Child Friendly Products from Lush

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Lush is the home of bath bombs and a multitude of other cruelty free products and always the place to visit for a bath time treat although equally great for body care, skin care and even makeup but have you thought about grabbing a few goodies for your children? I know my daughter has tried a few bath bombs and soaps out but my little boy was new to the Lush experience. We were excited to be invited to a Mother and Child event at our local store, Lush Plymouth, to check out some of their top ideas for kids.

After a warm welcome by all the staff and a round of introductions it was time to get hands on. The children were all super excited to actually get the chance to make their own bath bomb from scratch – how cool is that? (although I must admit I’ve made a Big Blue before myself). The super cute ‘Ickle Baby Bot’ is packed full of lavender, perfect to relax children before bedtime. Suitable for babies over six months, it’s aromatherapy oils also work to soothe irritable skin as well as calm and relax. The children started using their hands to mix the ingredients in a big bowl before individually packing the mixture into robot shaped moulds as tightly as they could whilst we watched on and learnt about the process.

The robot needs to be left in the mould for a minimum of 24hrs before taking out to ensure it is dried out enough and solid making the perfect bath bomb. The children were really excited with their creations and it was definitely an experience that they loved, remembered and talk about. I also think it’s really nice for them to see how Lush products are made first hand and realise how natural they are with minimal ingredients.

A few days after the event the children had a bath with their own hand-made Ickle Baby Bot bath bombs. They smelt gorgeous, I’ve always been a fan of lavender and it’s the perfect scent for a relaxing bath time.

Having a bath bomb meant they had an extra long time in the bath tub and their skin was lovely and aromatic at the end which meant they got extra cuddles before drifting off into a heavenly sleep!

Fun was the next item on the agenda and oh my – this really is a fun product – modelling clay that doubles as a bath/shower/soap product! How can that not be appealing to kids? Whilst the children played and created random aliens, the adults learnt of the joys of this product. Versatile is an understatement – you can mould, play, roll, cut, design, but then run it under water and you have bubble bath, shower gel or soap to make you clean and fresh. Double the fun in one product!

Next we checked out some of the honey products, one of which was the Honey I Washed The Kids soap, a delectable caramel smelling soap with a rich creamy lather. Both the children and I love using this in the bath and a chunk actually lasts a good while. Also containing honey is the It’s Raining Men shower gel which has a creamy consistency and sweet smell suitable for all the family.

Shampoo bars aren’t something I’ve tried before but after seeing them being demonstrated they look really simple to lather and creamy enough that I would consider using them on my hair. We had a look at a few including the Honey I Washed My Hair and Trichomania which both smell good and look really inviting to use to clean my hair.

Shower Jelly was next on the agenda and has proved a huge hit with my children over the last couple of weeks. The boy chose Refresher, the girl Whoosh (their favourite colours of course!) and they couldn’t wait to give them a try at home. In the shower I tip these into the palm of their hands and they have a wobble of them before lathering them up over their body. The bathroom smells good too when they are using these and it’s certainly given them motivation to wash!

On to body products and along with the ever popular Dream Cream we were shown Sleepy, a body lotion perfect for using at night time as it’s enriched with lavender and cocoa butter. It’s a really pretty pale lilac colour and comes with a sprinkling of silver on the top! I really like this and find it the perfect lotion to use after bath time on either me or the children. Therapy is a massage bar made with a blend of cocoa and shea butter along with sweet orange, neroli and lavender oils. It melts at body temperature so you just rub it up and down your body to spread the sweet smelling product around leaving your skin super soft. Finally onto Powdered Sunshine, such a unique and clever product. Sun protection in a powdered format, you just sprinkle it on, spread it around and you are sun ready, great for things like scalps or places you don’t like putting lots of sticky lotion. I know for me it’ll be ideal for putting behind kids ears and around the back of their necks.

The array of bath bombs adorning the shelves in Lush are always something I love to look along and admire and the children were no different, fascinated at all the different shapes and colours. They were lucky to bring home a Yellow Submarine bomb which has a lemon fragrance. It has the most amazing fizz in the bath filling it with yellow followed by a trail of pink which merges to make the most gorgeous Summery coloured bath tub.

