Vita Liberata // Phenomenal Organic Tan Infused Cloth Review

Vita Liberata // Phenomenal Organic Tan Infused Cloth
RRP £15 for 8 or 2 for £6

This is a pack of 2 that I chose as part of a Latest In Beauty box.

First Impressions:

I thought this was going to be the best tanning experience *clarkson voice* in the world, but it was quite possibly the worst. My first experience was also my last because there is no way I'm using the second cloth and ending up in the same predicament.

This is essentially a baby wipe soaked in tan lotion. You could get the exact same results by pouring some fake tan into a bowl and then dunking in some dry wipes for a couple minutes. I've learnt the hard way and I now have dedicated "tan marigolds" for when applying fan take but the wipe just would not apply evenly. It kept bunching up no matter how hard I tried.

Also more product got applied to my legs and by the time I had got to my arms and chest the wipe was almost dry so an 8 pack would realistically only last 4 uses. I thought I had applied the product very well; I let myself dry and then went to bed. I had white bedding on at the time and there wasn't any transfer. So far so good...I then woke up and went to change and froze; I was a streaky mess. I wish I had taken photos but honestly it looked like I was trying to make some kind of geometric statement with fake lines.

I was horrified because I was meeting someone important to me after 3 months of not seeing them. I immediately took a shower and scrubbed with my scrubbiest exfoliator combined with my dry body brush but the tan lines still remained. Not as strong but they were still there. It took 4 days to finally get rid of them.

Usage
First use - June 20th 2020
Last use - June 20th 2020

Would I buy it: lol no.

Overall Impressions:

What a mess. They must have used an entire pack of 8 for their models to look evenly bronzed. I have a medium olive skin tone as well and whatever shade it tanned me to was severely orange/yellow and did not look natural in the slightest. It has severely put me off using other Vita Liberata products. I've been wanting to try the body blur for ages but now I'm not so sure.

Anatomicals // Scrub Tropicana Coconut Body Scrub Review

Anatomicals // Scrub Tropicana Coconut Body Scrub
RRP £1.50 for 50ml

This is a full size 50ml tube that I received in the August 2019 Birchbox. I believe this was an exclusive, made for Birchbox, product for that month.

First Impressions:

Smells absolutely fantastic. It's slightly heady and oriental with a super sweetness coming through. it doesn't smell at all like coconuts to me though. The granules are very large and I don't feel it does a good job of exfoliating properly to me but I do like how it smells.

Usage
First use - August 2019
Last use - June 2020

Would I buy it: Yes; if you could.

Overall Impressions:

Unfortunately this is no longer sold or made. Anatomicals is such a weird brand; it's like the Ikea of skincare. Some products are super cheap and feel it; others are super cheap and feel great. This is the latter.

I don't think this is the best exoliator in the world but I did enjoy using it; that is when I remembered to use it. Body scrubs are just tone of those products that I always forget about. It was only in the past couple of months now that tan season is upon us that I've truly been feeling the need to exfoliate. I wish they made a shower gel in this scent as it's the best thing about the product.

The Body Shop // Warm Vanilla Body Butter Review

The Body Shop // Warm Vanilla Body Butter
RRP - (No longer sold, Christmas 2019 special)

This is a 200ml tub that I bought from a Body Shop outlet store in June 2020 for £7.50.

First Impressions:

This smells heavenly. I can see why it was a Christmas special. It has this warm, buttery smell that makes me want to curl up by a fire and toast marshmallows. I've not used a Body Shop body butter in over a year now due to having to use up various creams and it's so nice to be using one again. My skin feels amazing and I love the slight greasy feeling it leaves behind. I always shower at night and I love lathering my skin in something that smells nice before going to bed. It's just relaxing to me.

Usage
First use - 18th June 2020
Last use - 12th July 2020

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

I forgot how quickly I go through Body Shop body butters. This lasted about 25 days which is about right as I used to go through a tub every month. It's been a long time though since I last used a Body Shop body butter and I can honestly say I've missed them. I only ever buy them when I can get them for 50% off as I don't think they're worth £15. Fortunately there is an outlet store near me so I tend to pick up 4/5 in one go of whatever is going super cheap. The pumpkin Spice ones are the only scent I truly hate (I've never been a cinnamon fan).

Even though you do end up going through it ridiculously fast, this is still one of my favourite moisturisers; my skin just feels so soft and I don't have to battle with dry patches anymore. My knees and elbows felt like sandpaper after a month of that Stone Street Soaphouse body cream. I also love the texture; they truly are the best body butters.

Lumene // Nordic-C Glow Reveal Peeling Mask Review

Lumene // Nordic-C Glow Reveal Peeling Mask
RRP £16.90 for 75ml

This is a 15ml Sample that I received in the Birchbox 2018 Advent Calendar. Yes, it's taken me a long time to get round to using this.

