Noughty Tough Cookie/To The Rescue Hair Sample Review

 

Whilst I've written a lot on the damaging effects partying/winter can have on the skin, similarly environmental factors also subject our hair to the same distress. Over-styling with heated appliances, alcohol, central heating, lack of vitamins etc can all cause our hair to become dry, lank and brittle and that's before the bleach/hair dye is applied! 

My hair in particular is bleached with blonde highlights, my saving grace as my naturally dark hair is too much of an upkeep with grey roots, and so I try to keep it strong enough to ensure that my hairdresser doesn't send me away with a semi-permanent - I need that bleach! So I've been testing lots of hair products and Noughty is a brand I wanted to introduce you to.

Noughty is a brand that prides itself on using 97% natural ingredients, being vegan friendly, cruelty free and using none of the harsh chemicals that are often found in mainstream brand shampoos, such as sulphates (foaming agent), parabens and silicones (that give shine but long-term damage the hair). They also pride themselves on obtaining ingredients ethically and using sustainable packaging, so it's not just what goes into the product but the all round product itself.

A look at some of the ingredients in the products. Starting off with the Strengthening Shampoo £6.99 250ml  for weak, brittle hair.

• Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil - aka Sea Buckthorn, known to be regenerating and helps restore elasticity in damaged hair.
• Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract - Cloudberry Extract, contains rich sources of vitamin E and contains fatty acids to nourish the hair.
• Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract - Bilberry Extract, helps stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth.
• Juniperus Virginiana Wood Oil - Cedarwood helps promote hair growth and is balancing for oily hair types, it's anti-fungal and anti-bacterial so ideal if you suffer with dandruff.
• Wheat Bran Extract - repairs and strengthens the hair shaft, it can also add volume to fine lank hair.

The Strengthening Conditioner £6.99 250ml contains similar ingredients as well as Sweet Almond Oil, which is not only nourishing to the hair but to the scalp too. It also helps with breakages and regular use prevents split ends.

Finally I tested the To The Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment £8.99 300ml. As you can see from the photo it's a buttery, creamy texture that smells utterly divine. Only a small amount was needed massaged into my mid to end length of hair. I usually struggle to comb my hair through even after conditioner, but this instantly separated the strands. It can be left on for up to 20 minutes for a deeper conditioner however, I needed only a couple of minutes so ideal if you're short on time. 

It contains several hydrating ingredients including:-

• Shea Butter - nourishing, hydrating and smoothing.
• Coconut Oil - replenishing and repairing the most damaged hair strands, and can also help prevent dandruff.
• Meadowfoam Seed Oil - helps hair retain moisture.
• Argania Spinosa Kernal Oil - commonly known as argan oil, an amazing ingredient proven to nourish, strengthen and promote hair growth.
• Avena Strigosa Seed Extract - Black oats, full of amino acids that help strengthen the hair and are an excellent anti-inflammatory so help with scalp psoriasis.

I was super impressed by the quality of ingredients, especially at the price the products retail at. They all smell utterly divine, lightly fragranced and very 'swishy hair' fresh. Definitely check out their website as they have a whole range of products to suit every hair type, colour etc. I was also sent the Colour Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner, which is ideal to maintain colour and prevent fading. I'm not their only fan, as you will see from their website reviews - To The Rescue has over 1000 positive 5 star reviews! The website also has some very handy tips on how to treat your hair. Check them out at  www.lovenoughty.co.uk

NAKIN Natural Anti-Aging Skincare Sample Review

 

I was going to wait until January before I started on skin care reviews, simply as that is the time I think most of us start seeing the signs of stress showing up in our skin. Christmas parties, indulging in alcohol, less sunlight and of course, the after effects of late nights etc. Also, whilst I have avoided mentioning it in my features (as we seem to be bombarded continuously in the news), there are the effects that illness can have on our skin, in particular bad colds/flu and of course Covid. Now, is the time to start strengthening your skin for what winter may or may not bring, but guaranteed is central heating and all the environmental factors that cause dehydration. If ever there is a time to ramp up the skincare and provide your foundation then I would advise doing it now.