All in all we had an amazing experience at Lush Plymouth with a friendly, knowledgeable bunch of staff who did their utmost to tell us about the products while keeping the children occupied throughout letting them try, smell and experience the products first hand. There certainly are many products that are ideal for kids and families to use. The children always talk about Lush now and tell other people about it so they are definitely helping to spread the word about the amazing products Lush has to offer!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Leighton Denny Nails Rock Solid Base Coat

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Leighton Denny has been in the nail industry for over 20 years winning many awards so when he brought his own brand out just over 12 years ago, it was one that was highly coveted by those in the know. Available from selected salons, spas and high street store M&S, it’s accessible to all or of course you can just order online.

With four base coats in the range I was happy to try one out as being a regular wearer of nail polish everyday it’s important to care for my nails underneath. Also I have natural nails which I like to grow long, but with two young children, DIY and housework etc I need something to protect them and keep them strong.

The four base coats available are:

Rock Solid
Undercover Base Coat
Time Repair Nail Elixir
Bare It All

I tried out Rock Solid which was a pleasure to use and just glided onto the nails and dried quickly. You can use it under colour or on it’s own and build it up with a layer daily to protect nails. I’ve tried it out both ways over the last couple of weeks and definitely feel that my nails are stronger and certainly haven’t had any breakages during that time.

I also tried the Leighton Denny colour ‘I love Juicy’ which is a bright Summery colour, it definitely has a happy feel to it and I love the application of the polish too. Quick drying and really glossy the base coat and colour ogether make a great combination. I have to say that over the week I had the colour on it didn’t chip at all. By the end of the week it was wearing away at the ends which I’d expect with all the housework and gardening but overall it was a really lasting durable colour.

This is my first time trying out Leighton Denny nail care and I’m really impressed – Great application, great durability and glossy results. My nails feel stronger, longer and are a great length right now. I must also mention the mini glass nail file as it is fabulous, you can buy the full size one from Leighton Denny which I’d highly recommend as it files so gently, leaving nail edges smooth and exactly how you want them. Also it will last for years so no need to buy replacements. Head over to Leighton Denny now or check out the brand in your nearest M&S store!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

HelloSkin – The Online Shop for all your Skincare Needs

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Fiona Martin

HelloSkin is an online specialist skincare shop that cares about all those awkward skincare needs such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and dry skin. A team of experts carefully research all of the products available making sure they inform you what ingredients are included, what it is best used for and where best to apply it. The website is really helpful in that you can filter options to help find suitable products, for example you can select your symptoms, the type of product you are looking for and what part of the body is suffering.

I chose a selection of products to try out that I hoped would help with various minor skin issues that I have. I found the website easy to navigate and could pinpoint an array of products straightaway that fitted my needs.

I started with La Roche -Posay Lipikar Lait body milk from a brand I love and have used previously Their products are always of a high quality, giving instant results and I always find them lovely to use. Although I don’t suffer from psoriasis which this can be helpful for, I do have dry skin on my shins and upper arms which is not a good look in the Summer months. I found this lotion to be thicker than a milk consistency but thin enough that it was absorbed instantly into the skin leaving it really smooth and soft restoring the hydration but leaving my skin silky with it’s non-greasy and non-sticky finish.

For my face I chose to try the Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub, a brand I remember using when I was younger. The baking soda ingredient in this really appealed to me and also being a powder scrub sounded interesting. I suffered with acne around my jawline in my late 20’s and ended up having a series of peels and laser treatment to combat the bacteria. From then on I’ve been particularly careful to care for my skin with deep cleaning and this gentle but effective powder cleanser and exfoliator is perfect for that. I absolutely love this – it feels great on the skin and smells gorgeous with a delicate lemon fragrance that’s exceptionally fresh. With a small amount of powder in your hand, you mix it with water to form a paste then massage across the face. The mixture gently fizzes and makes it’s way deep into the pores to clean and clear. A winner with me and definitely a product I’ll be using regularly in the future.

