Friday 29 September 2017

Bioderma Hydrobio H20

Bioderma Hydrobio H20

I first discovered the brand Bioderma around 8 years ago, maybe more when the Bioderma Sensibio H20 became a cult product amongst beauty bloggers and vloggers alike and everyone and their dog was desperate to get their hands on some. At that time, Bioderma wasn't available in the UK and could only be bought from a couple of online French pharmacies or by picking it up if you were travelling abroad which made it even more coveted. 

Fast forward and now Bioderma is widely available in the UK and is sold on the highstreet as well as on many online beauty retailers. I first tried the Bioderma Sensibio H20 many years ago at the height of the blogging hype surrounding it, but unfortunately it wasn't suitable for my skin type and I found it quite drying, my friend Gemma had told me about the Bioderma Hydrabio H20 and said how it would be much better for my dry skin, but I had never picked it up, no reason other than I'd just forgotten. 

When I was asked if I would like to try the Bioderma Hydrabio H20 £10.80 (250ml) I immediately said "yes please" and as soon as it arrived, I couldn't wait to try it. 

Bioderma Hydrobio H20

Bioderma Hydrobio H20

WHAT BIODERMA SAY ABOUT THE HYDRABIO H20

Hydrabio H2O is the 1st and only dermatological micellar water perfectly compatible with the skin. Its fatty acid esters, the constituent elements of micelles, are similar to the phospholipids of the skin cell membranes and naturally help rebuild the skin's hydrolipidic film. Thus, Hydrabio H2O guarantees unrivalled tolerance and comfort for optimum make-up removing efficacy. Moreover, its Aquagenium exclusive biological patent retrains the skin to activate its natural moisturising capacities by stimulating the production of aquaporins, water channels in the skin, and retain the water it needs to be balanced.

  • Dehydrated sensitive skin
  • Combines very high cleansing power and unparalleled tolerance
  • Cleanses and removes make-up from the face and eyes
  • Soothes and decongests and respects the skin balance
  • Produces a feeling of instant freshness
  • Non-rinse
  • Even removes water-resistant make-up.
  • Allergen-free fragrance
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Hypoallergenic

MY THOUGHTS

The Bioderma Hydrabio H20 has simple packaging which I love, a transparent bottle with a label giving you all the information you need, instructions of use and ingredients on the back and a nice simple flip top lid. 

The first time I used the Bioderma I was wearing a full face of makeup, including waterproof mascara and every scrap of makeup removed without the need for me to rub my skin or my lashes. I applied the Bioderma to my favourite cotton pads and swept it across my face, I used 3 cotton pads to remove all my makeup. 

Whist using the Bioderma I didn't experience any stinging or tingling at all and once all my makeup was removed and I'd finished using the Bioderma, my skin didn't feel tight at all, it did in fact feel lovely and soft and extremely fresh and clean, and since then I have used nothing but Bioderma to remove my makeup. My daughter Cole has also tried it as she also tried the Bioderma Sensibio H20 and found it drying so she wanted to try it out too and she loves it as much as I do and is going to order some to use in her professional MUA kit to use on her clients. 

Since receiving the Bioderma Hydrabio H20 I have been extremely unwell and unfortunately my skin care routine has gone out of the window but as I have felt a little better this last week, I have been using the Hydrabio to cleanse my skin morning and evening and then just popping some moisturiser on and normally my skin would be looking and feeling horrendous by now if I neglected my skincare routine but it looks and feels fine and I don't have any dry patches, which is a miracle for me without my skincare routine, so I completely agree with Bioderma's claims and I will definitely continue to use it as one of my morning cleanse options as it leaves my skin feeling clean, soft and fresh and it's great to know that on days when I am not up to using my full skincare routine, I have a product that cleanses my face perfectly and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated too. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I think it's quite obvious that I am extremely impressed with the Bioderma Hydrabio H20, it is fabulous at removing makeup, a lovely effective cleanser and it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated, clean and fresh, it really is a brilliant product and another bonus is that I have used it so much since receiving it and I still have two thirds of the bottle left so it is going to last me a good few weeks more yet which is brilliant. 