First Use

Smells wonderful; the entire Nordic-C range does. It's light and fruity with a hint of orange and rose blossoms. I was expecting this to be a msk that dries and then you peel off but it's a slightly cloudy gel that sits on the skin for 10 minutes and doesn't dry. After washing it off my skin looked youthful and fresh and my skincare products applied well. It also made my skin slightly matte looking but not in a dry way. My skin felt super soft as well.

Usage

First Use - 4th April 2020
Last use - 19th June 2020

I used it once a week...or at least I tried to.

The instructions say to use a good amount each time; so I did. I'd say about 2ml (which doesn't sound much but when it comes to face products it really is).

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

It's annoying because I like this product; my skin just doesn't like it. I'm convinced this made me break in tiny whiteheads and spots; as have other Vitamin C heavy products. It's become one of those ingredients that I'm having to avoid now or make sure that it's not the main 'star' ingredient of a product. It's a shame because I really like Lumene as a whole but they have many other ranges for me to try out and this hasn't put me off them.

Stone Street Soaphouse // Hay Ho! Wholesome Body Cream Review

Stone Street Soaphouse // Hay Ho! Wholesome Body Cream
RRP £24 for 250ml

This is a full size 250ml tub that I bought in the FabFitFun Spring edit sale in April 2020 for $10.80 (including tax).

First Impressions:

This does not smell great...it's like grass. I'm one of the few people in the world it feels like who does not like the smell of grass. It also leaked in the box and the lid is covered in crusty product. It has this weird lip at the top due to the tub design and it makes it a little difficult to scoop product out as it's not really a butter or cream...it has a much thinner consistency; like a lotion. 

Usage

First use - 1st June 2020

Last use - 17th June 2020

8th June 2020 - It's been 7 days and I'm halfway through the tub. 250ml body butters usually last me a month but I've been having to use more than usual because this doesn't leave my skin feeling moisturised. It leaves it feeling kind of dry and crusty. It's not great. I've noticed that my skin drinks up my body oil that I apply afterwards and I've been having to use more of the body oil to keep my skin moisturised.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I can't believe a 250ml tub of this stuff only lasted me 17 uses. I'm pretty sure I don't normally go through body moisturisers that fast. I'm glad this is finished though as the scent wasn't great. On the side of the tub it says it's inspired by straw...I don't know why anyone would want to smell like straw...strawberries yes. Up next for me is The Body Shop in Warm Vanilla and I'm looking forward to smelling like a dessert after my shower again.

Also, I didn't realise that this is product made in the UK by a British brand; I've never heard of them before the FFF sale. I find it funny that it was exported to LA only to be imported back over.

Overall, I didn't feel like this product did an adequate enough job of keeping my skin moisturised and it's not even that dry right now. The past month has been wet, warm and humid.

Rituals // Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel Review

Rituals // Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel
RRP £8.50 for 200ml

I bought this 200ml bottle from a Rituals store in Manchester for £8.50 (full price) back in October 2019.

First Impressions:

May 3rd 2020 - This is my favourite Rituals scent (followed closely by the Ritual of Holi) and it's just so luxurious and calming. The scent actually makes me feel relaxed in the shower which is strange because it's just a shower.

Usage
First use - 3rd May 2020
Last use - 17th June 2020

15th May 2020 - I don't know if it's just me but it feels like it's getting harder to press the top to get product out. It just seems like I have to really press the top down to get the gel to come out. You would think it would come out as a foam; like shaving cream but it foams upon contact with water. It feels like there isn't enough pressure in the bottle.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

Whereas I enjoyed using this shower gel and initially would have bought it again; I think I'll avoid other foaming gels from Rituals until they drop the squirty top. It just got so annoying towards the end. I would have to hold the bottle sideways and press the bottom against my leg to get enough grip and strength to get the product out onto a sponge. or place the sponge down somewhere and use both hands to keep the bottle steady.

It also didn't really foam to begin with and by the end it just felt like I was buffing myself with the sponge. It didn't leave enough of a scent for my liking. For £8.50 this just isn't worth it as the only good thing is the scent.

John Frieda // Frizz Ease Weightless Wonder Featherlight Smoothing Cream Review

John Frieda // Frizz Ease Weightless Wonder Featherlight Smoothing Cream
RRP £6.99 for 100ml

This is a 25ml sample that I received a beauty box in 2019...I honestly can't remember when anymore.

First Impressions:
Very runny and slightly sticky. I used this on dry hair and it made it look a bit greasy and didn't help with fly aways at all.

Usage
First use - Sometime 2019
Last use - 7th June 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

Who'd have thought...a John Frieda product that doesn't work on curly hair? I haven't bought any John Frieda products in a long time because they are naff. They say it's for curly and frizzy hair but what they actually mean is straight hair that has been curled and backcombed to look frizzy. It's a con. I'm glad to finally get rid of another useless sample that I've had lying around for at least a year. 

This did nothing for my hair (which is type 3b) whether I used it on wet or dry, blow dried or left to dry naturally. It was just another product causing build up.

