SVR Hydracid C50 Smoothing Radiance Mask

We are constantly told that Vitamin C is a highly unstable molecule and it is almost impossible to use it to its full potential and concentration. The most important factor is how it is delivered to get the very best from it as an active and from different brands, I have had products containing Vitamin C as a serum, in a paste, suspended in silicone, as a booster, a gel and today I am sharing the SVR Hydracid C50 Masque Eclat (£30 here*)

If you have never come across SVR as a brand before, it was born in 1962 visionary pharmacists Simone and Robert Véret created SVR: a dermatological laboratory whose key aim was to create "BEAUTIFUL SKIN". Over the years, their son and later their grandson transformed this small French family brand into a true star in the field of dermo-cosmetics.  Today, I have a product called Hydracid C50 Smoothing Radiance Masque Eclat which uses an aerosol to preserve 100% of Vitamin C’s effectiveness.

Give me any product that sounds slightly quirky or kooky and I am wanting to try it almost as soon as I get my hands on it, so from SVR, a mask that comes as an aerosol really did capture my attention.  Said to brighten and refine your complexion, this SVR Hydracid C50 Smoothing Radiance Mask, is best described as being a micro-peeling foam-mask that delivers smoothing, softening and anti-ageing benefits.

Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and what is referred to as a unique Retexturizing Radiance Complex at 50% concentration, the mousse-textured mask works to maximise skin radiance while plumping out the appearance of wrinkles.   Shaking the can and pumping it onto the palms of my hand to apply to my face, it is actually quite soothing, I haven't used a mousse mask like this before and what I love is how it feels on my skin.  Left on for 15 minutes to work its magic, you look almost as though you have the start of a bubble mask, but the foam dissipates and absorbs into the skin.  Once those 15 minutes are up, you need to remove any excess with a damp cotton wool pad or cloth and then rinse your face.  You can also leave the mask on overnight to really give your skin a boost too.

The SVR Hydracid C50 Smoothing Radiance Mask formula combines several active ingredients which includes:

• Vitamin C 25% optimized complex, a radiance active, antioxidant that unifies the complexion and illuminates the skin,
• Gluconolactone with a retexturising effect which smoothes and refines the skin texture,
• Hyaluronic acid with a repulping effect that fills wrinkles and fine lines.

It delivers what SVR call a superficial micro-peel effect and this is to help refine and retexturise the skin and in doing so, leaves it with a smoother texture, improved hydration and enhanced luminosity, add to that the inclusion of Niacinamide for soothing and Red Algae for moisturising, this is quite unlike any product I have used for some time.

Priced at £30 and available online from Lookfantastic, Feelunique and other boutiques, this is one product you need to have in your stash if you have never used anything with Vitamin C in it,  if you feel your skin needs a workout and a boost and for the foam!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Aldi Lacura Aloha Bronzer - Is it a dupe for Benefit Hoola?

One of my favourite bronzers is Benefit Hoola, it is one product I have repurchased over and over again and every time I stray away and try something new, it is Hoola that I always come back too.  As Benefit has over the years introduced new members to the Hoola family (review here), it is the original I always opt to use because it is just so versatile and for me, works just as well as an eyeshadow as it does a bronzer.

I have made no secret that I find myself giggling away in the much coveted middle aisle in Aldi where you can find everything from Zoflora to an entire garden seating set and every so often there is a beauty product or two that grabs my attention.  Last time it was the Nip + Fab Glycolic Cleansing Pads Dupe and this time it is the turn of the Aloha Bronzer and as you might have guessed from the title, could it be a dupe for Hoola by Benefit?

The biggest giveaway that there are some similarities starts with the packaging.  Whilst one might be pink and the other purple, there are some very obvious dupes on the lid from Aldi with the canes and flowers.  Again, inside the box, we have a mirror in the lid and a brush sitting inside a plastic holder. The one major difference at this stage is the Benefit Hoola box is of much better quality and less flimsy than Aldi's option.

The brushes at a first glance are almost identical, Benefit is blue and Aldi is pink and whilst I do love the colour pink, it is the bristles of the brush which are important and again, for me, there is a huge difference between the two.  Firstly, Aldi packs a lot more into their brush but in doing so, they are not as soft as those offered by Benefit and it is one of the few brushes that comes with a product that I have liked to use, so to find a dupe is quite something.  Sadly, just because there are more bristles doesn't make it a better brush.  It applied the bronzer fairly well, but it is patchy because it just doesn't grab enough and that is whether I use Aloha or Hoola.  With Benefit, you get a much smoother and much more even application and it blends seamlessly, unlike the Aldi option.

When it comes to the actual bronzer, this is where the duping continues, but not in the way you might think.  Both Aldi and Benefit offer 8.0g of product and again, nestled inside the square pan of the box is the bronzer.

At first glance, from Aldi, the bronzer looks much deeper in colour than Benefit and much less smooth but all of this is arbitrary because what really matters is how the shade sits on the skin and below is a finger swatch, unedited onto my wrist and I have kept it as simple as possible because having read previous posts on the Aldi Lacura Aloha bronzer, the one thing I've never found is a swatch.

I found both Aldi and Benefit bronzers really easy to use and swatch, I didn't need to try multiple times to pick up some colour to do the swatch and this is the swatch.

If you want to find out which swatch is which then you will find that answer at the bottom of this post but as you can see from the swatches, the top swatch is lighter and there is a slight shimmer to it whereas the bottom swatch is much more muted. The bottom swatch also has much less of a red undertone than the top swatch, so would probably suit those with a very pale complexion.

For me, whilst there are some nominal differences between the two products as shown so far, the ingredients used are quite interesting.  One thing Aldi is known for is their cruelty-free beauty and there for everyone to see is the Leaping Bunny symbol, something that Benefit does not have.

There are some ingredients which appear in both products and right at the top of that list is Talc for both Aloha and Hoola, they both have ingredients referred too as CL 77491 which is a synthetic red shade, CL 77492 which imparts a purple shade and CL 77499 which is a black Iron Oxide and although Aldi Lacura Aloha says 'may contain' these ingredients they do appear on the label.

So with all of that taken into account, does one bronzer do a better job than the other? For me, I like to mix and match my products and that often includes my bronzers.  Overall for me, Benefit Hoola is my preferred shade and it is the one I find much easier to work with, the one I find easier to blend and the one that works better with my skin tone.

Aldi Lacura Aloha Bronzer retails for £5.99 when it is on sale and if you are curious, then it is well worth grabbing because it does work as a bronzer, it just takes a lot more effort when it comes to blending and building up coverages.  However, it is £20 cheaper than Benefit Hoola which currently retails for £26 (here) and of course, it is cruelty-free, which I know for some is the most important issue when choosing cosmetics.

So which swatch was which?  The answer can be found below - did you guess right?

Have you tried any of Aldi's beauty products before?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Fushi Pomegranate Oil 80%+

I absolutely love a good oil within my beauty routine and often use bath oils if my skin is feeling really dry, hair oils for added shine and a face oil in my skincare routine and as with all other aspects of using an oil, depending on how my skin feels, will depend on which oil I use. Earlier this week I reviewed the Fushi BioVedic Collection which I have loved using and today is the turn of the Fushi Pomegranate Oil 80%+.

I have used a pomegranate oil in the past and loved how it made my skin feel. From Fushi we have an oil which is said to be a new powerful antioxidant oil that is challenging the way Pomegranate oil is produced to boost its Omega 5 content to a minimum of 80% in order to promote age-defying benefits for the skin and health.

Known also as Punicic Acid, Omega 5 is a unique yet beneficial fatty acid and it is considered to be one of the most natural potent antioxidants. At the same time, Pomegranate is known to be one of the only plant-based sources of Omega 5. Putting all of this together, Fushi's Pomegranate Oil 80% is believed to be the first pomegranate oil on the market with a guaranteed minimum content of 80% - hence the name. Did you know that Punicic Acid boasts a whole plethora of health and skin benefits, many of which I had not known about until this oil was kindly sent to me. For example, it helps to promote heart health owing to the seed oil being a good source of phytochemicals, mono- and poly-unsaturated fat, increase immunity and for the skin, because it is packed with powerful anti-oxidants and flavonoids, it helps to repair skin damage, promote flawless skin, unclog pores both on the face and scalp, it helps to calm redness, heals wounds and it can help with preventing premature ageing by deeply nourishing the outer epidermal layer. 

