pampering, plus expert advice to match your month of pregnancy. It’s only £14.99 per month.

• Sassy Bloom – The UK’s No.1 family subscription box which sees you right through from pregnancy to 3 years. Prices start from £19.95 per month.

Stay tuned to see how I get on with them and which I prefer!

Where Have You Been? *Blog Update*

It has been almost long 7 months since I last posted on the blog. Why? Life!

Starting a new job and completing my studies stole my focus and made me neglect the blog. I also found a lack of enthusiasm in regards to writing. I was still testing new products and subscription boxes and making notes of what I liked but they were not exciting me!

But…I’m back with a new thirst for blogging, testing and reviewing! You might have noticed that the blog has had a makeover and there will be regular updates (hurrah!).

I am currently 4 months pregnant, so there will now be a pregnancy section and soon a baby section. There are so many ideas I have brewing for the blog so stick around as there are exciting things to come!

Pink Parcel – November Box 2016

So this month, Pink Parcel decided to treat us even further by creating a special box alongside Look Magazine!

Pink Parcel is a monthly subscription box which offers 3 dispatch dates for you to choose from, based on your time of the month so you can be sure to receive your box before your period is due. This box removes any and every monthly cycle worries you may have as you are able to choose your preferred brand of sanitary products so your box is specific to you. It is only £10.50 per month (postage is free) and you get your first box for £6.99!

As always, I received my period essentials for the month with the super cute drawstring bags. Although I have a tampon only subscription, I also received some pads for bedtime. I think this is a great addition to the box as it alleviates any fears during the night and you can have a peaceful sleep.

So onto the lifestyle and beauty products! For the first time, not everyone received the same products. Pink Parcel had 12 products available, of which everyone received 6 beauty/lifestyle goodies, tea and a sweet treat! I was excited to see what I would get.

1. First is the Seacret Ultimate Hair Trio, which consists of a sachet of Shampoo, Hair Mask and Hair Serum. All 3 products are specially formulated to restore moisture and revitalise your hair. Looking at the price for the full sized bottles (ranging from $39.99-$79.99), you can tell that Pink Parcel spoilt us with luxury!
2. A 50ml travel size bottle of Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish (full size RRP £18). This body polish exfoliates dead skin cells and helps to tone and reduce the appearance of cellulite. This smells fantastic while using and makes my skin so much more smoother and softer.
3. A mini bottle of  Ciate Mini Liquid Velvet in Diva (full size RRP £17). This lipstick is such a daring bold red and is now a staple of mine. The formula is smooth and doesn’t leave your lips dry even though it has a matte finish.
4. Next is a nail polish from Mavala in Basel (RRP £4.95). This polish is brown mushroom colour which is perfect for the season.
5. The last beauty product I received was a travel sized can of Batiste Coconut & Exotic Tropical dry shampoo (full size RRP £1.99). This is said to banishes oily roots, giving dull, lifeless hair the makeover it needs without any water. I personally don’t use dry shampoo so I cannot confirm its claims.
6. A sachet of Drink Me Spiced Chai Latte (full size RRP £2.50) which is an instant blend of aromatic spices with skimmed milk & sweetened black tea. It was perfect to sip on whilst reading my Look Magazine.
7. Lastly, I received a delicious bar of Ombar Strawberry Mylk (RRP £1.99) which is raw chocolate infused with strawberries and coconut cream. Not only tasty but healthy too!

You might have noticed that I mentioned everyone received 6 beauty/lifestyle products but I was unfortunate and only received 5….eek! Whilst, I am upset I missed out on another goodie I don’t particularly want to hassle Pink Parcel for one item. Regardless, this box was still great and I certainly won’t be cancelling my subscription any time soon.

Scentpick – August 2016

Scentpick is a new monthly subscription for perfume. Every month you get to pick a new designer fragrance to wear from a selection of 6 and then Scentpick sends you a 30 day supply for £9.99 (including p&p). Your first order of Scentpick is £4.99 and you get a cute reusable case which you can then use for your future picks. Scentpick send your chosen fragrance on the 22nd of the month so you receive it at the end of each month between the 27th and 29th.

The fragrance comes in a padded envelope which is great as it can just be posted through the letterbox so I don’t have to worry about going to the sorting office. Inside the envelope, the perfume comes packaged in soft pink tissue paper secured with a Scentpick sticker. Alongside the perfume, there is a card which confirms your choice of perfume and provides further information about the notes.

For August, I had the choice of the following perfumes to pick from:

1. Bamboo by Gucci
2. Be Delicious by DKNY
3. Beautiful by Estee Lauder
4. Bright Crystal by versace
5. Chloe EDP by Chloe
6. Classique EDT by Jean Paul Gaultier

None of these fragrances appealed to me, even when I googled them to find reviews. Thankfully Scentpick now allow you to pick perfumes from previous months that you might have missed. Therefore, I chose Jimmy Choo EDP by Jimmy Choo. It was described as “dark, sweet and slightly spicy. A confident balance of smoky patchouli and toffee with a little sweet pear in the background.” As previously mentioned, I love sweet scents and this one seemed mysterious.

Jimmy Choo is quite a “sexy” flirty scent. The scent is alluring. The silage and longevity is perfect. Whilst it is sweet, it isn’t overbearing. In fact I find it to be more sophisticated and smoky, adding just the right amount of sweetness during the dry down. Overall, this scent is a classy attractive scent.

