Benefit Cosmetics Mini products

I am one of those people who loves a sample product, whether it is a perfume, sachet of a lotion or potion, a bath product or even make-up.  Why do I like them so much? Well they are incredibly easy to shove in your make up bag, your handbag or for taking away on a long weekend break or even on holiday, most sample sizes are more than generous and give you just enough to decide whether or not you like it.

One brand who does the best mini samples is Benefit and I have quite a collection it would seem. Many of them have been part of a beauty box, Magazine Freebie or have been given to me in store when I've gone to stock up on numerous products I cannot live without.  This is my sample collection

As you can see, I have quite a few and for me, many of these samples have led to the purchasing of the full sized product. In my stash I have:

• That Gal - A Brightening Face Primer which I use with my moisturiser to give it a bit of a kick.
• Erase Paste - Brightening Concealer which is one of the best concealers I have used in such a long time.  This little tub has almost come to the end of its life which is sad, but I intend to refill it using my full sized version.
• PoreFessional - Face Primer which is always in my handbag.  Whilst I do prefer the newer Porefessional Matte Primer, this one is great for on the go touch ups.

• Coralista - A Coral Blush
• Dandelion - A brightening face powder 

Both of these came from a Benefit Mini Set I have given but until a few weeks ago, I had forgotten all about them.  Both are brilliant for having in my handbag, especially Dandelion of which I am a huge fan.

• They're Real and Roller Lash - Now I adore both of these mascaras but I prefer to use the wand of Roller Lash with the formula of They're Real, I just find it works better for me. I love both these little sample sizes which are more than generous at 30g to give you an informed view as to whether or not they are the mascara for you.

• High Beam - satiny pink liquid highlighter accents cheek & brow bones for a dewy glow
• License to Blot - Instant Oil Blotting Stick, which is an absolute gem of a product and one that is definitely handbag, desk drawer and make up bag worthy.
• Lolli tint - Candy Orchid tint for lips and cheeks and it is a really cute shade of pink which works well with most lipsticks I own
• Puff Off - Instant Eye Gel to help smooth the look of puffy eyes

• Posietint - poppy-pink tinted stain for cheeks & lips and I find works well as a lip primer.
• Stay don't Stray - dual-action power primer works 360 degrees around the eyes to make concealers and eyeshadows stay put
• Benetint - The original rose-tinted stain for cheeks and lips
• Ooh La Lift - under-eye boost looks like an instant eyelift! Contains raspberry extracts and light-reflecting pigments to instantly perk up tired eyes

As you can see, I have just about everything I need to ensure my make up is primed, set and not going to budge an inch.  Do you have any Benefit Mini's?

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Merumaya is a brand that I absolutely love and am yet to use a product I dislike. On their shelves you will find a product for everything - Cleansers, Cleansing Balm, Toners, Eye Cream, Night Cream, Face Wash, Oils, Serums, hand wash, hand cream, masks, peels, supplements and spot treatments to name just a few. The latest product which has been added to my routine is The Gentle Exfoliating Toner.

Until now, I never bothered to use a toner as part of my skincare regime, so I was very excited to see what effect this Exfoliating Toner would have and to see what the results were. The product itself is packed full of active ingredients some of which give immediate noticeable results and others that are more effective when the toner is used over a longer period of time. Unsurprisingly, the words AHA and Hyaluronic Acid appear in the list on ingredients and this is what they do.

• AHAs or Natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids work to gently yet effectively peel away dead skin, detoxify, cleanse and refine pores to reveal fresh smooth and brighter skin. Natural AHA’s Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are proven to act as exfoliants, loosening and removing the top layer of dead cells by decreasing corneocyte adhesion. This reveals the new skin cells below. Natural AHA Complex provides a superficial peel action resulting in an improved surface appearance for a fresher, smoother look to skin. AHAs help to remove dry skin and can be useful in treating blemished or problem skin, unblocking and cleansing pores. Phew! So essentially what it does is remove all that dirt, grime, excess sebum and nasty stuff from your skin, the stuff that accumulates each day, the stuff which turns the cotton wool pad a black/brown shade when you cleanse essentially. 
• Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient that my skin absolutely loves, it helps to retain over a 1000 times its weight in water within the cells of skin, making it an excellent moisturiser. 
• Natural Betaine is an osmoregulator which essentially means that it manages water balance in skin cells. It can hold 1.6 times its own weight in water. It hydrates and softens the surface of skin resulting in a soft and even finish.

I absolutely love using this toner and it is so gentle on the skin that you can use it twice a day or if you feel this is a little too obsessive, then it is great for using during those times when your skin feels lacklustre and dull. I use the toner once a day as part of my evening skincare routine and afterwards my skin is so soft and smooth, it feels amazing. This toner is priced at £17.50 for a 128ml bottle, so it is going to last quite some time, even if you do use it twice a day.