If you have tried the Bioderma Sensibio H20 and found it to be a little too drying for your skin, give the Bioderma Hydrabio H20 a try, or if you haven't ever tried Bioderma but have dry or dehydrated skin, or like me, both, give it a try, you won't regret it. 


Have you tried the Bioderma Hydrabio H20? Or have you tried the Bioderma Sensibio H20? If so which is your favourite? 












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Tuesday 26 September 2017

Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Hair Oil

Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Hair Oil

First of all before starting this post, I just wanted to apologise for my absence the last 10 days or so. My health has taken a huge nose dive recently and as a result I have a severe chest infection that despite taking steroids and antibiotics, just won't shift which is making me feel really poorly, it also makes blogging very hard because I use voice recognition to write my blog posts and at the moment I have an extremely husky voice! Anyway I just wanted to say, apologies for my absence, there is a good reason for it.

And now back to the post....

I have extremely oily hair, this is something you will be aware of if you are a long time reader of my blog, my hair is ridiculous and needs washing every day if I want to wear it down or with the help of dry shampoo and a messy bun, every 2 days. Because of this, using hair products is something I shy away from, any sort of serum, mask or hair oil means I end up with an oil slick for hair. 

So when I received the Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Hair Oil £7.99 I was a little dubious to try it, but because I was off on my holidays and the sun can be drying on the hair, but not usually mine may I add, (old greasy head over here) plus my eldest daughter has dry hair and was also holidaying with us, I thought I would pop it in my suitcase, but before I did, I decided to give it a good try before my hols. 

Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Hair Oil

WHAT LEE STAFFORD SAY ABOUT THE HAIR OIL 

CoConut oil is one of the best natural ingredients for providing the essential nutrients required for nourishing damaged hair.
This lightweight, invisible HAiR OiL is a must-have for all hair types. Just a couple of drops transforms lacklustre locks to their former glory, leaving hair soft, glossy and deliciously CoConutty day and night! For hair that needs some extra TLC, go nuts! Use as a dreamy overnight treatment to solve all of your worst hair nightmares.

MY THOUGHTS

The first thing I noticed about the CoCo LoCo Hair Oil was the scent, it smells amazing, the coconut scent isn't over bearing, nor does it have that horrible artificial scent that some coconut products have, it is lovely. I also like the pump applicator, it makes things a lot less messy especially with an oil and it doesn't continue to drip once the product is dispensed. 

Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Hair Oil

The first time I used the hair oil, I applied 2 drops of oil to the mid lengths and ends of my hair when it was damp and towel dried after having it washed early morning, you can adjust the amount of oil you use according to the length, thickness and texture of your hair, my hair is very thin and as I said very oily so I opted for 2 drops as per the instructions. 

Once dry, my hair felt lovely and soft and smelled incredible, my hair looked really sleek, smooth and shiny and felt wonderful. I expected my hair to be really greasy by the evening, usually when my sister cuts and colours my hair she uses an oil and my hair looks greasy within a couple of hours, but by the time I went to bed my hair still wasn't oily at all and still felt lovely and looked shiny which is rare for my blonde hair. 

The morning after using the oil, I had to use dry shampoo in my hair and wear my hair in a messy bun, but that is the norm for me anyway unless I use my Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes shampoo (which by the way is the best shampoo for blonde hair, in my opinion) because I can go a couple of days when using that. 

As I said I popped the CoCo LoCo oil in my suitcase and took it on holiday with me, I used it on my damp hair and tried it on dry hair too and liked the results of both, my hair looked and felt lovely whilst I was away and I am glad I decided to take the oil away with me.  