Ren // Keep Young and Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot Review

Ren // Keep Young and Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot
RRP £42 for 30ml

This is a 10ml sample that I think I received in Feel Unique Pick 'n' Mix in February 2020. 

First Impressions:

13th May 2020 - This is a clear, runny gel-like substance very similar to the Ecooking serum. It has a very light scent and takes about a minute to absorb. It runs out of the tube easily and you can end up with more than you wanted. I've used a few Ren products before and I didn't rate them highly so I'm interested in how this will hold up.

Usage
First use - 13th May 2020
Last use - 2nd June 2020

Would I buy it: Yes actually.

Overall Impressions:

I'm actually surprised at how much I liked this; it didn't cause any spots or redness. My skin looked great whilst I was using it. It really did work like an instant beauty shot as I felt my skin looked plumped and refreshed when I used it. You can still select this in the Pick 'n' Mix which is only £3.95 so I think I might just go and get another one of those to try it out again before taking the plunge as £42 is alot (but not as much as my Origins serum which I feel this is almost as good as). 

It says you can use this on top of makeup but due to how runny it is I think it would just smear everything around and ruin it. I used it as a serum morning and night before my moisturiser and it fit perfectly into my routine.

Puressential // Slim & Firm Organic Skincare Oil Review

Puressential // Slim & Firm Organic Skincare Oil
RRP £17.90 for 100ml

This is a full size 100ml bottle that I chose as part of a Latest In Beauty box in April 2019.

First Impressions:

Kind of feels like I'm just rubbing jojoba oil with some essential oils into my skin. It's also not quite as thick as jojoba but doesn't leave the skin too greasy.

Usage
First use - April 2019
Last use - 7th June 2020

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

At first I didn't really care for it but I also used it infrequently. It's one of those products where you just forget to use it. I eventually put it next to my body moisturiser so I wouldn't forget (sometimes I still did) and started using it daily around November 2019. I didn't use it all over my body but on my butt (as it's supposed to be 'firming'), my knees and elbows. I noticed it really helped keep my skin soft and flake free throughout the dry winter months. 

The cap it has is super annoying and barely allows any product to come through so I eventually started decanting it into a 15ml pump bottle that used to be a serum. When I did thta I started going through the oil a lot faster. I would apply it to my feet as well after using a foot scrub and I would wake up with wonderfully soft feet.

I think this has become one of my favourite body products to use and I was sad to run out. I have a few other body oils to get through but I can't be doing without an oil in my routine now. I don't think this is too expensive as good jojoba can set you back at least £10 for 50ml so I don't consider this to be an outrageous price. It also lasts a long time, even with frequent use I would say the bottle would last a good 6 months.

FabFitFun Summer 2020 UK // Beauty Box Review

Ahhhhhh! It's not free real estate,

I took a break for the Spring 2020 box...and by break I mean the box was delivered to work a day after the country went into lockdown and I'm counting down the days until the office re-opens and I can be united with my box.

But, I changed the address and now I am the proud owner of the Summer box. I will say it's not quite as good as last year but I'm glad I made some last minute changes to my items to make it feel more Summer-ry. I've had it for over a month now so I've had a chance to use most of the items but once I get through them full reviews will be posted!

So a quick recap of FabFitFun: It's an american quarterly subscription box. It features 7-9 full sized products each box and if you are an annual subscriber (select) you can customise 5 options and if you pay per box (seasonal) you can customise 3 options (with the other 2 randomly picked for you). They use to then include 3 items for "everyone" however they're close to 2 million members now so they have 'FFF Picks' and you can receive 3 randoms items from a selection. Some people really hate this; it's not great, especially because there is usually 3 items you really want. I lucked out this box.

Let's get into the items!

Round One

For customisation 1 this was a no brainer for me. I wanted that towel from the moment I saw it in the spoilers. I originally had the Lashes conditioner added but I read that it contains a chemical that can cause green eyes to turn dark so I quickly dropped it.

L*Space // Tie Dye Towel (chosen)

RRP $58 (£47.24 with current conversion rates)

This towel is quite thin but beautiful. I've not had a chance to use it yet and to be honest I almost don't want to unroll it because it makes a wonderful decoration just the way it is. I'm hoping the warm weather returns soon so I can walk to the beach and do some sunbathing with it.

Round Two

This was a difficult round. I originally had the Face Oil and the Shampoo & Conditioner but after some research I discovered that the face oil is mainly lavender and rose (which break me out in horrendous spots) and the R+Co set have mixed to bad reviews for hair that is not typically Caucasian so I dropped them. I added the cooler bag to make the box feel more like a summer box and I'm also having major fomo over the kimono even though it doesn't have sleeves...it's more like a shawl.

Business and Pleasure Co // Cooler Bag

RRP $59 (£48.05 with current conversion rates)

I think this is a special version of the bag made exclusively for FFF. Many people on the forum were a bit angry about this as it does look cheaper than the pro version which has beautiful brown handles. 

