Dr. PawPaw Hydrating Day Cream 45ml RRP £18

 

It’s coming to that time of the year where we need to reassess our skincare for the colder months. Often seasonal changes will affect how our skin behaves, especially when factoring in central heating, colder weather, hot fan air etc. So we may find ourselves needing something a little more hydrating, especially if our skin has been in the sun during summer. 

Dr. Pawpaw is a brand more widely known for their fabulous hydrating lip balms. So I had no doubt that when they formulated a hydrating day cream with papayaluronic™ that it would live up to the same standards as the lip balm. 

It’s formulated with a cocktail of ingredients that really help tackle skin issues such as dehydration, dullness, itchy, irritated skin types. Such ingredients include:-

• Glycerine - a humectant that draws water into the skin, it’s also antimicrobial so helps protect the skin from bacteria. 
• Hydrogenated Polyisobutene - often used in skincare as an emollient to help soften the skin. 
• Carica Papaya (Papaya ) Fruit Extract - is an excellent source of vitamin E, which also helps with skin irritations such as acne and blemish-prone skin types. It’s a natural exfoliant so also helps skin look radiant. 
• Glucose - again another humectant that helps draw moisture to the skin.

The key active ingredients however, are the 8 Hyaluronate acids and include:-

• Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate - this excellent ingredient really boosts hydration, reducing wrinkles and diminishing fine lines. 
• Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid - broken down into a minuscule molecule, making it deep enough to penetrate the skin’s layer for deeper hydration. 
• Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate - another smaller molecule of Hyaluronate, again this is small enough to penetrate the skin’s layers. 
• Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer - this does not break down as easily, and so stays on the skin for longer, giving continued hydration. 

You only need a small pea sized amount applied to the face and neck. It spreads easily and generously, giving skin an immediate radiance. 

What I loved about testing this is the fact it can be used all over the face and neck, morning and evening, eliminating the need for several products (as a busy mum and writer this is essential). 

It sinks in quickly to the skin and left it feeling incredibly nourished. The formula is vegan, gentle enough to use on the most sensitive of skin types and is environmentally friendly with its 100% recyclable packaging. You can find more information at www.drpawpaw.com or by clicking the link to Look Fantastic HERE

Elegant Touch London Christmas Gifting Review

 

Last week my daughter came in from work and I said to her ‘oh your nails look lovely have you had new acrylics’? ‘No’ she mumbled ‘sorry I didn’t ask I took them from your study’…. This time I wasn’t angry as a) they had already been reviewed and b) they looked so good that I’ve put the photo below. 

I was delighted that she had chosen to use the false nails as quite simply, acrylics and gels are just damaging her nail beds, and she needs a break. She also was proven just how very good they are! Anyway, this Christmas I know what I will be putting in her stocking, not just some of their amazing Nail Icons but also some of the manicure products.

Pink Brush on Nail Glue 6ml RRP £3.50

Whilst the Pink Brush on Nail Glue is for adhering false nails to your natural nail, it’s also ideal if you have a split that won’t mend in your nail. You can also use it if you have split a false nail and want to keep it in tact until your next appointment. Annoyingly I have damaged my one of nails from tearing off the gel,  and so I always keep some of this handy so I can repair the vertical split.

Professional Buffer £6.99

When it comes to filing and buffing the nails, it really is worth splashing out on a decent buffer. This one has a special design that protects the cuticles so you don’t snag them whilst buffing. 

It also gives instructions on how to ensure your nail is correctly buffed without weakening. 

Cuticle Pusher & Cleaner RRP £9.95

This is probably my favourite tool, as you can always tell a professional manicure from the way the cuticles are neatly pushed back. This design ensures that the cuticle is not damaged (never cut cuticles as you’ll risk infection). It’s foolproof so anyone can use it. 

The double ended design is simple to use and has a cleaner to ensure you can get rid of dirt under the nails. 

Finally they have some amazing French Nail designs for this Autumn and for Christmas. I have written up on these separately, but I absolutely loved the designs sent into me.

Classically chic and perfect for all year round (especially for weddings, Christmas and holidays), the Nail Icons are so easy to use and do not budge at all. My daughter wore hers to a long weekend away for her birthday. Prices start from £5.99

These products are ideal for Christmas presents, either as stocking presents or gifted as a set into a box stuffed with tissue paper! I’m popping the Cuticle Pusher and Cleaner into my boyfriend’s stocking! You can purchase and view the HUGE range of Elegant Touch products by clicking the link HERE

L’Occitane En Provence Essential Cherry Blossom Trio RRP £13

 

As a single parent, when it comes to Christmas then organisation is key! So it’s usually around September when I start my Christmas shopping, this allows me to budget and not disappear into a bottle of Bailey’s when I see my bank balance come December. 

Thankfully as a Beauty Writer I also get flooded with emails around July from PR’s showcasing their Christmas edits. I don’t write up until a few months later, as let’s face it we are all still paying off our holiday funds (or lack of)!

However, there are exceptions with Christmas gifting, as I do have my favourite brands that I feature year in and year out. One of them being L’Occitane. Why? Well firstly the value for money and secondly they really do have something for everyone. I’m starting with a slow build up this year and will show some of the fabulous gifts later on but first, I wanted to start with this gorgeous ‘hanging tree gift’. To be fair with the packaging it can be used all year round. Designed with Provence in mind, the delicate and intricate pattern, is ideal for a birthday present, teachers gift or even just as a thank you to someone. 

For just £13 inside you will find a trio of travel sizes from their Cherry Blossom range. Ideal as an introduction to the products,  or if you are going travelling. Included are:-

🌸 Cherry Blossom Bath & Shower Gel 35ml

🌸 Cherry Blossom Shimmering Lotion 35ml

🌸 Cherry Blossom Hand Cream 10ml 

Aside from the fact the products smell amazing (fresh and fruity), they also have active ingredients in them to aid in good skin health. 

• The Shimmering Body Lotion contains Shea Butter, which is anti-inflammatory, helps fights breakouts and is healing. It also contains Bitter Cherry, known to hydrate skin as well as Vitamin C, a skin brightening ingredient. 
• The Bath & Shower Gel also contains Bitter Cherry and, for its cleansing properties Coco Betaine a cleanser derived from coconut oil. 
• The Hand Cream has an abundance of moisturising properties from Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter to Coconut Oil. All of which not only hydrate dry hands but also nourish cuticles and protect the skin from environmental elements (ideal if you’re a hairdresser or working outside).

For just £13 this gift set is the perfect stocking present as well as a gift to give all year round. To purchase visit L’Occitane stores nationwide or by clicking the link HERE

Cantu Scalp Relief Hair Care For Natural Curls, Coils and Waves

I never realised until I started my journey as a beauty editor that most people have a natural curl (be it kinky, wavy or full on coils). How the shape of your hair follicle determines whether you will have straight, wavy or coil strands, and that we can have a mixture of many types of hair follicles thus resulting in a varied head of textured strands! Hair types are graded into 1, 2, 3 and 4. Number 1 being straight (and quite unusual) and with 4 being the curliest on the spectrum. The numbers are also sub-graded with letters from a-c which also determines the pattern and longevity of how the curl is held! 

Scalp Relief Shampoo & Conditioner 400ml RRP £9

So when it comes to choosing the right products it can be incredibly confusing. Most of us like to enhance our wave, curl but without weighing the hair down. We also need products that prevent frizz, hydrate and most importantly help us comb our hair without playing tug-of-war!

This is where Cantu comes in to give a helping hand! Both the Shampoo and Conditioner have recently been launched containing an abundance of active ingredients to give better hair health, not just to make it look nice but actively help encourage hair strands to look and feel better. 

The Shampoo contains ingredients such as:-

• Menthol - stimulates blood circulation and helps open up hair follicles, encouraging regrowth. 
• Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil - Conditions and acts as a natural cleanser, ideal if you suffer with dandruff. It’s antiseptic and antibacterial so helps remove bacteria and product build up. 
• Psidum Guajava (Guava) Leaf Extract - contains vitamin C that helps boost collagen and so stimulates hair growth. 
• Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract - anti-inflammatory is ideal if you suffer from conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. 
• Acetic Acid - increases shine, improves hair structure and strengthens dry, brittle hair prone to breaking. 
• Zingiberofficinale (Ginger) Root Extract - increases scalp circulation and again, encourages hair to grow and boosts volume. 

The Scalp Relief Conditioner has many of the same ingredients to give that double injection of nutrients to help improve the scalp condition. However, it also contains Apple Cider Vinegar, which really is a wondrous ingredient in hair care. Not only does it remove product build up such as hairspray, mousse etc but it actually closes the hair cuticles which makes hair look more shiny. It balances the scalps’s pH, helps remove dandruff and also relieves an itchy, dry scalp. 

Avocado Repair Leave-In-Cream 340g RRP £8

I loved this product! I am always after a decent leave in conditioner, not a serum which can often leave my fine, wavy hair looking greasy, but a leave in conditioner that continues to treat my hair as I go about my day. 

