Croma Calming Face Mask Sample Review £48 (8 masks)

 

I'd not heard of the brand Croma before, so it wasn't until I received an email, a few weeks back, asking if I'd like to sample a couple of their products that I discovered the Austrian skincare brand. After a little delving into the website, I realised that this is not your usual 'skincare' company. This family owned company is actually a 'world leading expert' in the field of hyaluronic acid syringes. The skincare line runs alongside their aesthetic medicine, and as such, combines quality ingredients that are clinically proven to give results.

I was sent a sample of the Calming Face Mask. From looking at the website, you get 8 in a box and can choose from a variety of mask types to treat your skin condition. The Calming Face Mask is just that, targeted at treating inflamed, sun damaged, irritated and stressed out skin.

The masks are individually packed and come in sheet format so you can simply remove from the backing sheet and press against your face. This means that you get the right amount of product to apply and none is wasted. Ingredients include:-

• Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract - aka pomegranate enzyme that works to gently exfoliate the skin without causing irritation. Also helps increase cell renewal. 
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice - Aloe Vera Juice is often used in skin care to help calm inflamed skin. It's naturally cooling, hydrating and is excellent for sun damaged skin. 
• Sodium Hyaluronate - increases skin hydration, so skin looks and feels nourished. 
• Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract - cucumber, cooling, conditioning and again helps calm irritated skin. Incredibly refreshing and revitalizing. 
• Lavandula Angustifolia Oil - lavender is incredibly healing, works well to reduce acne, is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. 
• Rosa Canina Fruit oil - boosts collagen production, reduces hyperpigmentation and gives radiance to the skin. 

After applying the mask to my face, I left on for 15 minutes. The mask clung well to my skin so I was able to walk around the house (a huge bonus in my busy life). Its cooling effects were immediate and I can just imagine how this would soothe sun damaged skin on a hot day. There was plenty of excess mask in the packet and so after removing my mask, I soaked up the rest and massaged on to my neck and decolletege.

My skin was left glowing and feeling incredibly soft (in fact I didn't even need to put moisturiser on, something that my dry skin always needs).  You can purchase the masks here at www.ukcromaskincareshop.com

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Drops Ice Silver Sample Review RRP £7.49

 

A few weeks ago I was picking up a prescription in Boots, and whilst waiting was glancing at the 'temporary colour' aisle. I'm on a forever ending quest of finding something that will banish my tarnished, golden locks into ashy tones. My natural colour is mid brown however, as I have approached my 50s (this June I turn that golden age), my roots are salt and pepper grey. I can't stay brown as the upkeep is too much, and hence I lighten my hair to blend in with the grey. As I'm naturally brown that ashy toned blonde doesn't come easily - well not until now.

So I was dithering whether to buy these, when by off-chance my lovely PR pinged her latest launch into my email, and by coincidence it was the exact product I had been looking at. So excited to receive these, instead of writing up a blog, I made a very poor Instagram reel (I say poor, as my eldest has her A level in Social Media and, I apparently should also go on a course). That saying, with over 500 views in less than 1/2 an hour, it appears I'm not the only one on a quest to get the perfect ash toned blonde!

So I thought I would take some photos and also ping a quick blog on this wonderful new product, so you can see for yourself just how much of a difference they make! 

Ice Silver is a colour designed for anyone with blonde hair, or even multi tonal brown hair that has orange, yellow and golden undertones, that want to put a bit of ash into their colour. Or for those with very light blonde hair (lucky you), to go that wonderful metallic silver shade.

Application couldn't be easier, simply shampoo your hair, rinse out excess water,  add a few drops of the colour to any conditioner and apply to your hair. Leave for up to 5 minutes then rinse away. The longer you leave the colour on - the more intense the result, and the same with the more drops you use - the more intense the shade.

You can mix with any conditioner, and whilst you should wear gloves (provided), I was a bit slap dash and just put it on with my bare hands, whilst I was in the shower. (The colour is intense so did stain my nails a little). A quick body exfoliation, shave of the legs, body wash and after 2 minutes I just showered off.  Quick, easy and no 'flaffing' about!

Anyway so here is a before photo, note I took both photos in exactly the same light, same place etc and as always absolutely no filters!

