L’Occitane Solid Shampoo Bars

Have you ever had to decide between maintaining your hair using products you love, and caring for the environment? Is a question a lot of brands are asking right now and one who definitely are making a lot of waves to change things is L'Occitane with their introduction of Solid Shampoo Bars.

Within the L'Occitane Solid Shampoo hair care range are three different options to choose from - Intensive Repair, Gentle & Balance or Purifying Freshness and each one of these is designed to suit specific hair types.

At L’OCCITANE, we have decided you shouldn’t have to choose, by giving you great sustainable beauty products that contain effective plant derived ingredients; cultivated with care for the environment and encapsulated in one sustainable and sensorial hair range. Discover the expertise of L’OCCITANE 5 Essential Oils Hair Collection in a new, solid, sustainable format.

These Solid Shampoos have not only been created with your hair and the planet in mind, the shampoo bars are made with 98% readily biodegradable ingredients, they are entirely plastic-free and their packaging is made from 100% recycled and recyclable paper making it the perfect sustainable option. Shampoo bars are not a new creation, they have been around for many years but over time, whilst some haven't offered many benefits at all for my hair, these offerings from L'Occitane are absolutely brilliant, not that you would expect anything less and not only do they lather with minimal fuss and faff, they leave my hair feeling refreshed, washed and not at all weighted down or like straw.

I was kindly sent two of the three Solid Shampoo Bars to try and the first thing I noticed was the incredible fresh scent which belonged to the Gentle & Balance Bar as I opened the box.

This Shampoo Bar is said to be suitable for all hair types and from this one bar you get around 20 hair washes. Free from silicones and sulphates, this shampoo bar is formulated with a prebiotic natural sugar complex which means it not only respects and maintains scalp eco system and pH, but it does all of that whilst strengthening skin natural defences.

This Gentle & Balance Shampoo Bar is enriched with the essential oils of Lemon, Orange, Rosemary, Chamomile and Lavender and as I have said already, it smells absolutely incredible, the kind of scent that is relaxing and calming, but its for your hair and not your skin, though I am tempted to use it on my body every time I shower.  As it comes into contact with water its light, fluid texture offers a unique sensorial experience, while the exquisite fragrance awakens the senses, it lathers in just a few rubs between your palms and then you rub that lather directly to your hair and scalp, massage it around, L'Occitane advise that you should start from the bottom of your scalp and moving upwards to your temples with small circular motions and then finish at the top of your scalp before rinsing from your hair.

The second shampoo bar is the Intensive Repair Shampoo bar and this one is designed for brittle and damaged hair, so if like me you haven't seen the inside of a hair salon since January 2020, this might just be calling your name.

Again, packaged sustainably, the Intensive Repair Solid Shampoo is perfect for hair that is feeling dry, brittle and a bit damaged, be that from chemicals if you have been over-doing those home box dye kits or from heat styling. It has been designed to help to revitalise, strengthen and protect the hair from  root to tip, the hair fibre is strengthened. Soft and radiant, the hair is full of life.

Again, this shampoo bar is really gentle and also has a silicone and sulphate free formula. The ingredients used for this option is a combination of oat amino acid whose job it is to repair, restructure and improve the hairs fibre condition and then we have a patented anti-breakage complex made up of five essential oils - angelica, ylang-ylang, sweet orange, lavender of course and then geranium with provitamin B5 and sunflower oil and together they work to protect and give softness and suppleness to the hair.  

The scent for me with this shampoo bar isn't as strong as it is with Gentle & Balance, but there is definitely a light aromatic scent which lingers.  Again, this shampoo bar should be used in exactly the same way and as soon as you form that lather and apply it to your hair and scalp and massage until you feel ready to rinse all of the suds from your hair.  After using, again my hair feels really clean and rather than dry and frazzled, it soft soft and smooth.

These shampoo bars from L'Occitane are priced at just £10 and they are available right now on the brands website along with the rest of the collection.  I am a huge fan of the hair care range from L'Occitane, particularly with the Almond Collection which gives my hair a whole lot of TLC when I need it.  With these shampoo bars, which we have both been using for a few months, you really do get your monies worth.

