Savvy Circle; Venus & Olay

You might remember from the summer, i took part in a Savvy Circle Project, for the Braun Silk Epil.

Well, this time I've been selected to trial the New Venus & Olay collaboration as well as an Olay moisturiser.

My 'kit' came in the post today, containing, A Venus & Olay Five Blade Razor, an Olay Essentials Complete Care Multiradiance Fluid, Information Booklet and lots of vouchers to pass onto friends and family.

I'm just going to do a quick First Impressions/Unboxing., and over the next few weeks Ill do full reviews of the products.

First of all i opened the Razor up, I'm really intrigued to try it out and see how the Olay element of the razor works.

The packaging of the product has a lovely summery feel to it, and has a holographic finish in some areas, which you can just pick up in the picture.

The pack contains, the Razor handle, 1 head and a holder that has a suction cup to attach to the shower wall (pretty handy) I always thought Venus razors came with a spare head, but perhaps they've changed.

The razor head holds two moisture strips infused with Olay goodness as well as being lightly scented with notes of Caramel and Peach, which smells really scrummy.

I cant wait to try it out, and see how well the moisture strips work. According to the information book, the moisture strips mean you don't need to use any shaving gel or foam with the razor, you just wet it and it creates its own lather.

Unfortunately i wont be able to use the razor until at least next week, as I'm not allowed to get the stitches in my ankle wet.

The other part of the kit is the Olay Essentials, Complete Care Multiradiance Fluid.

I've never tried an Olay moisturiser before, so it'll be good to see how this one works out, my only concern with the product at the moment is that it states it for Normal/Oily skin type, whereas i have a Normal/Dry skin type. I'll still give the product a good try and hopefully it won't make to much difference.

The product comes in a 75ml pump bottle. I like pump bottles on moisturiser, i think its more hygienic and i tend to use a lot less product, than if I'm just scooping it a pot with my fingers.

*Please Excuse My Bruised Hand*

The product itself is actually a bit thicker than i was expecting, as a fluid i was expecting something quite watery, but this has a nice consistency.

It contains 'light reflecting particles' which essentially is glitter. This though doesn't have chunky glitter like some of the cheaper illuminating products have. This one leaves a nice subtle sheen on your skin, something I'd imagine looks gorgeous in the summer times.

The other thing i love about the product is that it has a lovely fresh scent, this could be down to the Mandarin extract, though is doesn't smell very citrus-y.

The moisturiser also contains SPF 15 UVA/UVB, so its great for protecting your skin day-to-day.

I really cant wait to try out both these products, and I'll be sure to keep you up dated on how i get on!

Have you tried either of these products before?

Lots of Love

X

July Empties

I've got through quite a few things this month i think,

 

A mixture of things this month, a couple of lush products, body shop hair care and skin care.

 Body Shop, Raspberry Ripple Bath & Shower Gel;

LOVED this product, will definitely repurchase it, the scent is amazing! it lathered up really well and you only needed a tiny bit, so it lasted for ages.

Lush, Phoenix Rising Bath Ballistic;
I'll put an individual review of this product up. But i really loved it, will definitely repurchase it. Smells amazing.

Lush Space Girl Bath Ballisitc;
You can read my review on this product here. I don't know if I'll repurchase this one. I'd like to try out some other bath bombs before i add it to my definitely repurchase list. I really liked the smell, but it wasn't as exciting as some of the other bath bombs.

 

Lush GeoPhyzz Bath Ballistic;
You can read my review on this product here. Like i said in my review i might repurchase this, just to see if freshness has any effect on the scent etc. So i will probably repurchase this, though i don't know if it'll be a regular repurchase.

Percy & Reed, Totally TLC Hydrating Mask;
Again this is another i will write a stand alone review for as part of my hair care mission posts. I won't be repurchasing this product, although it left my hair quite soft, i didn't particularly like the smell, and didn't really notice a lot of difference in my hair.

Sure Deodorant;
I'll probably be repurchasing this one, thought it worked well and quite liked the scent. I've just purchased the new Dove Maximum Protection deo, so i may or may not buy this one.

Olay Essentials Face Wipes;
Got these in a swap, really liked them, they are really plain and don't have much scent. I wont be repurchasing these but only for the simple fact that, I'm currently half way through a packet of Soap & Glory face wipes, and i have already bought a new packet of face wipes. With a product like this, I'm not one for sticking to a particular one. Just whatever i fancy or whatever is on offer.

Dermal, Royal Jelly Sheet Mask;
Again you can read my review on this product here. I'd love to purchase this again, but i have NO idea where you can get them from, I think i might have to have a little search on ebay. I've never seen them in shops before!

Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream;

I shan't be repurchasing this, although i liked the cream to begin with, i don't know what happened but my skin just ended up feeling quite greasy, and i began to dislike the scent of it. I'm started to go off Balance me products a bit, i initially love them, but then end up disliking them.