Fushi Fresh Pressed ® Virgin Pomegranate seed oil is sustainably sourced and produced by mechanical extraction using cold pressing method of the ripe, virgin pomegranate seeds. This oil is also filtered to produce even more clarity within the oil. Fushi Fresh Pressed ® Virgin Pomegranate seed oil is sourced from a small town in South Africa, solely created to ensure sustainability by making use of the entire Pomegranate fruit. During the production of this oil, the aril is separated from the pith and skin to produce pure Pomegranate juice. Fushi Fresh Pressed ® Virgin Pomegranate seed oil is produced by making use of parts of the fruit previously thrown away, namely, its seeds, from which a beneficial oil for skin and health is extracted. This increases the fruit's potential contributes to the sustainability of the oil.

Along with its long list of benefits comes a list of how best to use it and again it comes down to your own personal preference. You can use it internally in quite a few ways and the options are to either take 1-3 teaspoons daily with food, you can drizzle it over a salad or add it to a smoothie. On the skin, you can massage it onto the areas of your skin which you feel need some help.  My own personal preference is to use it on my driest areas of skin and massage it onto my skin and allow it to absorb slowly because it is a fairly thick oil and I have adapted how I extract the oil by using an old pipette from another product because this bottle comes without one and I find it tricky to pour because there is always too much when you need just a small amount.

I love having this oil in my routine and I love the number of options available to use it. It has a shelf life of two years and must be kept out of direct sunlight and somewhere cool otherwise rancidity could occur.

Have you ever tried a pomegranate oil before?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Nixplay Iris WiFi Cloud Frame

I live hundreds of miles from my family and I venture back 'north' once or twice a year, so I do miss out on quite a lot of family milestones.  I have 4 nieces and 6 nephews and rely on Facetime and WhatsApp for updates.  Not too long ago I would have been nipping into Boots to have my photographic film developed to put into an album to treasure, but those days seem long gone because everything else has become so instant and your photo album because your phone or your iCloud, assuming you remember the passwords to log in. I had a digital photo frame some years ago and everything was controlled by an SD card and if you ever wanted to make updates, you would need to remove the card, add the new photographs to it, re-add it to the frame and then upload them, all of which got boring very quickly.

I have got one or two photographs in frames around the house, but as the mister and I have no children of our own and instead have three cats, it is nice to be able to display some semblance of family links somewhere, even creating something that can become someone else's memories in the future.  This is where the Nixplay Iris can make a whole world of difference to your life and it brings together the ability to display your photos whilst using technology to create how you want to show off your snaps.  

Meet the Nixplay Iris WiFi Digital Frame
The perfect combination of sophisticated design with cutting-edge technology.
It’s stylish and sleek, with a stunning display. And keeps you close to the people you care about.
Discover your photos in a new light.

The Nixplay Iris comes in a choice of colours, peach cooper (as seen in this post), silver and then burnished bronze and it plays photos on a 4:3 high-resolution IPS display.  It is 8inches in size and you can choose whether you want it to display landscape or portrait photographs and because the power cable also doubles up as a stand, you can place the frame around your home but as the power cord does stick out a few inches from the outlet, you will need to ensure there is a gap between the wall and the furniture to plug it in.  I have mine on my desk in the office and it is a nice afternoon distraction.

Designed to fit any home environment intelligently, the Nixplay Iris will dim and brighten its panel to best display photos according to your ambient light level. It also has what is referred too as an 'activity sensor' which means the frame will detect sound in the room display to your most recent photos first and if it is quiet, it powers off again until someone makes a noise.

When displaying a photo that doesn’t match the frame’s orientation, the Iris fills the background with a blurred version of the image, but there is the option to select “fill to frame” in the transition settings, something I have done and continue to do.  One of the issues with using your phone as a camera is that the choice between a photo being landscape or portrait is important when using it with this frame.

As well as photos, this frame has built-in speakers, so it is compatible with videos too and for me, this is such a great feature, more so because I have videos of my nieces and nephews singing like angels (ahem) and it is something I want to keep (haunt them with) and have on show.

I am incredibly impressed with the colour quality, it comes with 8GB of built-in memory, so it does hold a lot of photos and at the last count, mine had well over 150 and still counting. I access my frame via WiFi and the Nixplay App and it makes life so simple to send photos and videos in just a few clicks.  It took seconds to set up and just as long to figure out how it works.  The Iris is also compatible with Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, Alexa, Dropbox and Google Photos.  The use of the app means you can simply drag and drop photos onto your Iris really easily.  I have folders set up for my Iris and each one has a theme - cats, for example, features my three boys in different poses from Kitten to adult, then I have the family, the mister and other memories.  Once you have chosen where the photos are going on the Nixplay app, the frame, once connected to WiFi, will automatically download those photos and instantly start to display them. 

