Essie - TLC collection

TREAT LOVE & COLOUR RANGE

Introducing gorgeous new shades for essie’s first advanced one-step care and colour collection. Following the successful launch of essie’s TLC range in January 2017. 

Treat: restore strength to dry, brittle nails in just one week.

Love: pamper your nails with a formula that locks in moisture. 

Colour: enhance nails instantly with visually brightening pigments for a healthy glow. The collection is being extended to include four stunning new shades. 

The range is the perfect solution for women who want to continue to add colour to their manicure whilst caring for their nails. By fusing the benefits of active ingredients with a range of pigmented sheers, the collection offers mani-lovers an even wider range of gorgeous colours that deliver immediate relief to dry, brittle nails. 

The advanced-care formula contains collagen, msm*, camellia extract and visually brightening pigments which all work to guarantee 60% less peeling and 35% less breakage after just one week.  

Better still, the extended range heroes a beautiful collection of beige tones for those who prefer neutral shades to pinkier hues. Essie's TLC works to turn stressed out nails into knockouts with seven heavy hitting sheers:

Tonal taupe: catch the light with hints of gold in this beige taupe

See the light: for just a touch of colour opt for a beautiful and reflective ivory beige

Treat me bright: be bright in white with a sheer, powder hue

Existing shades available:

Tinted love: if you want a delicate, romantic look, the soft peach glow is just the thing

Sheer to you: for a gorgeous ‘better than natural’ look, the pink will blend seamlessly with your nail tone

To add beauty back to your nails, celebrity manicurist and Essie Global Lead Educator, Rita Remark gives her tips:

1. Moisturise with a rich cuticle oil to keep them in tip top shape, perfectly framing your nails for colour

2. You would never moisturise without cleansing first so treat your nails the same way you treat your skin. Cleanse thoroughly with polish remover before applying any treatment or colour.

3. Never use a base coat  – it should be applied directly on the nail to provide optimal benefits.

4. Apply in long, straight brush strokes, place the brush near the cuticle and pull to the tip, then fill in with a stroke each side. The brush makes application a breeze.

5. TREAT LOVE & COLOUR is a one-step formula, so there’s no need for a top coat. Enjoy your instantly perfected nails.

This formula from Essie is universal to any look you may want to achieve. Using as a base coat if you so wish with the lighter shades to protect and strengthen the nail. I had very weak nails very prone to "side catching" then loosing any nail I had grown  as Id have to file them to save any progress. Its why I often used acrylic nails which are not the best for already weak nails. Having used the palest shaded  polish for over 2 weeks, my nails have hardened and grown and they continue to be at the length they are at with no side catching incidents. 

I love that some shades have a glittery tinge, so that the light catches correctly and it gives an impression of length. You still have the option with giving your nails healthy growth, yet also jazz up your daily look. These shades are fantastic and my nails have never been this strong. 

Crabtree & Evelyn - Summer sets

Crabtree & Evelyn has come together with London-based designer Josie Shenoy to create the vibrant packaging for our new summer gift sets, including travel kits, Hand Therapy sets and more. Josie’s illustrations focus on themes of nature and decorative arts as well as a love of storytelling. At the heart of her designs for Crabtree & Evelyn are the floral treasures found within a glasshouse and the distinctively English tradition of afternoon tea. 

With these as inspiration, Josie has created a kaleidoscopic composition in a palette of vintage colours and textures that serves as beautiful packaging for our premium gifts. Along with the gift sets is the NEW Floral Body Care collection. The collection transforms the three beloved scents of our Flower Water perfumes into shower gels, body lotions and Hand Therapies.

Hand Therapy Samplers 
These spring treats are the perfect assortment of 3 x 25g Hand Therapies. Available in four carefully curated fragrance combinations, they make the perfect gift for family and friends.

NEW Fresh Cut Florals Hand Therapy Sampler 
Florentine Freesia Hand Therapy
Venetian Violet Hand Therapy
Old World Jasmine Hand Therapy 

Classic Florals Hand Therapy Sampler 
25g Lavender Hand Therapy
25g Rosewater Hand Therapy
25g Pear & Pink Magnolia Hand Therapy 

Botanicals Hand Therapy Sampler 

25g Pomegranate Hand Therapy
25g Citron Hand Therapy
25g Avocado Hand Therapy 

Deluxe Hand Therapy Collection
For the ultimate hand care gift. Hosts our best-selling fragrances in a collectable tin. 

Contains 12 x 25g Hand Therapies 
Gardeners

La Source

Rosewater

Lavender

Nantucket Briar

Summer Hill

Citron

Avocado

Pomegranate

Pear & Pink Magnolia

Evelyn Rose

Goatmilk 

Review of the bestsellers kit 

Uncover the delightful artistry and fragrance of nature’s prettiest flowers, with precious scents that cherish and sweeten the senses. Each range is composted with a fresh and uplifting twist, an invitation to rediscover the bouquet of these favoured English Garden Classics. 