I originally didn't want this at all and thought it was an awful item but now I've had it for over a month and I think it's my favourite item from the box. I've used it so many times and it keeps food and drinks cool for around 3 hours (depending on how cold the items are). We had a day where it was 30 degrees and I packed 4 250ml bottles, 2 packs of fruit and 2 chocolate bars into it and there was still room to spare. The chocolate hadn't melted at all when I reached for it after 2 hours. It's sturdy, lightweight and I would seriously consider buying other items from this brand now.

Round Three

This was the hardest round; I wanted everything. I got the drybar spray in the Winter box and it has become my favourite hair spray so I was super happy to be able to add it on here; same with the Kate Somerville cream. I mentioned on the Winter box post that I wouldn't pay full price for it but I would buy it on offer; $10 is one hell of an offer.

Toms // Sydney Sunglasses (ADD-ON)
RRP £60

They only have the blue ones available in the UK but I can't believe I managed to snag these for $10. I was a bit unsure at first but I can't believe how well they suit my face. I think they're the best sunglasses I've ever bought; I can't do without them now.

Kate Somerville // Goat Milk Moisturising Cream (ADD-ON)
RRP £55

I have initial thoughts on my winter post here, and then a full review once I'd finished the pot over here. This is a great moisturiser and I'm more than happy paying $10 for it. I have a feeling this will suit the summer months a lot more than the winter months due to its light texture.

Drybar // Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler
RRP $24 (£19.55 with current conversion rates)

This is difficult and expensive to get hold of in the UK so it was my first choice here. I thought the scent was weird at first but it really grew on me and now I love it; it's become my favourite hair spray. It really helps keep my hair soft and protected from heat damage. I spray my hair with it before I go out in the sun as well. I have about a quarter left of my first bottle so there should be a full review up soon.

Round Four

This was a sad round as quite a few things were restricted (they only had the pillow case when customisation opened). I wanted the pillow sleeve anyway though so I wasn't bothered.

Silked // Satin Pillow Sleeve
RRP $29.50 (£24.02 with current conversion rates)

I'm not a big Silk fan (mainly for how the moths are killed and I don't like the texture) so I think I'm the only person receiving the summer FFF box who is happy that this is satin. I've always found that Silk stays too warm and makes me sweat. 

I've been sleeping on some satin pillow cases that I made myself out of some bright orange satin fabric I had left over from a Sailor Venus cosplay I made and they've made a huge difference to my hair and skin in the morning. This one is an open ended sleeve type case which doesn't bother me but it does slip most morning but it only takes a couple seconds to correct it. I don't think I would pay £24 for one though; especially since I bought a pair of satin cases off Amazon for £8 and they're practically the same in colour and feel.

Round Five

I kind of wish I'd chosen the vase now because I've seen photos off it in other box reveal and it's so cute. Other than that, this was my "eh" round. I didn't really want anything from it.

Amika // Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray
RRP £20

Now that I've finally learned how to properly diffuse my hair, my hairdryer sees a lot more action. I don't do blow outs anymore so I suppose I'll have to start again to see what this is like. I actually have 2 mini versions to get through still that I got from a Birchbox. My mum seemed to really this product though and her hair did look super shiny and smooth after using it.

Box Boost

This season they introduced the Box Boost! More ways to spend money! I detest Grown Alchemist now after using the night cream I got in the Autumn box and I succumbed to buying the Too Faced bundle as I think it's impossible to get a better price in the UK. I'm still using up a serum so the good in bed serum hasn't been used yet but I did spray my face a couple times with the setting sprat/mist/cooler whatever it is. It does smell very coconutty but I feel it left my face kind of sticky and not very refreshed. 

// Items That *Almost* Everyone Receives //

Up next are the three items that I received out of a possible 7 choices. The other 4 items were the Riddle Oil roll on perfume, a Murad Cleanser, Wander Beauty Eye Masks and the Makeup Drop hybrid blender. The last 3 were the ones I didn't want the most so I was very happy to not get them.

Winky Lux // Universal Eyebrow Pencil
RRP £15

This is a fantastic eyebrow pencil! It's a light grey/brown shade that goes darker with more pressure. The majority of brown eyebrow pencils are warm and I can't use them as my brows are cool toned so I kind of look ridiculous. I use this sparingly just to fill in gaps and give a little more shape.

Cali Cosmetics // Tarocco Foot Cream with Menthol
RRP $24 (£19.55 with current conversion rates)

This seems a bit sketchy as the brand website looks like something from 2002 and one of those companies that mass produces products to sell directly to TK Maxx. I actually desperately needed a new foot cream though so this saved me from having to go out and buy one. I've been using it for a month now and I actually don't care how sketchy the brand might seem anymore because holy hell this is a great foot cream. I really hope I can pick up some more in the next add-on/edit sale. It has a strong orange smell that turns into menthol as you rub it in that I find nice but I know others don't like the combo.

Spongellé // Coconut Verbana Hand Cream
RRP £13.50

You can never, ever, have too much hand cream. I was very happy to get this. At first I liked the smell but then after a while it began to grate on me; it's just too much. I do love the packaging though and I'm cooking up some nail art designs inspired by it.