This has in it Avocado which is full of nourishing fatty acids. In fact it was in the 80s when it became a well kept beauty secret (or not) that avocados were packed full of vitamin E which helps to repair fragile, chemically treated hair. It was not so common in products back then, but we used to slather avocados on our face and hair for a deep treatment! This product also contains Shea Butter, which helps protect the scalp as well as giving a deep hydrating injection of moisture. 

Not only does this leave in treatment contain Avocado but it also contains:-

• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Seed) Oil - nourishing, hydrating and eliminates frizz.
• Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil - smoothes hair strands, prevents hair loss as contains Oleic acid (full of antioxidants). Helps prevent lice, reduces dandruff and conditions.
• Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract - softens the hair, reduces irritation and itching of the scalp. Deeply nourishes and leaves hair looking glossy. 
• Hydrolyzed Collagen - strengthens the hair, prevents split ends and breakages, encourages hair growth. 
• Sodium Hyaluronate - keeps the scalp hydrated and promotes better hair health, by stimulating and exfoliating a dry scalp. 
• Panthenol - seals cuticles so helps smooth the hair and prevents frizz. It also acts as a humectant so draws moisture to the hair, improving retention. 
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein - natural hydrating this protein helps make hair stronger. 
• Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract - contains so many vitamins such as C, E and K, it’s not only fortifying but also helps prevent greys!

It has so many other nutrients, vitamins, minerals and proteins, I just don’t have the time to write them all out! 

I only need a small amount, and whilst yes, you are supposed to put in hair that has just been washed and towel dried, I actually applied it to my hair when dry to give a little definition. Also it has to be said that whilst the product is aimed for curly Type 3 Curls and Type 4 Coils, I found it worked really well on my 2a waves!

The fragrance is really fresh and not intrusive at all, which is good as the Shampoo and Conditioner smell utterly amazing! Fruity, fresh and lively the products leave your hair looking and feeling swishy, without any weighing down. 

The products do not contain any mineral oils (that often are found in products and can clog pores), nor do they contain any chemical nasties such as sulfates, silicones, parabens etc. You can view more of their products by visiting Boots online or purchase by clicking the link HERE

Heaven Scent Body Mist Review 125ml RRP £1.99

It always amazes me when I get sent a real bargain of a beauty product. In this case it’s the Heaven Scent Body Mist at just £1.99! Before I write about the fragrance mists themselves, straight away I thought Christmas stocking presents! Of course you can buy them for yourself, and for the price it would be easy to dot them in your gym bag, travel bag, work, car etc.

However, regardless of the cost it’s not worth your money if the scent doesn’t last. Thankfully these do and whilst not all day, they’re quite nice to spritz on your hair, clothes or just for a sensory pick-me up.

Tropical Paradise

As you would expect this is a burst of fruity, tropical, punchy notes. It’s like opening up a packet of Starbursts. 

Lively, fun and like a bit like a Pina Colada, the notes of vanilla, coconut, pineapple and grapefruit give you that holiday vibe. Base notes are woody so stop the scent from being overtly sweet.

Ocean Breeze

This one is definitely my favourite, it’s slightly edgier and has that ‘cool water’ scent. It’s very seductive and gives that sense of lying on the beach at sundown. When the weather goes from full on sun to warm, and the skin is cocooned in sea salt and sun tan lotion. Notes include peach, coconut, gardenia and as expected have salted caramel that give that seaside lasting fragrance on the skin. 

Both scents have really captured summer holidays and so, if you are missing the warm weather, then a spritz of these will transport you back! Available to buy from Bodycare online or by clicking the link HERE

Living Proof® Scalp Care Density Serum £54 50ml

Launched this Summer 24, was the anticipated Living Proof® Scalp Care Density Serum. As a brand that I have used, since they stocked in one of the first Space NK’s in the UK, my loyalty remains as it’s a brand that delivers on their promises. The brand came together in the US, after a team of ‘world-class’ scientists pioneered the way in creating solutions to hair problems rather than disguising them. The brand has won over 200 awards and has over 120 patents, that puts them in a leading position in the field of hair health. 

This product is something that I have been waiting for since I hit my 40s (I’m now 52). Not only does it help regain thicker, fuller hair but it actually decreases new grey hair growth! Studies over 90 days with 30 participants showed 

‘100% experienced thicker-looking hair, 76% experienced a decrease in new grey hair growth, 70% reduction in visible hair shedding and 35% increase in hair density’.