La Source 5 Piece Traveller Set 

Take the power of the sea with you away for the weekend. The new La Source Traveller contains five hair and body essentials packed in a clear, zip top bag. 

The kit contains: 

50ml Refreshing Body Wash
50ml Hydrating Body Lotion
50ml Volumising Seaweed Shampoo
50ml Revitalising Seaweed Conditioner
25g Hand Therapy 

Mini Travellers 
These three piece travel sets are perfect for a weekend getaway. Each contains a travel size body wash, body lotion, and hand therapy and comes in a clear zip top pouch. 

Available in 7 fragrances: 

NEW Old World Jasmine 

NEW Florentine Freesia
NEW Venetian Violet
Rosewater
Pink Petal
Pomegranate
Goatmilk

Mini Traveler Contents 
50ml Body Wash
50ml Body Lotion
25g Hand Therapy

Florentine Freesia 

Hand Therapy 100g
Bath & Shower Gel 300ml
Body Lotion 300ml
Body Cream 200g
10ml Flower Water 

An enticing scent of freesia blended with elegant fruity floral notes. The heritage of freesia, a member of the iris family, the white iris was prevalent throughout Florence. 

Venetian Violet
Hand Therapy 100g
Bath & Shower Gel 300ml
Body Lotion 300ml
Body Cream 200g
Flower Water 10ml

Elegance of violet's with a fruity twist. Italian violet was the first to charm the Crabtree & Evelyn. In Venice, the Violet decorates as a symbol of purity and modesty. Venetian Violet Flower blended lychee, raspberry and peach, base notes of cedar wood and musk. 

Old World Jasmine 

Hand Therapy 100g
Bath & Shower Gel 300ml
Body Lotion 300ml
Body Cream 200g
Flower Water 10ml

The beautiful intense aroma of this classic flower that remains fashionable. Balancing white jasmine with a sparkling citrus notes. Valencia orange and Meyer lemon add a sweet refreshing edge. While gardenia, cyclamen and tuberose a floral fresh and very feminine. 

I love these gift and travel sets of various scent's, it really is a gift that can achieve anything from calming, extravagance and plain relaxing. New releases of scent's is always exciting. Crabtree & Evelyn really did produce quality sets for anyone you may need a gift for, or if you want a well deserved pamper evening. 

The natural ingredients mean's the scents and the quality is outstanding. As I said  I'm not a floral type of girl, so will stick to mostly fruity or sweet scents. I however now think that smelling nature in full bloom, is the most uplifting feeling to start the day with.The floral travellers sets are inspired by summer fresh blooms. 

It is inspired in every step from the grouping of products, to the beautifully illustrative decor on the hand therapy sets to the sturdy elegant travellers kits hand presentation. Is the best way I can describe this collection.

Dermalex - Psoriasis cream

Having had psoriasis for nearly 22 years, I can say Ive probably used every cream on the market. When I flare up and its at its worst I have to use more emolliants to moisturise and ensure my skin does not crack. Im trying Dermalex to see if it does work and how it feels. 

About : Dermalex reduces the typical symptoms by normalising skin cell production and maturation time. It accelerates the skin barrier recovery via activation of the skin's own repair mechanism and fortifies the skin barrier through the creation of a protective shield and prevention of water loss from inside to outside. Dermalex Repair Psoriasis is a dermatological product for the treatment of Psoriasis skin symptoms such as scaling, itching, red spots, hardened and thickened skin. Clinically proven to reduce itching and scaling from 2 weeks

.

Dermalex Repair Psoriasis does not contain corticosteroids, tar or tar products, vitamin D3 analogues, vitamin A-derivatives, suphur (S), keratolytic substances like salicylic acids and colourants.

- Dermalex Repair Psoriasis

The packaging is sharp and to the point, which is something i do prefer in creams. So on removal from the packaging the tube of cream is the same. With this cream you only need a small amount and it goes so far.

My skin is dry and flaky on a normal flare up, this is hard to get on top of unless your not stressed. Unfortunately I was very stressed this month with going into hospital for an operation. So upon application I did notice is burns and stings quite a bit, not uncomfortably but you will notice it.

 After having used the Dermalex its got my skin looking good and not as angry. Im going to try and continue to use this cream, then see if it can just improve this final stage.

So overall I like Dermalex as it does work and help my skin. Each persons skin is different and reacts in different ways. My experience was upon application when absorbing, it was stinging and felt uncomfortable.(Nothing a good book wont fix as a distraction) Then when absorbed it penetrates the skins layers and helps to get rid of all dead skin, so I would recommend a shower/bath with a good exfoliator. I would recommend for anyone whom is looking for a good cream which is absorbent and does not wipe off as the day goes. Dermalex is defiantly a cream which stays on the skin and removes the most stubborn of layers.   

