Ghost The Fragrance 30ml & Votive Candle Gift Set RRP £29

 

For Christmas Ghost Fragrances have launched several gifts, combining their perfumes alongside miniature treats. I was sent the original Ghost The Fragrance 30ml fragrances that includes a beautiful 50g candle. This makes for excellent value for money as the candle is essentially free!

The gift is presented in a beautiful, marbled, pink and blue tin (you can use it for storing makeup/cotton wool etc after). The mirrored Votive Candle, one it has been lit and run out, can also be used for storing smaller items such as hair bands. It’s definitely dressing table worthy - or simply put a small tea light in and keep reusing! 

The fragrance is made up of floral and fruity accords, that include:-

🥀 top notes of Rose and Jasmine, soft feminine florals that are romantic and dreamy.

🍑 middle notes of playful Peach, warm and nurturing Vanilla settling into softly seductive Amber.

🌲soft woody notes of Sandalwood and mysterious Musk, give an alluring and powdery base.

The slimline bottle is easy to fit into a handbag, and its sleek contemporary design fits well with the fragrance itself.

The Votive Candle shimmers with a metallic night scene set on a mirrored base, and has the same notes as the perfume. The 50g candle once lit scents the whole house out, giving it that nurturing Christmas cosiness. This makes a wonderful gift for a special lady. 

You can purchase from Superdrug online or by clicking the link HERE - right now there are huge savings to be made and it’s currently being sold for £23.20 - stocks won’t last though!

Philip Kingsley® Density Thickening Range for Hair Loss/Menopause Sample Review

In the last few weeks I’ve consistently been asked what is the best range and tips for hair loss during and after menopause. Having written about hair loss before but from the angle of chemotherapy, I knew there was only one trusted brand I would refer to. Philip Kingsley® the renowned late trichologist whose clinic still runs today and spanning over 60 years of scientific research. Before I begin this feature I would urge if you are suffering from hair loss, and need an expert opinion to visit the website for a personalised trichologist appointment either in clinic (Mayfair, London) or by video consultation. Find out more by clicking the link HERE

For this review I have reached out to get quotes from my PR as I am not a trichologist and my knowledge on hair loss is limited.  However, I have gone through menopause 5 years ago (although my GP says we are forever in menopause after), and so I do have a lot of empathy with hair loss. From personal experience with my fine hair, my advice is a decent hair cut, colour (highlights) to add thickness and decent products (see below). First here’s some advice from Anabel Kingsley, Brand President and Trichologist at Philip Kingsley.

Why does hair thin during menopause?

The hormonal shifts that occur leading up to and during menopause can have a huge impact on the hair growth cycle.  Oestrogens are hair friendly and help to keep strands in their growth phase.  They also offer protection against the detrimental effects that androgens (male hormones) can have on the hair follicle (testosterone, in those who are genetically predisposed, can miniaturise hair follicle). So, when oestrogen levels naturally decline during menopause, women often experience excessive hair sheddding, as well as the growth of progressively finer and shorter hairs.  The extent of hair changes is in large part due to genes and how sensitive your hair follicles are to the presence of androgens.  If you have high sensitivity, you are likely to experience a greater degree of hair thinning than a friend with little or no sensitivity. 

What products can help combat this? / Why do these products help?

Looking after yhour scalp, and ensuring your hair is in tip-top shape are important.  Scalp health has a profound influence on hair growth - after all, one supports the growth of the other.  Weekly targeted scalp masks such as Density Scalp Mask and daily scalp toners such as Density Scalp Toner are fantastic in this instance.

Additionally, eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet is key.  The impact that nutrition has on hair growth should not be underestimated.  As hair is non-essential tissue and hair cells are the second fastest growing cells your body makes, its nutritional requirements are very high.  It is also quite hard to give your hair what it needs through diet alone.  This is why I often recommend supplementing a health diet with nutritional supplements.  I always suggest my clients take our Density Amino Acid supplement, as hardly anyone eats enough protein - at least from a hair growth standpoint alongside our Density Health Hair Complex which contains all the essentially micro-nutrients to support hair growth.