My hair is already quite highlighted but I have that definite caramel undertone which, can sometimes look very brassy.  Below are the after photos.

I am thrilled with the results, the drops are far better than my Fanola no Yellow Shampoo and my Olaplex No Yellow Shampoo. This is the result after just under 2 minutes on my hair! It's brightened my highlights and as you can tell has got rid of all that dullness. These drops will definitely be staying next to my conditioner on my bath! You can check out my Instagram reel under 'Askmollybeauty and to purchase online - here at www.superdrug.com

Ringana Skincare Sample Review

 

I'd never heard of this Austrian brand before however, when an email pinged into my inbox a few weeks ago from the PR raving about the brand I asked if I could review some of the skincare. I was intrigued especially as they had recently won the UK Beauty Shortlist Well-being Award.  A few weeks later I received this box full of Ringana samples.

I had of course, looked at their website and read up on the products and their ethos. I had also looked at other reviews on websites to learn more about the company and it's customers. So before I begin this independent review, it appears that there is some mixed reviews on the brand. Those that struggle with the customer service from a 'selling point of view' - there have been quite a few negative feedbacks on Trust Pilot from those who 'buy' into the company as a 'representative' - I am not here to give my review on this. I am not affiliated with any company, write completely independently and don't get paid for reviews - so anything I write needs to be good as I could be walking my dog right now! 

However, the reviews from those that have used the products as customers are five star all the way, and this is what my review is about. As a customer who just wants to purchase one or two items from their website. 

So let me begin - first the packaging. Now Ringana USP (unique selling point) is all about fresh, sustainable, organic and reducing plastic. They care for the environment and lead the way in fresh skincare. They do also supply supplements however, today I am reviewing the skincare. Of course such a company uses only sustainable packaging. As you can see all the packaging including the packing inside is eco-friendly.

Microplastic free, every filling is biodegradable and, even more thoughtfully, the glass bottles are protected from breakages by layering in between each layer a 100% organic towel.  The glass items are all protected, individually by organic cotton hand towels, and once used the bottles can be saved, sent back and will be re-used again. In return for sending back 10 bottles, the customer receives a free skincare gift of their choice.  So you can see that just from the packaging that this company is all about the finer details in caring for our planet. So first impressions were excellent.

Next came the ingredients of products. Again I have looked into every ingredient (as I often do) however, what has really impressed me is the quality. Ingredients are listed with greatest value first, often water is used to bulk up the majority of a product, whilst active ingredients are found nearer the bottom of the list. Not so with the ones I've reviewed. 

Every bottle is clearly labelled 'Fresh', this is to remind you that the ingredients are fresh, organic quality and as such only have a shelf life of 10 weeks, as preservative free. So once opened you need to make sure you use them up within the 2.5 months. 

Fresh Overnight Face Treatment £60.40 30ml

Our skins cells regenerate at peak overnight when we are resting, whilst we are sleeping our skin's blood flow is increasing and so our skin starts healing. Overnight creams help this process by getting vitamins and active ingredients into the skin layers to do their work. This cream contains Aloe Vera as it's base, an excellent anti-inflammatory and skin-smoothing ingredient. It also contains:-

• Limnanthes Alba Seed oil - aka Meadowfoam Seed Oil, hydrating and nourishing this creates a barrier to stop moisture from escaping. 
• Squalane - mimics the skin's natural oils so again very nourishing, and also is a natural anti-oxidant.
• Niacinamide - Vitamin B derivative that helps fade pigmentation spots.
• Lecythis Minor Seed Oil - Prickly Pear Extract, excellent for acne prone skin, blemishes and sensitive skin.

Fresh Tonic Calm £19.66 125ml

One of my favourite products of this line is the Tonic Calm, simply as I love to spritz my face throughout the day to pep my skin up. It has a wonderful easy pump to use, enabling one spray to mist my whole face. Not only does it awaken the skin but also made my dry, hay-fever eyes less irritated! Other uses include refreshing the skin after cleansing off make-up, and also I often use to set my make-up following foundation.  Ingredients include:-

• Aloe Vera Juice - refreshing, anti-inflammatory ideal for if you've been in the sun or your skin feels sensitive and inflamed.
• Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water - Sweet Orange Water, anti-inflammatory, helps with skin irritations, very calming. 
• Oryza Sativa Bran Water - Rice Hull Extract, helps control excess sebum production, so toning and clarifying on oily skin. 
• Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract - Australian Aniseed, skin rejuvenating, refreshing and awakening. 