My eldest daughter Cole has bleach blonde hair and her hair is quite dry as a rule, but on holiday, the sun dried it out even more. I gave her the oil to try and she loved it! It made such a difference, she used it on her dry hair during the day and then applied it to her damp hair before styling and a couple of times she applied it all over her hair and left it over night as a treatment. Cole loved the oil, it made such a difference to her hair and she has used it a lot since we came home from holiday too.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Considering I usually shy away from hair products, I am really pleased I gave the CoCo LoCo oil a try. It is a lovely light weight oil with an amazing scent, and my hair is left looking shiny and smooth and feeling amazingly soft. Using 2 drops of oil is perfect for my hair and doesn't make it oily at all, I have continued to use the oil once a week and will continue to do so, Cole has continued using it too, and she said she will be re purchasing the oil once we run out as she loves it too, it really is a lovely product and shown me that not all hair products will make my super oily hair, even more oily. If you're like me and usually shy away from hair oils, I would definitely give the CoCo LoCo oil a try, it is super lightweight, smells incredible and leaves my hair looking and feeling amazing. 


Have you tried the Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Hair Oil? Do you usually struggle with hair products due to oily hair or is your hair like Coles and dry? Let me know in the comments below. 






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Friday 15 September 2017

Base Products From Joan Collins Timeless Beauty

Base Products From Joan Collins Timeless Beauty

I have tried numerous base products over the years but still I am yet to find a foundation that I love and re purchase several times. I have used the same under eye concealer for many years, I just don't seem to be able to find a foundation that wows me. 

A few weeks ago I received the Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Fade To Perfect Concealer £18 and First Base Foundation £25, I have tried a few different products from the Timeless Beauty range and some I have really liked so I was looking forward to trying both the base products out. I used both products each time I applied my makeup for around a month before going on my holidays, so it's high time I let you know my thoughts. 

Base Products From Joan Collins Timeless Beauty

THE PRODUCTS  

Both the foundation and the concealer come in a black box with gold lettering and detail on, once inside, the packaging is the norm with the Joan Collins beauty products and is very nice. The foundation comes in a glass bottle with a gold pump and transparent lid and the concealer a clear plastic tube with gold lid with the signature Joan Collins logo on top of the lid.

First Base Foundation

Joan Collins First Base Foundation

Joan Collins Beauty Fade To Perfect Concealer

Joan Collins Beauty Fade To Perfect Concealer


What Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Say About The Foundation

First Base Foundation is youth promoting skin care and a foundation in one.  It creates a smooth, flawless complexion with a radiant, natural finish, whilst it charges the skin with youthful energy to help increase collagen.  In addition, Hyaluronic Acid moisturises and fills fine lines. 
Beautiful colour with light, natural cover, and, it blends quickly and easily and leaves the skin feeling soft and comfortable, like a perfect second skin.
Joan Collins First Base Foundation
I really struggle to find foundations that are suitable for my skin type, I have extremely dry skin and dehydrated skin too and I have a cool undertone to my skin but am very pink and I find most brands launch foundations that are more suited to a normal skin type and a yellow skin tone so it is always a real struggle to find a foundation that ticks all my boxes. 
When I read that the foundation was a skincare and foundation in one I was intrigued and then when I saw Hyaluronic Acid on the ingredients list I was hopeful that the foundation might be suitable for my extremely dry skin. 
I have the shade Cool Fair, there are 8 shades available. When I first opened the box, I did think the shade might be a little dark for me but it is fine and not too dark at all. I have applied the foundation with my fingers, a brush and my beauty blender and my beauty blender and my favourite buffing brush are my most preferred method of application. 
I use around one and a half pumps of foundation, dot it around my face and then blend the foundation from the centre of my face outwards, the first time I used the foundation I liked how it felt on my skin, it felt really weightless and I didn't feel like I was wearing foundation which I liked. The foundation blended beautifully and effortlessly into my skin, it gave me a medium coverage that looked natural and the shade worked well for me despite me worrying it might be too dark. I used a little translucent powder under my eyes and in area's I looked a little shiny and the foundation looked lovely and natural and not cakey at all. 
Joan Collins First Base Foundation Swatch

I wore the foundation for around 10 hours and it looked great when it came to remove it, it hadn't gone patchy or worn away around my nose and chin which is a problem I have with some foundations, my skin is so dry and dehydrated that the foundation sinks in so much it disappears and looks patchy but I didn't experience that at all, the foundation hadn't clung to any dry patches or settled into my fine lines, it looked great and for 10 hours wear time I was really impressed. 