Lastly choose produces which are lightweight and contain plumping ingredients to give volumes and the appearance of fuller, thicker hair.  Our Body Building range is perfect for those with fine lacking volume and our Density Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner is ideal for anyone with fragile fine hair in need of strengthening. 

As always when looking at products I like to cherry pick a few of the active ingredients. The Density Preserving Scalp Drops can be used on wet or dry hair. Simply apply 2.5ml daily to your scalp. Part your hair into sections and then using the pipette apply directly to the scalp, massaging in. Some of the ingredients include:-

• Caffeine - stimulating, encourages hair growth. Caffeine also contains anti-oxidants that help protect the hair from environmental pollution and UV rays. 
• Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract - often referred to as ‘Saw Palmetto’, it’s revitalising and again encourages hair growth. It is often used in products to help with alopecia, and is also hormone balancing.
• Trifoliate Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract - contains isoflavones and flavanoids that helps reduce scalp inflammation, in turn preventing hair loss. With continued use hair is thicker and stronger.

The Scalp Mask is applied to damp hair - again after sectioning off the hair, apply to the roots and leave for 10-20 minutes. 

It has stimulating ingredients to help ‘energise and balance’ the scalp to encourage hair growth. Such ingredients include:-

• Menthol - this ingredient features in many of the Density products, and gives you a feeling of tingling and cooling (perfectly normal). What it does is stimulate the scalp and encourage hair growth.
• Arginine - works again from the hair roots, strengthens the hair, decreases hair breakage and thus prevents hair loss. It’s an amino acid that is found in the protein keratin. 
• Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract - this herb is used in Chinese medicine. It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and helps promote hair growth. 

The range also includes a Stimulating Scalp Toner, ideal for daily use to help stimulate hair growth. Ingredients are similar and include Menthol, Arginine and also Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, hydrates and thickens each strand, to give volume and density.

Finally the range also includes Thickening Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner. Both formulated to work in harmony with each other. 

The Thickening Shampoo gives a gentle exfoliation to the scalp to aid hair growth. It contains Hydrolysed Pea Proteins that instantly volumises and give the appearance of thicker hair. 

The Thickening Conditioner contains the same Hydrolysed Pea Proteins as well as Coconut Oil that helps reduce inflammation, whilst giving nourishment and shine to the hair. Formulated with ingredients to give hydration without weighing the hair down. It also contains Castor Oil, something I’ve written up on several times for its ability to protect the hair from free radicals (chemicals), pollution whilst, also promoting hair growth. It contains several Omegas that help give shine to dull, dehydrated hair types.

The range is ideal for both men and women, who are suffering from hair loss due to hormones, stress, age etc. Prices start from £20 and you can check out the range HERE

The Body Shop Box Of Wishes & Wonders Advent Calendar Sample Review RRP £145 now £100

 

Every year around October I send a little ‘begging’ reminder to the wonderful PRs at The Body Shop, as it’s the time of the year when their Christmas Advents start appearing, and it is the one Advent that both myself and my daughter simply lust over. I often test several Advents from different brands, but truth be told not one brand has ever matched up to The Body Shop Advent Calendar and for good reason.

The Calendar does not only encompass amazing gifts but, unlike other brands they relay a message. They put our youth at the forefront of their campaigns and, you will see if you follow them on social media, they give the youth of today a voice, they fully support allowing our young adults to have their view. I have a teenager and my daughter is 20, and so to be listened to is something I have always been passionate about.

Of course their other ethos is their continued support in eliminating plastics, sustainable sourcing for their products and this year supporting communities of waste pickers from Bengaluru in Southern India, by giving them fair pair and improved working conditions. 

Finally there is the Advent itself. The wonder starts upon opening the lid of the box which reveals the most beautiful ‘street Christmas scene’. Snowmen, gift giving and more importantly inclusivity and highlighting disability.

Then there are the gifts. 2 drawers and a top layer, entices the recipient even further as you pull out a drawer to reveal neatly jigsawed boxes, every one containing a beautiful gift. The gifts cover everything from body, hair and skincare, and each chosen carefully so all skin types/hair types have been catered for. The products are all cruelty free and many are use only vegan ingredients. 

