PHILIPS SONICARE TONGUECARE+

Over the past few months I have been lucky enough to trial a range of Philips Sonicare products (Airflosser) and today I am sharing with you the Philips Sonicare TongueCare+. I have only ever used a tongue cleaner which I have had on the back of my manual toothbrushes and have never really found them all that effective, so to have a tool that is designed to clean your tongue intrigued me.

The Philips Sonicare TongueCare+ contains a tongue brush as well as a special BreathRx spray which instantly transforms your Sonicare electric toothbrush into a powerful breath solution, and it is clinically proven to provide a longer lasting fresh breath in just 60 seconds and it costs just £16 which I happen to think is a bargain. Infact this TongueCare+ fits onto any Sonicare click-on system handles.

Having done their research, Philips recognises that a toothbrush alone cannot eliminate all bad breath bacteria and Up to 80% of bad breath comes from odour-producing bacteria that accumulate and hide deep within the porous surface of your tongue. So, the TongueCare+ combines three powerful components that work together to form an advanced fresh-breath solution.

1. Click on Tongue Brush - The innovative tongue brush, with its 240 MicroBristles, contours to the tongue to clean away bad breath bacteria below the surface. 

2. BreathRx Tongue Spray - This specially formulated tongue spray kills 99% of the germs that cause bad breath (according to lab studies) and neutralises lingering odours. The spray coats the tongue and keeps it lubricated for a gentle cleaning experience and the cool mint flavour leaves your mouth fresh and clean.

3. Sonic Power - TongueCare+ is the only tongue cleaner that uses Philips Sonicare power, driving the bacteria-killing ingredients of the BreathRX spray deeper into the pores of the tongue. Generating 31 000 vibrations per minute to break up food debris, clean and remove any bacteria build up and clean deep into the grooves of the tongue to deliver a thorough clean.

Given my last attempts with a tongue cleaner on the back of my toothbrush making me gag, I didn't expect too much from this, but boy was I wrong. The rubber bristles are very short and flexible making them totally different to those on the back of a toothbrush because these bristles are much more gentle and whilst I did gag the first few times of using it, as you become used to it, you gag less, so to speak and there is no discomfort and it doesn't feel as weird or strange as it sounds.

The BreathRX spray is one of those products that you think will be an unneccesary edition, but actually I much prefer it to mouthwash and it does make that clean feel much more noticeable.  It does have quite a strong scent and the cooling mint flavour adds to that feeling of cleanliness and fresh feeling and it actually doesn't taste too bad.

As I have said, I wasn't too sure I needed to have a tongue cleaner in my life, that was until this one, for me it is something more than a gimmick and is infact an integral part of my oral hygiene and it takes just up just one minute, it is one of those products that you didn't know you needed until you had it and if like me, you are obsessed with ensuring your oral hygiene is as good as it can be, then this will be an amazing purchase for £16, the improvement in my own mouth freshness is amazing and that feeling of cleanliness lasts so much longer.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

My Summer Bronzer Wishlist

The Summer Edit from John Lewis has a real pick of products to choose from when it comes to skincare, sun care and bronzers. From brands such as NARS, Nuxe, James Read, MAC, Tom Ford, Dior, Vita Liberata, Urban Decay and Benefit to name just a few, there is plenty to splash the cash on.

Summertime make-up is always quite exciting with the bold and bright colours to tempt you, but one item I always look forward to buying is a new bronzer, I am as pale as pale can be for 99% of the year, so as soon as I do get a smattering of colour to my cheeks, it means new makeup and in particular a bronzer.  John Lewis have some amazing ones out there and these are my current wishlist five which are tempting me to cash in my vouchers!

Bobbi Brown Nude Glow Collection Brightening Finish Powder, Bronze: A brightening pick-me-up for skin-this all-over powder instantly illuminates and gives skin a healthy-looking glow and unlike the rest of the products I have chosen, it has something which makes it stand out because It is infused with a skin-brightening blend of mulberry, grape and scutellaria extracts, as well as sodium hyaluronate to help keep skin fresh and smooth looking! Priced at £42.


Diorskin Nude Air Glow Powder, 001 Fresh Tan: a luminous powder as weightless and beneficial as a breath of fresh air that revives and illuminates the complexion's original colour and lets the skin breathe for a continuously healthy glow. Beautifully packaged and priced at £39.

Crème de la Mer The Bronzing Powder, 01: This velvet-to-the-touch pressed powder creates a look of glimmering sun-kissed glow all year round. Harmonious illuminating and bronze shades also work perfectly to highlight and contour. Beautifully designed and priced at £70 it is at the very high end of the spectrum.

Guerlain Terracotta Pause d'Eté Limited Edition Bronzing Powder Duo: the combination of the best-selling Terracotta shade 03, which naturally warms all complexions, and the it-colour for summer, a pink with a slight gold shimmer, to illuminate the tan. What sells it to me is the packaging because it uses luxurious, environmentally sound wooden pack (using wood from PEFC approved sustainably managed forests) and contains a wide mirror, but it does cost £50!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze: A luxurious velvet-soft powder with high-frost metallic finish. Found inside the usual MAC packaging, so nothing over the top to instantly make you want to pick it up, but it is just stunning and is priced at £24

From those featured there is something for every budget with purse friendly MAC to Guerlain and Crème de la Mer for the higher end of the spectrum. 

