ghd Platinum+ Black Professional Styler

I remember getting my first pair of ghd hair straighteners when I was at University and it was like a revelation, how on earth had I managed without them.  I was then given a pair of ghd Rare Straighteners as a gift after my first pair got lost during a house move and they have been with me ever since, some 10+ years!  New to my collection is the ghd Platinum+ Black Professional Styler which I have been kindly gifted and my gosh how things have changed. 

I have a really busy day job, so gone are the days when I can spend a good few hours getting ready to go anywhere and at the weekend, I am more likely to be found in my tracksuit than my LBD, but that doesn't mean I don't want my hair to look half decent. I have a lot of hair, it's thin but there is a lot, that is the phrase any hairstylist I've gone too uses, so styling my hair does take time, more so because it is naturally wavy, so I either work with those waves or I don't, depending on my mood.

The ghd Platinum+ Styler comes with the tagline "ghd’s SMART styler that predicts your hair’s needs" and are described as being a SMART styler with ground-breaking innovative technology that predicts your hair's needs.  Featuring breakthrough ultra-zone predictive technology, the ghd platinum+ styler recognises each section of hair and then adapts the temperature to ensure the optimum temperature of 185ºC is consistent across the two plates allowing for consistent results in one stroke. The heat is also monitored 250 times per second and through its predictive technology, so this means that not only does the styler recognises the thickness of your hair and speed at which you are styling it also adjusts accordingly so you get unbeatable results that are personalised to you.

The ghd Platinum+ styler features a unique wishbone hinge which ensures the precision milled plates stay aligned allowing for snag-free styling.  One issue I have had with other branded stylers is that the plates are quite rough and they do then snag the hair, so with this styler because the plates have a high gloss finish, they glide through the hair with no effort.  

They also come with universal voltage, so no matter where you are in the world, they work just as well there as they do at home.  They also come with the automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use, I am constantly worrying as to whether or not I switched off my straighteners and this is useful to have for those times.  There is also a 2.7m swivel cord as well, for me a must-have so I am not constantly tripping over a wire as I wander around styling my hair.  One of the most useful additions to the ghd styler for me is the heat resistant protective plate guard which protects the plates from being scratched, so you can take your style and your styler wherever you want

I have found the ghd Platinum+ Black Professional Styler an absolute breeze to use, I love that they are easy to use, I only need to run them through each section of my hair once to get the desired straightness that I need, whereas with my ghd Rare straighteners, which do still work they just don't get very warm, so I would spend a long time constantly running the plates over the same section of hair.  I love the new function of the on/off button which lights up and makes a beeping noise to let you know it’s on and then another jingle when it’s ready to use. I was surprised that they heat up within seconds and are ready to use.

Overall, I absolutely love how much easier these ghd Platinum+ straighteners make styling my hair, instead of taking more than half an hour, I can be done and ready in less than 10-minutes and because of their more rounded shape, I can work with the waves in my hair to make my natural curls more manageable too. 

Price and Availability

If you are asking Father Christmas for some new hair stylers/straighteners then without a shadow of a doubt,  I would highly recommend these. They literally are the most incredible straighteners that I have used since my ghd Rare and they are priced at £189 and with it comes with a 3-year warranty. These ghd Platinum+ Stylers are available in black, white and a limited edition pink design but there is also the option to upgrade your package and add other products to it.

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

Burt's Bees Moisturising Lip Butters

At this time of the year when the rain comes down heavy and the wind blasts your face, the one product I am never without is a lip balm in my bag, truth be told, there is usually more than one.  New to my bag are these Burt's Bees Moisturising Lip butter which takes lip balms to a whole new level.

Burt’s Bees® Lip Butter is said to provide instant moisturisation to the lips in a lightweight, luxurious texture. For these butters, Burt's Bees has infused the formula with a botanical blend flavour alongside moisturising Shea and Cocoa butters. 

I am a huge fan of how these butters feel on the lips, once applied, it melts onto the lips almost immediately on contact and rather than leave a greasy balm feel, instead, you just have soft, smooth lips which feel really hydrated.  Burt’s Bees® lip butter is available in two botanical-blend flavours which I have to share with you.

The first is Orange Blossom and Pistachio which can be detected from the bright orange lid and inside, the butter, which is very lightly whipped in texture smells just absolutely divine.

