I was introduced to Shea Moisture last year and have loved the brand ever since, I wrote a post about my first time using Shea Moisture here. I've recently received these Fruit Fusion products from Shea Moisture so I've been using them for around a month now. In the range I've been using the *Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo, *Crème Rinse and *Hair Masque; all of which have a beautiful fruity and coconut scent that fills the whole bathroom. I love that I can still smell the products on my hair the next day and after!
Here's a bit of history on Shea Moisture, the brand is a family owned and operated business that's been around for 4 generations. The products are natural, organic and sustainably produced, they also don't test on animals and strive to be sulfate and paraben free. They have a wide range of hair care, body care and skincare all with amazing ingredients, targeted results and beautiful scents. Shea Moisture is available in Boot's stores and online.
The Fruit Fusion range is good for fine, wavy and curly hair; after my bleaching accident back in December my hair is much much thinner than it used to be so I opted to try the hair care range for fine hair. My hair has always been wavy and I tend to use products that help me manage it when styling and it all starts with the cleaning and conditioning products.
A hydrating and nourishing shampoo that has a thin consistently but lathers up well, a small 50p sized amount goes a long way; my hair is short (chin length) and this is enough to cover my whole head. I actually like the thin consistently, I find it easier to run through my hair and massage into my scalp. As I've mentioned above the scent is beautiful, its so fruity and the coconut element definitely hangs around. Included in the ingredients is 100% pure coconut water which everyone knows is great for adding moisture and nourishing hair, a fruit fusion of fresh dragon fruit, lychee berry and green apple make up the fruity scent and add a weightless boost of energy to my thin hair. Lastly Imbe oil helps to lock in the moisture and protect the hair until the next wash. My hair not only smells amazing but feels it even if I just use the shampoo and not the other products along side it plus the bottle lasts ages with only a small amount used each time.
Following on from the shampoo, I've been using the Crème Rinse which is basically a conditioner with all the same ingredients as the shampoo so the product adds moisture, nourishes and protects the hair. This conditioner has the same scent as the shampoo but is a bit thicker in consistently but not as thick as a regular conditioner, again I don't mind the thin texture as it helps the product smooth through my hair. I always leave my conditioner on for a few minutes before rinsing off to let it go to work on my hair. My damaged hair always feel soft, smooth and luscious after rinsing this product off and continues to feel fabulous after drying.
To help with my damaged hair I was glad to receive the Fruit Fusion Hair Masque which deep conditions my hair; I've been using this masque once a week. Applying a scoop to my hair and combing through then leaving it for 30 minutes with a warm towel around my head. This has really helped with my hair, the ends are much much smoother and feel soft to touch whilst I have less breakage and fussy hair. The tub is massive so again will last a while especially using once a week, I bet I've got another 6 uses left in the tub now.
Each of Shea Moisture's products has; No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Phthalates, No Paraffins, No Mineral Oil and No Synthetic Colours. They are natural, ethically sourced and safe products that are easily accessible on the high street!!!
I can't wait to try another scent and range from Shea Moisture!
Candle Pin Club* - What a Brilliant idea!
Who else is a fan of candles and pins? As I've mentioned before I've been collecting pins for years now and candles have become one of them things that I always buy; ever since I moved into my own place at least. Candle Pin Club have brought two of my favourite things to collect and use and combined them into a one of a kind product. Inside every candle is a foil wrapped pin waiting to be discovered!!! Yes you heard me... there's a pin inside the candle!!
Candle Pin Club got in touch with me before International Women's Day and asked to interview me for their website, I of course jumped at the chance and thought it was a great way to support each other. You can read the interview here and shop the candles whilst there too. They kindly sent me a candle as a gift and I could not wait to start burning it to find which pin was inside.
The candle scent I received was 'Plum'* which has hints of Vanilla, Rose and Jasmine; the candle filled my living room quickly with its fruity scent and it hung around too. I could still smell the Plum and Berry notes in the morning after burning the candle in the evening before. Not only are the candles beautiful colours and scents but they are also kind to the environment, each candle is hand poured in the UK using Soy Wax and natural cotton wicks plus with the candle being in a glass jar you can reuse this once the candle is finished. I personally like to make sweet jars for presents.
After burning the candle for an hour or two, I was able to see the foil and I was eager to lift it out. Carefully using some tweezers I removed the foil from the candle and used the lid to place it on to cool down. -DO NOT TOUCH THE PIN- Once the pin had cooled down, I unwrapped the foil to find the 'Slay' pin inside which was one of the designs I was hoping for! The pin is a diamond shape with the word 'Slay' set in black enamel; it's perfect for my new pink denim jacket!!!