I thought I'd start by reviewing NAKIN, an award winning brand that promotes the use of all natural ingredients and is made here in the UK. If you suffer from sensitive skin then this is the brand for you. Each product is based around using top of the range plant ingredients, and you will not find any chemical, harsh, synthetic ingredients in any of the products. Their ethos is built around treating the skin with ingredients that will not irritate, but give the same results as those harsher chemicals often found in other brands. It goes without saying that most of the products are vegan (except the lip conditioner see below) and cruelty free.

Revitalising Face Oil £22 50ml

Just a couple of drops of this facial oil warmed in the palms of your hands, and then pressed into the face is enough to rejuvenate the skin. The product itself has won countless awards from top beauty journalists and has a huge 5 star fan base (just read the reviews)! So what makes this oil stand out and fight against inflammation, dullness and sensitivity:-

• Sweet Almond Oil - contains vitamin E to protect against UV damage, and fatty acids to nourish the skin. 
• Grape Seed Oil - excellent for dehydrated and dull skin types. Contains linoleic acid and vitamin E to help skin retain moisture. 
• Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil - one of the best oils to help skin regeneration as contains, amongst other vitamins, vitamin A.
• Argan Oil - has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, protects against pollutants.
• Jojoba oil - excellent for healing, burns, acne and is anti-bacterial and doesn't block pores.

Performance Face Serum £25 50ml

I love a good serum, this one is incredibly light weight and again just a couple of drops is all you need for thirsty skin to drink this in. It's a calming serum so ideal for all skin types, especially those who suffer with hormonal imbalanced skin, flare ups, acne, redness or itchy tight skin. Ingredients include:-

• Shea Butter - moisturising and hydrating, instantly makes skin feel supple.
• Hibiscus Extract - a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids, helps renew the skin and slough away dead skin cells, to reveal a brighter complexion.
• Pomegranate Extract - contains a high amount of vitamin c and is anti-bacterial so ideal for acne.
• Green Tea Leaf Extract - anti-inflammatory, helps calm the skin down and is brilliant for anyone who suffers with eczema. It has also been known to help protect against skin cancer as contains polyphenols. 
• Rosemary Leaf Extract - anti-inflammatory and helps reduce puffiness. Stimulates cell growth and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Seaweed Extract - rebalances the skin and helps to reduce sensitivity.

Lip Treatment Balm £10 15ml

A beautiful balm that's easy to pop into your handbag and a must to keep lips hydrated and chapped free. It's deeply conditioning and a must have to help prevent those fine lines that appear around lips as we age. It's also ideal as a base before applying lipstick or to transform any matte lip shade or pencil into a gloss. Any excess I wiped across my dry, ridged nail beds to provide a little tlc. Please note that this product due to beeswax is not classed as vegan.  Nourishing ingredients include:-

• Castor Seed Oil - nourishing to the lips, and leaves them feeling soft not greasy.
• Olive Oil - prevents chapped lips, an excellent conditioner.
• Vitamin E Oil - can help prevent irritation and promotes cell renewal, so ideal if lips are flaky.
• Marigold Extract - protects against pollution and helps repair sore lips

I was super impressed with this range and am tempted to try out more of their products, especially their cleansers. You can view all the fantastic reviews and see how many awards they've won on their website at www.nakinskincare.com

Charles Worthington London Shine Plex Vitamin C Serum Sample Review RRP £7.99

 

There are so many different serums on the market for hair, each promising shine and multi-dimensional shimmers etc, but often they can weigh hair down. I've been testing a few and this is by far one of the best if you suffer from dull, lacklustre fine hair. You only need a small amount of this Vitamin C Serum to give highlights that extra boost and draw out the shine in lowlights.

As you can see from the photo, this serum is shot through with shimmering gold particles that give a luminous shine to hair. Only a tiny amount is needed to put through either damp hair or dry (note in the photo I used it dry), for hair to glisten without looking at all greasy.  My hair is dry, dehydrated and over bleached, it's also very fine. Often I need the moisture and as mentioned above many serums can make it look lank. This one didn't and gave it that healthy glow which is often unobtainable with porous hair. 

Its difficult to show in the photo and I did have a light on however, you can see that it eliminated frizz and my hair still has that 'body' to it. The serum is vegan friendly and the carton is recyclable. Ideal for party season and as it can be applied dry, it's ideal to put in your handbag should you get caught out in the rain or catch sight of a bad hair moment!