What I also love about Merumaya is their focus on promoting #BeautyHasNoAge and by this, it means the products are not focused or targeted at Anti Aging, a term most people, myself included, are often skeptical about, but instead, Merumaya want to promote the feeling of positivity about our age and embracing the changes that happen as we get older.

You Beauty - April Box

This months You Beauty Discovery Box is titled 'Natural and Organic' and the choice to choose from features an amazing range of products for your skin, hair and their is also make up to choose from. Admittedly, I choose products because I like the brand, I like the sound of them or I have read and heard good things, I don't go out of my way to choose organic, so for me this is a nice treat and in some ways introduction to brands I am not well acquainted with or too.

As always there are some treats inside this months box and they start with a Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner sachet. Described as being an ultra-restorative, moisturising hair treatment which leaves all hair types smooth, shiny and frizz free. Hask products are free of sulphates, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artifical colours. The second treat comes from Neom in the form of two different capsules. The first being a Daily Energy Boosting Burst Capsule and the second being a Daily De-Stress Burst capsule. Both 100% natural, it is said that you break the capsule into the palms of your hands to massage in and then, cup your hands over your mouth and nose and breathe in and out for 7 seconds.

When I got the email detailing the selections for this box, I had pretty much decided which two options I as going to chose, purely because they are two brands I know the least about.

The first is from Sond and it is a Hydrating Face Spray. I have been sent a mini gift set from Sond by way of introduction which I haven't yet tried and this was not a feature. I am a hge fan of Face Sprays and they are a product I use all the time, especially because a lot of my time is spent in frony of a computer screen. This spray promises to provide instant and long-lasting hydration as well as working to soothe and refresh the skin. Containing silica, it boosts collagen production and water retention, while acting as an anti-inflammatory for irritated or sensitive skin.  This product is a 10ml sample and has a value of around £2.50.

My second choice was the AD Skin Synergy Organic Rose Geranium Nourishing Night Treatment Facial Oil, which is a bit of a mouthful to say! I love a good facial oil and this one is said to be limited edition and is 100% natural with an abundance of potent organic ingredients and scented with the highest-grade Organic Rose Geranium essential oil which has been very tenderly steam distilled and can be found alongside the likes of organic rosehip seed, organic evening primrose, organic jojoba, organic lavender, organic roman chamomile, organic palma rosa, organic ylang ylang, organic neroli, frankincense, jasmine and vitamin E.  On the skin, it is light and non-greasy and is incredibly hydrating, not to mention smells just amazing.  This costs £38 and is a 50ml bottle.

So those are my selections for April and yet again, You Beauty offers great value for money at £6.95 per box including p&p and the contents of this box have a value of around £45.  

Kent Brushes - Oooh That’s Nice Hair Brush

One of the very first hairbrushes I owned was made by Kent. It had a wooden body and handle and really smooth bristles and every Sunday, my Mum would spend some considerable time brushing my hair and then plaiting it for school, every time I complained, she would whack me on the head with it until I sat still, my hair at this point was down to my backside. That brush accompanied me through school, Uni and then to London where I lost it during a house move. Since then I have had a good 8-9 hair brushes.

Kent brushes were founded back in 1777 and have an amazing story to tell. Today they have an amazing selection of styling brushes, radials, ceramics, vents, ionic, paddle, volumising and pure bristle for use on any hair type, style and length and for every budget.

I was kindly sent the 'Ooh That's Nice' Kent brush and it a delight to use. If you have been through a host of hair brushes which pull, tug and snag on your hair, especially if you have a thick mane to tame, then you need a Kent brush in your life. 

This brush head, which is slightly curved to begin with, moulds to the shape of your head as you brush your hair and it has what is described as a distinctive zigzag head with bristles which are positioned in all directions - forwards, backward and side to side, so that when your hair is brushed the bristles, which are made of moulded nylon, multi-task to massage your scalp and stimulate circulation for healthy hair growth. 

The soft natural bristles also clean and nurture your hair encouraging natural shine and body, leaving it tamed, smooth and more manageable. What I have found is a lot less frizz and.static when using this brush on my hair and whilst my hair can often be quite knotty, this brush glides effortlessly through the knots, detangling as it goes without me grimacing at every brush stroke. 

Designed to be suitable for men, women and children of all ages, it is perfect for those who have a sensitive scalp too.  What I have found by switching to this brush is less hair trapped in the bristles after brushing, something which pleases me no end.

This brush is an absolute bargain to be had at £12.50 and it is also one of the most comfiest brushes I have ever used.

Do you have a favourite hair brush?