Some of these active ingredients include antioxidants, amino acids alongside other beneficial extracts such as:-

• Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract - helps prevent greying of hair, reduces hair fall out, moisturises the scalp, helps with hair regrowth. 
• Saccharmoyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate - derived from yeast, this boosts hydration, this anti-oxidant is full of essential minerals and amino acids. 
• Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract - clinically proven to help stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.
• Pullulan - puts a protective film on hair, reducing hair and protecting it from environmental aggressors. 
• Zinc Sulfate - used as a treatment for alopecia.
• Quercus Robur Bark Extract - aka the English Oak tree, helps combat dandruff and also strengthens weak, fragile hair. 
• Larix Europaea Wood Extract - contains sugar molecules that act as a humectant so draws moisture to the hair, it also helps stimulate hair follicles to encourage growth.
• Zinc Gluconate - again stimulates the hair follicles and encourages hair to growth thicker and more dense. Often if we are lacking in Zinc it will affect our hair growth.
• Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract - high in Lysine an amino acid that helps keep the hair strong.
• Urticaria Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract - contains many vitamins such as A, B, C, D and E so helps protect the hair from UV damage and damaging aggressors such as pollution. It also helps with scalp inflammation and has antimicrobial properties.
• Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein - contains B vitamins, amino acids all that help strengthen fine, fragile hair. 
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - aka Green Tea, an ingredient that not only stimulates digestion but also stimulates the scalp. It also leaves hair very soft and shiny!
• Vitis Vinefera (Grape) Seed Extract - this lightweight extract gives shine to dull hair types without weighing the hair down.

Now I don’t get paid for writing reviews, I also am not ‘asked’ to do advertorials or put products out to review. I simply write about products that I personally like and I know that will deliver results, as (especially when writing in the press), I have a reputation to keep up!

Therefore, I do like to test everything before I put it to review. On this instant I haven’t had the time to give this the full benefit. However, I have passed it on to my mother, who due to losing my dad a while ago, has seen a dramatic loss in her hair density due to grief. 

This also leads me to say that there are so many factors that contribute to hair loss and it’s not just age. 

• Illness (medications), side effects of treatments.
• Hormones (especially during pregnancy and menopause).
• Stress, which can affect our eating habits so we may not be getting the right nutrients.
• Lifestyle such as smoking, drinking and burning the candles at both ends.
• Grief, anxiety and depression can all affect our hair health. Shock can turn our hair grey, the fight or flight response we have when faced with trauma or stress plays a key role in turning our hair grey. 

So I look forward to seeing the results on my mother and I will update accordingly. It’s easy to apply just a couple of drops massaged into a wet or dry scalp daily. The product is Sulphate-free, PETA certified cruelty-free, Silicone-free, Paraben-free, Formaldeyhde-free and safe for all hair types. 

You can purchase by clicking the link HERE

Maybelline New York Makeup Review

 

Recently I was lucky enough to be sent some Maybelline New York products. I used to regularly put them in the press but hadn’t reviewed any products in many years. I have a fondness for Maybelline as I always used to love their cult product the Great Lash Mascara (first purchased in the early 80s)!

Now I have already done a TikTok video on the products under @askmollybeauty and would urge you to look at that rather than the blog in the instance. Makeup is so much better shown live rather than written about, unlike skincare. However, for those that don’t have TikTok here’s a brief review of the products I’ve tested.

First up I was sent some foundations to test. Now I have to admit I very rarely wear foundations as I’m lucky enough to have quite an even skin tone and I’ve always found them rather cakey. Also as you get older, then less is most definitely more. Well I think my mind has just been changed. The Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Skin Tint is simply just fabulous.

I have applied rather a large amount on to the back of my hand, but it has this wonderful light reflecting formula that is so very flattering on mature skin types. I didn’t use blenders to apply, I just used my fingers (as I always say I’m a Beauty Editor not a makeup artist, I write I don’t apply)! It lasts, as the name suggests for 24 hours (albeit I didn’t put it to the full test) and it’s ’infused with vitamin C’, so helps brighten the skin tone. 

However, you can see from my rather dodgy IPhone photo that the result is seamless. It blended quickly and effortlessly without any seam marks. The foundation has an RRP of £12.99 and I will tell you know, it is as good as others I’ve been sent to test of the luxurious high end price!

I also tested the Instant Anti-Age Eraser RRP £9.99 a multi-use concealer that has a great application technique. In a wind up formula to release the product into a sponge, you only need a small amount to give a good coverage.

You can see from the photo that it does come out quite thick, but once blended in (again with my fingers), it melted into my skin leaving it even toned and without clogging up fine lines. 