Colour portrait Studio - Essie Spring 2016 Collection

Essie are throwing the most fantastic competition alongside the famous photographer Rankin, via a Colour portrait Studio. Join in and see if your nail art can secure you a place at this amazing event on May 17th in London. 

Colour Portrait studio 

This Spring, nail salon expert Essie and photographer Rankin are partnering to celebrate beautifully painted nails. Designed to bring confidence to women every day, the incredible nail colour range  is at the heart of the Colour Portrait Studio, opening for one day only on Tuesday 17th May at a secret Central London location. Attendees will be treated like VIPs from start to finish, nails polished by essie manicurists and their hair plus make-up professionally done. 

Competition 

Essie is offering everyone the chance to secure a place and be polished and snapped like a star. This unique opportunity will be open until the 28th April. Attendees will leave with their very own colour portrait by Rankin starring their beautiful essie nails. 

To enter the competition, simply follow essie on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and upload your best nail selfie using #essiexrankin and @essieuk for your chance to win. 

Ahead of the once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot with Rankin. Rankin comments; “Colour plays an important role in my photography, as does making the subject feel confident in front of the camera. The Colour Portrait Studio with essie is the ultimate expression of both of these. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone on the day; we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Essie : Spring Collection 2016

Perfectly timed as we say goodbye to  winter, Essie has released their limited edition Spring 2016 Collection. Featuring six light and bright beautiful shades, that will play a starring role at the Colour Portrait Studio, each one is a little ray of sunshine in a bottle. 

Colour's available: 

- High class affair : Described as an amorous blush nude

- Lounge lover : Pretty pink peach 

- Sunshine state of mind : Blazing coral 

- Off tropic : Lush grove Green

- Pool side service : Cerulean blue

- Shade's On : Mysterious deep Violet 

I must admit the colour "High class affair" I was not expecting much, as it is such a pale colour. However it was amazingly opaque on the first layer and by the second, was ready for the top coat. Im glad I finally have a nude colour that I can rely on, it gives me a lovely base to set against more paler colours. The colour "Off tropic" is a deep green, in paradise it would be equivalent too banana leaf's. I love green polish and all shade's available, so this is the perfect base to some spring glints of glitter. I do so love "Shade's On" with its deep purple tone's, yet almost pastel but not quite. I find this such a beautiful all round colour not only for spring but seasonally universal.  

They are beautiful not only to apply, yet opaque and stunning in person. This formula is amazing and whilst ive never had a bad experience with Essie polish, these colour's certainly are of the highest standard. These 6 limited edition shade's are described as a "Sunshine escape and a slice of colourful paradise". I can't disagree with the statement, im excited to purchase the other 3 in this collection. 

- Essie Spring 2016 Collection

RRP £7.99 *Price is set at retailer's discretion. They will be available in Superdrug, Boots, and online  from 13th April – 30th May 2016

Entry to the Colour Portrait Studio closes on the 28th April, for full terms and conditions visit essie.co.uk

Sleek monofilament wig - Honey

http://www.sleek.co.uk

As some of you maybe aware, I had major surgery recently. This made me go through early menopause (I'm 34), part of this process has meant I've been loosing my hair at a rapid pace. So the lovely company Sleek sent me a beautiful Hair couture wig to review, also assist me to bring awareness to any women going through this there are option's available. 

About : Since 2004, Hair by Sleek has developed from a hair and cosmetics Company to concentrate solely on hair products ensuring women everywhere look and feel beautiful. With the help and support of Henen Rebecca one of the world’s largest producer of hair products in China, the Sleek brand has grown and further expansion plans for the future. Building the brand on quality, trust, and continuous innovation, Sleek has become a trusted worldwide brand synonymous with quality hair fashion and the No1 customer choice in the European market. Supplying retailers in the UK, mainland Europe and worldwide locations, Sleek continues to put its consumers at the heart of product development with guaranteed satisfaction. 

- Human Hair Mono L Honey

Made from 100% Remy and Premium Human Hair with a medium size monofilament and soft net wig cap, this is the ultimate blend of Real Remy Hair and Premium Human Hair. The cap is made of a breathable thin fabric and is much more comfortable to wear without irritation or itchiness. Each strand of hair is attached one at a a time to achieve a luxurious, life like, long lasting and natural looking wig.



Cap Construction: Monofilament Medium Size


Finished Hair Length: 15”-17”


Weight: 174g - 180g


Touch: Silky and Soft


Style: From straight on top to beautiful waves at
 the ends.

- The fabric takes on the colour of your own natural scalp allowing for a natural looking parting. It is ideal for those with a sensitive scalp or hair loss. Hair Couture Monofilament Wigs are luxurious. Using the modern advanced techniques. Their for those seeking gorgeous, exquisitely styled, long lasting wig and quality wig. 