I've still got loads of the candle to burn down and fill my house with the gorgeous plum scent and I've got a new pin to add to my growing collection. These candles would make an awesome gift for someone or even just treat to yourself of your favourite scent and find an extra treat inside.
*This post contains a ‘GIFTED’ item, all thoughts/opinions are my own, see my disclaimer for more information.
Lotil cream* is branded as a household hero as it can be used by the whole family and help everyone with their skin problems. I’ll be honest I’d never heard of Lotil before so when I received the products I was super excited to get sampling. Lotil cream can help with dry skin conditions but can also be used on both psoriasis and eczema plus everyone can use it to keep their skin smooth and soft.
With over a 100 years of re-hydrating dry skin, adding moisture retention and providing maxium protection against both environmental and climatic conditions. The cream itself has a light scent and contains anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties that provide a barrier on the skin against infection.
I received the cream around 4 weeks ago now and have been using it on my dry skin problem areas, I suffer with very dry hands and get dry skin on my neck which is very itchy when irritated plus I’ve been applying the cream to the usual dry skin areas like elbows, knees and feet. I found the cream had a little bit of a scent and smelt like aqueous cream which I have used in the past, its a neutral scent that isn’t over powering, irritating or long lasting. I usually apply before bed but have been keeping the smaller tube in my bag to apply on my hands throughout the day which has been a lifesaver! The cream soaks into the skin easily and from the first use you can feel a difference on your skin; I did a couple of days were I didn’t apply the cream and my skin did show signs of dry skin again so the benefits of using Lotil regularly are clear.
Lotil I am happy to continue using this cream and have super soft skin.
The price of the cream is a bargain, a 114ml tub will only set you back £6.29 and the handbag friendly tube (50ml) is just £3.59 from Boots and you can also order the cream from Amazon.
Escape Reality is based in The Printworks, Manchester; they have newly launched a Virtual Reality experience. I was invited by GO PR to trail the experience; on Tuesday evening, me and a couple of friends headed there for the evening.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a VR experience as this type of event is new to me, I’ve tried VR on a phone previously but that was it; I was super excited to get stuck in. Arriving at the venue, we were kindly greeted by the staff, once the experience was ready we were directed inside the room. The room is quite small and painted black, there were a few seats around the room and some VR equipment, a large TV on the wall, a computer and the game master. Groups up to 4 people can book the room for the experience, this is an hour and 15 minutes slot so gives each member of the group a good amount of time in the VR.
The game master went through everything from safety to game choice before we started, this gave us an insight in what to expect, what to do and what not to do. One person at a time experiences the VR world, the headset that is placed on you has a little weight to it but nothing uncomfortable, you also have two controllers to hold and use; one in each hand and a battery pack which you can attach onto your own clothing or use the Velcro belt that is provided.
To get used to the VR experience we firstly was put into a virtual world under the sea, this wasn’t a game but you could interact with the sea creatures and plants in the experience. I was joined by a huge jellyfish and was able to boop the them and the sea plants which caused them to move; I could also walk around and explore. Next up was ‘The Plank’ in a new VR world I was directed into a lift of a high skyscraper and taken to top of it then told to walk out on a plank that was hanging over the edge of the building! Not lying I felt scared, wobbly and unsteady, I was a little apprehensive about taking that first step onto the plank but I did eventually get to the end of it then the Game master told me to step off the plank ... at first I couldn’t but did step off and fell all the way down the building into the virtual street... it was absolutely crazy!!!
Other members of the group experienced the plank in different situations; one was horror based with a massive spider and a clown character. I’m so glad I wasn’t in the VR kit for this one, my friend did a few screams on this one. After we’d all got a feel for the VR worlds, we started to play some games. Still it’s one member of the group playing each time but we could interact by helping them and directing them as we could see what they see on the TV screen just not in a virtual way.
We played 'Beat Saber' which is a music game a bit like Guitar Hero but with lightsabers, yes that’s correct... LIGHTSABERS!!! It was a little hard to get the hang off but we all super enjoyed this one, I choose ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance which only had the expert difficulty option but I gave it a go. I’d definitely play this at home if I had all the kit.
There was also an escape game that we all got involved in, one person is in the game using the controllers to move around instead of actual walking although you can move around as well. We were then able to help the group member to find clues to escape this room they were in, it was fun as we had a timer going, we were all shouting try this, try that and laughing throughout the whole thing. We didn’t make it out of the room though but it’s a game I’d like to give another go next time.
The Game master gave us some other game options, there was a shooting one that was in space, again you used the controllers to play the game. This was quite high impact and experienced so would be good for keen gamers. There was also another bow and arrow shooting game which was fast paced and quick to play so this was a fun one to watch and experience. There are so many games to choose from you’d need more than one visit to experience them all.
