Dermalogica skincare wishlist August 2015

1. Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub 150g 
Whilst it may be tempting to jump straight into bed after a hard day at work it's important to maintain a regular skin care routine. I often exfoliate as it's important in keeping your skin smooth and fresh. Dermalogica EXfoliating body scrub works to get rid of unwanted dead skin cells and helps to leave skin smooth and refined. It's also suitable for all skin types. 
Get it online for £24.95

2. Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment 75ml 
With winter just over the horizon the cold weather is not far away (especially in the UK!). My hands are prone to drying out when exposed to cold weather and inside heating and it can leave them feeling quite uncomfortable. Dermalogica Multivitamin hand and nail treatment will be a great product to have in my handbag as it contains pure vitamins that will help to repair chapped skin and it is unique as it can also strengthen brittle nails.
Get it online for £19.90 

3. Dermalogica Active Moist 50ml 
Moisturiser is essential for giving your skin that extra bit of protection in the morning. Dermalogica Active Moist is a lightweight oil free moisturiser that quickly absorbs into the skin without leaving any residue. Even better it creates an invisible barrier that helps to prevent moisture loss. Great for normal or even oily skin types.
Get it online for £28.00 

4. Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum 15ml 
Whilst you're asleep your skin tries to repair the damage that has been caused during your waking hours. Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum helps to speed up that process by helping to minimise fine lines and increase luminosity. It's also perfect if you have very dry skin. 
Get it online for £53.10
5. Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser 250ml 
Whilst my skin isn't overly oily I do have a oily t-zone that is hard to conceal with makeup.Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser contains super absorbent Kaolin and Green clays wick to help remove excess oil and impurities to deep cleanse the skin and improve its texture. Anything that can get rid of oily skin gets a top place on my August skincare wishlist.
Get it online for £25.20

6. Dermalogica Eye Reversal Eye Complex 15ml 
Like Dermalogica Overnight Repair serum but a lot more concentrated, Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye complex focuses specifically on the eye area to help reduce the damage caused by aging. It can help with wrinkles, crows feet, puffiness and dark circles that is caused by hyperpigmentation or dehydration. With issues such as dark circles and fine lines this is perfect. 
Get it online for £51.95

Help to improve the quality of your skin from the inside out with Colladeen Visage Food Supplement Tablets

The Hype
Are you fed up with buying skin creams that promise the world and do very little to improve your skin? Often it's more about what we put into our bodies that will have a effect as a topical cream can't really target the root of the problem. Colladeen Visage is a food supplement designed to support natural collagen formation reducing spider veins and fine lines. A clinical study found that the tablet was able to improve skin firmness, reduce wrinkle depth and provide natural sun protection factor SPF 15 within just 10-12 weeks. The supplements have a potent mix of natural plant extracts high in Lutein and Anthocyanidins that combined help to improve the skin from within.

Millie Mackintosh is a big fan of the supplements and really believes that they help give her skin a extra boost.

The Lowdown
My skin is okay but I do have little broken spider veins that I really hate. Whilst I can cover them up with makeup often I find that the makeup slips and the blemish is revealed. That was my main motivation to try Colladeen Visage that was kindly gifted to me but I was keen to see if the anti-aging aspect would have a effect also. I will be testing the product over 8 weeks as recommended by the brand and I will post my results at the end of the review. Do keep checking in to see how I get on!

You can get Colladeen Visage for £18.95 (60 tablets) at Natures Best

Relieve the stress out of your body with Olverum Bath Oil

The Hype
Olverum Bath Oil has a unique combination of luxuriously blended essential oils to help relieve any stress and tension. The oils work to bring your mind and body back to normal so you can go back to your usual self.

The Lowdown
As soon as the oil was placed into the bath the herbal scent filled the air. The scent was very strong and overwhelmed my senses. As someone who prefers floral sweet smells the smell wasn't really that pleasant but it really helped to clear my mind. Whilst I can't say I'm overly stressed at the moment the oil helped to rid my mind of any thoughts and I felt a lot lighter at the end of the bath.

If you need a bit of a time out after a hard day then I would recommend Olverum oil to help you get back to your normal self. I give it 3/5

Get it for £23.50 at Olverum online

Advantages

• Helps to clear your mind
• Relieves stress
• Good to relieve nasal congestion

Disadvantages

• The smell is a little overpowering

Aussie releases its first revolutionary hair oil

The Hype
Brand new to the Aussie range is 3 Miracle Oil, one of the first hair oils they have ever released. Designed exclusively for the 'Aussie Girl' who is always on the go, 3 Miracle Oil is part of the Repair Miracle Collection. Summer is a time of holidays, fun, sea, sand and festivals and these events combined can add a lot of strain to our hair. The new range consists of a 3 Minute Miracle shampoo, conditioner, 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor and 3 Miracle Oil Reconstructor. Whatever messes you may have got yourself into, the range is designed to smooth, untangle, smooth, nourish and restore locks.

Aussie is famed for its natural goodness and the new range has nothing less than the best Australian botanical gems. The ingredients include Australian Macadamia Nut Oil, JoJoba Seed Oil and Avocado Oil.

The Lowdown
I love a good hair oil and I'm still looking for the oil that will give me 'advertisement like swishy hair'. It can be used three ways, before shampooing, on damp hair and on dry hair to add extra shine. For the review I tested the oil on damp hair and dry hair to see what kind of effect I got. The oil has a amazing sweet smell that gave a waft every time my hair moved. Whilst the product has a spray nozzle it falls quite heavily and has to be brushed through the hair. Once dry my hair did feel a little crispy but that was easily remedied by brushing it through.

The oil did add a small amount of shine and my hair was left sleek and refined after applying to damp hair. It was easy to brush and the brush slipped through without any resistance. I did feel however that the oil seemed to weigh my hair down slightly and it felt like it had a greasy tinge initially. When I applied the oil to dry hair I didn't notice much of a difference and the wetness of the oil took a little while to dry.

Overall a okay oil if you want to tame your hair.

I give it 3/5

The oil will be £9.99 when it's released nationwide.

Advantages

• Every product in the new range is under £10
• Can be used three ways for optimum results, before shampooing, on damp hair and on dry hair
• Adds some shine

Disadvantages

• Feels like it weighs hair down slightly
• Leaves a slightly oily residue

Get strong kissable lips with MUA Power Pout Acrylic lip gloss

The Hype
Achieve optimal colour impact with MUA Power Pout acrylic lip glosses. The opaque gloss is designed to give full coverage whilst giving full pigmentation. The new range come in 6 shades from purple Potency to the super girly Supreme pink.

The Lowdown
Often the formula for lip glosses is quite thin and you generally don't get much coverage. I have seen a few pictures advertising MUA Pout Acrylic and I was impressed at how good the coverage was with the finish of a lipstick rather then a gloss. The range of the colours appear quite girly and I do like most of them, although I'm not sure they would all suit my skintone. I chose to review Infinity as I loved the bright pink colour that really made it stand out on the shelf. At just £3.50 they're great value and are great for a mid month splurge.

I have to say I absolutely loved Power Pout Acrylic. The shade was rich and vibrant and the coverage was amazing, it had the fullness of a lipstick and had a high glossy finish. The gloss felt really nice on and not at all sticky, which I found was often a downside of lipglosses. It has a pleasant vanilla scent and good staying power. Even after a few hours my lips still had some residual colour, even after eating and drinking.

A great product with amazing staying power and gorgeous colour. I would definitely recommend it. I give it 5/5

Get yours for £3.50 at Superdrug 

Advantages

• Comes in 6 varied shades to suit different skin tones
• Budget friendly
• The lip gloss has the coverage of a lipstick
• Infinity is a gorgeous bright pink shade
• Really glossy
• Relatively long lasting
• Not sticky

Disadvantages

• None that I can see

Sleek Creme to Powder Blush Review

The Hype
Sleek have unleashed a new type of blusher - their unique creme to powder blush - which offers intense colour transforming from a creamy texture to a powder satin finish. The blusher is suitable for all skin type and has a long lasting formula that is designed to glide on smoothly. It comes in 6 shades from French Rose to Crimson to suit different tastes and skin tones.

