L’Occitane En Provence Sensitive Shower Cream / Body Rich Lotion Review

 

The sunny weather seems to have finally made an appearance this week in the South East, and has left the majority of us all bright eyed and bushy tailed! However, it also means exposing more skin, and if mine is anything to go by, it’s really not that fair on the public! At the moment my pins are not even resembling crocodile skin, think more on the lines of hessian. Having spent the last 4 months covering up my legs, it’s now time to up that skincare and make them public worthy rather than cringe worthy.

This means upping the game on products, choosing products that will give my dry, parched and thirsty skin the much needed nourishment to banish any signs of reptile skin.

L’Occitane Sensitive Skin Shower Cream 250ml RRP £17.50

The 5% Shea Shower Cream is one of the first products I like to swap when my skin is feeling dry, neglected and suffering from hormonal imbalance.  It’s ideal if you are menopausal, recovering from illness, pregnancy and is suitable for all skin types. It’s a universal product that can be kept in the bathroom for the whole family to use. 

It contains both Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil, ingredients that have a multitude of benefits such as:-

• Rich in antioxidants, help protect the skin from environmental aggressors such as smoke and UV rays. 
• Helps calm irritated skin types, especially if you suffer with itchy, hormonal skin.
• As it’s lightweight it helps balance both oily and dehydrated skin making it ideal for acne prone skin and dry skin.
• Sunflower Oil has a high linoleic acid content, so helps maintain the skin’s moisture levels.
• Shea Butter is anti-inflammatory, aiding in soothing conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 
• Shea Butter also helps boost collagen production, so skin feels more elastic and firm.

You only need a small amount to get a lather. The fragrance is reminiscing of comfort, warmth and enveloping softness. It leaves the body freshly cleansed, and unlike other shower gels, softly moisturised.

15% Body Rich Lotion 250ml RRP £29

The 15% Shea Rich Lotion is your emergency SOS for dry, dehydrated skin types. It instantly transforms dry skin, cracked heels and parched knees, elbows into nourished, soft skin.

It has so many active ingredients to help heal dry, dehydrated skin. As well as Shea Butter and Sunflower Seed Oil, it also contains:-

• Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract - rich in anti-oxidants, anti-microbial, this ingredient is a good all-rounder for protecting skin from bacteria. It’s ideal if you suffer with acne, and, unlike many other ingredients it doesn’t ‘strip’ the skin. It’s non pore clogging and very hydrating. 
• Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract) - soothing and improves skin elasticity, ideal if you suffer with sagging skin. It’s full of essential fatty acids so really aids in keeping the skin supple. 
• Mel Extract/Honey Extract - this rich source of honey is a humectant so draws water to the skin and holds moisture. It’s also healing and soothing. 
• Althaea Officinalis  Root Extract - otherwise known as Marshmallow Root, this ingredient helps protect the skin and promotes skin repair. It’s ideal if you suffer with sores, pimples as again is anti-microbial. 
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract - contains high vitamin E content which is good at lightening scars. It also helps soothe irritated skin types such as excuse an and psoriasis. 
• Jojoba Esters - skin tightening, this ingredient supports the skin’s natural barrier function. 

The consistency is that of whipped Greek yoghurt, thick but easily spread onto the skin, without the need for any vigorous massaging in. Use just a small amount every time you shower, or before a night out, on extra dry areas such as knees/elbows before fake tanning, and my personal favourite use to massage into feet at night, before putting on socks to allow the product to absorb. 

Like the Shower Gel, it smells utterly divine, a gentle and soft honey, that is not overpowering and suitable for the whole family. 

Of course it’s also Mother’s Day coming up soon, and these would make fantastic gifts for anyone who’s in need of a treat - and some nurturing. 