As well as choosing which photos to display, the Iris gives you a few different display options and this includes choosing how long to leave each image up, whether to zoom in on photos which don't match the frames orientation and the type of transition between photos.  As well as using the Iris itself, you can also make all of these decisions using the Nixplay app.  The frame also comes with a handy remote control which gives you the option to turn the frame on and off, adjust the brightness, navigate through the menu and fast forward through the photos.

The best thing about this frame, other than being able to have more photos on my desk than anyone else in the office, is just how easy it is to use.  As soon as the frame is hooked up to a power source, the on-screen welcome video essentially helps you set up your frame in a matter of minutes, including adding it to your WiFi connection, creating a Nixplay account and how to pair the frame with your photo via the app.  It is so simple to use, I was uploading photos within minutes.

This frame is priced around £169.99 from Amazon (here*) and it is worth every single penny, I absolutely love how easy to use, the colour which is obviously on trend and the chance to now have photos and videos for my own perusal on my desk.

Have you ever tried a frame like this?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Foreo UFO mini smart mask treatment

One of my favourite gadgets for facial cleaning is Foreo and I have amassed quite the collection over the last few years (review here). Foreo is a Sweden based product and their aim is to empower you and brighten your life. Every product they release has a bold or bright colour and they rely on the feedback of people like you and me to constantly improve their designs. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, combination skin or none of the above, there is a device for you. 

The newest product to my collection is the Foreo UFO Mini Smart Mask Treatment and when it first arrived, I sat and looked at it wondering what the flip it was because I had seen nothing like it before and nor had I used anything like it before, but given it was a Foreo device, I had high hopes it would be amazing and it is, after all, described as being the beauty world’s most advanced smart mask.  

Despite looking like a spaceship, UFO actually stands for UR Future Obsession and it is designed to be used with FOREO’s mini sheet masks, developed exclusively in Korea and combining plant and fruit extracts and botanical oils. 

So you can see, the one mention of Korean Beauty and I am more than excited.

Using a combination of technologies, the Foreo UFO mini turns what would usually be a 20-minute treatment into a 90-second treat and it does so using some of the following:

• The UFO utilises hyper-infusion technology, combining heating to open pores, T-Sonic™ pulsations to instantly infuse active ingredients more deeply into the skin and cryotherapy to seal the active ingredients and firm the skin.
• Flash Thermotherapy instantly warms to soften the skin and open the pores, infusing mask ingredients into the deepest layers of skin
• Flash Cryo-Therapy instantly cools to lift and firm skin, while diminishing the appearance of pores and reducing inflammation

Most importantly of all, the device works when connected to the Foreo Beauty App which you can download from your app store/Google Store. By connecting to the app, this gives you the chanced to build your very own personalised skin profile and you also get expert beauty tips and advice about which UFO Activated Mask is best for you. Plus, you can track your mask usage and set reminders so you never miss a chance to get gorgeous, glowing skin. If you are familiar with other Foreo devices, it won't surprise you to learn that the UFO device is made from ultra hygienic silicone which is not only easy to wash, but it also dries pretty quickly too and helpfully it has its own little stand to take its pride of place on your shelf.

The UFO Mini also includes a range of LED light therapy treatments to offer what are referred to as three photofacials, including anti-ageing (red LED), brightening (green LED) and anti-acne (blue LED) and to give them more of an explanation:

• Red LED light erases signs of ageing & stimulates collagen production for younger looking skin
• Green LED light Brightens a dull complexion and evens skin tone for an instant boost of radiance
• Blue LED kills acne-causing bacteria & stimulates blood circulation for a healthier-looking complexion using a combination of technologies, the Foreo UFO

So as you can see, this little device, which fits into the palm of my hand, already manages to do a whole lot more than two or three of my devices combined would manage.  Thankfully using it is a much easier process than I was expecting it to be and it even comes with a quick start guide which doesn't require a degree to understand.  