Available from most major chemists including www.boots.com

Compagnie De Provence Sample Reviews

 

There is something rather wonderful about this brand, whereby even just the packaging conjures the image of 'a home worthy of a front page glossy mag'. It could be the obvious, that French do ooze class and sophistication, or maybe that the simplistic, muted package gives an air of 'Farrow and Ball' but in the skincare realm. Whatever, it looks classy in a bathroom, and are the kind of products that visitors will mention when they come out of the downstairs toilet! 

Compagnie De Provence is a company whereby ingredients are sourced in the region Provence. However, what stands them apart is that their products are made with 95% naturally derived ingredients. They also refuse to use any 'nasties' chemicals etc in their products and so are 100% free of all mineral oils (known to clog pores) and sodium laureth sulphate (foaming agents that long term strip the skin of moisture). Many of the products are made using a process called 'saponification', which is where plant/vegetable oils are mixed with an alkali and the result is soap/glycerin. The process is made in the traditional way of using a cauldron! So not only do the products look great but are made in a sustainable way. Now are they any good?

Compagnie de Provence Olive Marseille Soap Cube £6 

The soap is a whopping, chunky block of 400g containing just a few ingredients. I looked at the Marseille Olive Soap, and it contains natural glycerine and sodium salts derived from the fatty acids of coconut and olive oils, and it's also palm oil free. Not only can this nourishing and enriching soap be used as a hand soap, it can be used all over the body, to wash clothes and to even clean tiles! It's a multi-purpose soap that is a house-hold must!

Savon Liquide Marseille Extra Pur Lavande Aromatique £18/500ml

This beautifully, presented liquid soap in a glass bottle, is made with botanical oils and produces a very light lather, non-drying and kind to dry skin. It's enriched with sweet almond oil, that is nourishing and gentle on the skin, whilst the delicate scent of lavender is relaxing and calming, making showering less of a chore and more of an instant 'shoulder drop' experience. As the smell of lavender fills the bathroom you'll instantly find tension just disappears. It's a must for anyone who has busy jobs, is stressed or just needs to time to indulge in some stress free time.

Finally I looked at the Creme Mains Hydrante Extra Pur Bois D'Olivier Moisturising Hand Cream £16. It's scented with olive wood, so ideal for both men and women as has an earthy, wood fragrance that is fresh (camphor) and unisex, and not too dissimilar to one of my Tom Ford fragrances. You only need a small amount to nourish and protect dry hands and nails, and so the 100ml tube will last ages. It contains an abundance of ingredients to moisturise hands such as camellia seed oil, sweet almond oil, honey, shea butter and skin soothing ingredients such as aloe leaf juice. 

It's a great range, there is something for everyone but it just has that little extra class, a touch above the rest and that's why the products also make perfect Christmas gifts. The range is available online to purchase at www.seymourshome.com

Nuasan Post Care Exercise Kit £39 Sample Review

 

I've not heard of this brand before however, as a huge advocate for fitness and having written about the benefits of fitness for the last 20 odd years, I was interested in reviewing this product. Personally, I am registered disabled and have been for over 30 years with severe hypermobility and spondylitis. The way I keep going (I have to as I'm a single mum) is by exercise notably, weights, cardio and lots of Pilates. However, I suffer badly with sleep as I get horrendous 'restless legs' caused by the nerves pinching on my facet joints. The only thing that has helped with my restless legs is a daily dose of Magnesium. 

I also liked the background that the brand was founded by Dara Scott who also, by looking at his biography, is an extreme, outdoor fitness lover however, also has the scientific background to really know his ingredients and what works. Based in Ireland the brand prides itself on ethical practices and sustainability, and thus 10% of all it's profits are donated to sustainable and environmental charities.

This set contains everything to help with aches, pains, restless legs, overworked legs, bruising and tired joints. It's designed for those that exercise or someone who is on their feet all day. However, it also contains magnesium and arnica, both known to help arthritic pain, and so ideal for anyone who may suffer, as I do with inflammation.

The actual kit itself contains 200ml Nuasan Active Body Wash and 200ml Nuasan Body Moisturiser. Both are scented in a refreshing, neutral fragrance (the body wash contains awakening peppermint), making them ideal for both men and women to use. 

The Active Body Wash is made primarily of sugar based cleansers and active ingredients including:-

• Algae Extract - Helps alleviate dry skin, draws out toxins and contains anti-oxidants.
• Magnesium Chloride - Magnesium is 'transdermal', which means it can actually penetrate through the skin. Helps restless legs, soothes aching and fatigued muscles, thus giving better quality sleep.
• Tea Tree Leaf Oil - Antibacterial and anti-fungal, ideal for those that suffer with oily skin or any breakouts.
• Vitamin E - Contains anti-oxidants and protects the skin from environmental pollutants.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder - Soothing and helps inflamed skin. Ideal for eczema and drier skin types.
• Arnica Montana Flower Extract - A plant  this is often used to help bring out bruising and is incredibly healing. It also can help heal insect bites and can heal swollen skin, making it an ideal anti-inflammatory ingredient. Arnica actually stimulates the body's healing process. 

The Active Body Moisturiser contains ingredients including:-

• Magnesium Chloride - As above, again this is transdermal so actually penetrates the skin and gets into the blood stream, aiding tired muscles. Use after the shower, ideal after a weights session!
• Arnica Montana Flower Extract - Again as above, used if you feel you have bruised or your muscles are aching.
• Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root - Incredibly warming, and perfect to help soothe and warm up tired muscles. Ginger contains gingerols that actually help reduce pain so ideal after sport. For those that worry about cellulite, it can also help reduce the appearance of dimply skin! It is packed with anti-oxidants and not only flushes out toxins but also helps with blood circulation. 
• Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter - Moisturising and nourishing to the skin.
• Avena Sativa Oat Kernal Extract - Soothes the skin and leaves it feeling incredibly soft. 

The quality of ingredients are excellent and I would urge that if you, or you are gifting someone who is into their fitness to check out more of their products on their website at www.nuasan.com

Stila Camouflage Beauty Eyeshadow Palette £32 sample review

 

This perfect palette is the ultimate in luxurious, multi-faceted eyeshadows with colours taking you from night to day. The versatility of the colours from application to colour will suit every eye shade and every skin tone, making it an ideal Christmas present.

The skin tone, light shades are perfect for creating an optical illusion of a brighter eye, ideal for daytime use. To vamp the colour up, just apply a smidgeon of the molten gold into the centre of the lids to make eyes 'pop'.  The gold can also be used pressed into the centre of the lips to give a glamourous gleam and make lips look fuller. 

If you prefer a more full on smoky eye, then play away with the shades of pewter and charcoal. Again containing both matte shades and glitter, it has everything you need for a full on Christmas glamour look. Apply using your fingers, a blending brush or simply wet a fine brush and apply as liner around the liner for a deep, magical show-stopping, shimmering eye.  

The brown colours are a beautiful contrast to green/blue eyes, whilst the lilac/lavender makes brown eyes stand out. Richly pigmented and incredibly soft, so you can build up the colour and they blend to perfection.  The compact has a decent sized mirror and the slim design is ideal for fitting in your handbag for a night out! 

I'm a huge fan of Stila (as you can probably tell), and these shadows are by far superior in my opinion to other expensive makes! You can purchase Stila makeup online at www.stila.co.u.k

Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter Kitten £29.00 Sample Review

 

This is the most delicate, shimmering and stunning highlighter I've seen this year and it's from Stila.  A decent highlighter is worth it's weight in gold (pun intended), and one that is not glittery, but just has the right amount of lifting effect can knock years off. It's all about where to put the highlighter. Here's some tips.

• A highlighter naturally should be placed where you want to lift the face, so upper cheekbones and browbones. 
• To accentuate lips and make them appear fuller, put a small amount on the cupids bow, or dab a pop of highlighter in the middle of the lips over gloss. 
• Sweep across the collarbone to give an instant glam look - use on top of moisturiser to just give that dewy gleam.
• Again you can get a large brush and just give a sweep down shin bones to elongate the legs and give the illusion of shimmer tights. Make sure you moisturise legs first though. 
• Apply to the inner corner of the eye to make eyes appear brighter and more set apart.
• Many makeup artists like to use highlighter down the middle of the nose to make it appear more elongated and slimmer however, whilst this is 'Instagram photo look', I would advise just using a lighter foundation. Remember with all highlighters less is more! 

This great highlighter isn't glittery, contains ultra fine shimmer particles and gives skin that inner luminous glow. The consistency is almost mousse like, and so is easy to apply without having to use a brush. It presses into the skin easily with a sponge or fingertips and simply blends without looking obvious. It's a beautiful compact and would make a lovely present, albeit it would be hard to give away! Check out the glowing (another pun) reviews on their website at www.stila.co.uk

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Beso Sample Review £17

 

Red lipstick is the ultimate in glam makeup, and Christmas/New Year is the one time I insist on wearing it. If, like me, you don't have time to do a full makeup look, then all you need is a decent red lipstick, quick fix of the brows and a swipe of mascara and you're party ready. It's important to choose one that has blue undertones, as too warm can make teeth look yellow, so steer clear of more orangey reds and go for a true red. 

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick £17.00 www.stila.co.uk

I've been testing lots of red lipsticks and my favourite is definitely the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso. Not only is it the perfect shade, but it simply just doesn't budge! I didn't need to use a primer, it simply just slicked on with one coat.  It dried to a silky finish within less than a minute and didn't have that chalky, drying effect that many long-lasting lipsticks have. This could be due to the ingredients including nourishing avocado oil. Pls check out my Insta reel @askmollybeauty and you will see how it just didn't budge. The colour will suit every skin tone, making it the perfect Christmas red. Now to find the mistletoe! 

Seeds of Colour Multi Use Colour Balm 8ml RRP £21 Sample Review

 

Time is of the essence for most of us and so when cosmetic brands started bringing out multi-use products many moons ago they took the market by storm. Purposely aimed at those busy working, too rushed off their feet to apply a face of makeup but needing something to make them look 'alive', these multi purpose balms for eyes, lips and cheeks have proven very popular.

So when I heard about the launch of the new brand Seeds of Colour, I was excited to try the samples sent. Unfortunately I couldn't go to the launch as my darling father has passed away recently and, as expected, my mind and heart was not into testing samples. So today, having got back from my blustery dog walk, I was rooting through which samples to test and these popped out - and I'm so glad they did.

At first I wasn't expecting much, after all I love my Stila Convertible (those in the know will know this is one of the original multi-purpose balms), and I was wondering how this would top it. Well it has and more for many reasons.

Firstly, the product itself is organic and vegan, in fact behind the brand is Justine Jenkins, a hugely successful make-up artist who pioneers in cruelty free cosmetics (she has worked alongside PETA). Also behind the brand is NIAB, a plant research organisation based in Cambridge - an organisation that looks at pigment extraction from plants and vegetables. Finally on board is Solent University, who helped brand the design with input and skill from their students. 

With the above knowledge it's easy to see why I was so impressed with the actual product itself. Only a tiny amount is needed on the back of the hand, then simply swiped across lips, lids and dotted and patted into the cheeks, gives a healthy complexion and the easiest 1,2,3 make-up look. The dewy texture is hard to capture as I refuse to use filters however, you can see it gave my lips a swash of colour. You can build up the colour to the density you prefer, be it for a day or an evening look. The colour doesn't transfer and stays put. 

The ingredients read like a skincare list and include:-

• Neroli Flower Oil - antimicrobial, antioxidant and antifungal.
• Sunflower Seed Oil - contains Vitamin E and linoleic acid, so hydrating and full of antioxidants.
• Coconut Oil - moisturising and hydrating, ideal for sensitive and chapped skin.
• Castor Seed Oil - full of essential fatty acids and helps keep skin supple. 
• Beet Root Extract - rich in Vitamin C so can help protect the skin from aging.

These balms are ideal to carry in your handbag, ideal to put in your car or gym bag, and make fantastic presents for mums, nurses, teachers anyone who is rushed on time.

I haven't tested them all, as I want to give one to my mum for Christmas, but I can safely say I am a total convert. You can see from the photos just how easy there are to blend, and how the colour just gives the perfect dewy tint to the lips. 

Please do check out their website seedsofcolour.com. I don't get paid for writing and so only put out products that I love, and think readers would love. These get my 10/10! 