Fresh Cleanser £19.91 125ml

This cleanser has Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water - aka Orange Water as it's base, together with Sesame Seed Oil. Gentle, effective at removing all impurities without the need for any harsh chemicals or preservatives. It also includes:-

• Xylitol - Birch Sugar, often associated with a natural sweetener for food, sugar is an ideal exfoliant in helping rid skin of dead skin cells. It's gentle to use all on skin types and leaves skin feeling smooth.
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil - Almond Kernal Oil, nourishes the skin and is ideal if you suffer with eczema or psoriasis. 
• Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract - aka Green Tea, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, excellent for blemishes, blackheads, acne prone skin whilst treating skin with respect.

Fresh Anti-Wrinkle Serum £51.63 30ml

If anyone was to ask me what we should spend our money on in skincare, then I always suggest serums. Serums are usually the most concentrated of skincare products and where ingredients really show the part they play in skincare. This serum is ideal for anyone who wants a decent anti-aging skin care serum to help target fine lines and wrinkles. It has lots of cell renewal and skin regenerating ingredients, including ones I've not come across such as:-

• Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract - Kangaroo Paw Extract, rich in fatty acids this amazing ingredient helps strengthen the skin, boost collagen production and helps with elasticity, so firms the skin. It's regenerative so will combat those pesky fine lines and helps rev up the skins metabolism. 
• Hexapeptide-11 - Hexapeptides are amino acids, in skin these acids help improve skin tone, encourage collagen renewal and result in plumper, firmer skin conditions. 
• Olea Europaea Callus Culture lysate - Olive Sprout Stem Cell Extract, taken from the olive tree this 100% natural active is excellent for anti-aging and incredibly nourishing for dry, mature skin. 

Fresh Cream Rich £41.28 £50ml (far left)

I've put the other products with this photo so you can see the difference in size. The Fresh Cream Rich is the ideal moisturiser for all skin types, especially dry, irritated skin. It contains lots of nourishing oils that are non-irritating and non-pore clogging. Alongside many anti-oxidants such as:-

• Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract - Elderberry, full of vitamin A and also naturally healing and so good for those with acne prone skin. Has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. 
• Oenothera Biennis Oil - Evening Primrose Oil, helps restore dry skin, rough, chapped, weathered skin and gives comfort to those who suffer with conditions mentioned above, such as eczema. It also helps prevent wrinkles.
• Butyrospermum Parkii Butter - Shea Butter, moisturizing, hydrating and helps keep skin supple.

So you can see from above that I have cherry picked just a few of the ingredients from each item. As mentioned as the ingredients are so fresh, from opening I now have 10 weeks to get the full benefit. The products themselves are pretty much unscented so can be used by both men and women. I also think that with the beautiful glass bottles, thought out packaging that they make a wonderful gift.  I am super impressed and I would urge you to look at the website here www.ringana.com Don't forget that when you go into the website to click onto English so you can see the text and currency in GBP! 

L'Occitane En Provence Eco Recharge Refill Sample Review

 

In 2019 L'Occitane introduced 'Green Day' the start of their bid to encourage customers to switch to refillable packaging, aptly named 'Eco-Refills'. The reason for this campaign was to reduce the amount of plastic used by 85%. This hugely successful initiative has meant that over 4300kg of plastic packaging has been stopped from clogging our landfills. It must also be mentioned that owing to this fruitful venture, working together with L'Occitane is TerraCycle who run the in-store recycling waste. 

The scheme is in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage whereby every year on 'Green Day Weekend', every 1 Eco-Refill sold -  £5 will be donated to Surfers Against Sewage, to help fund this charity with their marine conservation projects.  This year Green Weekend will be held on 26th-29th May 2022, whereby you can also bring in your old L'Occitane bottles to be recycled and replaced with eco alternatives.  To help make this easier, you can also purchase a 'Forever Bottle', made of aluminium, a bottle that can be used and refilled continuously. 