Fade To Perfect Concealer 

Joan Collins Beauty Fade To Perfect Concealer


What Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Say About The Concealer

Plant extracts including Butcher’s Broom, Marigold, Horse Chestnut, Liquorice and Asiatic Pennywort, plus light reflecting particles make this Dame Joan's magic wand!. 
An illuminating, calming and moisturising concealer that creates a magical soft focus over blemishes and skin irregularities.
Joan Collins Beauty Fade To Perfect Concealer
As you can see from the photograph above, the concealer comes with a doe foot applicator, I prefer a doe foot applicator with concealer as I can sweep it under my eyes but pin point areas too, I don't ever use the applicator on blemishes though for hygiene reasons. 
I have the shade fair in the concealer, it is available in fair, medium and dark. I did think the shade looked quite light at first but it is a lovely shade to brighten and highlight my face. The concealer has a lovely texture and feels very moisturising which for me is brilliant, it doesn't settle into any dry patches or fine lines either. 
I really like the way the concealer applies, it feels weightless and blends beautifully and it compliments the foundation really well. The concealer covers my dark circles and brightens my under eye area perfectly, I also use it on my brow bone and across the tops of my cheeks to highlight. It wears well and doesn't crease over time, I also wore the concealer for around 10 hours the first time I wore it and it wore really well, didn't crease or settle into fine lines and kept my skin looking bright all day. 
Joan Collins Beauty Fade To Perfect Concealer swatch

I am wearing the foundation and concealer in the photograph with my daughter below. This was the first time I tried them both. 

Base Products From Joan Collins Timeless Beauty


OVERALL THOUGHTS 

To be absolutely honest, if I hadn't received the foundation and concealer as part of a PR package, I might never have tried them, I have other products from the Joan Collins beauty range which I love and would re purchase, but I hadn't ever looked at the base products. That said, I am so glad I have had the opportunity to try them both because I really like them, both the foundation and concealer are lovely, and feel lovely on my skin, last well and work brilliantly with my skin type and tone, I really like that there are cool and warm shades in the foundation and my only gripe with the foundation and the concealer is that I do feel there could be a bigger shade range, however the concealer shades do compliment the foundation shades available. 
Both the concealer and foundation apply well and blend beautifully into the skin, the shades I have are brilliant for me and look lovely, the coverage of the foundation is nice and natural, the finish is  more of a matte finish but it doesn't look powdery or cakey, usually I would shy away from a matte finish but it looks lovely and feels lovely on the skin. I love how weightless the foundation feels, one thing I hate about wearing makeup is how foundation feels on my skin, so it was lovely to discover the First Base foundation felt so weightless and I don't feel like I'm wearing any foundation. 
I really like both the foundation and concealer and right up to me going on holiday I used both every time I applied my makeup, unfortunately both are too pale for me since returning from holiday but I will be using them both again regularly once my holiday tan has faded. I think both the foundation and concealer would suit pretty much all skin types but if you have dry or dehydrated skin or are like me and what's known as "mature" then these would both be especially perfect for you, I have finally found a foundation I really like and would re purchase! 

Have you tried either the First Base Foundation or the Fade To Perfect Concealer? If so did you like them too? And have you found your perfect foundation that you re purchase time and time again? Let me know in the comments section below. 


















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Tuesday 12 September 2017

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads

My skin is the bane of my life, I have super dry and dehydrated skin and because of my poor health and the medication I take, my skin suffers badly and can change dramatically and literally overnight. I have been using an acid toner as an exfoliant for many years now and always use an acid toner as part of my skincare routine either in the form of a liquid toner or a glycolic acid soaked pad, the pads I have always used previously were the Nip + Fab Glycolic Cleansing Pads and I have always liked them but I won't use them anymore through personal choice which I won't go into right now. 