Which bronzer do you currently use?

*this post contains affiliate links 

My Purrfect Gift Box | May Edition

Last month I introduced the amazing Mypurrfectgiftbox to the blog and it is an absolute must for cat lovers, cat loving friends and for your furry friends.

Kim and Juan Kniveton the founders of My Purrfect Gift Box are dedicated cat lovers, so much so they moved back from the USA to the Isle of Man to set up and run their own idyllic countryside retreat for cats - Boodee Beg Boarding Cattery, something I dream of doing (if I ever win the lottery). With their onsite gift shop not doing as well as they had hoped, Kim and Juan decided to start My Purffect Box and each month they choose to focus on a different cat charity, rescue centre or shelter and highlight the work they do through their social media sites and through information that comes in each box. They then donate 5% of all our profits from that month's box to that chosen charity of the month.

This months box is just so fantastic and it has been put together with Spring in mind. So out with the dull and dark colours and in with the bold and bright and inside the box is every cat lovers dream items.

Firstly we have a cute cat purse which I absolutely adore and it couldn't have come at a better time as I am in dire need of a new one.  Large enough for coins, notes and cards, the four cats are hand-stitched with the most intricate of detailing and it is pink!

Gold Foil Print Scarf is again just absolutely stunning and something I will definitely wear. It is a dove grey shade with gold foil cat print designs all over. A fairly large scarf which makes it perfect to be used as a wrap on those colder sunny days.

Cat Fabric Print Covered Buttons. Now these are definitely quirkly but I really like the design, I just need to find something to sew them onto, display them or turn them into funky hair ties using a bit of elastic, at £6 for four, they are a great little gift.

Quirky Library Chocolate. Anyone who sends me chocolate is a friend for life! This one was made here in the UK by Quirky Library and it comes with a cute catlover theme which has been personalised on the back with a cute cat quote and all for £5.95.

Retro Style Cat Necklace. This beautiful Cat silhouette necklace which has spring coloured dried flowers is just adorable and a great design which I will be happily wearing and if you want one yourself, you can find it here for just £9.99.

Also included within the box are some treats for my three cats and as soon as the box was opened, Hector immediately noticed there was a few items he would quite like thank you very much!

An exclusive handmade fabric collar made by Luna Crafts here in the UK. It thankfully has a quick release clasp and a VERY cute cat charm and bell. At a cost of £5.99 it is well worthy of purchasing.

Colourful Fleece Blanket. From Tillypopsuk and it is so soft and so cuddly that I debated not letting any of the cats have it so that I could keep it for myself, but Dexter had other ideas and quickly claimed it for himself.

The final item in the box are some cat treats by Pickles. Crunchy Packed Pockets with Smashing Catnip and they contain no artificial colourings or flavours and they are made with real catnip. Sold in stores such as petsathome and priced at 99p, they are just 2 calories and a lovely treat for your furball.

Again, what I love about this box is that clearly a lot of thought went into the contents and it is obviously done so with a theme in mind. Boxes start from £15.95 and there is a choice of three boxes to choose from depending on your budget and then you have a further option as to whether you would like a one off box or a subscription.

So, if like me, you are a crazy cat lady or have a crazy cat friend, this is a perfect little unique gift to give or purchase for yourself as well as do you bit for charity!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Burt's Bees Lip Crayons

I am a huge fan of Burt's Bees from the hand cream, foot cream, lip balm and Cuticle Balm to the Lip Crayons. Infact despite my hatred of Marzipan (yes really it is evil) I absolutely adore the Almond Milk handcream, which smells just like marzipan, I just don't have to eat it.

The lip crayons which are twist-up crayon format with no added scent to them are available in six creamy full-coverage shades which can be used for everyday wear either alone or layered under a Lip Gloss or Lip Shine. Infused with Shea Butter, Kendi Oil, and Jojoba Oil to provide a lightweight and comfortable suitable-for-everyday formula, each crayon whilst being incredibly lightweight gives a coverage of colour just like any other traditional lipstick. Add to that, these crayons, owing to their ingredients, are designed to moisturise and hydrate your lips too, so whilst you look fabulous with your lip shade, that formula is working to look after your lips to leave them looking and feeling soft and smooth.

The six shades within the collection called Napa Vineyard, Sedona Sands, Redwood Forest, Niagara Overlook, Hawaiian Overlook and Caroline Coast, all of which are all wearable and all look amazing. I have both Sedona Sands and Redwood Forest and have not stopped wearing them.  Redwood Forest looks a lot darker than it actually is and I would describe it as being a warm-toned brownish red-pink, that leans more towards maroon as you build up the colour, a shade I absolutely love and one which is perfect for day or nighttime wear. Sedona Sands is the perfect nude and I adore it. I would describe it as being a warm, earthy pinky nude which is incredibly wearable and for me more of a daytime shade than an evening one, but I adore it.

Retailing at £8.99 each these 100% natural lip crayons won Best New Makeup Product For Lips at the 2016 CEW Awards.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise