Friday 30 January 2015

Nakd!

How many of you hit a slump around 10.30-11am when sat at your desk? Suddenly in need of a quick sugar fix, even though you have had your breakfast? Yep me too and whilst I try not to reach for the biscuits or a slice of cake, but more often than not I do.  So, when I was very kindly sent a box of Nakd** bars to try, I was more than eager to give them a go.

Nakd bars are described as being protein bars which are also :
  • Dairy free
  • Wheat and gluten free
  • Vegan friendly
  • Low in saturated fats
  • Free from added sugar and syrups
  • GM Free
  • Kosher
All of which on reflection doesn't sound that exciting does it, but they come in a range of different flavours and I (well BeautyKingUK) have been slowly making my way through each one.

"Nākd bars and snacks are a great way to eat nutritious, healthy food without compromising on taste! Our snack bars are made from yummy natural ingredients such as fruits and nuts which are 'smooshed' together for you into a handy bar. Wheat and dairy free, with no added sugars or hidden extras. Get Nakd today!"




The box I have was filled with a selection of Nakd bars and I thought I would share some of my favcourites from the selection

Bakewell Tart - Now I personally cannot stand Marzipan which is odd because I love almonds and I love Bakewell Tarts. This bar was described as follows "We have taken the classic dessert and given it the Nakd treatment, resulting in a snack bar that's totally tasty and good for you too! This Bakewell tart bar features the sweet, deep tang of dates and raisins combined with a hint of shortcrust, rounded off with a moist and nutty texture". It contains date paste (49%), cashew nuts (35%) raisins (16%) and natural flavour.  The taste is as you would expect, just like a Bakewell Tart but without the pastry, quite odd to describe really, but very tasty and it definitely helps keep me out of the biscuit jar.
Cafe Mocha - This one took me a few bites to get used to it because whilst it is a mixture of coffee and chocolate tasting, the raisins felt a bit odd, but you get used to them and there is this really rich aroma, the sort of scent you get from walking into Costa.  The actual description of this bar is as follows "Do you love the taste of smooth rich coffee mixed with a delicious chocolaty flavour? This gorgeous coffee flavoured snack is different to other cereal bars out there – it’s made from all natural ingredients and tastes like nothing you’ve tried before. Imagine the wonderfully rich aroma of freshly made cappuccino infused with chocolatey mocha, and you’ll get some idea of what Nakd Caffé Mocha is like. Why not try one yourself?"  This bar is made with just dates (55%), cashew nuts (26%), raisins (12%), cocoa (6%) and natural flavourings.

Cocoa Mint - This is my favourite of all the Nakd Cocoa bars and I am a huge fan of mint flavoured chocolate. The mint within this bar is immediately noticeable as is the cocoa, together they taste is one I have really enjoyed. This bar is described as "This bar has all of the rich gorgeousness of cocoa combined with a subtle zing of natural mint flavour. Soft and pleasantly smooth, this is sure to satisfy chocolate cravings whilst still delivering all the goodness of fruit and nuts in one handy, healthy bar. Need an easy snack to keep you going? Nakd Cocoa Mint loves to live in lunchboxes and can be popped into pockets for between meals. Try it yourself – we think you’ll find its super delicious! As with other bars, this one is again made with Dates (48%), Cashews (29%), Raisins (17%), Cocoa (6%), natural flavour





The rest of the bars within the box are shown above and the ones which are missing were Gingerbread, and Bakewell Tart which proved very popular with the Hubs, who would not usually ever in a million years pick up anything like this at all, so I am mighty impressed. 

If you are looking for something healthy to snack on, then I would suggest trying the Nakd bars, they are really good at dealing with hunger pangs, keeping your fingers out of the biscuit jar and best of all - they are good for you!!

To purchase them places like Whole Foods, Natural Balance Foods and similar places sell them.

Have you ever tried a Nakd bar?

Thursday 29 January 2015

Balmi Lip Balms

I am a lip balm obsessive, most people know this and are not surprised by how many I have in my collection, but I do use them and have two or three in most handbags and quite a few in my desk drawer as emergencies as well as one in each make-up bag, you get my drift?

The reason I am so obsessed with lip balms is because lips are really important and boy do they get used a lot - from eating and drinking, to kissing, air kissing, talking and so on... so they need a little bit of TLC otherwise imagine what it is like to see dry, flaky, chapped lips coming towards you - quite grim!  I also use lip balm before applying any lipstick to my lips as a base because I find it helps cover any imperfections there might be.

So, the latest editions to my collection are by Balmi who state that "It's cool to be squared" only there is a slight twist to the 'squared' bit!  If you have used these before, then you will know what I mean but if you haven't, then the pictures below will enlighten you because as you can see, it is square from the outside, but once opened (with a quick twist) the actual balm is conical - quite funky I think!

The Balmi Lip Balm has the perfect blend of ingredients to give your lips long lasting daily care and protection because they have SPF 15 and UVA protection not forgetting to mention that they also include antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, soothing Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil to help leave your lips moisturised, soft and super smooth.




Currently available in five different flavours - Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Mint, Strawberry and Coconut, each Balmi Lip Balms is scented exactly as you would expect it to be.  Once applied to the lips, the balm itself feels really moisturising and it adds quite a subtle shine to the lips, thankfully it doesn't make your lips feel as though you have just rubbed them across a block of lard.  For me, the pyramid shape of the balm doesn't have any effect as to how easy the application is, because like similar balms, it just glides across the lips, meaning you don't have to faff about with your fingers.

Balmi lip balms cost around £4.99 each and you can find them in places like Tesco, Topshop and Boots and for that price, I think it is great value for money.

Do you have a favourite Balmi Lip Balm?

Wednesday 28 January 2015

Jurlique Jasmine Shower Gel

One of my favourite brands right now is Jurlique, one which is a recent discovery and one that I am enjoying learning about.  The rose scented products are rated high up on my favourites list along with the Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum, but now I have discovered a new Jurlique scent which I have absolutely fallen for and need everything in - introducing the Jurlique Jasmine Shower Gel**.

Jurlique Jasmine Shower Gel

Jurlique Jasmine Shower Gel

I am now one of those people who simply cannot just go into my local supermarket and buy a shower gel, I have been spoilt by so many amazing products, that they just don't do anything for me anymore, especially when brands lie Jurlique have their own amazing product.

So the bottle, well everything you need to know is clearly visible and as it is a see through plastic bottle with a pump action dispenser, it is also very shower friendly to hold and pump with wet hands whilst in the shower.  The Shower Gel is really luxurious, it is thick, it is creamy and boy does it lather as soon as it comes into water.  Most importantly for me whoever is the scent which is just stunning, I love it.  A mixture of Jasmine, Honey and Marshmellow work together to create this amazing aroma not to mention the inclusion of:


  • Soap Bark and Horsechestnut lather on contact for effective cleansing.
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract helps clarify and refresh skin.
  • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein and Honey help smooth, soften and rebalance skin dryness.

  • Adding all of those together you are left with skin which feels  very clean, refreshed, hydrated, moisturised and best of smelling amazing.  The scent lingers so delicately on the skin that you can smell it all day long, if only Jurlique could turn this scent into a candle it would be up there in my favourites for the scent alone.

    A 300ml bottle would usually cost around £20 but if you look around you can find this for as little as £14 which I think is an absolute bargain for such a wonder product.  Now I just need the body scrub, hand cream and body lotion to finish off my little collection!

    Tuesday 27 January 2015

    USpicy Cosmetic Brush Set - Real Technique Dupe?

    You can never have too many make-up brushes in my opinion and whilst I am some way off completing mine and having all the ones I need, when I was given the chance to try a 10-piece brush set** from USpicy I jumped at the chance. Now 10 brushes is a huge collection to have and this kit usually retails for £35.99 though it is on special offer on Amazon for half price right now!

    When the brushes arrive, they are packaged inside this lovely gift box with a really handy guide to each brush. Inside that box, wrapped individually you will find a Flat Brush, Tapered Brush, Flat Angled Brush, Round Brush, Precision Flat Brush, Precision Tapered Brush, Precision Flat Angled Brush, Precision Angled Brush and Precision Round Brush. 









    Looking at each brush in turn, not only are they really well made, they use synthetic fibre hair for the brush and then the handle is made from aluminium ferrule and wooden.  On the face, the brush itself is incredibly soft and I would actually say they are as soft as my Real Technique brushes and perform just as good a job.

    My favorites of the bigger brushes are the 'Flat' brush which I use to apply my Boots No.7 foundation which is a liquid and it works really well on the flat areas of my face especially forehead and my cheeks.  I also love the 'Round' brush which I use when applying my powder as it helps to blend everything onto my skin leaving no lines.  Then with the smaller brushes, the one I currently use the most are the 'Precision Flat Angled brush' for applying my concealer as I am trying not to use my fingers so much.

    I personally think this is a great set of brushes and it would make a lovely gift for someone who is just discovering what make-up brushes can do when used properly or as a gift for someone who just loves make-up brushes, they are great quality and even when washed they don't shed their hair and are just as easy to clean as any other brush I have.

    Have you tried this USpicy brush set?  Do any of them take your fancy?


    Monday 26 January 2015

    John Frieda #hairrevolution

    The John Freida #Hairrevolution

    The countdown to a revolution in haircare has begun. Watch now.

    Coming soon...

    Generation Next - The Spring Collection from KIKO

    One brand of make-up I haven't ever used or played with is KIKO, a brand I know a lot of my blogging friends adored, so imagine how excited I was when this little lot dropped through my door!

    Generation Next - The Spring Collection from KIKO
    KIKO Milano Generation Next Colletion is new for the spring and it is full of all kinds of amazing shiny packaging that every magpie would love, not to mention lots of colour with the main theme being celebrating the future.  The dynamic geomatric packaging has been inspired by the famous italian Murano glassware, using those designed to capture the playful multicolours used throughout his work. 

    Starting with the KIKO Mosaic Highlighter in 01 Future Light.  Everything about this highlighter is stunning, from the outer box, to the silver casing within which the highlighter sits.  Once opened, as you can see, in front of you is a mixture of matte and shimmery shades which help to create a perfect glow. Enriched with multi-reflective pearls the soft powder makes it easy to blend, highlight, illuminate, enhance and brighten any skin tone.  As you can see from the swatch below, it is a very delicate shimmer and that is just one swipe of my finger across the top of the mosaic pattern, you can of course build it up.

    What I also love is that there is also a mirror which is always handy to have. This highlighter has an RRP £14.90

    KIKO Mosaic Highlighter
    KIKO Mosaic Highlighter
    KIKO Mosaic Highlighter swatch
    KIKO Cool Touch Eyeshadow in 01 Original Cream is one of eight creamy intense eyeshadows.  Once applied it gives a long-lasting metallic and glossy finish. Again it is packaged inside a truly stunning case which compliments the highlighter and the shade I have is absolutely stunning, it works with any shade and highlights the eye area.  There is an RRP £8.90
    KIKO Cool Touch Eyeshadow
    KIKO Cream Eyeshadow
    KIKO eyeshadow Swatch
    KIKO Frosted Look Lipstick in shade 01 of 6 shades.  To look at, as you can see, it is a creamy chubby pencil lipstick which makes the application quick and easy, especially if are on the go.  Given that it is called a frosted lipstick it gives you a satin finish with colour that holds for a good 4-5 hours after application.  I applied this when I went to see Slipnot at Wembley as I left work at 5pm, when we got home at midnight, there was still a hint of the colour on my lips, which considering I had eaten some chilli beef nachos and had a few bottles of desperado beer, is quite impressive! you easy and quick application on-the-go. There is an RRP £7.50
    KIKO Frosted Look Lipstick Crayon
    KIKO Frosted Look Lipstick Swatch
    To work alongside lipsticks is a lip gloss and the KIKO Glassy Lipgloss which I have in shade 02 is again beautiful, from the outer casing which again looks stunning alongside the Highlighter and eyeshadow compacts with the silvery finish, is one of six shades.  This liquid lipgloss provides intense pigmentation with a really glossy wet-look finish.  It is described as being a hybrid of a lipstick and lipgloss and has a water-based formula which coats the lips whilst moisturizing them at the same time, but it is not at all sticky or tacky when applied. When you first come to use it, there is a really subtle vanillery scent which soon disappears. There is an RRP £7.90 