As with all the L’Occitane products the packaging is recyclable and it’s most definitely worth checking out their website to see their sustainability goals, especially on the Shea range, where only organic is used and sourced from Burkina Faso (West Africa). You can read more and purchase the products by clicking the link HERE

Living proof.® Air-Dry Styler 148ml Sample Review RRP £27

It seems that every day there’s a new hair product being launched, often many of them doing the same job (de-frizzing, giving volume) etc. The products are ‘glorified’ and given creative names, I imagine in a similar way to my days in the advertising world of ‘naming brainstorm’.  However, I was intrigued to try out the new ‘Air-dry Styler’ by Living proof.® as a) I love their products and b) it’s not a serum, mousse or cream, but an all in one product that actually does something rather remarkable.

Before I go into the before, afters etc a little bit about the product. Their claim is it ‘creates effortless, lasting styles’ without the need for blow-drying or using heated appliances. It gives definition, de-frizzes and gives shine however, it also acts as a styler and gives straight hair, waves and light curls definition without that dry, crispiness other products give.

I’ve given a step-by-step of my hair before and after. As you can see before, my hair is frizzy, neither straight nor curly, looks dry and lacks any kind of style. I do have layers but there is no definition. 

I washed my hair and conditioned as usual, I then applied about a 10p piece which I then spread onto my fingertips and worked through my hair. It coats generously and on my fine (lots of) hair, this was enough.

I then simply left to dry naturally. I didn’t scrunch my hair or brush it, I just left it to see the full benefits of the product. Even as it was damp, it felt conditioned without any tackiness that mousse leaves, or greasiness that serums can give and without feeling heavy that often leave in conditioners do.

The final result (it’s still a little damp here), is shiny, separated and soft waves. For someone, like me who is often so busy this product is a definite ‘staying in my bathroom cabinet’. 

It has the added benefit of Sunflower Seed Oil, so is conditioning and helps protect against environmental aggressors. The product is free from sulphates, parabens, is colour safe and cruelty free.

You can see all the five star reviews and purchase by visiting their website HERE. At the moment you can also get 15% off and get a FREE travel size PhD Dry Shampoo (no code needed). 

Tata Harper® Nourishing Oil Cleanser Sample Review 125ml RRP £79

 

I have not heard of this brand before, it falls under the ‘niche luxury brand, and at the price you would be wanting to know why you should choose this over more ‘affordable cleansers’. 

First of all this brand is the brain child of, as you would guess Tata Harper, a pioneer in luxury skincare who prizes herself of using the very finest organic ingredients, sourced from over 68 countries. The ingredients are not mass produced, they are picked from the areas where they grow to their optimum. Where environmental elements give their best helping hand in producing the finest of organic plants.  

Every single ingredient is given in vast levels of concentration, you will not find any ingredient ‘watered down’, only the purest and top quality, picked for its active benefits for the skin. 

As for the cost, when you break down the number of use per day, the strength of each ingredient then it really works out cost effective, especially as the results speak for themselves (as do the thousands of five star reviews from retailers such as Space NK).

I was lucky enough to be sent the Nourishing Oil Cleanser, a ‘MultiVitamin Cleansing Treatment’. 

Most of the ingredients are organic, and all of them have a role in helping improve skin health. Such ingredients include:-

• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - an emollient that helps protect the skin from environmental stressors such as pollution. 
• Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil - antibacterial and has many vitamins including A, D, E which help with refining the skin condition as well as evening out skin tone. 
• Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Oil - helps improve elasticity, making the skin look plumper and more radiant. 
• Shea Butter Ethyl /Esters - anti-inflammatory, excellent if you suffer with psoriasis, eczema and inflammation. 
• Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil - contains a high vitamin E content that helps improve skin tone, and its high content of fatty acids are excellent if you suffer with acne. 
• Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil - rich in Oleic acid and vitamins A, C and E it helps soothe itchy, flaky skin types and is excellent if you have dry, dehyrated and tight skin. 
• Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil - rich in ricinoleic acid, it keeps the skin feeling smooth and hydrated. It prevents a barrier to protect the skin from aggressors such as pollution, smoke and UV rays. 
• Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Oil - contains high concentration of vitamin C, that gives radiance to dull, dehydrated skin. It also aids in supporting the production of collagen. 
• Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract - otherwise known as ‘Black Elderberry’, this has strong anti-inflammatory properties that reduces fine lines and wrinkles, as well as protecting the skin from pollutants. 
• Squalane - this natural moisturiser aids in eliminating fine lines, wrinkles and improves the skin texture. It mimics the skin’s natural oils and so makes it a natural emollient. 
• Arnica Montana (Arnica) Extract - wound healing, often used for ‘bringing out bruising’ however, it also helps reduce dark circles and hyperpigmentation, and promotes collagen formation. 
• Borage Officinalis (Borage) Leaf Extract - ideal if you suffer with dry, tight skin and conditions such as eczema. Helps maintain a skin suppleness leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated. 
• Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract - wound healing, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, this ingredient is excellent for healing conditions such as acne, dermatitis and eczema. It strengthens the skin and reduces the feeling of skin tightness. 
• Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract - rich in proteins, amino acids and every vitamin including the very rare vitamin U (a derivative of methionine). It helps protect the skin from the harmful UV rays. 
• Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Extract - full of antioxidants it also helps tighten the skin, by gentle exfoliation. 

and the list goes on…with all the extra oils and flower extracts this is not your ‘regular’ cleansing oil. It benefits dry, dehydrated and mature skin, leaving it feeling so supple that, if you wanted to you could do without moisturiser. It can also be massaged in to the skin to give a deep cleansing and sinus drainage massage, and of course dissolves all makeup including waterproof. 

You only need a couple of drops as the oil is potent, which when warmed up into the palm of your hands spreads enough to remove all the dirt, grime and makeup your face may have accumulated throughout the day. 

Once warmed into the palms of your hands, I used to massage and press in around my sinuses, using the oil to give a natural drainage from my blocked sinuses (I suffer with chronic sinusitis). Not only does it spread on evenly, the oil itself smells amazing. 

The ritual itself is enough to give an instant shoulder drop tension release, lightly pressing into my sinus and pressure points, it helped to open up the blockages, so that when I removed with a hot cloth (run under hot water, but not scalding), it opened up my airways so I could breathe more deeply.

It goes without saying that my skin felt incredibly nourished, hydrated and supple. As mentioned above I didn’t feel the need for moisturiser (as I tested in the evening before bed). However, I would advise applying an SPF if using in the morning. 

The products are all certified vegan, cruelty free and ‘made in Vermont’. You can purchase at Space NK or by clicking the link HERE

Naturtint® Curly Range Review

 

Happy New Year to you all! I know we are half way through January and New Year sounds like a long way off however, with a broken boiler all over Christmas, chest infection amongst other dramas, everything has taken a back seat, including my reviews.

So I’m delighted to kick start the New Year with this fabulous range from Naturtint®, specifically their range that is dedicated to the majority of us who have wavy, curly or coily hair types. 

Right now seems like the ideal time to test this range due to the weather conditions we are having, which can play havoc with all types of wavy, kinky and  curly hair. It’s every curly girls nightmare the damp, drizzle that encourages frizz, let alone the impact of going from the icy cold and windy gusts to the dehydrating indoor heating. This is a time where hair needs an awful lot of TLC!

You can see from my hair above that it is dry, dehydrated and the kinky waves have no definition. I’ve been on countless medicines for my asthma (steroids, antibiotics etc) and it’s really taken its toll on my hair. So I am excited to start the following regime.

Curl Definer Shampoo £15.99 330ml 

Filled with hydrating ingredients that won’t weigh the hair down, you only need a small amount of this shampoo to get a decent lather. It’s made with 97.3% natural origin ingredients so shies away from many of the chemical nasties found in lathering shampoos. Ingredients include:-

• Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil - otherwise known as Meadowfoam Seed Oil, that keeps hair feeling hydrated as it’s an emollient, so locks in moisture. 
• Hydrolyzed Quinoa - contains amino acids that help keep hair feeling soft, prevents frizz and gives shine to dull hair. 
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein - puts a ‘film/barrier’ over the hair to protect it from environmental aggressors such as heating, harsh winds. The protein strengthens the hair shaft so hair grows stronger and is less prone to breakage. 
• Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract - fortifies and strengthens hair by reducing friction between strands. It is high in lysine an amino acid that can encourage hair growth. 
• Glycolic Acid - naturally exfoliates the hair so gets rid of dandruff, dirt and stops your hair follicles from clogging. 