// Box Price £50 + £38.11 (for the Add-Ons & Boost)

// 12 Full Size Items

// £337.38 Estimated Box Worth

What an amazing summer box. I'm so glad I added on the cooler bag and sunglasses as I've already had so much use out of them; especially with living by the sea. At first I was a bit underwhelmed when they revealed the choices but once I got them I did a complete 180.

FabFitFun
// Seasonal // 
$49.99 per box + $10 Shipping* + $10 Tax
// Annual //
$179.99 (4 Boxes) + $40 Shipping* + $40 Tax

*UK Subs do not get charged any import tax, only VAT. 

And last is the shipping time. FFF give themselves 30 days from successful billing to ship your box. I was billed on the 7th May, received a shipping notification on the 21st and it was delivered on the 1st June. This was the longest I've had to wait so far for a box but I can't really be too angry as it's still fast for delivery from America. Once it leaves the US it's normally delivered by Hermes or Yodel within 24 hours of entering the UK. 

Caudalie // Instant Detox Mask Review

Caudalie // Instant Detox Mask
RRP £22 for 75ml

This is a 15ml sample that I received a beauty box. I think it was either a Birchbox or Look Fantastic. I've used another 15ml sample that I got in a Latest in Beauty box way back in 2018 but this tube was definitely more recent.

First Impressions:

I thought I would have problems with this as my skin doesn't particularly rose ingredients but I had no breakouts after use. The product is a salmon colour that dries to a light pink. I like how it doesn't feel extremely tight when it's fully dry and it rinses off easily with cold water.

Usage
First use - No idea
Last use - No idea

This has been sat in pile of "items to write about" that I've forgotten when I used it. For new items in my routine I've got into a habit of starting a draft post with the date and my first impressions and then I update it as I use the product but I'm pretty sure I finished this sometime last year. Based on other 15ml face masks, I'd say this would last around 7-8 uses.

Would I buy it: Maybe.

Overall Impressions:

This is a nice face mask. It's much better than the Mudmasky one I'm currently using that is double the price of this one. I've found that this mask is particularly good for my T-Zone. I remember the first time I used this product I especially liked how my pores appeared to be smaller. I have a few more face mask samples to get through but I think this is one that I would buy as it's not too expensive and it's great for sensitive skin.

Carmex // Vanilla Lip Balm Review

Carmex // Vanilla Lip Balm
RRP £3.49 for 4.25g

This is the full size tube that I bought for £2.49 from Superdrug.

First Impressions:
I love this lip balm. The smell, the texture, the Carmex tingle; it's just perfect.

Usage

A full tube tends to last me about 2/3 months. I do go through a lot of these tubes though. Sometimes it feels like it lasts me a month.

Would I buy it: I will continue buying this product until either a) I die or b) they stop making it.

Overall Impressions:

This is my holy grail of lip balms...nothing comes close to it. Some of merely just expensive imitators. This product has that perfect balm consistency that I love where it coats the lip but it's not greasy. I also love mixing this with lipstick and lip liners to create a light tinted lip balm. I have at least 5 of these tubes going at any one time. There is one in every bag, there is one on my desk, on the bedside table, one in the bathroom and in my car. I may try out other products but I always come back to this one.

Madara // Daily Defence Ultra Rich Balm Review

Madara // Daily Defence Ultra Rich Balm
RRP £16.50 for 60ml

This is a full size 60ml tube that I chose as part of my Latest In Beauty box in July 2019.

First Impressions:

It has a lovely sweet scent and a rich, almost buttery-like texture. It felt hydrating; like when you're really thirsty and you finally drink some water.

Usage
First use - October 2019
Last use - December 2019

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I initially thought this was going to be a great product but by the end of the tube I was disappointed. That initial hit of hydration that you feel doesn't last very long. I stopped using it on my lips because I noticed they were starting to feel more chapped throughout the day; the same happened with my hands. I would apply and then 30 minutes later my they felt like paper. It's a shame because it smells and feels wonderful as well as being an organic vegan product in packaging that's made more responsible than most products.

I tend to quite like Madara products but this one fell short for me. I used it at work where the air is always hot and dry and it just couldn't cope. It's really funny as on their website they state that to test the effectiveness; the Madara team went to Lappland and used this cream. They said it protected their skin, lips and hands from the cold winds...I doubt that they didn't use anything else other than this cream.

Hair Burst // Chewable Hair Vitamins Review

Hair Burst // Chewable Hair Vitamins
RRP £19.99 for 60 Pastilles

This is a 30 Pastille/15 day supply that I received in the Look Fantastic March 2020 box.

First Impressions:

They sort of taste like fruit pastilles and I will admit; I wanted to eat more than one. It had a fruity taste that wasn't to artificial.

Usage
First use - March 2020
Last use - Beginning April 2020

Would I buy it: It's a hard no from me.