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

Feelunique Summer Obsessions Edit Beauty Bag GWP

If you are feeling in the need to treat yourself to some new beauty products, then Feelunique have their Summer Obsessions Edit Beauty Bag as their Gift With Purchase (GWP) and it is a pretty good offering.  The last GWP from Feelunique was back in June, which feels like forever ago as we have entered into August already!

The Feelunique Summer Obsessions Edit Beauty Bag which is yours for free if you spend £120 on the Feelunique site, features nineteen beauty treats worth a total of £120 and it is available whilst stocks last.

“From serums to sleep masks, treat yourself this summer with our exclusive selection of beauty regime must-haves. Including the likes of La Roche-Posay and Elemis, this spa-in-a-bag is an instant mood-booster.”

I am really impressed with the products that can be found inside this GWP and I also love that everything comes packaged with a Feelunique branded faux leather Beauty Bag too. 

Contents

• Feelunique Blue Faux Leather Beauty Bag
• StriVectin Peptight Tightening & Brightening Face Serum 8ml
• Ouai Body Cleanser 30ml
• Yankee Candle Clean Cotton Scented Candle
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleansing Gel Mousse 50ml
• Filorga Sleep & Lift Ultra-Lifting Cream 7ml
• Lancaster Sun Tan Maximizer After Sun Face Serum
• Volition Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Peel Pads
• e.l.f Pore Refining Brush and Mask Tool
• Klorane Mango Conditioner 50ml
• Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask 8ml
• Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream 25ml
• Collistar Anticellulite Cryo-Gel
• Sleek MakeUp Cream Contour Kit Medium 12g
• Farmacy Beauty Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 12ml
• ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 5ml
• Burt’s Bees Mini Coconut Foot Cream
• John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Shampoo 50ml
• La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M 15ml
• Clinique High Impact Mascara3.5ml

The Feelunique Summer Obsessions Edit Beauty Bag GWP is such a really good GWP and I am really impressed with the products that can found included, perfect for taking with you if you are lucky enough to have that holiday booked because it features everything you might need.  It is on offer until stocks last or until 3rd August, whichever expires first.  So if you love the look of this bag, then grab it here whilst you can.

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

How to Choose the Right Anti-Ageing Skincare Products for You

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If you’re looking for the right anti-ageing skincare product for you, it’s hard not to feel bombarded with choice. The market is saturated with brands and different kinds of products, and it may seem difficult to know where to start. The good thing is you can find effective anti-ageing products to suit any budget or lifestyle, and there are specific ways to target certain problem areas. If you do a bit of research, you can find the right ones for you. Here are a few quick tips to help you.

Go for a high SPF

Sun damage is one of the main culprits that can cause premature ageing skin so SPF is essential. First and foremost, you need to choose a sunscreen or moisturiser with a high SPF that you can rely on every day. Look for a product that suits your skin type and budget. Once you’ve found something your skin agrees with, it’s then a good idea to stick to the same brand. This way, you can rest assured you’re protecting your skin from harmful rays without a risk of irritation.

Select products according to your skin type

In fact, you should aim to select all skincare products according to your skin type. Look at the labels and find out if they’ve been specially formulated for dry, sensitive, or combination skin. If you’re not exactly sure of your skin type, you could take a test online to find out. If you have any allergies you can also check the labels for ingredients.

Target your main skincare concern

Rather than trying to target all your skincare issues at once, it’s best to keep it simple by using SPF and moisturiser, and focusing on one main concern. This may be reducing the appearance of fine lines or dark circles, or boosting elasticity and glow. The Avon anew range, for example, has several products that target different issues. You can choose the one that’s specially designed for the issue you want to correct.

Stick to your budget

There’s no reason why investing in skincare products needs to break the bank as there are anti-ageing products for all budgets. In fact, some of the most popular products can be found in your local supermarket. Read online reviews of brands that fall within your budget. There’s no need to go over a set price range if you don’t have to. This will also help to narrow your options.

Be mindful and minimal

Be mindful of the products you buy and always think twice before splashing out on something new. It’s better to find a product that agrees with you. It’s not ideal to pile on too many products at once, and a combination of sunscreen, antioxidants, and retinoid can suffice. Here are a few more tips from the experts on how to create a minimalist anti-ageing skincare routine. Be gentle to your skin and always remember to practise self-care. This way you’ll glow both inside and out, and have younger-looking skin for longer.