The Shampoo also contains moisturising ingredients such as Coconut and Corn Oil that gently cleanses the hair without stripping the hair of its natural oils. 

Curl Definer Leave In Conditioner £15.99 200ml

Following on from the shampoo, is the Leave-In Conditioner. You only need a small amount of this distributed into your hair to give an injection of 98.5 natural origin ingredients, that really help hydrate and remove frizz. It’s an award winning conditioner (2023 Top Sante Hair Care Awards Best Conditioner for Curly Hair), and it’s easy to see why. Nourishing ingredients are similar to the Shampoo but also include:-

• Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax - Sunflower Seed Oil, gives shine, definition without weighing the hair down. Curls and waves have more definition and it helps make hair more manageable with combing. 
• Hydrogenated Olive Oil - adds shine and condition to dry, porous hair, as well as clearing dandruff. 
• Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax - this natural hair conditioner, also helps to thicken hair and promote hair growth. It softens the hair so curls and waves appear smoother. 
• Lactic Acid - naturally detangles hair, it smoothes the cuticles and reduces friction. This is a key ingredient in preventing hair breakage that can happen during combing. 

After shampooing, distribute evenly through hair then dry with a diffuser. 

Curl Definer Co-Wash Balm £19.99 330ml

For the ultimate in curly hair health, there is a system that can be followed (see the chart below). Alternating between the Shampoo and Co-Wash Balm will give you the optimum results for defined and moisturised curls. The Co-Wash Balm is the perfect companion to use in between your shampoos, to detangle and cleanse the hair without the lathering. It’s an all in one so you simply apply to wet hair, detangle with a comb and then dry as you usual would with a diffuser or air dry. 

Nourishing ingredients include:-

• Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil - moisturises, gives shine and helps tame flyaway hair and frizz. It coats the hair shaft with a high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids which is ideal if you have course curly hair. 
• Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil - farmed organically this vegetable oil (native to the Amazon), is high in Behenic Acid and so is excellent for moisturising. It helps control bushy, curly hair, frizzy hair and wavy hair, whilst strengthening from the scalp. It’s ideal if your hair is bleached, dry and damaged. 
• Butyrospermum Parkii Butter - again this is organically farmed Shea Butter, moisturising and hydrating, whilst also conditioning the scalp.

Curl Definer Hair Mask £22.99 300ml 

This Curl Definer Hair Mask is your rescue remedy for dry, curly hair that is prone to getting tangled and needs moisture without weighing the curls down. The ingredients are very similar to above, that help to condition and regenerate the hair. It can be applied to the hair after washing, left on for 10 minutes then rinsed off. However, I prefer to use (even with my 2a waves), before shampooing my hair. Applied before shampooing it can be left on for as long as you wish, for an extra deep hydration. A pre-mask and a deep conditioner in one. Its prime objective is to seal the cuticle so to prevent moisture loss (I put it on in the morning, scraped my hair back and washed it out in the evening)! 

Below is a photo of the chart so you can decide for yourself the regime to follow. Below is also a photo of my hair after I have used the shampoo and leave in conditioner, which I then gently diffused. As you can see I have definition of my waves, without any frizzing, or clumping together!

The whole range contains NO Ammonia, Resorcinol, Parabens, SLS, Silicones, Heavy Metals, Artificial Fragrances or Mineral Oils. It’s ideal if you have a sensitive scalp, are going through hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause. It is Vegan friendly and does not test on animals. 

You can purchase online at Naturtint or by clicking the link HERE