The Lowdown
I often use powder brushes but when I saw this I thought i'd give it a go. I've not seen too many cream to powder blushes so I was keen to see what kind of finish the blusher would have. I chose to review Crimson, quite a dark red blush. Although it is quite a bright shade I was hoping it would appear a little paler when applied. The product has quite sophisticated smooth plastic packaging that one would expect in more premium cosmetics.

The colour appears quite rich in the pan and a little really does go a long way. Whilst I did apply a relatively small amount the colour still appeared a little bit too strong on my cheeks, and looked quite obvious that it was blusher. The cream did transform quite quickly into powder and if it wasn't for the brightness it could look quite natural.

At only £5.99 this is a great little blusher that perks up your look without breaking the bank.

Get yours online 

Advantages

• Has the consistency of a cream blusher but dries to powder so you have the best of both worlds
• Budget friendly price

Disadvantages

• Appears a little too bright when applied

How to create daisy themed nail art: Simple Nail Tutorial

Daisies add a cute touch to any outfit and they make a great finish to any nail art design. To create Daisy Dreams here's a quick how to.

1. Get a bright blue nail varnish, I used Seventeen 8 hour gel colour in Azure Amore
2. Paint one nail in a glitter varnish, I used Claire's nail varnish in Sugar Drop, it may take several layers to get full coverage
3. Use a white nail art pen or spotter to put white spots on your index finger and thumb, I used Barry M white nail art pen.
4. Using the white nail art pen draw several daisy shapes on the little finger and ring finger.
5. Finish the design by painting a small orange centre in each daisy shape, I used Wah London nail art pen in orange

TEN Luminescence Skin Exfoliation Review

The Hype
TEN Luminescence skin exfoliation cream works to reduce the visible signs of photo-aging caused by the sun's UVA and UVB rays. The products contains TEN's unique Science skincare philosophy (a combination of Alpha Hydroxy Acids used by the Egyptians and Golden JoJoba oil to exfoliate) to help remove dead skin cells that can build up to cause acne, blackheads and oily skin. If you apply cream over untreated skin it will have little to no effect due to the excess dead skin cells. By removing this unnecessary byproduct you are allowing your skin to receive further nourishment as the cream is able to penetrate the skin and nourish deeply. The cream also traps moisture in the skin whilst allowing pores to breathe.

The benefits of using the exfoliation cream include:

• Increased blood flow in the face
• Fine lines are minimised 
• Helps to reverse the effects of overexposure to the sun

The Lowdown
When I was offered the chance to sample this product I was quite keen. I think it's really important to keep a regular skin care routine and ensure I cleanse regularly. Many of the exfoliators I have tried often have little beads on to slough away the dead skin, so I was interested to see Luminescence skin exfoliation doesn't appear to have any.

It has a rich creamy white consistency that appears more like a moisturiser with a minty smell. The cream felt really soft on my skin when I applied it and not at all abrasive. I waited a few minutes before washing the cream off and patting my skin dry. I found my skin was really soft after but I didn't notice much in the way of brightness, although this will probably take longer to take effect.

A lovely exfoliation cream that's gentle on skin and offers potential anti-aging benefits.

I give it 4/5

Advantages

• Leaves skin really soft
• Non abrasive exfoliation cream
• Has potential anti-aging properties

Disadvantages

• Maybe a little expensive for some budgets

Get it for £23.99 at Clever Skincare 

If you would like the chance to win the new TEN Anti-aging range head over to my competition now

How to improve your skins health from the inside out

Do you wish you could achieve a radiant complexion without having to put a lot of effort in? You may be in luck.

Works with Water have just launched their latest beauty supplement, Help: Beautify skin that works to help nourish and rejuvenate skin from the inside out. Unlike typical health supplements that come in capsule form and can be hard to swallow, Help: Beautify skin comes in a easy to swallow jelly pieces.

The apple flavoured supplements are great for adding a yummy addition to your beauty routine and can even be put in the freezer for a refreshing and cooling treat.