Benefit Foamingly Clean Face Wash;

Really liked this, i love the clean soapy smell of the benefit skincare. I think my only bad point would be that, the product was really hard to get out. Its quite a thick creamy wash and the tube is made of hard plastic, so was near impossible to squeeze out. I don't know how the full size version is packaged but hopefully not like this. I feel i may have wasted quite a bit of product just trying to get it out. I would repurchase this, but i wont for a while as i have a few face washes to get through.

Figs & Rouge Balm;

Now this isn't technically an empty, it's actually nearly full.  But unfortunately, the balm melted and though when it was set again it was fine to use it just wasn't as solid as it used to be. But i opened it again the other day to use, and its gone horrible and like gluey, like someones filled it with almost dry glue its all like sticky and rubbery. So I've had to throw it out *sad face* I expect i will be repurchasing this as i really liked it. I'd like to try the rose one or maybe the Cherry Vanilla one.

Elemis, Pro-Collagen Body Cream;

I will definitely not be repurchasing this EVER. I thought it was a really nice moisturiser, its a nice consistency and has a lovely smell like most Elemis products. But its FULL of glitter?! Why oh why do they put so much glitter in products, and why doesn't it warn you. Normally you can tell if a product with have shimmer in it, as it will say something like 'radience boosting' or 'brightening' but no, this lures you into to thinking it'll just be a nice luxurious body lotion. Boooooo.

Asda Little Angels Detangle Shampoo;

I'm pretty sure I've mention it many times, but I'll say it again. I'm allergic to shampoo or something they put in adult shampoo. I'm not some crazy weirdo that likes to buy baby toiletries! This has the nicest ever smell, ever. Its all like powdery and baby like, with a subtle hint of baby powder. The actual shampoo itself isn't great, its one of those that doesn't lather well, and i found myself having to double wash my hair most of the time. The good thing though it didn't irritate my scalp. Probably won't repurchase this.

L'oreal Ever Pure Shampoo & Conditioner Sample;

Meh, don't really know what to say about this. Don't really know if you can tell if it makes much difference to your hair from one wash? the smell wasn't amazing, and is it just me, but i find sachets really hard to open in the shower? Probably won't repurchase the full size. Though i might check out what else is in the range, and if they're ever on a bargain offer you never know.

So there we go, July empties. I'm sure before i know it it'll be time for august empties! Time just seems to fly by!

What products have you finished up this month?

I'd love to see.

Lots of Love

X

My Epilation Journey

I was lucky enough to be chosen as part of a market research team, to help promote the new range of Braun Epilators, which you can read about here.

Before this project, i'd been somewhat of an epilator virgin, convinced it was the most painful thing in the world. I stuck to either waxing or good old shaving (my legs!)

Whereas my mum, has been an avid epilator user since i can remember, and on numerous occasions tried to convince me that its pain free.

We'd soon see how 'Pain Free' it was, i received my merchandising kit in the post, after a slight delay getting some vouchers, though this only added to the anticipation!

Now to say the hair on my legs was long would be an understatement, it was beastly. I'd been growing it since i heard I'd been accepted onto the project after hearing of the delay i contemplated shaving my legs, but i decided not to. BIG mistake.

It took me about a week to pluck up the courage to try it out, and i have to say my first time was not a pleasant experience.

After reading the project handbook like it was a bible, i decided to try it for the first time in the bath. As apparently it is less 'uncomfortable' in the bath.

I actually think i nearly cried, i cant even describe the sensation, it wasn't really pain  but it hurt. Still i managed to grit my teeth long enough to do 1 and a half legs, until the battery ran out. So i ended up having to put it on charge and brave the other half leg out of the bath.

Included in kits were packets of New Olay Pre-Epilation wipes, these are meant to give a cooling effect and help with the epilation process. So when i finished my legs off out of the bath, i decided to give these a little try, to be honest i didn't really notice much difference, it was still pretty painful. Though perhaps slightly sub-duded whether this was the wipes or the fact i was getting used to the sensation who knows. But i do plan to carry on using them!

I was impressed with the results of my first ever epilation, though initially my legs were bright red! It is recommend that if you are epilating for a night out to do it the night before and not on the day of your event. The redness was gone by morning and my legs were silky smooth!

I also epilated my arm pits, and man did that make my eyes water. Even my mum said epilating your pits hurts. But i have to say it leaves a better result than shaving.

I am going to try and epilate at least once a week, I'm going to see if i can work it into my Sunday pamper routine.

Have you ever tried epilating? Any top tips to help with the pain?

Lots of Love

X

Braun Silk Épil 7

I was lucky enough to be selected by 'Savvy Circle' to trial, the new Braun Silk Épil 7 Epilator. 

Within the Silk Épil 7 range there are 3 different models;

7181; For legs. Wet & Dry.

7381; For legs & body. Wet & Dry

7681; For legs, body & face. Wet & Dry.