My friend Gemma told me a few months ago that she had been using the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads £5.99 and that she really liked them, so when I got some in the goody bag I got from my lovely treat at Superdrug in the Trafford Centre I couldn't wait to use them and see if I liked them as much as the Nip + Fab pads. I have well and truly tried and tested the pads now and this post is long overdue so I thought it was about time I shared my thoughts with you.

WHAT SUPERDRUG SAY ABOUT THE PADS

Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads. 60 pads soaked in a specially developed blend of Glycolic Acid & fruit AHA’s. Help to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin leaving it fresher. With witch hazel to help tone the skin and added Aloe & Pro Vitamin B5.

MY THOUGHTS

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads

I like the packaging of the pads, it looks fresh with the green and silver labelling, the pot has a screw on lid which is easy to open and close, on the front of the pot are the name of the pads and a few facts about them with instructions and an ingredients list on the back.  

The pads are a nice size and easy to use, I use them twice a day or once a day when I use my acid toner but you can use them once a day if you feel it's enough but because my skin is so dry I need to use an acid toning product twice a day. I have sensitive skin which is eczema prone but I haven't experienced any irritation at all using the pads. 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads

To use the pads, I take one pad out of the tub and starting at the top of my forehead, I work down and across my face from left to right and then I turn the pad over and do it again using the other side of the pad. The pads work brilliantly at removing dead skin cells and my skin is left feeling soft and smooth after I have used the pads, I find they are also brilliant for reducing redness and scarring left by blemishes. 

My skin feels amazing after using the pads and looks bright and fresh too, I have noticed a reduction in scarring I had from blemishes too which is brilliant, my skin is extremely dry and dehydrated but since using these pads it has looked and felt so much better and brighter too, these are the most affordable acid toning product I have used but the best by far and being Superdrug branded they are cruelty free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. 

I haven't found that the pads dry out at all and I have stored them both upside down and the right way up, I usually always store pads like this upside down to stop them from drying out but I wanted to try storing them both ways for the purpose of my review and I found that they don't dry out when stored the right way up either. 

 FINAL THOUGHTS


Overall I have really enjoyed using the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads and so much so that I have re purchased more since using them up, I now have a tub on the go and a back up tub so I don't run out. The pads are amazing at removing the dead skin cells and leaving my skin feeling soft and looking a lot brighter. The pads are excellent and I find they work so much better than the Nip + Fab pads and they are cheaper, so it's a win win situation. 

I can't recommend these pads highly enough, they are amazing and I am so glad that Gemma told me about them, if you like to use an acid toner as part of your skincare routine, give these a go, you won't be disappointed. 

At the moment the pads are on offer and are priced at £5.99 with a buy one get one free offer too, so now would be a brilliant time to try them, you can find them in store and online at Superdrug


Have you tried the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Daily Cleansing Pads? Do you use an acid toner as part of your skincare routine? Share with me in the comments below.














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Friday 8 September 2017

Hair Styling With Sexy Hair

Hair Styling With Sexy Hair

I have tried and loved a couple of products from the brand Sexy Hair, their products always blow me away and I always get a great response from you all when I feature their products on my blog, so when I received 2 more products from Sexy Hair, I couldn't wait to try them and share them with you. 

The products I have are the Sexy Hair Big Spray & Play Volumising Hairspray and the Sexy Hair Long Luxe Detangler Leave In Spray


Sexy Hair Big Spray & Play Volumising Hairspray - £14.95


Hair Styling With Sexy Hair

Hair Styling With Sexy Hair

I have very thin hair and it doesn't keep a style well, I mostly wear my hair in a messy bun or down, and when it is down it is long and straight, but I have realised that if I leave my hair to air dry which I often do as I can't dry my hair myself, for some reason it develops a beachy waves kind of look, I have no idea why because if dried with the hairdryer, it is poker straight but it does look quite nice and I have had a lot of compliments and people asking me how I have done my hair when all I have done is left it to dry. 