Inside you'll found all natural ingredients PravenAGE, a patented blend of Marine Collagen, Resveratrol, CoEnzyme Q10, Aloe Vera and Vitamin C to deliver anti-aging skin benefits.

Waterworks is giving you the chance to try this exciting new product with my latest new competition. There are two 14 days sachet packets available for grabs.

If you don't want to wait to see if you've won, head over to Water Works to buy your own.

*Terms and conditions*
Please submit your entry via Rafflecopter. Competition will run from 14 August 2015 to 14 September 2015 and opens and closes at midnight. In order to participate you will need to enter all mandatory questions, anyone who doesn't will be disqualified. Your details may be supplied to the competition promoter once the competition has ended.

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How to get whiter teeth using Doll White tooth whitening strips

The Hype
Are you afraid to smile in photos because you're ashamed of your smile? If so you're not alone. Almost a quarter of brits refuse to smile in 'selfies' or family photos as they're worried about how it might look on social media. Professional teeth whitening can cost thousands of pounds and can often leave teeth feeling sensitive which is the last thing you want in your bid to whiten your teeth.

To avoid any potential side effects from traditional tooth whitening, Doll White is a peroxide free alternative. The whitening strips are designed to brighten your teeth in 14 days with no irritation or sensitivity.

The Lowdown
Whilst Doll White is a brand new product it already has a celebrity following including Stephanie Davis and Danielle Lloyds (Hollyoaks) and Gretchen Rossi (Real Housewives of  Orange County). With celebrity fans on such a new release I was hoping for good results. Whilst my teeth are not overly yellow it's always good to get a whiter smile.

Each pack has 14 strips which is the same amount of time the product states it takes to get a whiter smile. To use you peel the foil off the back, take the lower strip and apply it gel side against the teeth and repeat for the upper strip.  I had to leave the strips on for 30 minutes then I threw them away. The strips were a little difficult to get aligned on my teeth but I did manage to get most of it on. The strips are designed to only impact the teeth you see when you smile so you won't get a full mouth whitened. Generally the strips stayed on well and weren't too irritating but after twenty minutes the bottom strip did slip and I could feel the jelly in my mouth.

Once I had removed the strips there was quite a lot of gel left on my teeth which was a bit uncomfortable but it was easy enough to get rid of. The strips taste pleasant and are very palatable.
I did find after the first use my teeth seemed a lot brighter, especially on the bottom row of teeth. I will be testing this over the next fourteen days and will post the final results once the pack is finished.

I am actually pretty impressed with Doll White. I have tried quite a few tooth whitening toothpastes in the past which have done very little but after one strip, Doll White seems to be having some effect.

I give it 4/5

Advantages

• Peroxide free
• Avoids the sensitivity you may get after getting your teeth professionally whitened
• My teeth were brighter after just one use
• Only takes half a hour for each set of strips

Disadvantages

• Slightly difficult to align the strips
• The strips can get a bit loose
• After there is quite a bit of gel which can be slightly uncomfortable

How to keep healthy whilst on holiday

We may be in August but you've probably still got some last minute break or holiday to look forward to. Holidays are amazing for getting away from the daily grind but on occasion, nasty bugs can pop up whilst you're away, completely ruining your stay. Whilst you can try to prevent stomach bugs by drinking bottled water you can also prevent any other incidents by using NatraSan, a new natural first aid spray. The travel buddy is a 100ml hand luggage friendly sized bottle which can be tucked away without taking up too much room.

Here's some tips on keeping safe and healthy on your holiday.

Avoid the dreaded 'dicky tummy'
Certain countries have water with a high mineral and bacteria content that we are not used to. In order to avoid your body rejecting the water it's best to stick to bottled water, especially if you're advised by your tour operator. You should also disinfect your hands regularly to avoid any germs accidentally transferring.

How to avoid insect bites
Bites from insects like mosquitos are one of the biggest nuisances when heading to sunny climates. Whilst they may seem unavoidable it may benefit you to eat garlic as the smell seeps into your pores and repels them. If you still get bit NatraSan really helps in reliving the itchiness and stops them getting infected.