- Wearing the Hair Couture in Honey 

My thought's : 

I have very thin hair and bald area's on my scalp, which is a major change from long thick curly hair. I however always think it could be worse, so I began to think of ways to improve my apperence. 

As being a young woman and having obvious hair loss can knock your confidence. I started looking for cover up's to alternatives just to help me feel feminine and happier about myself again.

Hair extensions seemed the most obvious option. However I do think that bonded extensions at the current time are well beyond my price range. So I started looking into clip in hair and wigs, finding alot more choice available. After doing my research and seeing the quality of Sleek hair via the website. I picked blonde as I wanted a vast change to my current hair and as I cannot dye my hair, this is the nearest alternative. 

My thought's on the Sleek Hair Couture wig are very positive in that everything from the packaging, hair quality and colour etc, is done in such a professional manner it's the high end of wig's and hair. I felt confident wearing the wig and whilst the strap's took some getting used to, the more i wore it the easier it became to adjust. I would advise using a wig band if you have baby hairs like myself and have to keep tucking it behind your ear. This helps keep the hair flat and made applying the wig so much easier with less need to adjust. 

I would highly recommend and Im currently saving for my second, as they are worth the money and I feel amazing wearing this wig. It's definitely boosted my confidence and the compliments ive recieved have been so uplifting. I cant thank Sleek enough for allowing me this fabulous opportunity 

Jealous Sweets review

http://www.thejealouslife.com

Its always hard to find gluten, vegan and vegetarian sweet's. I saw Jealous sweets with the beautiful packaging, plus the care given to produce a quality product. I love chewy sweet's, so wanted to see if the flavour also texture is similar to a competitor. 

About: 

Everyone loves to be given something precious, a thing of beauty to be admired. We’ve created a range of mouth wateringly moreish treats to tantalise your tastebuds, all our Jealous Sweets are beautifully crafted and like jewels they’re irresistible.

- Vegetarian

- Vegan

- Gluten-Free

- No Artificial Colours or Flavours

- No Alcohol

- Yummy

Devour our Jealous Sweets. Others will be envious, even jealous, of those who have experienced the irresistible. Give our Jealous Sweets and they’ll be appreciated far more than boring toiletries, chocolate or flowers but be prepared to be slightly jealous when they won’t share their gift with you. All our Jealous Sweets are 100% vegetarian, gluten free, full of natural fruit juices and free from artificial colours and flavours. There are nine different jewel boxes in our range, all created for those with an eye for something special.

- Sour bean's 

They say - Squintingly sour beans to awaken all the senses. Super when you need to sharpen up your wits.

These bean's (typical size of a jelly bean) have a slight shell on the outside,it is not hardened and easily chewable. I chewed and let the sweet disolve in my mouth, to see the intensity of flavour within my mouth. When chewed the flavour is sour, sharp and disolves with no aftertaste or "sour burn" as i call it. When i had it dissolve and suck on it, definitely without question  it lasted longer and the sour flavour was throughout. I only had around 5-6 bean's as i felt my sweet tooth satisfied with this, im not sure if it is an ingredient that just made it passed or simply its natural. It certainly mean's you can enjoy the packet more then once and not feel like you will demolish the packet. 

- During a family day at my home, I passed out some sour bean's and asked the opinion's. Everyone liked the initial sour hit that comes if you bit or suck the sweet. The ones that chewed were asking for more as they were morish.  They were very impressed they were vegan(they are strict vegan), said it was impossible to find chewy sweets for vegan's or they are costly. All loved the Sour bean's that tried them and felt the packet would last a good few sitting's. 

- Tropical wonder 

They say - Life’s a beach, so liven up dull moments with a cocktail of succulent, tropical goodness.

Now if ever there was a set of sweets that had myself and family near raving about, it was these babies. The texture is a little thicker then a normal jellied sweet, which meant it lasted longer. The taste was unreal, especially on the pineapple shaped sweet, it was juicy, exotic and vibrant with flavour.  When you consider how many sweet's you do get in a pack, it really work's out to good value. Especially if your looking to get more naturally made quality, that will give you everything you need to beat that sweet craving. They are so rich in flavour that you dont feel the need to eat a whole pack in one go, I just had 4 or so and felt quite happy to wrap the rest back up. 

I would happily purchase more from the range as they are great value from a point of flavour quality, texture and amount. It's probably the only packet of sweets ive happily put down, due to being satisfied my sweet craving was met and not because I felt sick etc. So that was a big eye opener as ive never experienced that before. Majorly positive experience as I will often have post sweet guilt, yet these sweet's I feel will give me the sweet craving I need. 

* The view's are also blind tasting, I did with family member's to obtain there unbiased opinion's.