Unfortunately, this month’s scent didn’t have the name of the perfume on the bottle like I have previously seen on others. Hopefully it was an oversight and next month’s scent will be labelled so I don’t get confused!

To subscribe to Scentpick, check out their website: http://www.scentpick.com/ 

Feel Unique Pick n Mix Service

I don’t know about you but it is often really annoying for me when I blind buy a product and end up hating it. I get frustrated when I think about what I could have spent my wasted cash on. Thankfully Feel Unique have found a way to alleviate my pain by offering a new service!

The Feel Unique Pick ‘N’ Mix service is a new programme which allows you to pick up to 5 product samples a month for only £3.95 which is simply the postage + packaging. That£3.95 is then redeemable against your next order.

This is a great way to sample brands that are exclusive, or ones that you’ve always wanted to try but have been too cautious to make a big purchase. You can only purchase this service once a month, kind of like a subscription box but you get to choose exactly what is in it. There are literally hundreds of samples to choose from, when I chose mine there were 408! These samples range from skincare, hair-care, make-up and perfume products. They are all good sizes, in fact they tell you the size of the sample in advance.

These are the samples I chose:

 

It can be a bit hard to find the Pick ‘N’ Mix service,  you have to be logged in to your Feel Unique account, go to Samples (found on the top menu) then click Pick ‘N’ Mix. If you do not already have a Feel Unique account, you can use my referral code (here)to get 15% off your first order.

I think this is a fantastic service offered by Feel Unique. I hope other companies decide to follow suit. I have always had trouble buying products I end up hating so this service is perfect for me. Furthermore, if you have sensitive skin it is perfect for finding the products that work for you. It is simply a win win!

 

 

Nailbox No More…..

Just before receiving my August Nailbox, I decided to cancel my Nailbox subscription.

I have had my Nailbox subscription for a year now so I feel I have completed a full cycle. I have enjoyed the subscription as it caters to my inner nail polish urges. In fact it has truly helped to reduce my polish spending.

With the popularity of subscription boxes, Nailbox were bound to eventually get some competition! One of their competitors truly stood out for me as I have heard and read nothing but good reviews. So whilst I have cancelled (potentially paused) my Nailbox subscription, I will still be satisfying my nail polish addiction with the help of Meebox.

So be ready for my September Meebox review….the theme is Pumpkin Spice

L’Oreal – Pure Clay Masks

I was kindly sent three clay masks by L’Oreal from BzzAgent to review. I was really excited to get this opportunity as clay masks are the in thing at the moment and I have been looking for ways to improve my skin. Normally good quality face masks are really expensive and only on offer by specialist skin care brands but thankfully L’Oreal have saved us and offered a range on the high street.

L’Oreal launched three face masks which are designed to provide you with an at-home spa experience at a bargain price. All three masks retail for £7.99 which is great as each jar provides 10 applications. The packaging of these mask are very sleek and makes the masks look more expensive than they actually are.

Each of the masks tackle different skincare problems, therefore they have slightly different ingredients but they all contain 3 clays: kaolinite, montmorillonite, and ghassoul.

• L’Oreal Pure Clay Purity Mask (Green one): This mask is for those who have oily skin and it aims to purify and mattify the skin.  Besides the three variations of pure clay, it contains eucalyptus leaf extract to deep clean, purify, and remove excess oil without leaving your skin dry. This mask made my face feel so soft, I had to force myself to not stroke myself.
• L’Oreal Pure Clay Detox Mask (Black one): This mask is made for those with normal skin and it aims to remove dirt, oil and impurities from your pores. The varying ingredient in this mask is Charcoal which is currently a big trend in beauty and skincare products lately. This mask definitely made my skin feel cleaner but not stripped or dry.
• L’Oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask (Red one): This mask is aimed at those who suffer from dull looking skin. It aims to exfoliate the surface of your skin and illuminate your skin tone. This mask contains Red Algae which is known to provide anti-oxidants and brighten the skin. This was the only mask out of the three to have  a gritty texture which is for the exfoliation.This mask helped to reduce the appearance of my pores which provided a smoother appearance.

Surprisingly, considering the ingredients none of these masks had a bad or chemical smell. In fact, they all had a flowery scent which wasn’t overpowering. The masks are really easy and simple to use. I simply used my fingers to distribute the product as required onto my skin and they applied really smoothly.

I used all three of these masks individually and I found that they worked OK but not great. I realised that this is because I have combination skin, so whilst the masks worked well in some areas, they didn’t in others. As a result of this, I decided to to multi-mask by using all three masks at once in order to target the various problem areas on my face. My forehead can get really oily so I used the purity mask there, whilst my nose gets clogged with dirt so the detox mask was used and my cheeks often appear dull and dry so I used the glow mask there. I found that this worked perfectly and gave me a customised skincare treatment.

Overall, I truly like this range especially for multimasking. The masks are inexpensive, available on the high street and really easy to use…what more could you ask for? I will definitely be adding all three masks (combination skin problems!) to my skincare regime as they work wonders for me.

I am a member of BzzAgent, and get products to try and give feedback on – all opinions expressed are solely my own.