Our time in the room did come to an end but we all left laughing about the experience and talking about it all the way home, it’s a new thing to try out and something you can’t do everywhere. Escape Reality’s escape rooms are amazing and much fun so to add this VR option into this mix gives the place an edge and adds to the excitement.
You can book an Escape Room or the VR experience via the Escape Reality website here and the more of you there are, the cheaper the price so grab your mates and spend an hour or two at Escape Reality.
*This post contains a GIFTED/SAMPLE item, all thoughts/opinions are my own, see my disclaimer for more information.
Ever wish for perfect brows everyday? Smooth skin to apply your makeup too? Less facial hair? The *Brow shaper tool by Lilibeth New York can help with all these wishes. The tool is sold as a brow shaping tool but has so many more uses than just that however shaping my brows has never been easier. I’ll break down the tools best uses here, tell you how to use the tool and where to buy from.
Brow Shaping - I use to go get my brows waxed every month which cost me around £15.00 each time but when money is tight I started to look for other options. A brow shaping tool can give me a shaped brow and smooth skin all without any pain! No wax, no threading, no products needed, just the Lilibeth brow shaper tool. The tool comes in loads of different colours and patterns but they all work the same, the blade is folded into the handle for safety when not in use and this makes it perfect for travelling too. Although care must be taken when using the tool as it does have a blade on it, using the tool is pain free and easy; to start I place the tool under my brow then gently glide the blade across my skin to remove any stray hairs and give my arch a tidy. I will then do the same with the upper part of my brow, not forgetting the outer edge of my brows as a few pesty hairs grow there. I always tend to move the tool downwards and outwards away from my eye of course. Trimming the middle of my brows could not be easier and with how quickly this hair removal method is I can keep on top of my brows daily if I wanted. My top tip with using the tool to shape your brows is to take your time until you are used to the tool, do a small section then move onto the next until you have got the technique down to a tee and your brows looking on point!
Dermaplaning - This is not something I used to do or get done until I started using these types of tools. I cannot stress enough how smoothly my foundation goes on after dermaplaning my face. If you don’t know what dermaplanning is, it’s basically using this tool to remove dead skin cells and peach fuss from your skin leaving a smooth and fresh base to work on. I’ve also found that my skin reacts better to my skin care products after dermaplanning. Using the tool I gently glide it across my face in small sections, you can literally see the dead skin flaking off sometimes, unwanted hair be gone with it too. I'm left with smooth skin, fresher looking skin and amazing results!
Hair Removal - Your whole face has hair on it but some areas can be more prominent and I certainly don’t want to bring attention to my upper lip hair especially since I have naturally dark hair. Using the brow shaper tool I can remove any unwanted hair from my upper lip easily and quickly, again because of the quickness of this tool I can keep on top of my upper lip everyday if needed. I tend to use the tool on my upper lip around once a week though which works well for me but everyone is different. The tool glides over the skin easily and trims any hairs in its way without any irritation or pain; I do tend to apply my moisturiser after using the tool for this method as it just like the dermaplaning method. The tool can also be used on other areas of the body like the back of your neck, bikini line and fingers/toes, it’s literally a wonder tool!
My first Lilibeth brow shaping tool lasted me around 6 months although they suggest you should replace your tool every 2 to 3 months. To keep the blade in top condition, make sure to wipe the tool clean with a dry cloth after each use and always fold the blade back into the handle; storing it out of damp areas like the bathroom is also a good idea. I tend to keep mine in my makeup bag so it’s always handy.
You can pick up a brow shaping tool from Instant Beauty Fix for just £7.49 or buy a 2 pack for £14.95. I’ve already saved money by using the brow tool instead of going for my usual wax each month.
The Gin Society’s first gin festival of the year happened this weekend and it was a great success with sold out tickets, a wide selection of gins (120 to be exact), a beautiful venue and some yummy treats along the way.
The Gin Society team were kind enough to send me a complimentary ticket so I could attend on Friday night. I was really excited as I’d been to Gin Festivals in the past but not a Gin Society one. To start they chose to host their event inside Manchester Cathedral which was such a good venue. It’s beautiful inside, roomy and a really good setting for sipping gin. I’m always blown away whenever I visit the cathedral.
Arriving at the festival was a breeze, the security scanned in my ticket and I was led inside, greeted with my gin glass, gin booklet, a pen and a drink token plus all the information I needed. Everyone was also given a card to fill out to enter a competition.
Once I was given everything I needed, I was directed towards the bars, seating areas and gin stalls to enjoy the evening. Down the middle of the room were the bars with a cocktail bar on the way in, at the sides were gin companies showcasing their products and offering samples to taste. There was also a street food stand, token desk and a masterclass area. All the gin festivals I’ve attended have had a drinks token system so you buy however many tokens you’d like and use these at the bars. Buying tokens was easy at the token desk were they accepted cash or card.