There are over 27 product lines to choose from and I was lucky enough to be asked if I wanted to sample one for review. I asked if I could kindly be sent my all-time favourite the Shea Hands & Body Ultra Rich Wash 500ml.

If you have never had the joy of using this wonderful wash, let me begin by asking you to imagine the scent of nurture, comfort, haven, security, softness, cuddles and snuggles, puppies and babies all captured in to one bottle. It is by far the most pampering fragrance I have ever smelt. The ultra rich wash is a milky consistency that contains 5% pure Shea, an ingredient that leaves the driest of skins moisturised and feeling baby soft. The other key ingredient is Sunflower Seed Oil, known for being rich in vitamin E and often used in skin care for it's anti-inflammatory properties. High in omega 6, this oil also helps to give skin back it's elasticity, resulting in a firmer more smoother refined texture. 

The creamy body wash lathers into a frothy, light foam that leaves skin feeling delicately scented and incredibly soft. I used on my hands and didn't even need to use hand-cream (something that I always usually put on due to my parched skin). 

It's one of my favourite all time tested products, one that I have used for over 20 years and raved about it in the press. I am so pleased they have included this in their re-fill initiative, and with many loyal fans to this wash - it's a wise decision! Check out the rest of the range here at www.uk.loccitane.com

IT Cosmetics Superhero No Tug Shadow Stick Sample Review £21

If there's one thing I've learnt when it comes to make-up application as I get older, that one thing is that 'less is more'. Once upon a time, I would spend a good deal of time prepping, blending, sculpting my make-up however, I simply don't have the time being a busy single mum of two. Also as I reach that landmark age of 50 this year, I also reach the conclusion that I have many fine lines that are simply enhanced by too much powder.  Thankfully there are products out there that are targeted for my dilemmas, and so I welcomed the testing of IT Cosmetics Superhero No Tug Shadow Sticks. 

At first glance I thought these would be your ordinary 'run of the mill' shadow cream eyeshadow sticks however, they're actually an anti-aging eye treatment combined with colour. Formulated with ingredients such as:-

• Caffiene - helps reduce puffiness and can strengthen the delicate skin around the eye area. 
• Hydrolyzed Collagen - helps reduce the look of fine lines and is firming. 
• Tri Peptides - helps stimulate cell growth, in turn producing firmer skin and prevent eye sagging. 
• Behenic Acid - a fatty acid that helps smooth the eye area and improve hydration. 

I tested the shades in Silk Amor and Epic Amethyst. 

Silk Amor is a beautiful, oyster shade that suits not only as a highlighter on top of the lids, but also under the brow bone to give the appearance of lifting the eye area. You can also use it on the inner corner of the eye, to make eyes look wide awake, or even on top of the cupids bow or centre of the lips to make lips appear fuller. This universal colour suits every skin tone. 

Epic Amethyst is an iridescent purple that shimmers and looks almost two-tone when it catches the light. Violet shades look stunning on brown, green, hazel eyes to make them 'pop', and this looks amazing used simply on its own washed across the lids.

Both shades need no buffing in with a brush, I simply applied directly from the stick onto my lid and just gave a gently smudge. This gave a light veil of colour ideal for daytime use. Alternatively, you can build up the colour for a more pigmented look for evening. I love the fact that not only were they easy to apply, but they literally do not budge (maybe due to the inbuilt primer) - as I found out on the school run when my son asked me to take my one purple eyelid off!

The colours do not crease and are long-lasting, ideal for those who have oily or dry lids. It took makeup remover to get mine off and lasted throughout my swim session so definitely waterproof!

I've been sent a few of these products to test recently and so far I'm really impressed by the quality - you can check out the range and even try the colours on with the live camera feature (although only some shades are working at the moment for this feature), here at www.itcosmetics.co.uk

Elegant Touch Glue on Nails from £4.99 Sample Review

 

1984 is a year that will always stick in my mind literally!  I can't remember the day, the week or even the month, just that it was the year we had a school disco and I had my first slow dance. Unfortunately the dance didn't really go to plan. My childhood crush was dancing with my friend and, whilst I was grateful to even had been asked, I wasn't prepared when my red false nails, started pinging off on the dance floor. I can explicitly remember one of the bright red talons, clinging to the back of Craig's grey school jumper, and all my friends giggling away pointing at his back, whilst the poor boy was oblivious. I was 13 years old and out of all the memories I have at school - that is one of them.