St. Moriz Advanced Gradual Self-Tanning Face Mist 150ml RRP £9.99 Sample Review

 

I have a love/hate relationship with 'fake tan' and having tested about 20 a year for at least a decade, I think I could safely say I'm a pro of which ones leave you orange, are messy to apply etc and which ones are worth the effort. This little beauty is definitely the latter.

Without a doubt it's the easy application that's sold it to me. The clear, lightly fragranced spray comes out in such a fine mist, I couldn't capture it on the phone for a photo! A couple of spritzes in the morning at 8am and by around 2pm I looked like I had naturally caught a very light and healthy glow. If you are after a dark, heavy all over tan then this is not for you. However, if you want something that you can apply first thing, or before bed and something to just warm the complexion up without appearing 'fake' then this is definitely for you! It dried immediately so I didn't have to worry about it coming off on my roll neck collar. I loved the way the spray caught my face as I would naturally catch the sun (cheekbones, forehead and nose), and I also loved the fact I could spray both my hands too before leaving the house! 

Ingredients include Aloe Barbarbendis Leaf Powder - aka Aloe Vera, a plant known to help soothe inflamed skin and is cooling so ideal for the face. It also helps itchy skin and so is ideal if your skin is sensitive. It also contains Vitamin E that helps protect your skin from pollution!

The product is vegan friendly, not tested on animals, made in good old England and is dermatologically tested so won't flare up skin. It's definitely my go to for the winter, especially now the cold has set in. I absolutely loved it as it doesn't clog the pores and didn't feel as though I had applied fake tan!

You can purchase it at www.feelunique.com oh and whilst your there, check out the readers reviews! 

Toy / Game Christmas Gift Guide Sample Review

 

I don't usually review toys for my blog however, I have been venturing into other areas of writing reviews and as I have many friends with children, well let's say they'll be getting nice gifts this year!  I also do like to review gifts that are a little different and so out of the gifts that were sent to me, here's a few of my favourites. 

Dantoy BIOplastic Bio Ice Cream Set Gift Box £14.99 www.smythstoys.com

There are several reasons why I love this Ice Cream Set Gift Box. Firstly, I'm a huge fan of playing shops and make believe, my kids both had a 'kitchen' when they were young and loved to role play serving and making food. However, the reason why I wanted to 'showcase' this is all down to the brand. The products are actually made from sugarcane! The process involves transforming the cane into ethanol (alcohol), that is in turn used to make 'green plastic'. When humans use energy i.e. driving CO2 is released into the air, and Sugarcane absorbs CO2 as it grows, so it's almost like a 'circle of life'. The toys are 100% recyclable too. 

This set has all you need to develop fine motor skills as contains 3 cones, 2 tubs, ice cream scoops, stand and scooper. This set will guarantee hours of fun and is an ideal set to either play alone or with friends.

Dantoy BIOplastic Tiny Bio Stacking Play Cups £13.99 www.smythstoys.com

Again from the same company are these stacking cups, made from the same 'sugarcane' materials. Ideal from the age of 6 months to help brain function and develop problem solving. They can also be used for those with dementia to help encourage creativity and problem solving. Not only that but each stacking cup can be used to create moulds or use as cutters for baking cookies! You can use them in the bath for scooping out water and watching the water flow through the holes. With so many different purposes, this is one of the best gifts I've seen this year. These multi-purpose stacking cups are also 100% recyclable.

Ginger Fox Bajillions Family Party Game £15.99 www.amazon.co.uk

Now I haven't actually played this game yet, but having opened up and read through the rules I can definitely see my youngest loving this game. It kind of reminds me of a 'play your cards right', mixed in with trivia and money. The object of the game is to win 3 'Bajillions' by betting on which trivia has the biggest number. An example of such trivia is 'how many words in the Korean language'.  It's a great educational game, whilst also having a bit of betting fun too! It's 12 plus and does require thinking but along the way you will learn some great facts!

Ginger Fox The Emoji Game £7.99 www.johnlewis.com 

Definitely my choice of Christmas Day fun. This game is everything that our family love, competitive and stupid. A game that is not too taxing on the brain after a full Christmas dinner, but guaranteed to give you lots of laughs - and for me, one that doesn't require too much clearing away!  The object of the game is a bit like trumps, to obtain a full set of 'emoji' cards. However, to get your full set be prepared to do a variety of silly tasks! Not only is it the perfect size to take to someone's house to play but also makes a great stocking filler! 