Keep your skin protected
There's no secret as to how damaging the sun's UVA and UVB rays can be to you and your children's skin. In order to avoid skin cancer make sure you cover up with a high SPF cream (that contains UVA and UVB barriers) and try to stay out of the sun from 12-3pm when the sun is at its strongest. You may also want to wear a hat to avoid the worst of the rays burning your face or eyes. If you are unfortunate enough to get burnt then NatraSan helps to start the healing process.

No running around the pool
Swimming pool rules are there for a reason and they help to prevent accidents. If you go away with kids make sure you enforce those rules and don't allow them to run around the pool as the tiles are often slippery causing accidents. If there are any cuts or grazes to take care of NatraSan will help to make them heal.

NatraSan kills 99.9999% of germs, is 100 times more effective than a 99.9% spray and is the first hypochlorous acid spray to be sold to consumers that is E.U. compliant.

You can buy NatraSan in 250ml bottles for £10.00 and 100ml for £7.00 at NatraSan.

You can get a head start on helping to mend any health woes whilst away with my NatraSan competition.

*Terms and conditions*
Please submit your entry via Rafflecopter. Competition will run from 12 August 2015 to 12 September 2015 and opens and closes at midnight. In order to participate you will need to enter all mandatory questions, anyone who doesn't will be disqualified. Your details may be supplied to the competition promoter once the competition has ended.

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Win one of the new Scott Cornwall Colour Restore Products

Are you looking for a colour update or maybe you fancy a radical transformation?

It's time to try something new with Scott Cornwall who has just introduced four brand new colours into his successful range.

The trending colours include Chrome, Candy, Caramel and Black Cherry which are designed to enhanced facing shades or create subtle to vibrant tones in either natural or artificially coloured hair.

The formula is ammonia and peroxide free and features a conditioning base that will leave hair soft and shiny.

I have five Colour Restore shades up for grabs in my latest competition.

View the range here 

*Terms and conditions*
Please submit your entry via Rafflecopter. Competition will run from 10th August 2015 to 10th September 2015 and will open and close at midnight. You can select the shade you would like. In order to participate you will need to enter all mandatory questions, anyone who doesn't will be disqualified. Your details may be supplied to the competition promotor once the competition has ended.
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How to find false lashes that feel natural and add subtle glamour

The Hype
Esqido lashes are promoted as the world's comfiest false eyelashes.

Handcrafted from the softest and finest naturally shed mink hair, the lashes are very natural looking with a beautiful curl that really help to give your own lashes a natural lift without looking too false.

The handmade material results in quality long lasting lashes that are designed to last, unlike synthetic lashes.

The mink lashes are popular amongst makeup artists and celebrities including Rihanna and Victoria Secret angels.

The Lowdown
I was asked to review the BFF lashes and I was really excited to try lashes that were comfortable on the eye. The website has lots of amazing reviews which only made me more excited. I often find false lashes feel heavy and make my eyes feel tired and sticky which is the last thing you want on a night out. Often the lashes I try are synthetic cheap products from stores like Boots and Superdrug so they wouldn't have the same quality as handmade lashes. The lashes had simple but beautiful packaging which kept the lashes secure in transport and the box is great for storage.

The lashes are fairly easy to apply and fit snugly next to my own lashes. The lashes look really natural but at the same time really make my eyes stand out. They were comfortable and I can't say they were heavy or irritating.

The BFF lashes are lovely and perfect for adding a subtle glamour to your look without being too over the top.

I give them 4/5

Get yours for $35 

Head over to Esqido to take the eyelash quiz and find your perfect pair. If for whatever reason you're not happy you have a 60 day guarantee for Esqido to put it right.

Advantages

• Handmade false lashes
• Long lasting
• Comfortable
• Look really natural

Disadvantages

• A little bit expensive 

Win the new TEN Anti-Aging collection

Do you wish you could turn back the clock on aging?

Boutique mother and baby skincare creator TEN may have come up with a solution. New to the range is a collection of four capsule anti-aging products that are based on sound skincare science.

Made in Italy, the TEN range helps to fight the major effects of aging including photo damage, fatigue and lack of moisture.