Thankfully false nails have come a long way from then. Fast forward 38 years and it's probably the biggest growing industry in beauty there is. Every high street, small town has at least one salon propping up and that's not even including the home salons. For many of us, this is a monthly treat however, if like me, you can't afford to get them done, we can just pop to our local supermarket or chemist. Not only is the choice vast but they last - gone are the one hit wonders, these nails will last a good week, and are so easy to apply with just a few simple steps!

• To begin prep the nails, make sure all previous nail colour is removed alongside any moisturiser or oils that may have gotten into the nails. 
• Start by filing and buffing your nails to get them smooth and into a nice shape.
• Place hands in a bowl of warm water (you can use cuticle cream however, there is no need as the water will soften the cuticles naturally).
• With a hoof stick or cuticle cleaner, gently push the cuticles back.
• Now personally I prefer not to use a cuticle trimmer or if you do use very carefully.  Or simply use the blade to scrape the build up of dead skin. If you do want to actually trim the cuticle be extra careful as, like I have too often, you can end up cutting healthy skin and this can cause infection. So skip this step if you want to.
• Your nails will be ready now for the application of false nails. 
• Size them up on your finger nails before hand. 
• Apply the glue to your natural nail, angle the false nail on to your nail and simply press and hold for a few seconds.

Elegant Touch have a huge range of nail products to give you long lasting false nails. Not only do they have possibly the biggest range of false nails, in every colour, design and shape but they have all the tools too. They're my go to whenever I pop into Superdrug as I know that the quality of the tools are good - simply as they specialise in nails. I can also vouch that the nail glue is the one of the best on the markets - my eldest teen is a false nail addict and when I opened by package she tried to dive straight to the glue. It holds nails tight, and don't worry if you need to get the nails off - you can simply use the 'Get 'Em Off' Nail Polish Remover as not only does it remove all types of gel colour, it also removes false nails kindly without damaging the natural nail bed.

The Spring colours are gorgeous in store now, think peaches, creamy neutrals and latte shades. Prices start from just £2.99 for the glue, whilst the falsies start from just £4.99 and include glue too.  Check out the huge range here at www.superdrug.com

IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Solid Serums RRP £25 Sample Review

 

I have a little confession to make - when the PR emailed me about the IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Solid Serums, I said I was working on lip features (I am) however, the real reason why I was desperate to test the lip range was because a few years ago, I was sent their eyeshadow quad and so impressed by the pigment, it got a stand alone review in the press with more word count than the other top brands I was working with. The quality was amazing and so I knew I was going to love the Pillow Lips Solid Serums - and I do!

Pillow Lips are a '5 in 1' tinted gloss. Not just a veil of colour, these are top of the range lip treatments - in fact IT Cosmetics work alongside plastic surgeons and dermatologists to get the ingredients that deliver results. 

Lips give the first signs of aging away. As we get older we start to lose collagen and hyaluronic acid from our lips, which means that we naturally lose volume and plumpness. Fine lines from smoking, sun damage, dehydration start to develop and so it's imperative that we treat our lips with the kindness we give to our skin. With lips, prevention is key and that is why serums such as these are so good. Our lives are so busy now, and many of us don't have the time to apply layers of products to keep our lips in top condition. IT Cosmetics have solved that problem by developing beautiful shades with active ingredients that work. 

From bottom to top you have:-

• 11:11 - a gorgeous, deep, rose pink that is ideal for day or night, and suits all skin shades.
• Marvellous - my favourite shade, see below - this delicate, candy pink has a stunning iridescence that is ideal for summer, and looks amazing on light or tanned skin tones. 
• Gaze - a sheer plum shade that takes you from day to evening, it's glamourous and gives a beautiful deep shine without being full on colour.
• Humble - like the name suggests this is a shy, nude that again suits every skin tone. It enhances your natural lip colour and hides any imperfections by given a veil of light taupe.