• The first step is to select your mask, there is a choice of 7 different masks to choose from including an Anti-Pollution & Hydrating Facial Treatment, Face Mask for Oily Skin, Face Mask for Dry Skin, Collagen Face Mask and an Enhanced Brightening Mask to name just a few. My current favourite mask is the Make My Day Mask which is the Anti-pollution and Hydrating Facial Treatment which used Hyaluronic Acid and Red Algae.
• The second step is to scan the barcode on the back of the packet and again, the cleverness of the technology takes over.  In scanning the barcode, the app knows exactly which mask is being used and it is from here the device knows which settings to use from those mentioned above.  The mask is pre-soaked mini sheet which is no bigger than a cotton wool pad.
• The third step is to secure the mask onto the UFO device and it is so easy to do, simply remove the small plastic ring, insert the mask and re-apply the plastic ring you have just removed.  I had expected it to be a little more difficult than it was if I am honest.
• The fourth step is to press start and place the mask onto your skin and then follow the instructions on your phone from the app.  Cleverly it tells you what movements to make, how long you have left and what I really like is that the light changes colour depending on what treatment you have chosen - red, blue or green.

Once your treatment is finished, after those 90 seconds are over, the UFO device turns itself off and all that is left to do is remove the mask, rinse the device with water and allow it to stand and dry.

So do I like it? No.  I absolutely love it.  Not only is this clever gadget a breeze to use, but it has also impressed me every single time I have used it. I love that it takes just 90 seconds to complete one treatment and whilst initially I wasn't too sure it would be the same result as something that takes 20 minutes, I have been proven wrong.  My skin absolutely loves the Make my Day Mask and after using it is immediately softer, much smoother and hydrated. I do need to try a few more of the masks because I have stuck to the one I really like, but they are available in packs of 6 and cost between £10 and £19 and at this moment in time you cannot purchase them individually, which I would really like to do or have the option to buy a mixture of masks in one box. 

The price? Well the Foreo UFO Mini retails for £159 (here) and is available in three shades: Fuschia, Mint and Pearl Pink. The slightly larger version retails for £249 and it comes with a 2-year warranty and a 10-year quality warranty and you can find it on sale via Foreo, Cult Beauty and John Lewis. 

The Foreo UFO Mini is suitable for all skin types. It comes with a USB charger, it’s lightweight to travel with and 100% waterproof.  Are you a Foreo Fan?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Products You Need To Get Your Feet Ready For Spring?

It is no secret that I hate feet, but more than that, I am really not a fan of having them touched by other people, though I can just about stomach my own hands touching them. In order to ensure no-one else needs to come near my feet, I do take care of them, as I do with my hands, face, body and so on. I have an abundance of products that I use to rub, scrub, smooth and smoothe my feet with because nothing gives me the heebeejeebees more than the thought of having to visit a podiatrist!

Now Spring has sprung (somewhere), it is time to remove those socks and tights you have so perfectly hidden your feet away in over the colder months and dust off those pretty sandals, flipflops and wedges you bought in the Summer sale to get some wear out of them. But, before you do that, there is a whole host of things you need to get those feet ready to be on show to the world.

For me, the first thing I always do is grab a foot mask and I tend to opt for ones which come with their own booties. One of the best masks I have used for my feet comes from Tonic15 and it is the Love.edellis Foot Mask (£5 here). 

Using Honey extract which increases skin firmness and retains moisture, Menthol because it hosts antibacterial properties and also helps to hydrate dry skin as well as Macadamia oil which works to soothe the skin. To use, always ensure your feet are clean and then remove the foot mask boots from the packet and apply them to your feet, just like a pair of socks.  Unlike similar products, these masks have a tightening stud so they don't hang off your feet.  After twenty minutes, you remove the boots and if there is any excess serum, massage it into your feet and let them work their magic.

If you need something a little more hardcore to help remove dead and dry skin, then Tony Moly Super Peeling Liquid foot masks are the ones you need and whenever I see these on offer in TKMaxx, I stock up, but you can also grab them on Amazon or Boots*. 

This Super Peeling Liquid has a unique formula fortified with fruit extract and it is a gentle way to remove layers of dead skin cells from your feet. Inside the box, you will find a pair of single-use plastic socks and the Super Peeling Liquid to ensure you get those soft, smooth feet.  To use, you apply the plastic looking socks, which I always find are slightly too big but they do have ties at the top so you can safely secure them in place, but you do need to leave them on for around an hour to 90 minutes, so grab that book you have been meaning to finish reading or finish writing that blog post.  Within 5-7 days you will notice the skin on your feet begins to loosen as the fruit extracts work their magic over that time and you will be surprised how much skin comes away!  Thankfully, after looking like a snake shedding its skin, you are left with incredibly smooth skin.

If that sounds a little too grim for you, then you could grab the Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot Care System (£39.99 in Boots*).  It helpfully comes with an extra Coarse Roller Head which has long-lasting micro-abrasive particles which now includes finely ground diamond crystals. 