Flexitol Heel Balm was my final product of choice and is just the thing I need for my feet particularly in the Summer months. At home I’m always barefoot or in flip flops and outdoors I wear flip flops or sandals so my heels are always naked. This results in dry, cracked heels as I know from experience which is not only unpleasant but exceptionally sore and painful. Since then I’ve been cautious to regularly moisturise my feet and this Flexitol balm is ideal to use each night time. I prefer to apply as soon as I climb into bed so that it can sink in and absorb deeply into the skin overnight. I love this balm and have found that my heels are looking a lot healthier with this treatment which I aim to use 5-7 times a week and is a footcare regular for me now.

Overall I’ve found HelloSkin to be a really useful and user friendly website to find all of my skincare essentials for problematic skin. Not only that, the delivery was prompt, the prices were very competitive and well worth buying online compared to instore. All the brands are well known names that have been chosen by their experts as products suitable for various skin complaints. If you have any aspect of your skin whether on your face or body that bothers you then check out this site for recommendations – there’s sure to be something to suit everyone!

If you do decide to order than use discount code HELLOFIONA for a 10% discount off your entire order!

You can also find HelloSkin on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

This blog post is sponsored by HelloSkin, but all opinions are my own

Win a SENSSE Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush worth £90

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Fiona Martin

SENSSE Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush and Exfoliator is a rechargeable cleansing and anti ageing device that looks rather stunning in its pretty pink shade and soft silicone shell so I was excited to give it a try. Once charged is will last for up to 180 times based on a one minute usage which is pretty good going.

Inside the box you get the device, USB charging cable and what I have to say must be one of the cutest storage bags that I’ve ever seen come with a device like this. With its rose pink sequins, copper coloured zip and fluffy pom-pom, it’s the perfect place to keep your SENSSE product clean and dry when not in use.

Now onto the product itself, this has been a revelation in the cleansing brush market for me. Not only does it look small and sleek, the smooth silicone outer is silky soft and a joy to hold, fitting perfectly into your hand. The main side features a silicone cleansing brush featuring three different types of textures. Simply add a few drops of your own cleansing lotion and move in circular motions across your face ensuring your skin is dampened beforehand. When you switch it on it delivers thousands of pulsations per minute to gently remove dirt oil, makeup residue, and dry dead skin leaving your face feeling clean and rejuvenated.

The back of the SENSSE brush can be used to massage the face after moisturising especially around wrinkles and fine lines.

I found the device exceptionally user-friendly, it’s desirable to look at, it works efficiently being fully waterproof up to 1 metre, it’s a joy to hold fitting so easily and comfortably in your hand and above all gives a really good and pleasurable cleanse and massage to the face.

Some key features include:

Built-in Timer – The pulsation pauses every 15 seconds to remind you to move onto a new area.
Six different intensity levels to suit all skin types.
Long Battery Life – Get 180 uses per charge from internal battery that’s easily charged with included USB cable.
Auto Shut-Off – The device will switch off after 3 minutes of inactivity to save your battery.
Waterproof – You can use in the bath or shower without damaging the device.

I’ve really enjoyed using this product for a number of reasons including its ease to hold, the feel on your face is ultra soft and effective. It’s so much gentler than other facial brushes yet just as effective. The whole unit is ultra compact and comes with multiple speeds, more than other brushes I’ve tried and looks great sat out on your bathroom shelf. It’s pretty, small and leaves your skin feeling clean, fresh and supple. The massaging tool really does uplift your facial skin pushing the moisturiser deeply in to the pores to really boost healthy, supple and youthful looking skin.

Don’t just take my word for it, why not try one for yourself!

Just fill in the form below for your chance to win the SENSSE Facial brush worth £90!

Win A Sensse Silicone Facial Cleansing Brush and Exfoliator #4

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Lee Stafford Chopstick Styler QuickDry Gloves

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Lee Stafford Chopstick Styler QuickDry Gloves are a innovative but simple idea that making towel drying your hair a dream, getting rid of all the moisture but without the effects of rubbing a towel on it, hence leaving it frizz free.

The gloves are a large in size but fit over your fingers easily, in fact they do look like big pink monster hands which my children thought was hilarious but if they do a good job then they would be worth looking like a monster for a few minutes after the shower.