The lip serums have amazing ingredients in them that have been chosen to give intense hydration. Some of these ingredients include:-

• Castor Seed Oil - contains an abundance of vitamins and essential fatty acids. These fatty acids help nourish the lips but also act as a humectant so stops moisture from escaping the lips.
• Jojoba Oil - easily absorbed into the lips, this oil contains vitamins and minerals that give intense hydration without leaving lips feeling greasy.
• Shea Butter - helps nourish but also is anti-inflammatory so helps soothe chapped, dry lips. Also has antioxidant benefits to help protect the lips from environmental pollutants.
• Soluble Collagen - gives a layer of water film over the lips so helps with hydration. 
• Punica Granatum Fruit Extract - aka Pomegranate Fruit Extract, contains lots of antioxidants and so protects the skin from environmental stressors such as smoke and pollution.

The great thing about these lip serums is that whilst you can go onto the website and use the interactive camera to try your shade, as the colours are a luminous light texture, they really do suit all skin tones and so foul proof when purchasing. Check out the rest of the range here at www.itcosmetics.co.uk

Urban Decay Vice High Impact Vegan Lipstick Sample Review RRP £19

 

I've always played it safe with lip colours, tending to favour the neutrals or just a gloss. However, my mother has never left the house without her bright lipstick on, and I have to admit the colour lifts her complexion. Sadly we lost my father a few months ago, and my mother has naturally like all of us been grieving. I have been incredibly worried about her and check in on her at least once a day. Today she rang me and said 'Molly I feel a little better, I have even put my lipstick on'. So there goes the power of a good lip colour. It can transform a mood with just one swipe and for many women is the building block of the day. Colour gives confidence, it changes personality and so it is never to be underestimated.

Today I'm reviewing Urban Decay's Vice lipstick in Figueroa Cream and Weho Cream. The lipsticks are vegan, cruelty free and not only delivers colour, but aids a preventative treatment for chapped and dry lips. Each lipstick is filled with nourishing Avocado Oil that can help prevent dry chapped lips, and also contains Aloe Vera to help with inflammation by soothing sore lips. 

The lipsticks themselves are cased in a sturdy, metallic case that makes applying lipstick a doddle. I didn't even need to look in the mirror (I was shooting the photo outside). The coverage on the lipsticks is full, creamy coverage and so just one swipe gave an instant colour with a slight satin sheen. This is by far the most flattering texture especially as we get older (matte colours tend to be very aging). The sheen helps plump lips and give the illusion of a fuller pout. Whilst the creamy texture hides fine lines that surround the mouth, without 'bleeding' into the lines.

The top colour is Figueroa Cream a beautiful, warm, coral that suits every skin tone especially medium to dark olive. It's the perfect colour for spring and is the perfect stepping stone if you want to break out of the neutral rut.

The bottom colour is Weho Cream this delicate neutral pink, is ideal for light to medium skin tones. It's a classy pink and one that doesn't make the teeth look yellow thanks to the neutral undertones.

Both lipsticks are long-lasting and perfect to ease you into the warmer weather. You can check out the rest of the shades and even try them on with the impressive interactive camera, here at www.urbandecay.co.uk

Floral Street London Poppy / Electric Rhubarb Travel Size Eau De Parfum Sample Review

 

It was only a few weeks ago that I had first heard of Floral Street, when I was kindly sent a candle to review. So impressed was I by the candle, that I delved into the website and took a look at their other products. Invitingly the reviews for the Eau De Parfum were so good, that I cheekily asked the brand if they could send me a couple to sample and review. Earlier this week I gratefully received 2 of their scents in Electric Rhubarb and London Poppy.

Now I am not a perfume snob, I have my favourites and I have my utter dislikes. Of course perfume is different on everyone, pending on their skin type (oilier skin types tend to hold scent more), and so what may suit one person, may not suit another. 

There are a few simple rules when testing perfumes, and whilst I've written more in depth of these in other features, here are some of the basics:-

• It is best to test just one a day, see how it sits on your skin as perfume has 3 layers of notes, top, heart and base notes. 
• When testing it's best to do in the morning, sweat etc can react with the scent and you want to see how it truly sits.
• Apply to your warm points such as wrists however, don't rub your wrists together as this can 'break' the oils.
• Fragrance is often classed by strength with Parfum being the strongest, followed by Eau De Parfum and then Eau De Toilette. 
• If you've had a curry or drunk alcohol then leave testing for another day - these can actually interfere with the fragrance.
• Don't have any rules, if you like a scent on someone then ask them. Or look at the notes in your favourite perfume and ask for recommendations of similar.