TEN have taken some of the most technically advanced components known for their anti aging properties and combined them with the best medical anti aging ingredients that nature has to offer. This includes integrating the latest peptides and antioxidants from sweet almond to rice bran oil.

The products are very light and allow the skin to breathe without weighing it down. It is very reassuring to know that the new range contains no nasty chemicals such as parabens and ethanol which may damage your skin.

To celebrate the new range I have four of the products available to win. One lucky winner will win:

TEN Anti-Age Revive Eye Contour Cream (RRP £29.70)
TEN Anti-Age Complete Rejuvenating Care Cream (RRP £34.50)
TEN Luminescence Skin Exfoliation Cream (RRP £29.70)
TEN Anti-Age Instant Lifting Cream (RRP £34.50)

If you don't fancy waiting to see if you've won to try the new TEN range, head over to their website now.

*Terms and conditions*
Please submit your entry via Rafflecopter. Competition will run from 5th August 2015 to 5th September 2015 and will open and close at midnight. In order to participate you will need to enter all mandatory questions, anyone who doesn't will be disqualified. Your details may be supplied to the competition promoter once the competition has ended.

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Creightons Volume Pro Shampoo and Conditioner Review

The Hype
To help you keep your hair looking effortlessly glamorous this summer Creightons have launched their new range, Volume Pro Shampoo and Conditioner. The products contain unique ingredients that set them aside from your typical shampoo or conditioner. Inside you'll find texturising sea salt and  thickening Pro Vitamin B5 to add shine, body and bounce to your hair.

The shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair without causing excess product build up whilst the conditioner smoothes and conditions hair restoring moisture without weighing the hair down. Your hair is left restored, easier to manage with gorgeous shine.

The Lowdown
I've tried quite a few of Creighton's products in the past and for £1.00 they perform amazingly well. The shampoo has a typical consistency with a pleasant smell and lathers quickly. The conditioner has quite a unusual, cottage cheese like consistency and is very thick. The unusual consistency may be due to the ingredients which include sea salt and wheat protein. Once washed my hair felt smooth with little tangles. When I dried my hair I found the shafts were really smooth with a streamlined shine. Whilst I don't think there was any extra volume on the roots of my hair I did feel the length of my hair had more body and seemed fuller.

Overall a great set of products that do what they aim to do and at only £1.00 each they're a beauty bargain.

Advantages

• Helps to add shine to your hair
• Leaves hair looking fuller
• Hair is left smooth and tangle free
• Only £1.00 each so a total beauty bargain!

Disadvantages

• None

Get yours at Poundland

Win a years supply of Bio Oil

With images of picture perfect celebrities flooding the media every day it is no surprise that self esteem is at a all time low in women and young girls. To help change this sad statistic Bio Oil has teamed up with body confidence charity Body Gossip to fund a roadshow of body confidence workshops.

Even if you're not of school age, Bio Oil is keen to get you involved and ask that you share one piece of body confidence advice on their website Mybodyphilosophy. Body Gossip will take the findings of the research to form the basis of the workshop.

You're certainly not alone if you worry about your body, 3000 women who were surveyed had the following opinions.

• New survey stats reveal teenagers worry more about their bodies than their grades
• 42% of teens worry about being overweight and 25% worry about the size of their breasts
• Teen body worries prevent 1in10 from contributing in class and 15% from taking part in PE classes
• A quarter of teens have been bullied about the way they look, making 1in5 feel ugly and 1in10 have even wanted to self-harm
• Only 6% of women would describe themselves as beautiful
• 46% of women said that their issues with body confidence has stopped them from wearing the clothes that they want
• 18% of women have said that their body confidence issues have stopped them being intimate with a partner
• 41% of women believed they would be happier if they had more body confidence

By submitting your body philosophy tip you will be entered into the competition to win 1 years supply of Bio Oil.

*Terms and conditions*
Please submit your entry via Rafflecopter. Competition will run from 3rd August 2015 to 3 September 2015 and will open and close at midnight. In order to participate you will need to enter all mandatory questions, anyone who doesn't will be disqualified. Your details may be supplied to the competition promoter once the competition has ended.

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Good luck.