Overall Impressions:

Whereas these taste great, you can go to Holland & Barrett, buy some multi-vitamins for less than half the price and get the same results. Also 30 pastilles is not enough to see any major difference. My hair didn't grow any longer, my eyebrows looked the same. I think maybe my eyelashes looked slightly longer but that's it. I don't think I took them regularly enough; I took one a day instead of two. Mainly due to the amount of sugar in the pastilles. The first two ingredients are glucose syrup and sugar. I find it really misleading and potentially dangerous for them not to disclose how much sugar is in them. Imagine if someone diabetic started taking them without reading the ingredients properly?

Second, they only have 9 minerals/vitamins whereas my multi-vit tablet from Co-op (which costs £2.50 for 60 tablets) has 13. Here is a comparison:

The co-op multivitamin and iron tablets have the exact same amounts as the hair burst apart from the biotin and selenium. Biotin may help increase hair growth however, hair/nails etc are not considered essential by the body so if you're not eating a balanced (and healthy) diet, chances are the extra vitamins are going to go to supporting essential systems. 

I would recommend going for the cheaper option and then eat biotin rich foods like eggs, raspberries, avocados and salmon. As for Selenium, I can't find any scientific articles with what it actually does; every article states "it may" do x, y, z. Good sources of natural selenium though include, eggs, chicken and sunflower seeds (which I sprinkle on my breakfast). 

Mane 'n Tail // Gentle Replenishing Conditioner Review

Mane 'n Tail // Gentle Replenishing Conditioner
RRP £6.99 for 355ml

This is a full size 355ml tube that I bought from TK Maxx for £4.99.

First Impressions:

It smells wonderful; like sugar-coated almonds and marzipan cake frosting. I would eat this conditioner if I could. It has a light, lotion consistency but spread through my hair nicely. I could easily detangle my hair whilst in the shower.

Usage
First use - October 2019
Last use - January 2020

Would I buy it: Maybe.

Overall Impressions:

I like this conditioner; it's nice but I'm not sure if it did anything outstanding for my hair. I think maybe it's just a bit to light to help keep my curls and frizz in place. I'd say this is definitely more for finer hair types. It does contain some oils and proteins so it could help with structure and prevent breaking however if you use these types of products too much without hydration, it could end up damaging your hair more. It always best to use different products depending on how your hair is looking/feeling. I liked using this to detangle though, so if I saw it on offer for less than a fiver then I would probably buy it.

Manna Kadar // Champagne Charcoal Scrub Review

Manna Kadar // Champagne Charcoal Scrub
RRP $24 for 520g

This is a full size 520g tub that I received in the FabFitFun Spring 2019 box.

First Impressions:

It smells kinda nice...I guess. It has an artificial sweetness to it that gets on my nerves after a while. The granules are very fine and it feels like I'm scrubbing my body with caster sugar. It did leave a mess in the shower though.

Usage
First use - June 2019
Last use - December 2019

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

This took me a long time to get through and eventually I just stopped using it. There's about two more uses left but I just couldn't be bothered with it anymore. I'm surprised I managed to make my way through it. I suppose if I used fake tan more often I'd be using body scrubs but they're just one of those products that I think are useless. I'd expect a body scrub when I go to a spa. Maybe if it had a better scent then I'd enjoy it more but saying that, I rarely use my Sol De Janiero brazilian body buff and I think the SDJ bum bum smell is the best scent ever created; so maybe I wouldn't.

Caudalie // Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser Review

Caudalie // Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
RRP £16 for 150ml

This is a 30ml Sample that I received in a Look Fantastic box sometime in 2019 (I think...)

First Impressions:

Smells wonderful; like all the products in the Vinopure range. It's a liquidy clear, gel-like substance that doesn't really foam. My skin felt quite dry and tight after use.

Usage

First use - November 2019

Last use - December 2019

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

Unfortunately this was the last product I used in the Vinopure range as it just became too drying for my skin. I even had 2 full bottles of the toner to go through but I gave them away to friends because it was causing me to break out in spots. I no longer use cleansers like this anymore and rely on oil/milk cleansers and my skin has become less oily.

The problem with these products directed at oily skin is that they contain skin stripping ingredients like foaming agents in order to remove the excess oil however your skin then retaliates by producing more oil to counter what it lost. If you sufficiently moisturise your skin; it will eventually stop producing the excess sebum.

In looking up this product I discovered that Caudalie have a cleansing milk and it's not badly priced at £15 for 200ml. Once my current L'oreal runs out I will give it a purchase as whereas I won't be using anything from the Vinopure range; I still quite enjoy other Caudalie products (especially the cleansing oil).

Anatomicals // Sometimes Love Needs a Hand Rose Hand Cream Review

Anatomicals // Sometimes Love Needs a Hand Rose Hand Cream
RRP £2.49 for 50ml

This is a full size 50ml tube that received in the February 2020 Birchbox.

First Impressions:

This is an adequate hand cream however the second ingredient is Isopropyl Alcohol aka rubbing alcohol which is the main ingredient in hand sanitiser. So you think this product absorbs really fast but it's actually just evaporating. The rose smell is quite strong but not off putting.