Having used a previous design from Scholl, this one is so much better at removing dead and dry skin in one go, so there is no need to spend an age trying to remove it and there is little need to use the device too regularly. On its own, this device retails for £39.99 so the kit as a whole is an absolute bargain.

Just like the rest of your body, your feet do need moisturising help. From L'Occitane, I have been using the Shea Intensive Foot Balm (£23 here*) which is an ultra-rich version of the iconic Shea Foot Cream, specially adapted for very dry skin. 

Enriched with a high concentration of Shea butter (25%), this repairing foot cream works to intensively nourish the skin. Concentrated in D-Panthenol and allantoin, it helps to immediately soothe the feet, bringing them comfort, reducing roughness and fighting against dryness. I love how rich and luxurious this balm textured cream feels on my feet and the best part? It absorbs into the skin incredibly quickly, so I don't have to sit and massage my feet for too long.  For added moisture, you can also apply a thicker layer to the skin and then, use cotton socks and leave on overnight. Every single time I have used this balm, it has left my skin soft, supple and incredibly smooth to the touch.

I would love to know what you use to ensure your feet are kept looking their absolute best as we move from Winter to Spring.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Tina Cassaday Banana-Banana Hair Care

When it comes to hair care, there is one lady who knows her stuff and that is the wonderful Tina Cassaday, someone I have not only had the pleasure of meeting but someone I've had my hair checked by, secrets I've shared and afternoon tea we have chatted over. One of Beverly Hill's most notable hair stylists who tends to the tresses of some of Hollywood's hottest stars, there is very little Tina does not know about hair care and the structure of it but she has also created her very own hair care line.

In approaching hair, Tina has successfully paired the study of molecular structure - trichology - with hair colour and cutting. It was this scientific method that led to her success. I have been using the Banana-Banana range for a few months now and it is every bit as incredible as you might expect, the condition is also Vegan!

I met Tina last year in Harvey Nichols as she showcased her brand and the first thing we did was talk about how my hair makes me feel, the issues I have and the products I use on my hair.  We then did, what is known as the submerge test to look for areas of concern.  The test includes talking a bowl of water and one strand of your hair which you place on top of the water, after three minutes, if any part of the hair sinks, this is the main area of concern.  Your hair should hold 1/3 of its dry weight and sinking means low moisture levels if little dots appear around the floating hair strand, this indicates a residue.  Thankfully, my hair did float but for me, my issue is when I am stressed or unwell, my scalp becomes dry and itchy at the back of my scalp, so I was thankful I was able to talk to Tina about this.

The Banana-Banana range consists of three products - a shampoo, a conditioner and an Elixir and I am lucky enough to have been using all three.  The Banana Bliss Shampoo smells absolutely incredible, if you love the scent of bananas then this will leave you wanting more.

Designed to be both nutritious, Banana Bliss is made with 100% organic ingredients which include Banana Flower Extract, Banana Fruit Extract, Coconut Fruit Juice, Plantain Leaf Extract, Banana Pulp Extract, Hydrolyzed Quinoa and Aloe Leaf Juice to name a few.  

What I really love about this shampoo is that you only need a small amount, my hair is just past shoulder length and whilst this shampoo doesn't lather as much as others, it leaves my hair feeling just incredibly clean, my scalp refreshed and there is less frizz and static once it has dried.

The second product is the Banana-Banana Conditioner Hair Masque and it is designed to give the hair extreme deep conditioning.  Made with Banana Pulp, it is rich and luxurious and its job is to lock in moisture and leave your hair feeling soft, shiny and manageable.  If your hair needs some rescuing because it is chemically processed or stressed.

To use, you apply it from the roots to the ends in a downward motion and it is the liquid fruit formulation which delivers that deep, natural conditioning for the hair leaving so soft, so hydrated and feeling just amazing. The idea with this conditioner is that to get the best from it, you should use it as a masque and it should be left on the hair for between 5 to 45 minutes to work its magic. Once you have washed the remnants from your hair and then, Tina then advises that you finish with an ice-cold rinse.

You can also use this masque overnight by simply applying it to the hair and washing it out in the morning, but I would advise that you wear a shower cap of some sort, because it does mush on your pillow.  I tend to use this conditioner once a month as an intensive treatment and my hair just absolutely loves it.