But and there is a but, because my hair is super thin, styles don't stay for very long and if I want a style to last, I have to use hairspray. I had always used cheap own brand hairspray that to be honest didn't do a lot, and I always thought that high end hairspray wouldn't be any different, that was until I tried the Sexy Hair Big Spray & Play Volumising Hair Spray. The play and spray hairspray is a volumising hair spray that holds my hair in place but doesn't leave it feeling at all crispy, it gives my hair brilliant lift and volume and my hair stays in place for so much longer than when I use my usual hairspray, my hair also looks lovely and shiny when I use the hairspray which is something I don't experience too much being blonde. 

When I wear my hair in a messy bun I like to have a little lift at the front but it usually flops almost immediately, the Sexy Hair hairspray keeps my hair in place brilliantly.  A couple of weeks ago, I was going on a rare shopping trip but the weather was appalling and being sat in a wheelchair means when it's wet outside, I get wet, umbrella's and wheelchairs aren't the best combination. So my daughter Lissy put my hair up in a messy style that looked like it hadn't taken any effort but really she had been messing about with my hair for a while. Lissy sprayed my hair with the hairspray and it still looked exactly the same when I came home, to be fair I didn't get rained on much only a touch but I was very warm being in pain and being in busy shops and my hair still looked great hours later. 

Sexy Hair Long Luxe Detangler Leave In Spray - £16.95 

Hair Styling With Sexy Hair

Hair Styling With Sexy Hair

I'm sure you will have heard me say before that when my hair is wet after being washed and towel dried, it is super knotty and tangled, I have no idea why but my hair just gets really tangled and knotty when it is wet and I always have to use a detangler, I have used quite a few detanglers over the years so I have become a bit of a connoisseur. 

The Sexy Hair Long Luxe Detangler Leave In Spray claims to be ideal for long hair and hair extensions, my hair is long, I recently had around 5-6 inches cut off it but it is still around bra strap length to give you an idea, so this detangler seemed perfect for my hair. To use the detangler you spray it all over the hair when it has been washed and towel dried and then brush and style as normal. The detangler claims to reduce tangles by 82% and my hair is a good test as it is 100% tangled when it is wet. 

The detangler has a continuous spray and can be sprayed at any angle which is really good, when my hair has been washed the detangler is sprayed through my hair, avoiding my roots because I have super oily hair and some hair products can leave my hair looking oily, my hair is then brushed through and dried either with the hairdryer or left to air dry. The detangler leaves my hair super easy to brush through, it does an excellent job of detangling my hair when it is wet and doesn't leave my hair looking oily when it has dried which is brilliant. 

I like that the detangler is a fine mist and the product is nice and light in my hair, I always worry that using products like this will result in my hair looking oily when it has just been washed, but this is nice and light and my hair is much easier to brush through when it is wet and is left feeling soft and not looking oily. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS   

I really like both products, the hairspray is my favourite out of the 2 because it gives my hair so much more lift and volume and keeps my hair in place without leaving it feeling crispy and full of product like most other hairsprays I have tried. It is expensive but I don't use it very often so it will last a very long time, I don't mind paying more for a product if it does what is claims to and is a great product especially if I don't use it very often and it will last me a long time, so I would re purchase the hair spray once I have used it all up, I think my daughters will get some use from it too when they curl their hair because anything that can keep my hair in place is a good product because it usually falls out within minutes. 

I also really like the detangler and it is a really great product and it is brilliant at detangling my hair when it's wet and doesn't leave my hair looking oily, but I have other hair detanglers that are less than half the price and contain more product that do the same job so I wouldn't re purchase the detangler but only because of the price, the product is brilliant but for me, a little expensive, but if you like high end hair products or only need to use a detangler occasionally it would be a brilliant product for you and I will of course continue to use it, the only negative for me is the price. 


Have you tried either of these products? Or have you tried any products from the Sexy Hair ranges? Let me know in the comments below. 











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