Every box gives a message of hope, understanding or about the product itself. You can be assured that each product is filled with ingredients that give optimum skin/hair health. 

Take the Moringa Shine and Protection Shampoo, a shampoo that contains Moringa Oliefera Seed Extract, and made with Vegan Silk Protein. This helps conceal dry ends, gives shine and condition and nourishes the hair, so that it’s more manageable and without frizz. 

The products can also be gifted individually, which makes this incredibly cost effective as in essence you are getting 25 gifts. They can be grouped together, or make wonderful Christmas table presents or even raffle/lucky dip prizes! I run a volunteer group, and have in the past gifted ‘care homes’ with The Body Shop products and, I think this is a wonderful present to give to the staff, who can take it in turns to open a day. 

I really don’t want to ruin the element of surprise what is in each box however, at the bottom I will post a photo so you can see the full contents. Most of the products are full size and there is a value of £250, and at the moment is is reduced so you’re saving a whopping £150! Many are also their best-sellers too.

It really is an amazing calendar, they sell out every year and so I would be quick to get in whilst you can. You can purchase by visiting The Body Shop in store or online or by clicking the link HERE

See below for a full list of products. I have also done an Instagram reel so you can see closely for yourself how wonderful this Advent is. 

Glo32® Advanced Whitening Strips £20 Sample Review

I have tested ‘whitening’ products many years ago, by way of ‘whitening strips’ and truth be told they made my teeth white but very sensitive. In fact I can clearly remember only being able to leave them on for about 5 minutes. I suffer with slightly receding teeth and, on top of being menopausal (which alone makes teeth more sensitive), I was a little cautious about testing these. However, as you will see from my ‘live’ video on Instagram, I had nothing to worry about. 

Easy to use, simply place the ‘longer gel strip’ to the upper front teeth, and the ‘shorter gel strip’ to the bottom front teeth, simply overlap the excess on to the back of the teeth. Leave for up to 30 minutes, remove and rinse your teeth. (I did have to intermittently spit out the excess gel every few minutes)

Now it is hard to give a full review on the shade difference as my teeth have always been quite bright. However, recently I’ve been gulping far too much decaf coffee, and so I had noticed a little staining. Unfortunately, such is the sensitivity of my teeth, that when my dentist asked me last week if I wanted a quick ‘scale and polish’ I literally jumped out of the chair and said ‘nope so long as no fillings, all is good’. So I was rather worried these would cause my teeth to go on edge however, I needn’t have worried. 

I left on for the full 30 minutes and as there is no peroxide they didn’t cause any pain whatsoever. They do contain Coconut Oil which whilst won’t make your teeth whiter, they do help with the brightness. I shall look forward to using the rest of them in the next fortnight.

Again I think these make great stocking filler presents for men and women and anyone over the age of 18. You can purchase at Boots instore or online or by clicking the link HERE

The Humble Co. Humble Brush/Floss Picks Sample Review

 

I’m very lucky in that I do get sent in quite a few products to review. I don’t get paid for reviews and so I do cherry pick what I write up on. I rather like these 2 products as I think they make great stocking fillers.

When I was younger, my mother always made me up a stocking with soap, cotton wool balls etc. The little beauty essentials were ‘fillers’ but nevertheless, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the coloured cotton wool balls. I think these presents make nice ‘fillers’, but with a twist

The Humble Co. Floss Picks Fresh Mint £3.50

Firstly the products are vegan, cruelty free, eco-friendly and ‘socially responsible’ (which, basically means they have a lot of hashtags). Some of which are #humblebrush #thehumbleco and my personal favourite #gohumblegivesmiles. 

‘Each Humble purchase funds oral health projects benefitting children in need.  In collaboration with the Swedish non-profit organisation, Humble Smile Foundation™, we have carried out projects in vulnerable communities in 37 countries around the world.

The Floss Picks are great to carry one in your pocket or handbag so you don’t get caught out on a night out after eating. These are the stocking fillers that everyone uses and wishes they had one at some point. I have them in my handbag and in my car, so I don’t get caught out with a nice bit of spinach in my tooth. Designed by dentists in Sweden, these are easy to use (without a mirror), and also have a refreshing mint taste, so you’re left not only with clean teeth but clean breath!

The Humble Co. Humble Brush Replaceable Toothbrush £4

Again, another useful stocking present and this has the benefit of being replaceable, and so includes 3 Nylon brush heads. Eco Friendly, this is easy to use and comes in a medium density brush head. The Humble Brush is 100% biodegradable and uses Bamboo, a natural antibacterial so no pesticides or fertilisers are used in the cultivation process. 

These both make a great gift for those who are concerned about sustainability. They’re available to buy from Boots in store, online or by clicking the link HERE

Elegant Touch London False Nails Sample Review

 

I love Elegant Touch London Nails, they’re the pioneering brand of false nails with over 40 years experience. I have reviewed these before (probably around a year ago), and put them in the press several times (as do many glossy mags). There is such a huge range and so something to cover every occasion - from funky animal prints, glamourous reds to sophisticated nudes. With a huge choice of nail shapes as well as colour, you’re spoilt for choice.

I also think that they last a long time on the nails. Last time I tested them, I had a nightmare with typing after, so this time I’ve made sure I only have on my pinky finger! 

Inside the packet you’ll find 24 nails with 10 or 12 different sizes (pending on which ones you purchase). I have quite large nail beds and they have a size for all my nails. 

To use make sure your nails are free from oils and varnish, give them a wash first and pat dry. Then simply choose the right size for your nail, dab some glue onto your nail bed and press the nail to the nail bed firmly for about 10 seconds.

These last! They’re ideal for a night out, wedding, Christmas event or if you just want to give your break from the expense of gels/acrylics (which personally I don’t like as they damage your nails with continued use).

The nail glue is vegan and lasts 6 months unopened! I’ve chosen the Ballerine Coffin Nails £5.99 to apply, a delicate shade of nude with chunky and fine gold glitter. They look so convincingly real with the slight curve to mimic a natural nail. 

Prices start from just £4.99 and you can purchase from Amazon or by clicking the link HERE

Natura Siberica For Men Sample Review

 

I have written up a lot about this brand, as I love the ingredients they put in their products. However, I never written up about my love of packaging. So I will just start off by saying WOW - I love this packaging, sleek yes, but with holographic prints of animals!  I know packaging gets recycled, but often when a product has decent ingredients it will lack spending money on other parts of the product (i.e. packaging), as this keeps the costs down. Well somehow not only is the packaging super, but the quality of ingredients is also good - and the price is brilliant value for money.

Now I’ve stopped gushing here’s my review!

Bear Hug Awakening Face Wash Gel 150ml £12

This face wash is filled with Siberian plant ingredients to help combat many skin conditions and types. It primarily addresses deep cleansing the skin to get rid of city grime, pollution and ward off bacteria and spots. However, that is not all it does….

There are so many plant extracts and organic actives in this face wash, I just don’t have the time to list them all. It contains an abundance of 100% vitamin C that helps to not only leave skin feeling refreshed but gives radiance to sallow and dull skin types. Other ingredients include:-

• Pineamidopropyl Betaine - derived from coconuts, this gently cleanses. 
• Rhamnoidesamidopropyl Betaine - Sea Buckthorn, contains fatty acids (this particular ingredient is made from organic compounds). Hydrating and protects the skin by forming a barrier to shield off harsh weather elements. 
• Panax Ginseng Root Extract - organically grown, this is full of anti-oxidants and is anti-inflammatory. Ideal for those who suffer with acne, sensitive and redness. Protects the skin against environmental pollution. 
• Melilotus Albus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract - aka Sweet Clover, a plant that helps stimulate skin cells and gives radiance, ideal for dull and lacklustre skin. 
• Juniperus Sibirica Needle Extract - detoxifies the skin, so gives a thorough deep cleansing, warding off blackheads and acne. It is also skin healing and helps prevent lines and wrinkles from developing.

You only need a small amount to produce a decent lather, simply rinse and pat face dry. Due to the nourishing ingredients, it doesn’t leave the skin feeling tight or dry. This is going into my son’s Christmas stocking!

Eagle Look Eye Contour Lifting Cream 30ml RRP £12

Again the packaging is exquisite with the holographic owl (I’m so impressed I’m going to do a reel on this)! Anyway back to the product, this eye cream caters for all eye dilemmas, from dark circles, sagging to wrinkles. It’s ideal for men who are working hard, looking tired and who are concerned about the first signs of aging. 

The eye cream is made with ‘Siberia Caviar Extract’! Caviar is known to be a top ingredient in eye care to help firm, tone and diminish puffy eyes. The eye cream also contains Caffiene again, known for its tightening properties to help reduce saggy eyes and Hyaluronic Acid to help diminish those fine lines and wrinkles. Other ingredients include:-

• Arnica Montana Flower Extract - helps swelling, puffy and red eyes, skin healing.
• Avena Sativa Seed Extract - aka Oat Kernal Extract helps diminish pores and also brightens the under eye, whilst improving skin tone.
• Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract - ideal for sensitive skin, this helps treat inflammation. It’s very soothing and ideal if you suffer from itchy, red eyes. 

You only need a tiny amount dotted under and around the eye, to give maximum benefits, so the 30ml tube will last ages. Whilst this is designed for men, I can see no reason why I wouldn’t use it myself! 

Check out the range online at Natura Siberica or by clicking the link HERE

Eylure London False Lash Sample Review

 

New in this season are Eylure’s latest drop of false lashes. False lashes have come a long way since I was young, and now it seems that nearly household has a few dropped on the carpet somewhere! I know from having a daughter, that I’ve had a love/hate relationship with them having spent the last 8 years finding the odd one on my cream carpet (we won’t mention the glue)….

Anyway it’s understandable why not only teenagers, but many of my friends also can’t ‘be without them, feeling naked without them’, as quite simply they are so easy to use!

Eylure is the leading brand today, they pioneered the way in lashes and their latest launch covers every eyelash design, dilemma, event - you name it they have a lash that will be your personal choice. Such is the extensive range that the lashes are numbered to help you remember your personal favourites!

Catering for those who like a light, natural lash with ‘featherlight feel’, so you can’t even tell you’re wearing any (my kind of lash), to a more voluminous and glamourous lash, to get your party ready. These lashes take you from day until night.

Then there is the luxurious lash made of ‘Luxe Cashmere’ No 7 that has 1000 plus fibre count. These lashes are designed to entice and give eyes that alluring seduction look, ideal for a romantic night out, they’re simply enchanting. These have 15 wears from them, hence making them very cost effective.

For the full on ‘doll face’ and currently trending look they also have the under lash. These come with a brush to apply the glue on your lower lashes before adhering the false lashes. This gives a completely seamless look, so no-one can tell!  

The consumer is spoilt for choice and, so with everything I write up on, I of course reviewed the product.

Now I haven’t been blessed with thick lashes, mine are fine and pale and, as I am always testing products I tend to not were even a smidgeon of mascara during the day. I am also an exhausted single mum, who literally doesn’t have the energy or time to get myself made up. However, I have tested lashes before loved them, but this time wanted to test something more natural.

I decided to try the Light & Wispy (previously Fluttery Light No. 165). Each packet comes with a glue, and each one gives approximately 18 hours hold. 

You can wear them up to 5 times, they are vegan and latex friendly so ideal if you suffer with sensitive eyes and allergies. In fact my eldest cannot wear the glue from semi permanent lashes, and can only use the glue from Eylure.

The application is simple, just cut the lashes to your desired length, apply the glue along the lash strip, wave it around for a couple of seconds for the lash glue to go tacky, then press and apply.

That is it - they do make a huge difference to my hooded, eyes (I am 51)…. I love the simplicity of wearing them, and have now popped these in my makeup drawer for Christmas. There is no fear of them coming off, they will (as I have tested before), last through a gym session, party and pretty much all day and night! They make a great Christmas stocking present too!

Check out the full Eylure range online and for your nearest stockist, by clicking the link HERE prices start from approximately £6.