To use I simply gave my hair a quick squeeze when I’d finished washing it and then put the gloves on to remove more moisture from my hair. I just squeezed through the lengths and pressed over the scalp and the gloves soon absorbed the majority of the moisture. This allowed me to go and get dressed without wet hair dripping all over me or a towel wrapped around my head. Personally I’m really pleased with these and prefer them to my regular microfibre hair wrap which although keeps the wet hair out of the way, doesn’t absorb much of the water.

My 9yr old daughter has even taken a liking to these, with her very thick, wavy hair, the gloves are a simple way for her to get the wetness out of her hair before I plait it for her. They are easy to use and really soak up moisture so a great tool for her to use to dry her hair as being so thick she doesn’t use a hairdryer and leaves it to finish dry naturally.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Blow & Go Nuts 2400W Dryer

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Blow & Go Nuts 2400W Dryer is a sleek designed, lightweight hairdryer in a pretty pale pink and rose gold casing. Featuring 3 heat settings and 2 speeds this is perfect for everyday use at home, giving salon quality results. Coming with a sleek concentrator nozzle and ample length of cord I was keen to give this a try in my morning routine.

The first thing I loved about this hair dryer, other than it’s pretty colour of course, is how lightweight it is. This makes drying so much easier and effortless when you haven’t got that weight on your arm. The 2400W also helps dry your hair really fast which is exactly what I need in the morning before going to work. Not only did it give a super quick dry but left my hair feeling really soft with a freshly blow dried look. It comes with 3 heat settings including a cold shot and 2 speeds so you can really adjust it to suit your needs.

The added bonus with the Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Blow & Go Nuts Dryer is that the grille is infused with coconut oil to heal your hair with essential oils and nourishing proteins. This helps smooth your hair and add shine along with preventing damage from the heat. I could smell this vaguely but more noticeably is the softness of my hair once dried which did feel better than other dryers I’ve used.

Overall I really enjoyed using this hair dryer and is perfect for drying my long hair quickly and efficiently whilst maintaining the hair’s condition. I only wash my hair 2-3 times a week depending on time available but this fits perfectly into my hair care routine and will become a regular tool that I’ll continue using.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Organic Head Brunette Conditioner by Daniel Galvin Jr

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Daniel Galvin Jr’s range of hair care products are all made with a high proportion of organic ingredients and provide high quality hair care that is a pleasure to use and treats your hair well. The Organic Head Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner are especially formulated with Daniel Galvin Jr’s exclusive brunette blend including sage to gradually darken brown hair, elderberry to add richness and lustre to darker locks and black tea to enhance chestnut tones. I was looking forward to trying out the Brunette Conditioner on my long dark hair to see how it performed.

The conditioner comes in a generous 250ml size tube that is easy to dispense and perfect for standing on the side of the shower or bath. Made with 70% natural ingredients, I have to say when it is dispensed from the tube it does look really nourishing and wholesome. With a creamy beige thick looking consistency I was eager to try it out on my hair. After shampooing I applied the product and it’s thick creamy texture was pleasant and hydrating on my hair. It felt very luxurious and nourishing really giving my hair the boost it needed.

The Daniel Galvin Jr Organic Head Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner is a really competent and quality product that I’d happily use after every wash. It packed my hair full of hydration, left it super soft with added shine and richness. I haven’t used it long enough to see how well the brunette enhancement performs but the Daniel Galvin Jr Oh! Conditioner itself has a rich feel to it and is definitely a product that suits my hair type and leaves it feeling luxuriously soft, smooth and well cared for!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Oyster Brightening Eye Serum

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Oyster Brightening Eye Serum is a brand new premium brand formulated in British laboratories. It is also vegan and contains a multitude of natural active ingredients to produce a lightweight serum that gives results. Although perfume free it has a subtle aroma of essential oil – lavender, grapefruit and mandarin.

It comes in an easy to dispense pump style bottle and just enough serum comes out to use around both eyes. It’s easily absorbed and I found it great to use both morning and at night time. It’s more powerful ingredients include smoothing Hyaluronic acid, anti-wrinkle Pentapeptides and Co-enzyme Q10 along with antioxidant Green Tea & Raspberry Extracts and gently soothing Cornflower. Combined the ingredients tackle anti ageing, puffy eyes and dark circles.