On the lips, whilst the beautiful scent of both the orange blossom, which is as fruity as it is fresh combined with Pistachio to give that earthy scent, applies like a dream. It is not sticky or tacky, it doesn't irritate or sting and what I love is that it does create an incredible base for applying lipstick.

The second Lip Butter is Lavender and Honey and again, it is hard not to love the scent of this one too. Fresh Lavender is one of my favourite scents, there is something about it which I find relaxing but mixed here with honey, what you get is a slight sweetness too.

As with the Orange Blossom and Pistachio Lip Butter, this one also applies like a dream as it glides across the lips and in doing so, adds moisture and almost wraps the lips in an invisible veil of protection.  It is also not sticky or tacky and once applied, it too absorbs almost instantly.

Both of these lip butters come in a collectable easy-open press-top tin are formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum and scientifically tested by a dermatologist so you can feel good about using it on your skin.

Price and Availability

Each Lip Butter is priced at £4.99 and can be found at Boots*.

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

Glossybox Winter Warmer - November Edition

The November Glossybox has arrived and with the theme Winter Warmers, the team over at Glossybox HQ are getting you in the mood for your warmest jumpers, cosy knits, roaring fires, spiced lattes and one of my favourite things to have - a cosy night in! This months box is described as being filled with enriching lotions, nourishing haircare, shimmery cosmetics and an extra treat! This month, Glossybox have also teamed up with Remington to celebrate the launch of their BRAND NEW Curl & Straight Confidence – 25 golden tickets have been hidden!

The first product out of my box comes from Mudmasky with the Leave Me-On Winter Mask - Described as being a winter coat for your skin. As a mask which is a lightweight, moisturising, and hydrating it is a definite must-try right now. My skin is never a fan of the central heating being on, more so when I am in and out of the cold all day and in and out of the heat and it is at this time of the year that I am definitely applying a lot more oils.

This mask uses nourishing argan, jojoba and macadamia oil which seeps into dry, cracked and flaking skin to form an invisible protective layer on your skin, shielding it from the cold and dry weather. So, this is a mask that you apply in the morning after cleansing and instead of washing it off, you leave it on for the whole day and remove it in an evening. So I am really intrigued as to how this will work and am looking forward to giving it a try.

The second product is from Rituals, a brand I really like and the product in my box was The Ritual of Ayurveda Soothing Hand Balm.  Again in the cold weather, I tend to go through a lot of hand cream and I have never tried this one from Rituals, so it is already in my rucksack.

Described as being a silky formula that absorbs quickly into skin to soften and condition without greasy residue. It smells absolutely incredible as it is infused with ancient Ayurvedic ingredients of Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil.

One brand I just can't get on with is Cetaphil, my skin just doesn't like this product at all.  In this months box is the Gentle Skin Cleanser, something so many people use and like and a product I see a lot of on my Instagram feed.

Described as being a gentle cleanser which removed makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils or disturbing its pH levels.  To use, you only need a really small amount of this cleanser, no bigger than the size of a pea and once massaged onto the skin, rinse with warm water or simply wipe with a cotton pad.

Next is Hask Hair and this month Glossybox are offering 1 of 3 different hair oils within the beauty box.  I am a huge fan of these hair oils and again, during the cold weather, my hair needs a lot of TLC.

I have the Monoi Coconut Oil hair oil within my box and it is described as being a lightweight, alcohol-free instantly absorbing oil which works to provide the hair with a beautiful shine whilst at the same time leaving behind no oily residue. Monoi oil is native to Tahiti and it is known for its re-hydrating and softening qualities and for leaving your hair nourished, moisturised and revived. If, like me, you are a fan of the scent of coconut, then you will love the scent of this!

The product which has really got my attention from this months box comes from Kandi Cosmetics with the Glow Up Primer and Setting Spray, a brand I know little about but a product I love the look of.

Described as being a two-in-one shimmery primer and setting spray, it is described to keep you glowing over the festive season. To use, the advice is to spritz onto your cleansed face before applying foundation for a natural, lit-from-within look, or you can use it over your makeup for more of a glow.  As well as using on your face, this mist can also be used on your entire body too.

This month, as well as ensuring we have everything we need to look after our hair, skin and hands, Glossybox have added a little treat into the box.  

If you are a fan of fruit tea, then from Offblak there are two tea sachets within the box.  I have Forest Fruit and Spicy Orange & Ginger and both of them are the tea you want after being out in the cold to warm you up.

As always you can subscribe to Glossybox right here and if you use the code BQUEEN20 you can get yourself 20% off that first box!  

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