Usage

First use - Mid February 2020

Last use - Mid May 2020

I used this on and off over the course of three months. I didn't use it all the time as I found that it would dry my hands out if used consecutively. 

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

This brand is weird. It's looks like if Ikea did beauty products but I have a feeling that Ikea beauty products would be much better. This is a cheap hand lotion with cheap ingredients. That said, I feel the £1.75 hand cream from Tesco to be a much better alternative with better ingredients. Sure it didn't have fancy packaging or a nice scent but it didn't contain drying alcohol as the second ingredient. I' glad it's empty and I can move on.

Murad // Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Review

Murad // Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
RRP £38 for 200ml

This is the 200ml full size that I chose as part of my latest in beauty box in May 2019.

First Impressions:

This runny cream contains fine granules that gently exfoliate the skin but they do not dissolve. They are not microbeads but jojoba beads which take a while to dissolve in water. It slightly foams up but for the most part I did not find this to adequately remove makeup.

Usage
First use - September 2019
Last use - March 2020

This took me a long time to get through; mainly because it doesn't cleanse, it's just an exfoliator. This is the product that also caused me a trip to A&E in December as one of the jojoba beads got stuck in my eye. It was there for 2 weeks before I couldn't take it any longer and went to the hospital. They removed it by flipping my eyelid inside out and swabbing the area (and my eye) with a cotton wool bud. That was not a pleasant experience. It felt like someone was stabbing my eye with a tiny needle. Jojoba beads are marketed as"bio-degradable" so they're better for the environment but they appear to take a long time to degrade so are they really a better alternative?

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I'm a bit on/off with Murad. Some products I like, others just seem overpriced. This is one of them. I'd say my skin started to look better after I stopped using it. For AHA's I prefer using my Dr Nassif Detox pads (they work like a charm) and exfoliator wise; I tend to avoid them now as sugar scrubs can cause micro-tears in the skin and jojoba beads can get stuck in your eyes (it doesn't matter if you don't apply it near your eyes, they somehow still get in there). 

As a cleanser it's pretty much useless as well as it does not remove makeup adequately; I always had to use a second cleanser. 

Nuxe // Reve de Miel Ultra Comforting Face Cream Review

Nuxe // Reve de Miel Ultra Comforting Face Cream
RRP £27.50 for 50ml

This is a 15ml sample that I chose for my Lastest In Beauty box in March 2019.

First Impressions:

It took me a while to get round to get round to this. It's a lovely thick, rich cream and I used it once and woke up covered in spots. I check the ingredients and the 3rd ingredient is coconut oil which is a known comedogenic. This means that it's blocks the pores and causes breakouts. Now I love coconut oil; it's great for my hair but I always use it as a pre-poo and wash it off with shampoo otherwise my hair is a horrible greasy mess.

Usage
I used this once sometime in November 2019 and then promptly stopped using it. I didn't want to waste it though and finished the tube by using it has a hand cream which worked surprisingly well.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I've really started to go off Nuxe products; I just haven't found anything other than the creme fraiche cream to work. I love their perfume but the skin care products just seem to be full of cheap ingredients that should not cause the prices of the products to be as steep as they are. Take this product for example. The top 5 ingredients are water, glycerin, coconut oil, macadamia oil and rice bran oil. Moving on further down the huge ingredient list reveals more oils and many silicones. I used to think Nuxe were a luxury brand but not anymore; I'll be avoiding their products unless it's the Le Matin des Possibles perfume. I might do a review on that because it's a beautiful and unique scent.

Origins // Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask Review

Origins // Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask
RRP £22 for 75ml

This is a 15ml sample that I received as a sample when I ordered some items from Origins on Black Friday. I've used several more 15ml samples over the past few years though.

First Impressions:
It has a lovely sweet apricot scent. It kind of reminds me of apricot yoghurts. The product itself is thick and creamy and only slightly oily but I don't mind that at night.

Usage

I can't remember the exact details anymore as I was using this on and off in-between the Grown Alchemist night cream. I know that this product doesn't cause me any spots so it was used as a "back-up" inbetween creams to let my skin calm down.

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

I know this is a mask and it says to use it twice a week but I actually use it every night as a regular night cream and it works better than more expensive products I've tried (like the Grown Alchemist which is £86). I think this sample was the old formula though as the new one uses Avocado & Glacier water. Either that or they couldn't fit all that text on the tiny sample tube...probably that. 

I've used at least 4 of these 15ml tubes now and it's always been great with my skin. I wake up in the morning with visibly softer and plumper skin that feels hydrated. It is slightly greasy but it absorbs fully after about 10 minutes.

I love that this is only £22 for a large 75ml size; if I bought this it would last me a good 6 months which is great because night creams can get expensive. I only have a couple more night products to use up in my stash so one they run out I will be purchasing one of these as I feel it's on par with the Origins Night-A-Mins but that is more expensive and you get less.