    KIKO Glassy Lipgloss
    KIKO Glassy Lipgloss
    KIKO Glassy Lipgloss swatch
    The final item in my little bundle of joy is two KIKO Crystal Eyeliner in shades (5) which is a stunning bright blue and shade (6) which is an almost black shade.  As these are pencil eyeliners, they are really smooth on the eye area, given they are formulated with a combination of waxes and filmogens, it gives the feel of a liquid liner and once it has been applied, nothing budges it, not even a day in front of a computer screen, even with a hand swatch, it is really hard to remove. There are six shades available and they have an RRP £6.90
    KIKO Crystal Eyeliner
    KIKO Eyeliner pencils
    KIKO Crystal Eyeliner Swatches
    As someone who has just been introduced to the world of KIKO, I am really impressed with these products and love everything about them from the amazing packaging to the long-lasting formulas, it is an exciting collection to have and it doesn't stop there.  The collection also includes a Generation Next Face Brush, CC Cream Cushion, Masterpiece Bronzer, Mosaic Blush and Crystal Fusion Super Moisture Face Serum which sounds amazing. The Generation Next collection launches in March.

    What do you think to this collection? Are you a KIKO fan?

    Sunday 25 January 2015

    I Love... Perfectly Peachy Bath & Shower Créme

    Bath, body and beauty brand I Love… is one I am a big fan of, more so because last week I was invited along to see what was new for 2015.  The brand has become the first cosmetics company to commit to adding breast cancer awareness signs and symptoms labels to their limited edition Perfectly Peachy Bath and Shower Creme as part of he charity CoppaFeel's new #SHOWERHIGHJACK campaign.  For those of you who read my blog regularly, will know how important I think the charity is, so I was delighted to learn that I Love had taken their mantra onboard.

    #SHOWERHIJACK aims to unite the beauty industry into helping hijack women's showers nationwide to bring 'Copping a Feel' into your everyday routine.  Knowing what the symptoms and spotting the signs of breast cancer are, will hopefully become second nature to everyone once they are educated and understand what it is they need to be looking for and the most common place to look and to check your own is whilst in the shower.  To help you do that, on the back of the bottle is a handy little guide to show you what it is you should be looking for - very handy!


    I Love - Perfectly Peachy Bath & Shower Créme

    I Love - Perfectly Peachy Bath & Shower Créme

    I Love - Perfectly Peachy Bath & Shower Créme

    Kris Hallenga the Founder and CEO of CoppaFeel used the term 'peachy' as a description for her boobs and so Perfectly Peachy the bath and shower crème was born.  The product itself smells of fresh peaches and it is packed with pro Vitamin B5 to help keep your skin and body feeling nourished and moisturised, not to mention soft and supple.  I adore the scent and it lingers on the skin for a good few hours after using it.

    Launching in March with an RRP £2.99 this is one scent I can guarantee you will love.

    Friday 23 January 2015

    Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire

    One of the things I am obsessed with right now is perfume.  In particular the new YSL Black Opium fragrance which I am desperate to get my hands on and this Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire scent which I came across just before Christmas whilst at a blogger event and I loved it at first whiff!

    The very lovely people over at Cosme-De very kindly gifted me the Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire gift set which would make a fantastic gift for anyone, it looks exquisite from the box to the contents.






    The perfume bottle which is 30ml is one of the prettiest bottles I have seen in such a long time.  Its crystalline transparency allows you to see the stunning powdery pink of the fragrance and through that you can see a silhouette of the little black dress, which is apparently ready to dance!

    The fragrance notes are always something I pay attention too, I am getting to know what ingredient's do and don't work with my skin and this one most definitely gets the thumbs up.  The first thing you get a sense of is fresh flowers and that is due to the roses, jasmine and orange blossom which give it a really delicate fragrance.  Add to that cherry, apple and blackcurrant which make up the middle notes leaving white amber and musks to finish off the scent with its base notes. All of this together makes for an amazing scent and it lasts such a long time that when I spray it in a morning on my way to work, I can still smell it on my way home from work 8-9 hours later.

    Also in the box alongside the perfume is La Petite Robe Noire Velvet Body Milk for Glamorous Skin in a 75ml tube.  The formula is exactly that of the perfume but as a body milk it is really hydrating and nourishing on the skin.  I am not usually a fan of items like this in a gift set, but this one is divine and it is one I use as a treat, for a night out with friends or for date night with the mister and it just adds a little extra to what is already a wonderful perfume.


    This set on Cosme-de retails at just £34 which is such great value for money when you consider the bottle alone is that price (and sometimes more) here in the UK.
     

    Thursday 22 January 2015

    Valentines Day Gift Ideas

    I am apparently hopeless at deciding what I want for gifts, be it birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or just because.  With that in mind I have cobbled together a gift idea post for Valentines Day, for that special lady in your life, be it your Wife, Girlfriend, Fiancée, Mum, Nan or a secret crush you want to surprise.

    House of Fraser has an incredible selection of gifts to choose from, the list is literally endless and whilst I would ideally love them all, these are some of my favourites.

    You can never go wrong with a perfume and as a brand, Issey Miyake has always impressed with both male and female fragrances.  City Blossom which you can see below sounds absolutely wonderful and the kind of fragrance I would choose. With top notes include citrus accords, pink pepper and calone. Its floral heart comprises of white petals such as osmanthus, freesia and magnolia, while the base hosts natural white Virginian cedar, white musk and ambrox.  It is limited edition and has an RRP £51

    The second item I absolutely love because A) The tin is just brilliantly designed and B) Kiehls is an amazing brand and C) I am a lip balm obsessive, so put them together and before you, there is this beautiful lip balm set which is exclusive to House of Fraser and has an RRP £28

    The third item on my list is this Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Honey Bath. What sold it to be was the explanation behind the product and the fact I love spending a good hour in the bath with my book/Kindle.  


    Twirl the Ambre Vanille emulsion into your bath and watch it transform into a decadent foaming experience. The thick, rich bubbles leave your skin supple and your senses calm and relaxed, while Shea Butter and Vanilla Extracts leave skin velvety soft. Sweet Almond Proteins, Hydrolyzed Rice, and Oat Proteins along with Pro-Vitamin B-5 offer skin moisture balance and protection. For skin that loves to be pampered, indulge in this luscious Honey Bath.  This has an RRP £32

    The final three items on my list are jewellery related. Most people think jewellery when it comes to Valentines Day and quite a few people are proposed too or do the proposing.  Now I personally think Diamonds are a girl's best friend to coin a phrase, but for Valentines perhaps a little something different for that woman in your life.
    This Radley watch I love firstly because it is pink and secondly because it is just so pretty, retailing at just under £100 it is an absolute bargain.  It hosts a leather strap, is water resistant up to 30 metres and comes with a 2 year guarantee!
    Diamond earrings are very useful accessories to complete and outfit and I love the simplicity of this pair from JamesAllen.com. At a price of £246, it is a great gift for the special someone who loves bling.

    Finally, we have these stunning Ted Baker Studs.  For anyone who knows me or reads my posts regularly, you will know that I adore Ted Baker products, be it makeup, bath and body, perfume or jewellery.  These Studs are heart-shaped, so perfect for Valentines Day and retail at just £19

    So there you have my Valentines Day gift ideas, I hope you find them useful.


    Wednesday 21 January 2015

    Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream

    One of the brands I am glad to have made acquaintance with since I started blogging is Bee Good. Bee Good is an independent British skincare company based in rural Hampshire, who have harnessed the centuries-old healing powers of British honey, propolis and beeswax in an innovative skincare range, designed to make a real difference without the use of parabens, synthetic colour, mineral oil, silicone or SLS/SLES. Each and every one of their products are described as being packed with hard-working intensively soothing ingredients, there is nothing better to care for your lips than this nourishing and protective treatment delivered from the flower, to the bee, to you.

    The product I have been using for the last month is this natural Honey & Crambe Hand Cream**. I am a huge fan of hand creams and I use a lot of it because I find working with a lot of paper, ink and spending time at a computer really does dry my hands out and I like to ensure I always have some cream to hand.






    This hand cream is very rich but it absorbs itself really quickly with no effort. As you can expect if you are a fan of Bee Good products, it is packed full of ingredients to ensure your hands are extremely well moisturised and hydrated. As with most products from Bee Good you can expect to find British wild flower honey which is very moisturising, British propolis which is renowned for its antibacterial properties, pro-vitamin B5 which is skin softening and then British Crambe Oil which is said to be deeply nourishing for the skin. The final two ingredients British borage oil and camelina oil provide rich sources of essential fatty acids which help strengthen and protect the skin.


    I absolutely love this hand cream, it is so luxurious and rich as well as being hydrating and moisturising, a perfect desk/handbag hero.




    Everything written here is done so by the blog owner and it may appear elsewhere.
    All content and images © Beautyqueenuk unless otherwise stated. Blog design by Beautyqueenuk