You can use it on your eyes as a base for eyeshadow, on your lips to give a good base and primer for lipstick, as well as using under the eyes (something I wouldn’t normally recommend), but with the light reflective pigments its very anti-aging. As well of course dabbing on to blemishes to literally erase the redness!

For a precise and lengthening lash, then the Firework Mascara RRP £12.99 is brilliant. The ‘spoolie/wand’ is fine and incredibly flexible, it has a patented 360° SuperSpark™ brush, that is designed like a spiral firework! This means you can really get to the base of the lashes so you don’t even need eyeliner. Just one coat gives length and definition, and as it’s enriched with vitamin B5 it also helps condition dry and brittle lashes. Suitable for contact lens wearers and allergy tested. 

My favourite product was definitely the Build A Brow RRP £11.99. The double ended formula contains a super fine pen one end, and a gel with spoolie the other. It’s foul proof (as you can tell from my TikTok video) and I didn’t even need a magnifying mirror (I wear glasses for long-sightedness).  The colour is perfect in Ash Brown. Often brow products are limited to ‘Black, Brown, Taupe or Grey’ and it’s so very hard to find an ash shade. Most are too harsh or contain too much warmth. This colour is universally flattering for all skin types and hair shades, especially blondes. Like the other products it’s long-lasting as the gel seals the colour into place for up to 24 hours. 

You can see from the photo above the definition created with just one coat of mascara on my right eye, and the super fine brush strokes on my brow. The end results is so natural. 

I loved testing some of the latest products from Maybelline. It’s really good to know that you don’t need to spend a fortune on designer brands to get the same results! The products are cruelty free. Products are available from stores nationwide or by clicking the link HERE

Paul & Joe Makeup Review Prices from £9

I first discovered this brand in the mid 90s, after falling in love with the vintage style packaging. It was of no surprise to learn that the founder of the brand Sophie Mechaly comes from a background of Parisian parents who had their own company, selling iconic printed clothing. Sophie named her brand after her 2 sons Paul and Joe! Featuring a ready-to-wear brand, including eyewear and following on the make-up range.

I was lucky enough to be sent samples to test and, as a Beauty Editor testing many products, it’s not often I am super-excited like a kid in a sweet store. Yet this is just how I was when I opened my package.

For starters the packaging, has far surpassed the lipstick I used in the 90s (I am quite sure it was the 90s, as I can remember I found a lipstick there from South Molten Street Drugstore)! It still houses the delectable kitten prints (a print that I am sure will stay due to the founder being a cat lover), but now compacts are adorned with crystals, florals and figurines. 

The quality of the pigments are simply amazing and, as you can see from above are bright, fun and, would create a dilemma for the wearer as, really too nice to be used! Above are the Eye and Face Colours, which are super easy to apply, either blended together or on their own. The golds can be used to highlight the eyelids, lips or cheekbones, whilst the colour pop can be used on eyes, cheeks and even on top of lipgloss! 

The ‘Soft Matte Lip Colour’ can be applied by just smudging with your fingertip into your lips. Whilst the compacts all contain a decent mirror, the ease of application means you don’t even need to look in the mirror and is foolproof. 

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Pictured above is Burgundy Petal, a rich tawny brown and Orange Petal a soft, warm red. Both can also be used as rouge, with just a few finger taps on to the apples of the cheeks to give some colour. The colours are ideal to inject a bit of colour into the face, and incredibly youth enhancing as the colour doesn’t contain shimmer (which can sometimes be aging). The cream formula blends effortlessly into lips and cheeks.  

My favourite part of the range is most definitely the lipsticks. Firstly there is a range of utterly adorable lipstick cases to choose from. The biggest issue would be choosing which one as they’re all so charming.

Ranging from bright florals to a multitude of kitten designs, as well as a couple of very majestic looking cases. The cases here are fun yet classy and chic as one would expect from a Parisian brand!

Finally the refill colours. If you follow me on TikTok @askmollybeauty you will see the live videos I have done on this brand. It’s all very well putting in the press (as I did several years ago), but really you need to see the colours on, and in different lights.

For it’s only then that you will see the most sheeniest, pigmented pure perfection of a youth enhancing lipstick. Each lipstick is also imprinted with a waxy floral seal, making this so unique amongst competitors. 

I tested a couple of colours, each one suiting my skin tone, my favourite being number Wool Cardigan a gorgeous rosy brown. The formulas are creamy, glossy and give an amazing shine that makes lips look fuller and plumper.

Prices start from £9 for the lipstick cases and I would urge you to look at the website (and my TikTok to get a real review). You can order via the website by clicking on the link HERE

As these have been sent as samples, I do believe they have not been tested on animals.