The Hair Boss by Lisa Shepherd XXL Sample Review

 

My hair is naturally dark brown, actually correction it is naturally white grey/dark brown and in the last year or so, it's becoming more white grey than dark brown! Unfortunately it has gotten to the stage where brown permanent hair dye only lasts a few weeks before those pesky whites come through, and as such for the last year I have disguised this by having lots of blonde highlights. My kids think I look younger being blonder, and call it midlife crisis but every time I see my hairdresser I ask her to add more bleach. There is a price to pay for this though, and that price is my hair is getting very badly damaged.

I have been using Olaplex however, being a single mum I just cannot afford to keep using the stuff. Yes it is good, but not for my bank balance. So I was very happy when I received these samples of The Hair Boss Double Hair Mask Bond Restorer Phase 1 and Moisture Hit Phase 2. Especially in the huge litre sizes!

Now whilst the products combined have been dubbed as the Olaplex on the high street, I'm never convinced unless I try the products for myself. I will pick out some of the ingredients but first, lets start with the application. I'm quite a fan of the process of The Hair Boss Bond Restorer, as it's easy to do in the shower. None of this faffing around and 'apply before you shampoo' lark, often resulting in me  having to walk around with the product dripping on my shoulders and floor. No they've made this easy -  simply apply Phase 1 after shampooing, then immediately Phase 2, wait a few minutes then wash out. This meant that I didn't have to get out of the shower, and could simply leave the product to work whilst I shaved, body scrubbed and lathered up, then stand under the shower and rinse out!  The product itself is a pleasant 'salon' fragrance, not heavy just lightly refreshing. After rinsing out, I just brushed through with my 'Mantra, detangling brush' and let to dry naturally. 

It's too early to say whether it has a long term effect on my hair, but I did like the way I could leave the serum etc and it dried without frizz (something my hair naturally does).

So lets look at the ingredients.

Sweet Almond Oil - helps prevent breakages, nourishing, soothes itchy scalps and hydrating.

Jojoba Seed Oil - rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B, C and E. Helps strengthen hair and reduces hair loss.

Shea Butter - an excellent emollient to help moisturise dry, itchy scalps and those that suffer with eczema or sensitive scalps. Helps seal in moisture so a good conditioner. 

Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin - the key protein that actually can penetrate the hair shaft, replacing lost protein and so strengthens the hair. When hair is bleached or chemically altered it loses it's elasticity and so breaks easily. Keratin helps restore the elasticity and so hair looks and feels much healthier.

This is a best selling hair duo and so it makes sense to put them into huge litre sizes. The value for money at £39.99 for both is brilliant as will last months. You can purchase these products and more online at www.thehairboss.co.uk

The BeautyworX #Applause Eyeshadow Compact Sample Review £7.99

 

I was a little gutted when I opened the padded envelope containing a selection of The Beautyworx eyeshadow palettes, unfortunately the envelope had been torn and a few of the palettes had been smashed. I was even more gutted when I tested the shades (not broken), as what was left of the large palette the colours were absolutely gorgeous. Anyway I managed to salvage this one #Applause and what a beauty it is!

So impressed that I had to do an Instagram reel of the colours, as you simply just cannot tell from looking at a photo the quality of the shadows. The pigments are soft, shimmering and blend seamlessly, making the palette huge competition for other more expensive makes on the market - in fact I actually cannot see how more expensive brands can compete now. These are not the 'cheap' palettes that we used to see at Christmas, where the colours are wishy-washy and often don't blend or end up falling down your cheek. The colours shown here are metallic and with the right brush - or applied with your little finger as I often do, just a swash across your eyelid is all you need for Christmas glamour. 

You can see in this photo just how deeply pigmented they are. My favourite is the beautiful, rich green that applied with a wet brush gives the perfect metallic eyeliner to make eye colours just pop. Or with a primer underneath, just one swipe gives a full metallic gleam.