My friend came along with me so we grabbed a table and picked out our first gin from the gin booklet. The gin festival booklet comes in handy, it’s got all the info on the gins available from the bars, the ingredients and some extra info too like mixer choice. Fentimans was the mixer brand on offer this weekend, they have plenty of mixer choice; my favourites being Ginger Ale and Rose Lemonade.
The first gin of the night was the handmade Buss No 509 Raspberry gin which I mixed with Fentimans Rose Lemonade (as a gin drinker it’s unfortunate that I’m not a tonic fan so tend to stick to lemo). I sort of played it safe getting a Raspberry gin as it’s my regular flavour when it comes to choice but this was a new taste with a good fruity flavour and smooth gin element. I’d rate this gin at a 8/10.
With a gin in hand we were able to have a wander around the stalls, find new gin’s to try, sample them and purchase if wanted. I really liked the Fenney Street Gin which is created in Manchester by Paul and Becky, their small batch gin’s are made in their nano kitchen distillery. Their blush gin was really tasty and fruity being made from fresh strawberries, raspberries and apples.
I was pretty hungry at this point so took advantage of the food stall and got some Mac & Cheese which was bloody delicious!!! We had a lovey sit down, chatted and finished our gin’s ready to continue our evening at the event.
Time for another... this time I didn’t play it safe and ordered the Persian Blue Marshmallow flavoured gin and I’m so glad I took the risk! Literally my new favourite gin! Again I opted for Rose Lemonade although I think a regular lemonade would of been beautiful with this gin, lemon was recommended in the gin booklet as well. The gin has a blue colour and the mixer turned it purple so I was pretty happy, haha. This gin gets a 10/10 rating and is on my to buy list!
With another gin in hand we headed to the masterclass to see what was going on there. Here we learnt the history of gin from one of the stall holders Uncle Val's and got to taste test Uncle Val's Botanical gin too. The history of gin is a pretty wild story to be honest and you’ll be surprised at some of the stories so make sure you attend one of the masterclasses to find out more.
The whole event felt well organised, not too crowded, we had lots to do and see and lots of gin to sip! There was even a swing/jazz band playing music throughout the evening to keep us all entertained.
-a great venue - check!
-lots of gin choice - check!
-having things to see and do - check!
The Gin Society ticks all the boxes!
On the way out of the venue I spotted a small gin shop so you could purchase a full bottle of gin from a selection of brands, just another part of the gin festival and a chance to take the experience home with you.
Thank you to Gin Society and the team for a wonderful, fun and gin filled evening. I can’t wait to attend again. The Gin Society have many dates available you can purchase tickets for them all here using their eventbrite page.
*complimentary ticket was given to me to attend, all thoughts/opinions are my own.
Let me introduce you to RosehipPLUS, an Australian skincare brand that know everything there is to know about rosehips. To give you a little insight into what rosehips actually are I’ve pulled some information from the RosehipPLUS website. Rosehips were best known as a rich source of Vitamin C and they are also packed with minerals and anti-oxidants which of course are great for peoples health. Exploring around the world for the best rosehip oil led the RosehipPLUS team to Chile in South America were they found rosehips being harvested in the mountain tops and then RosehipPLUS was launched!
RosehipPLUS are based in Sydney and their products are made in Australia with love, care and made with the best ingredients available. They are an organic brand that has a Certified Organic Skin Care range which all products contain Rosehip oil. They believe that their products are here to stay due to the natural ingredients and commitment to create rosehip products that work.
Here I have the Pure & Natural Rosehip Oil* which I have been using on my operation scars for a month now. This 100% pure and natural cold pressed rosehip oil has become an everyday product in my body care routine, I apply a few drops of this oil to my stomach area every night before bed and I have seen some improvement in my scars. I never felt like my scars healed as well as they could of, my stitches took ages to fall out and the scars were red for months and months, I tried a few different oils and moisturisers to improve the look of my scars but they never really went any better. I’ve been using RosehipPLUS for a mere month now and my scars are a lot less red and irritated, the smaller of the scars are nearly clear now.
Using the rosehip oil is easy, the oil soaks into my skin quickly and doesn’t leave any sticky residue so applying before bed is comfortable. The scent of the oil is natural and it doesn’t really smell of anything, I first expected it to smell floral but it’s just natural. Since only a few drops are needed each night, the bottle still has loads of product left and will last ages. I want to continue to use this oil on my scars to get them all looking clear and normal again. The oil is great for dry skin, stretch marks and improving skin hydration so it really should be a stable in everyone’s routine.
You can pick up RosehipPLUS online at Amazon with prices starting from £10.00.
*GIFTED item - all thoughts/opinions are my own, see my disclaimer for more information. This is an un-paid post.