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

Lookfantastic x Rosie Connolly August Beauty Box

This months Lookfantastic box for August has arrived and firstly, how is it August already and secondly, this is a really good box!

Unusually for Lookfantastic, this months box doesn’t have a theme, previous themes have included the Wanderlust edition which lay month gave that cute carry case and then Eco Elements back in June. All of these alongside boxes which focus on one brand such as the soon to launch Omorovicza Box, which is incredibly exciting and then we are still awaiting information on the collaboration with Revolution!

So this months box sees Lookfantastic tram up with fashion influencer Rosie Connolly, whose name you might recognise from the Colour Wow box which launched back in February. Another slight change to this months box is the inclusion of a QR code in place of the Lookfantastic Magazine, the QR code instead linking you to everything you need to know about this months box.

The first product out of this months box which caught my attention was the AHC Natural Essential Mask Sheet Mask. This soothing sheet mask, which is crafted from 10% cotton, is described as being once which is powered by a host of nourishing ingredients that work to comfort and replenish the look of tired, angry skin.

This mask, which is gentle enough to use on even sensitive skin types. Using Aqua Ceramide which defends against uncomfortable dryness while locking in a layer of moisture as well as other nurturing properties which help to quench parched skin with an intense surge of hydration, leaving the visage supple and silky to the touch.  Full-Size worth £11.

The second product from the box is from Percy & Reed with their Hold It Right There! Strong Hold Hairspray (50ml). 

Described as being a genius lightweight spray for heat protected, brushable locks. The ultra-fine formula works with expert ingredients to resist humidity and provide a flexible hold, so flyaways stay in place, but your hair maintains its movement.  This 50ml can, which is handy for your handbag or travel bag is worth £7.

The next product is from AHAVA with the Superfood Kale & Turmeric Smoothing Body Lotion.

This incredibly lightweight body lotion from AHAVA’s bodycare collection envelops your skin in a plumping, smoothing cushion of long-lasting hydration. It boasts a soft, milky texture that absorbs rapidly into skin, the lotion plumps the skin with moisture, instantly refining patches of dry, rough skin to restore its silky-smooth texture while at the same time protecting it from environmental aggressors. This 40ml tube is worth £8.

This months box does feature a makeup item alongside all the hair and skincare and it comes from Ciate with their Glow-To Illuminating Blush in the shade Matchmaker.

Described as being a virtually weightless powder that dusts your complexion with a luminous, rosy-hued iridescence. It is said that this product will give up to 12-hours of smudge- and cake-free wear and the finely milled formula contains an ombré blend of matte blusher with ultra-refined highlight pigments which help to create a natural looking flush of colour with a subtle shimmer in one simple sweep.  This 2.5G mini blush is said to be worth £11.60.

The next brand is GLOV Mask Off Mask Remover Cloth. GLOV is a brand I’ve come to know through my love of beauty boxes and this is the first time I’ve had this particular product.

This mitt which is described as being an innovative cleansing mitt fits over your hand and is designed to quickly and effectively remove face masks from the skin. It is made from special polyester fibre, the mask removal tool expertly draws and removes the remains of your face mask without absorbing it. Instead of exfoliating the skin, the fibres slide over the surface, dissolving the mask whether it is a mud or clay and it doesn’t need to be used with anything other than water. Full sized product worth £8.90.

The final product in this months also is also a shaircare product and it is one I can never rave about enough! It is the incredible Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo and I’ve got a full review of it right here.

This Dry Shampoo is powered by the Living Proof patented Healthy Hair Molecule and it has a 'Triple-Action Cleaning Technology' which not only absorbs and removes oil, sweat and odour, it also makes your hair look and feels clean, all with those telltale white drops all over your clothes and no itchy scalp after using. This a 92ml can and it is worth £11.

So that’s the Lookfantastic August Beauty Box 2021 and as I said, it is a brilliant box, full of amazing brands and their products. If you like the look of this edit, it does on sale from August 1st and as Lookfantastic Beauty Box is a monthly subscription service* membership starts at £15 per month, but with the code BBSUN there is £5 off. There is also further membership offers of signing up for a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription to save money.

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