The final product is one I cannot get enough of and it is one I want to bathe in and that is the Banana Blossom Elixir and honestly, it just smells amazing.

The Banana Blossom Elixir features lightweight Banana Flower, Sunflower, Quinoa, Passionfruit, Acai Fruit and Argan oils and its job within your hair care routine is to help you to achieve shiny, healthy and smooth hair which, as you might have guessed by now, smells just incredible.

To use, you simply pump a small amount onto the palms of your hands and then rub them together to emulsify, at this point, you then distribute through damp or dry hair in a downward motion and then style as you usually would.  For my hair, this elixir helps to keep those shorter, newer hairs in place without leaving my hair feeling greasy and unwashed. The scent of banana is even more intensified when used alongside the other two products within this range and it is a scent which lasts for a good day or two.

The entire Banana-Banana hair care range is available in Harvey Nichols and online and if you are looking for an incredible hair care range to soothe and smooth those tresses, then this is more than worth giving a try.

As well as being the hair care guru to the sides, Tina's other passion is giving back. She works with Centrepoint in London teaching the homeless youth how to do hair, as well as, hairstyling for royal events. Centrepoint is HRH Prince William's patron charity.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

L'Occitane Almond Oil Shower Shake

Whenever I am asked what my favourite L'Occitane collection is, without hesitation it is the Almond collection and there isn't a single product I dislike.  I go through quite a few Almond Shower Oil refills each year and it is one of the best products I have ever used, so when the newly released Almond Oil Shower Shake arrived, I couldn't wait to give it a try. 

The Almond Oil Shower Shake is described as being an innovative bi-phase formula that promises a fun-filled, sense-sational shower experience. Enriched with almond oil and almond milk from Provence, this bi-phase shower oil consists of two different textures which create this wonderfully scented and delightful milky formula when you shake the bottle to mix them together.  Inside the bottle are tiny steels balls which help to mix the phases together and as you shake the bottle, it creates a shaker sound effect.

Shake up your day and get your daily dose of happiness with this luxurious oil-in-milk shower wash. Shower time has never been so much fun!

Once the two phases have been mixed together, you need just a small amount onto the palms of your hands, your shower puff or cloth to cleanse your skin. What I love is the scent, if you are a fan of the almond shower oil or any of the almond collection, because this product is essentially two different products in one, that scent is much more intense and I cannot describe just how much I love it. It rinses off to leave the skin feeling silky soft and supple not to mention moisturised and delicately fragranced with almonds.

If you are a fan of the Almond collection from L'Occitane, then without question you need to be adding the Shower Shake to your bathroom! Priced at £19.50 for 250ml here*

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Pixi Multi Masking Skin Treats

If there is one thing you are likely to find me doing at a weekend, it is a masking session, not just on my hair but also my undereye, face and even body if I have anything left to use.  Having combination skin which leans to the oily side often means that a single face mask doesn't work as well it should do when my skin misbehaves, so I tend to either use a sheet mask for calming and soothing and then if I have a liquid mask, I multimask.  Multimasking is so simple and it is a great way of really make good use out of the products you have and knowing what to put where.  

When the Pixi Multi Masking collection arrived, I couldn't wait to give everything a try. Over the last 18 months, there have been some incredible launches from Pixi such as the Rose collection (here) and the Mattelast Lipsticks (here) which I absolutely love.  Known for their cult products Glow Tonic, which I happen to adore, I am delighted to see further Tonic options within the range.

I love under eye patches and new from Pixi is the DetoxifEye Depuffing Hydrogel Under Eye Patches (£22 x 30).  Designed to revive, refresh and rehydrate the delicate eye area for visibly smoother, soothed and fortified skin.  I love hydrogel masks, I find them incredibly soothing on my undereye and even more so if they have been left to chill in the fridge!

Formulated with hyaluronic acid to give an instant surge of moisture that in turn plumps and smooths skin and fine lines, caffeine helps to depuff and diminish the appearance of dark circles while a host of hard-working extracts such as Cucumber, Raspberry, Blueberry and Blackcurrant all help to energise and refresh skin. Packaged inside a jar, they come with a plastic spatula which allows you to scoop up your eye gels without having to physically touch everything and from there, you apply them to the skin of your undereye.  For me, because they are a hydrogel formula, they stick much better to the skin than other branded eye patches I have used, they don't fall off easily which means you can still do the hoovering up whilst waiting to look fabulous.  All you need to do is leave them on for 10 minutes to work their magic and then if there is any serum left on the skin after use, pat it into the skin.

An absolute bargain at £22 for 30 pairs!

If you love sheets masks then Pixi has two new sets of sheets masks to be added to your collection which are the Plump Collagen Boost and the Pixi Glow Glycolic Boost Brightening Infusion Sheet Mask.  Within this set, it is the Glow Glycolic Boost Brightening Infusion Sheet Mask (£10 x 3) which is featured.  

This Sheet Mask promises to instantly brighten and hydrate skin with the inclusion of a serum concentrate of glycolic acid alongside which we have both witch hazel and cucumber which soothe the skin, relieve inflammation and irritation for a calm and even skin tone.  Like most people, I love a good face mask and these ones are a really good fit for my face and to use, you simply apply them to freshly cleansed skin and leave it on for between 10-15minutes.  Once your allotted time is up, if there is any serum left sitting on the skin, you simply pat it in.

If you love Glow Tonic, then you will love this extension of that rang in the form of a sheet mask too.

Next up we have the Pixi Glow Mud Mask (£18) and it is one of the very first products I ever tried from Pixi before Glow Tonic. Described as being a purifying, glow-revealing clay mask to purify and balance the skin, it is also said to be the Pixi signature 15-minute facial and it is simply divine.

Using a blend of kaolin clay and sea salt which work to draw out all of those nasty embedded impurities and quickly recapture skin’s clarity, it is one mask with clay as an ingredient that doesn't irritate my skin. Alongside the clay and sea salt is a whole cocktail of botanical extracts which includes Aloe Vera for its soothing properties, rosemary, ginseng and jojoba all of which come together to rejuvenate, brighten and instantly ‘perk up’ lacklustre complexions and also to help prevent breakouts.

This mask can be used 2-3 times a week and you really only need a thin layer of the mask on your skin as it is quite thick.  I find it easier to apply with an old makeup brush to ensure I get an even coverage and it is the perfect mask for applying to those areas where you get breakouts such as the jawline, chin and even the nose and you only need to leave it on for 15 minutes before removing with a warm cloth.

I love a good peel off mask, I mean who doesn't enjoy that sensation of peeling it off their face and skin, much like as a child I loved to apply Copydex glue to my hand, let it dry and then peel it off (yes showing my age) and it still hasn't outgrown me.  When it comes to Pixi, this time we have the T-Zone Peel Off Mask (£18) and a mask from Pixi I hadn't tried before. 

Described as being a detoxifying peel-off mask which is great for congested, dull and tired skin, it works to draw out impurities and lift away oil to reveal immediate results. It contains a unique green superfood blend that includes avocado, cucumber, aloe, green tea and bamboo extract which work to help firm and refine.  You can apply it once or twice a week and once on the skin, you need to let it fully dry before the fun of peeling can begin, obviously it needs to be applied away from the hairline, eyebrows and the lips.  What I really like about this mask is how comfortable it is as it begins to dry and then how easy it is to remove, you don't feel as though you are ripping every tiny little hair out of your face.  Once removed, for me, as someone who does have skin on the oilier side, the difference is quite something, as gone is the shine and in its place is soft, smooth skin.

Finally, we have the Pixi Peel & Polish Resurfacing Treatment (£26).  I have reviewed this product here. This is one of my favourite products from Pixi when it comes to exfoliation and whenever I feel my skin needs a little pick me up, this is the tube I am often reaching for, the hubby too.  It is described as being a radiance revealing enzyme peel which resurfaces the skin for smoother, softer and a healthy looking glow, it contains natural fruit enzymes which work to loosen all of that dead and dry skins, whilst the inclusion of 6% lactic acid gently exfoliates, cellulose peels and sugar extracts polishes the skin and helps to lift away dullness revealing brighter skin.

I also happen to love the smell of this treatment, some liken it to being that of unripened bananas but for me, it is that fresh scent of Papaya that really stands out. To use the scrub you apply directly to your face and neck and the skin needs to be dry rather than wet or damp and it a treatment that is used just 2-3 times a week. Once on the skin, you leave the mask for up to five minutes to allow it to work its magic before removing with a warm cloth, you can for a more intense polish effect; using your fingertips, gently massage face and neck in a circular motion. 

This is a great introduction to the wonders of masking with Pixi Beauty and also the reminder that sometimes multi-masking does so much more for the skin.

Have you tried any of these products from the Pixi Multi Masking collection before?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.