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

Earthy Goddess Nail Polish Collection RRP £24.95

 

If, like me you are needing some Christmas and New Year glamorous nails however, do not want to compromise on your nail health, then the Earthy Goddess Nail Polish Collection is your go to. 

Featuring 4 beautiful colours that go with every outfit choice, from wearing neutrals, chic, classic, dazzling or rich party tones.  These colours knock Christmas red off the number 1 spot, but can also be worn all year round too. They make a great gift as can be separated however, I think you would want to indulge in them all for yourself.

Theia

Featuring a molten metal silver that can be worn with just 1 coat for a soft, pearly silver or with 2 coats or a full on metallic silver, this makes a great colour to wear on it’s own or as a base colour, before applying shimmer.

Aphrodite 

This pearlised iridescent white has an ethereal glow, which catches the light giving multi faceted hues of  an oyster pearl. Again this can be worn on its own or built up for a more shimmering base layer. It’s a classy colour that can be worn all year round, especially in the summer as the sun catches the the multi tonal shimmer.

Venus

A dark chocolate brown, that is shot through with shimmer giving a silk like finish. This beautiful brown, is the epitome of party nail glamour. If you liked your Rouge Noir by Chanel, then this is a modern version for those who like dark nails.

Freyja

A perfect gold glitter that can be worn alone or as a top coat, over the other colours. It’s a beautiful soft gold, not too warm and so suits all skin tones. Just one coat instantly gives you a little sparkle, that looks perfect for any occasion, and like all the colours looks amazing not just on the fingers but also on the toes. 

Earthy Nail Polish, is plant base and vegan, the formula will not ruin your natural nails and the colours are long lasting. The main acetate is made from sugar cane, and you only have to go onto the website to read their ethos that this is a company that cares about our environment as well as your nails. The bottles and bamboo caps are recyclable. You can purchase by clicking the link HERE

Spa Ceylon Lotus & Rambutan Face Care Discovery Set RRP £24

We have just over a week to go before Christmas, and if, like many of us you are still wondering what extras or stocking gifts you can purchase then this Discovery Set is a great idea for all those who like our pampering. 

The niche award winning brand is based around Ayurveda and all the products are non toxic, vegan, cruelty free and do not use any chemical nasties such as sulphates.

This gift is ideal for anyone who needs an injection of ingredients that help with fine lines, hydration and also to help soothe the skin.

The set focuses around 

• Lotus Leaf Active Cell Extract - skin balancing, helps soothe inflammation so ideal if you have sensitive skin, hormonal skin and acne. 
• Vitamin B12 - helps promote a healthy cell growth and provides nutrients needed for collagen production. 
• Rambutan - contains antioxidants that help hydrate the skin, brightens dull, dehydrated skin and is anti-bacterial so ideal if you have acne prone skin. 
• Kava Kava - soothing and calming for dry, irritated skin types. 
• Hyaluronic Acid - anti-aging, maintains water to the skin so helps plump the skin.

Included in the set you will find a whole skincare regime in travel sizes, each one with its own beneficial added ingredients.

• Face Treatment Milk Serum - includes Rose Hip, Calendula, Grape Seed, Bearberry, ingredients that are anti-inflammatory, soothing and ideal for calming the skin.
• Ultra-Hydrating Day & Night Treatment - ideal if you suffer with dry, irritated skin this moisturiser contains Witch Hazel, that is often used in products to help soothe the skin whilst minimising the appearance of large pores.
• Day Facial Protector - contains Arnica which is skin healing. 
• Facial Cleansing Foam - full of moisturising properties such as Avocado Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil and skin balancing St John’s Wort.
• Gentle Face Exfoliating Masque - Again with similar ingredients to the Facial Foam, this also has Liquorice which helps brighten the skin and is good if you suffer with pigmentation. 

The set makes an ideal stocking filler as contains a whole skin regime to pamper the recipient. The sizes make it ideal for travel or to get a taster before buying full sizes. It also has up to 25% off at the moment, as well as great value gift sets and a free gift set worth £30 when you shop over £100.

You can purchase online by clicking the link HERE