Origins // Plantscription Anti-Ageing Power Serum Review

Origins // Plantscription Anti-Ageing Power Serum
RRP £65 for 48ml

This is 27ml bottle that I received as part of a Plantscription set that I bought off Origins for £30 on Black Friday.

First Impressions:

This is my first time using the product in an actual pump bottle. Before this I've used about ten 15ml sample tubes. I first tried it a couple of years ago after I chose one for my Latest In Beauty box and ever since then I've been hoarding samples of it and buying them off eBay. I do like the design of the bottle though with the twist lock and the pump that gives out just the right amount of serum.

Usage
First use - Beginning February 2020
Last use - 9th April 2020

I'm shocked at how long this lasted me. I don't think I was using enough though because I slipped back into my mindset of "preserve the expensive products; use lessssss". Of course you don't get the benefits if you don't use enough and I was using half a pump on my face in the beginning.

Would I buy it: In a heartbeat.

Overall Impressions:

So far, this is my favourite serum. I'm not quite ready to give it HG status but it's pretty damn close, it's just a shame about the price. For that reason I tend to buy up the gift sets on Black Friday and boxing day  and it gives me enough serum to just about last the year (as I use other things in between that I get in boxes).

This serum pretty much has no fragrence and is a light green cream. It isn't thick or rich; it feels more like a gel and my skin just feels comfortable when I use it. It really helps even out my skintone and reduce the appearance of red marks left behind by angry spots. I also don't tend to get any spots when I'm using this.

It's pricy but I can usually get hold of it via other means so it's ok but if I had the money I would definitely purchase it full price.

Oskia London // Renaissance Cleansing Gel Review

Oskia London // Renaissance Cleansing Gel
RRP £35 for 100ml

This is a 35ml sample that I received in the September 2019 Look Fantastic box.

First Impressions:

It smells like rose Turkish Delights, which I love. It adequately melts makeup but does not emulsify with water well. The oil parts still cling to the skin.

Usage
First use - November 2019
Last use - January 2020

I used this on and off as I don't wear makeup all the time.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

Oskia describe this as "the cult and original gel-to-oil cleanser". I have doubts about that. I'd never even heard of oskia before this but the packaging looks cheap, the product feels cheap and to me it's nowhere near worth £35. 

My favourite oil cleanser is the Caudalie Oil cleanser which is £18 for 150ml. That rapidly removes makeup and emulsifies immediately on contact with water and washes everything way. This product is not even in the same league as that one yet they're charging almost twice as much. I don't really have much else to say about this product other than; there are better and cheaper products.

Philip Kingsley // Elasticizer Review

Philip Kingsley // Elasticizer
RRP £19 for 75ml

This is a 40ml sample that I received a beauty box. I think this is the third or fourth tube I've got from beauty boxes now.

First Impressions:

I remember the first time I got this and when I realised it was a pre-poo treatment I didn't like it. I was very lazy and the idea of wetting my hair, applying this, leaving it and then having to wash my hair again was very unappealing. 

Usage

I'd say a 40ml tube lasts me a good couple of months as I only use it every two washes. But I do use about a third of the tube each time (my hair is down to my butt). I wash my hair every 5 days with one wash day using my mudmasky pre-poo treatment + deep conditioner (that's the hydration wash day with no protein), the second wash day is just a normal shampoo/conditioner and the third is this followed by protein sprays.

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

When I was 18 I cut all my hair off into a pixie cut and bleached it blonde. I have semi-afro hair in a community where all the hairdressers trained with predominately Caucasian hair. They saw me come in with my straightened hair, chopped it off and then I looked like a toilet brush for years as I desperately waited to grow it out. During that time I was obsessed with this website called the Long Hair Community and I started really taking care of my hair but I was still treating it as though it was straight Caucasian hair. At 24 I decided to go back to Uni and get a degree and in those 3 years I completely neglected myself and only now, almost 5 years later have I started getting back into some sort of self-care routine. I think that's why I initially hated this product.

Last year I found a YouTube channel called Manes by Mell and she has transformed how I treat my hair. It took about 6 months of serious care but for the first time in my life I now wear it naturally curly and it looks great. She taught me that pre-poo treatments are really important for curly hair as well as ensuring the perfect balance between protein and hydration. The elasticizer is a protein deep conditioner so it helps add structure to your hair and my curls are super soft and bouncy afterwards. I don't use it all the time, about once a month, so even though £19 is pretty pricy for 75ml it lasts me a long time. I would be super happy buying this full price. They've even brought out a new vanilla and orange elasticizer...is it payday yet?

As for a routine, I now comb my hair through with a detangler whilst it's dry. Then I wet my hair, apply this and wrap it up in plastic bag/shower cap and apply some heat from my hairdryer for about 5 minutes. I then wash it out and proceed with shampoo/conditioner. As long as you don't let a cotton towel touch your hair whilst it's wet, there will be no frizz. You need to take your time with it but in the end it's worth it.