I have been using this for the last couple of weeks and love the feel of it around my eye area. It is a transparent gel like serum that feels soothing and hydrating on application but you can also feel it’s gentle firming effects. My eye area looks brighter and more youthful which is a great way to start the day and the perfect base for my eyes before applying moisturiser and make up.

I’m really pleased with the Oyster Brightening Eye Serum and will enjoy continuing to use as well as being a product I would be happy to purchase again in the future.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Lee Stafford No Strings Attached Cordless Straightener

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Lee Stafford No Strings Attached Cordless Straightener has revolutioned my hair routine in the mornings. I love being cord free and moving around the room, looking in whatever mirror I please to do my hair. The other big bonus is the stand to put these in, no more worrying about leaving hot irons on the floor or side where someone might knock them when they are hot or trip over the cord.

What do you get in the box?

Well I was very impressed with the contents. Along with the straighteners was a heat mat and zip up bag for storage.

The cordless straighteners themselves are just lovely, a bold bright pink and easy to hold. They have a stand which allows them to sit upright in and a cord which can either go directly into the straighteners as per normal ones, or into the base resulting in the straighteners being cordless when you use them.

So what are they like to use?

I love them! They are now my go to straightener every morning that I wish to straighten my hair. I love the way they stand upright in the holder. They reach a good heat which should last up to 15 mins before needing to put them back in the holder to heat up again. I find that plenty of time although sometimes I just pop them back in for a few minutes while I comb my hair and then just go over a few bits that need it.

The Lee Stafford No Strings Attached Cordless Straightener to use, I’d recommend them to anyone. There’s no chance of them rolling about on the floor, you can walk around as you are using them rather than being tied to the corner of the bedroom and they give me the results that I want with my hair. Plus the fact that they look good standing in the corner of my dressing table. An all round winner for me!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Time Bomb Today’s Special Value on QVC

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Fiona Martin

Check out QVC Sunday 12th March 2017 to get an amazing deal on Time Bomb. The Today’s Special Value offer is selling for an amazing £46 for products that would cost £220 if purchased individually.

The ‘Big Deal Collection’ consists of:

Take-Off Time Cleanser (200ml; supersize) – engineered with dermatological grade crystals that gently slough off dead skin cells to reveal fresh, smooth, glowing skin beneath. Free from drying surfactants or harsh detergents, leaving your skin feeling moist and looking dewy
Collagen Bomb Essential Skin Fuel (50ml; supersize) – highly charged with collagen, this potent, moisturising formula is designed to counteract environmental effects on your skin to create a fuller, firmer and smoother-looking complexion
Trouble Shooter Neck, Jaw & Chest Cream (100ml; supersize) – visibly diminishing the signs of ageing while soothing and hydrating your skin for an instant firming effect, this targeted treatment helps to enhance the appearance of suppleness and elasticity, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten the appearance of pigmentation for a more even-looking skin tone. Formulated with chrysanthellum extract, vitamin C, lanachrys, pea extract, olive oil, abyssinian oil and hyaluronic acid
Complexion Cocktail with a shot of H20mega (150ml; supersize) – a hydrating cocktail designed to support your skin’s surface layers, help retain moisture for an immediate plumping effect, and counter signs of skin fatigue and dehydration. Formulated with a powerful blend of 12 amino acids, two types of hyaluronic acid, high levels of vitamins B12 and B3, plus chia oil, coconut oil and brown algae

Check it out now as this offer is for today only!!

Having used various Time Bomb products both currently and in the past I can confirm that you won’t be disappointed. They are all packed with high quality ingredients that deliver and help to protect, improve and enhance your skin. Being in my early 40’s I need skin care with anti ageing properties to keep a youthful glow and Time Bomb works and feels great on my skin. Get this offer while you can as it’s a great value pack to experience Time Bomb either for the first time or to stock up on your favourites!

This post is in collaboration with Time Bomb skincare.

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