The other palettes looked equally as good (just a shame they were smashed), and for the price make brilliant stocking presents. You can check out their range of products here at www.thebeautyworx.co.uk

Quirky Christmas Gifts For Everyone! Sample Reviews

 

My idea of Christmas is quite simple, it's to spend time with my loved ones and it's always about giving. Not necessarily spending lots of money, just gifting someone with time over a cuppa, which I think is worth more than it's weight in gold. Also sometimes buying gifts for people causes more stress than what should be pleasure. 'Will they like it'? What if it doesn't fit? Do they offer refunds? It shouldn't be about this, it should be about simply raising a smile on a face. That saying many of us do gift at Christmas and, whilst many of us know what we love, it's nice just to choose something unusual, something out of the ordinary, something useful and so here's my best round-up!

Shoe Ponchos £8.99 www.theunusualgiftcompany.com

What a brilliant idea! For under a tenner, coming in at small and large are these brilliant 'anoraks' for shoes. Ideal for when you get out the car and you don't have your 'muddy walking boots/trainers' on you, and you don't want to get your shoes/gym trainers getting muddy. In my instance this pair is ideal for watching my son play footie, walking the dog or simply carrying in my bag for emergencies. Not only do they cover the whole shoe but they zip up, tie up and they also have grips on them, making them ideal for wet, snowy weather! 

Plant Mister Brass €37 www.kikkerlandeu.com

I actually wanted to direct people to the website Kikkerland as they have so many unusual gadget gifts. They also offer shipping to the UK. This Plant Mister is made from 100% brass and perfect for those who love their plants. It sprays a fine full mist to ensure your plants get even coverage and are fully hydrated. I'm personally not a gardener however, I have filled this up with water and a few drops of essential oils, hey presto my beautiful room spray!

Old & Wise Pen Set £7.99 www.stanfords.co.uk

The perfect gift to give that old man in your life, be it your boyfriend, dad, grandad or even your mum. The gift is, in my opinion perfect as a 'jokey' present and hence it's going in the boyfriends stocking. Alternatively it can be given as a present suggesting intelligence to your favourite teacher! Novelty yes, insulting yes, make sure your recipient has a sense of humour!

Tick Tool €6.50 www.kikkerlandeu.com

Another useful gadget this time for dog lovers. Easy to keep on the dog lead or on a belt loop this is a must, especially in the summer weather and especially if walking in meadows and long grass. I have a pooch and often walk in the summer over the fields. Ticks not only are a pain in dogs but can also cause Lyme disease, so IMO every dog owner should have a gadget like this for 'just in case'. 

Key Ring Shopping Bag £8.95 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Once you have one of these you will be wondering how you shopped without it. If, like me, you are constantly forgetting to carry your reusable bags with you, then this is ideal so you don't get caught out having to buy a plastic bag. For me personally, I wouldn't have it on my 'car keyring' as a little bulky for that, but for when I am popping out walking to the shops it's ideal. Also for hands-free can be simply attached to your trouser loop or even a toggle on your coat. It's strong and best of all holds a decent amount of shopping!

Wine Wicker Cooler €5 www.kikkerlandeu.com

This insulated bag is a must for our hot summer months (I live and dream)! This year saw many of us unable to go on holiday abroad, and instead making the most of our beautiful country parks and our wonderful beaches. Kept in your car this is ideal for when you decide you want to go on a last minute picnic. It's easy to carry and will keep your 'white or rosé' nice and chilled!

Honored Elders Jigsaw Puzzle €15 www.kikkerlandeu.com

This is a very unusual gift and one that had I not seen the background of, to be honest wouldn't have picked. However, I do love a gift with a meaning. This is the perfect gift for those who like to raise awareness of recycling and saving our planet, and those who want our children to have a voice. It's something I feel quite passionate about. Honored Elders are Fresh Artists Chip Art Program portraits and feature elders who have been prominent in Fresh Artist children. The jigsaw is made from sample chips obtained from landfills and then made into mosaics before being recycled onto cardboard! The funds made from these unusual gifts go towards underfunded schools in America. 

Love Me Do Crank Music Box £7.50 www.musicroom.com

This is a very nostalgic gift for me, and one that I think young children will love. My darling father bought me one of these when I was a child from a German Christmas market in Frankfurt, and I have often given it a whirl over the last 45 years. Sadly it broke this year and so I was chuffed when I was sent one to test. Not just to replace mine but the fact that they are still making them. It's a little novelty gift but the delicate tinkling tune, is reminiscent of Christmas albeit I left mine out on display all year round.