Right back to Floral Street. So I had spoken to the PR and mentioned that I love citrusy scents, it is always hard choosing fragrance when going in blindly. The first one I tested was the Electric Rhubarb, note both are priced at £25 for 10ml.

The packaging is an explosion of vibrant colour mimicking the colours of rhubarb. A light, sparkling mix of  white florals, Island Gardenia, Sandalwood mixed in with English Rhubarb and the saltiness of the sea air. Now I'd like you to picture this scene, my dog had just come rushing in, my kids were attempting to distract me and chaos seemed to be clouding down on me. Then I opened this up to test. For the first few seconds I was taken back and all I could say was 'ooh this is gorgeous'. Top notes are sweet, fizzy however, there is definitely the undeniable scent of the sea - and there I sat, still repeating myself of 'ooh this is gorgeous'.  I left it on for a few hours to see how the scent 'sat' and it blended in to a soft, woody musk. Not to heavy, just lightly nurturing. 

London Poppy is by far a more seductive scent. The packaging is sophisticated in it's similar glass, sleek bottle with an abstract poppy print. The fragrance echoes the print with it's floral notes and, whilst it has essence of Sicilian lemon and Florida orange, it smells more floral on my skin, as the notes of Jasmin and Neroli dominate. It reminds me of a warms summer evening, just as the sun is going down and as I let my memory escape for a few seconds further, I realised it reminds me of times spent in Southern Spain.

The award winning scents are vegan and cruelty free, use sustainable resourced ingredients and recyclable packaging. I have written up before on this company, so see previous blogs for more info however, I would like to entice you to check out their 5 star reviews on these fragrances. It appears that I am not the only one who has been impressed. They also send out a sample perfume with every order! You can check out the brand here at www.floralstreet.com

Heritage Store Castor Oil RRP £7.49 Sample Review

 

I can remember many moons ago I wrote a feature all about Castor Oil. Back then I actually had a hard time purchasing it to review, as it had been 'taken off the shelves' from many dispensing pharmacists. The reason being was that pregnant women were digesting internally to bring on labour, and naturally this is not what Castor Oil should be used for. As memory serves, I ended up purchasing some off Ebay of all places and wrote my review!

Thankfully it's now being sold online and you can purchase it from reputable companies such as Heritage Store - I was sent their 'Nourishing Treatment Castor Oil to review, which is vegan and hexane-free. For those that are wondering hexane is a solvent chemical often used in the pressing process. 

So why all the fanfare about this amazing 'healing' oil, well it really is just that - healing. The oil contains an abundance of ingredients that are rich in vitamins, such as vitamin E, fatty acids and Ricinoleic acid. These ingredients are known to be:-

• Anti-bacterial - good for acne prone skin, inflammation, wound healing.
• Anti-inflammatory - helps reduce redness, acne, eczema, puffy skin.
• The Ricinoleic acid is incredibly nourishing and hydrating. It helps banish dry skin patches and is also an excellent conditioner for both eyelashes and hair.
• Massaged into the scalp or the ends of your hair, it really improves the condition but can also stimulate hair growth due to the proteins it contains.
• As it's anti-microbial it can help with arthritic joints, soothe aches and pains.
• It makes an excellent nail treatment as nourishes cuticles and can promote nail growth.
• If your lips are dehydrated and flaky, just a small amount massaged in will soften lips immediately and remedy chapped lips.
• Makes the perfect moisturiser for feet, as it's anti-bacterial so helps fight bacteria and fungus infections.

The consistency is quite thick however, I like to put a small amount into my hands every night, I massage it into my scalp, press the excess onto my face, eyelashes and into my nails. It's a wonder product that I will always have next to my bed in my drawer. Many people dilute the oil with another carrier oil, such as coconut or almond to 'thin' the consistency however, I like to use it directly as it comes. If you are looking for a miracle hair growth, Castor Oil does help however, you do need to use it religiously every night for a month or more before you see a difference. 

You can purchase it here at www.amazon.co.uk