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!