For the project we were supposed to receive the 7381 model, but we were lucky enough to get the 7681 model.

Braun are well known for their epilators, I'd personally say its one of the products their most well known for in the female beauty industry.

I'm a complete epilation virgin, i usually stick to waxing or shaving (my legs) So i was pretty excited to try this project and thought it would be a great opportunity of my blog & my readers to follow me on my journey to see if i can be a epilation convert.

I'll start the journey off by telling a little bit about Braun Silk Épil 7.

Model 7681 comes with 5 extra heads. All the models in the range come with with a pivoting head that has high frequency massage rollers to help maximise skin comfort. The other heads included are;

Shaver Head

Trimmer Cap

Sensitive Area head (for bikini & underarms)

Efficiency cap (maximises skin contact for faster epilation)

Facial Cap ( for extra precision)

The benefits of using The Silk Épil Wet & Dry include;

- Closer grip technology to remove even short, fine hairs for a better alternative to waxing

- Softlift tips to lift flat lying hair

- 40 tweezers

- Can be used in bath or shower for gentler epilation

- Pivoting head curves and adapts to body contours

- Dermatologically recommended

- Cordless and rechargeable for anytime, anywhere usage

- Easy to use and convenient

- Long lasting smooth legs for up to four weeks

- High frequency massage maximises skin comfort

- Smartlight highlights the skin, so short, fine hair won't be missed

Each epilator from the Silk Épil 7 range comes with a packet of the new Olay Pre-Epilation wipes

'Designed to work with the Braun Silk Épil range, pre-epilation wipes will prepare your skin for epilation, working to minimise discomfort. The cooling properties in the wipes have been specifically formulated to relax your skin. Use the wipes before you epilate, and see if you notice the soothing effect.'

Epilating is a fast, efficient and cost effecting hair removal system. Epilation can remove even the shortest hairs (0.5mm) whereas with waxing the optimum hair removal length tends to be between 4-6mm. 

 "Works To Remove Hairs As Small As a Grain Of Sand - For Results Wax Can't Match."

With epilation you wouldn't get that prickly regrowth that you tend to get with shaving. Epilating is convenient as you can do it wet , in the bath or the shower or dry. The warm water of the bath or shower can also help increase the comfort of your experience.

The Braun epilators are rechargeable so there's no worry of running out of AA's and once you have an epilator you don't need to buy anything else, no spatulas or paper wax strips, saving you money in the long run.

Another great fact about epilation is the more you do it, the less your hair will also grow back. It has been proven in dermatological tests that ongoing epilation reduces the amount of hair growth. What could be better right?!

So, join me on my epilation journey to see if i can be converted from, the wax pot & razor to the epilator.

What hair removal method do you use?

Lots of Love

X

My Skin Care Routine

I call this my skin care routine, but realistically, its been my skincare routine for about a week. I'm quite bad, and have never really had much of a skincare routine, but I'm getting into better habits.

The products here are only what I'm using currently, once they run out, i will more than likely be using different things, as i have so much skincare to get through and am constantly getting more from beauty boxes. Plus i just like trying new things.

This is what i use in the morning;

- Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser, This is amazing! It smells amazing, it makes my skin feel amazing, its just amazing. I know people go mad for the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, and I'm yet to try it. But I'm seriously in love with this and its probably half if not quarter of the price of Liz Earle.

- Lush Eau Roma Water, I've used this for a couple of days, and i can already tell the difference. My skin is so much more nourished and just generally feels a lot nicer.

- Caudalie SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum, I have been loving this. It came in the Eco GlossyBox in April and I've only just started using it. I'm really tempted to purchase the full size while I'm in France next week.

- Balance Me Eye Cream, Again this came in a Beauty Box. I'm really loving this, I've never used an eye cream before. This smells like oranges so its really nice and refreshing in the morning. I can't really tell if its working, as i don't really suffer from dark circles i don't think. But i enjoy it, so i don't think it matters.

- Balance Me Moisturiser, This came from the Whats In Your Handbag sample. I love the smell of it and the texture. Its really nourishing.

That's my morning routine, the sample size things, will obviously change more often than perhaps the Cleanser & Toner. Hopefully at some point, i will get a more secured routine, and invest in my favourite products.

So what do i do at bed time?

- Olay Essential Cleansing Wipes, Now don't shout at me. I know face wipes aren't the best. But. I don't or not at the moment, wear make up everyday. I do my morning routine and that's it. So i feel cleansing wipes are sufficient. If i were to wear make up, then i would use something a bit more deep cleaning.

- Lush Eau Roma Water

- Caudalie SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum

- Comfort Zone Good Night Kit, This seems never ending! I'm neither loving it nor hating it, its just a bit meh. I don't really understand what the oily recover complex really does, or whether I'm even using it correctly? I'll be kind of glad when its finished so i can try something different.

Whats your skincare routine?

Lots of Love

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