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  • Boots Botanics Cleanser, Toning Spritz & Foam Wash – Skincare Review

    Boots Botanics Cleanser, Toning Spritz & Foam Wash – Skincare Review

    I’m no stranger to the Boots Botanic range and their skincare products have been ones I’ve often found I can rely on. I mentioned all three of these products in my recent Skincare Routine video, so as you can probably guess, I rather like this skincare range.

    Botanics All Bright Gentle Cleansing Cream

    This cleanser feels lovely and soft on the skin, and works well to remove dirt and can even be used to remove makeup. It also has a light fragrent scent which I really like and it feels gentle on the skin.

    Botanics All Bright Gentle Cleansing Cream Review

    Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz

    This toner is really handy as it comes in a spray bottle. I like how you are able to just spritz it across your face as apposed to wiping it on like many other toners and it does feels really freshing on the skin. However this is one product I probably wouldn’t buy again (unless it was on offer). It is in fact just rose water, which you can pick up in many supermarkets for half the price and in a larger quantity. At the time I purchased this it was on three for two, so I thought I may as well add it to my basket and like I said I also liked the fact of it coming in a spray. I think however that once it is finished, I will simply top it up with a cheaper non branded rose water from the supermarket.

    Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz Review

    Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash

    This face wash is one I’ve purchased before and more than likely I will purchase again. It feel so soothing and refreshing on the skin. Again like the cleanser it has a nice fresh scent and it doesn’t feel harsh nor does it leave my skin feelig dry after washing. I actually do feel like this foam wash helps brighten my skin and keep it feeling and looking clean and fresh. Day to day I use this face wash morning and night and I love it.

    Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash Review

    Botanics do a wide range of inexpensive skincare and from the products I’ve tried I’m really keen on them. I often repurchase many of the products I buy from the range as I’m always really pleased with the results. I’m yet to try the facial moisturisers but I’m sure I’ll be giving them a go soon enough too.

    Samio x

  • OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil – Penetrating Oil Review

    OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil – Penetrating Oil Review

    OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Penertrating Oil Review

    Previously I’ve used the Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Serum and the Organix hydrating Macadamia dry styling oil and really liked both, so this time I thought I’d give this OGX Hydrating Macadamia Penetrating Oil a go. –(The link is to an American site, however for those of you from the UK, you can actually buy this in Boots, they just didn’t have it online.)

    First of all this oil smells really nice (as do all the OGX oils I’ve previously used). The consistency of the oil is quite thick but easy pours out onto your hand. You can apply this oil to damp or dry hair and it works great to help control frizz and define curls whilst adding a nice shine.

    Usually I would use an oil along with another leave in products but on this occasion I used just the oil to see its effects in my hair.

    I applied the oil to my hair whilst it was damp and then let it air dry. You can see below my curls after air drying with the penetrating oil left in. My curls were left looking glossy and defined. The product isn’t too heavy on the hair and so my hair was left feeling light weight and soft too. Because this product isn’t too greasy it would be good for use on straight and wavy hair too, as it is meant for all hair types.

    Curly hair product

    curls

    After air drying my hair, I then used a hair dryer to blow parts of my hair out slightly and add volume. You can see on the image below that my hair had gone a lot bigger but my curls were still defined. I was left with a little more frizz (which is fine by me) and my hair still felt light and soft with a nice shine through it.

    OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil - Penetrating Oil

    like I said, I’ve used the OGX oils before and for me they are ideal for when I’m off to a shoot or to pop in my gym bag if I’m washing my hair. For my particular hair type I feel it’s best for me to use this product along with another product, like say a leave in conditioner first. Otherwise if I regularly use this product alone, I end up using it up too fast as my hair soaks it up so easily. I like using this penetrating oil just before drying my hair, to help add shine. It is also a good product for me to use on the ends of my hair and I like to keep it in my bag for on the go.

    Samio x

  • The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3-in-1 a Scrub Mask Review

    The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3-in-1 a Scrub Mask Review

    My obsession with The Body Shop seems to be ever growing with each new product that I buy and love. So now I seem to find myself in this store on almost a weekly basis, buying yet more beauty and skin products as my eagerness to try them gets the better of me. One of my recent purchases from The Body Shop was this Honey & Oat Scrub Mask which claims to cleanse, polish and moisturise in one. I was doing an online shop of my regular purchases when I decided to add this item to the basket and give it a go.

    When the Honey & Oat Scrub Mask arrived I had to try it right away. It instructs to apply the mask to clean skin and leave on for five to ten minutes before rinsing. The mask (as expected) has an oat consistency and smell. It actually smells almost as if you could eat it (but please don’t do that). I really like the honey and oat smell and the feel of this mask on the skin. It goes on the skin feeling wet and although once left on the skin it doesn’t set completely dry (like many face masks), it still slightly solidifies on the skin.

    HONEY & OAT 3 IN 1 SCRUB MASK

    After rinsing off the mask my skin was instantly left feeling refreshed and moisturised. I have been really pleased with the results from this product and am glad I made the purchase. I would recommend this product, however it isn’t the cheapest price on the market for a 100ml pot. But what I will say is that you don’t need to use a huge a amount for each mask and as a product you’ll only use once to twice a week, the tub should last you a while. Also it’s nice to treat yourself every once in a while and one of these pots would even make a great little stocking filler for someone who loves their skincare products.

    I give the Honey & Oat Scrub Mask a big thumbs up.

    Samio x

  • Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil Review

    Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil Review

    Recently The Body Shop launched their new Wild Argan Oil range. It was last week whilst in Liverpool, I’d just finished an audition and decided to hit the shops before I got on the train home. I’d gone into The Body Shop looking for hair products and I soon got taking to the friendly shop assistant who enticed me over to the display promoting their new Wild Argan Oil products. I was immediately drawn to the Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil, for body and hair and soon I found myself at the till ready to buy a bundle of new products.

    I’ve now been using the solid oil most days since I bought it, if not on my hair, then on my body. The scent to me is like a candle (that’s the best description I can come up with) and it isn’t too overpowering. Although the product is a solid, when you rub the product with your hand, it comes out very oily and so you don’t need to use a lot at a time.

    Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil

    I love the size of the container, the fact that it’s a palm sized disc, means that it’s perfect for me to keep in my bag. I’ve used the solid oil in my hair over night as part of a braid out (along with other products) and it works well to treat my hair. It also works well to smooth round the edges of my hair when it’s in an up do. For when I’m on the go I like to rub the product into the palm of my hands then rub it through my hair to add some moisture and shine when it’s looking a little dry.

    The solid oil is also great to use on the legs as it gives a good shine and like I say, it’s the perfect size to keep in your handbag for on the go. I’d definitely give this product a thumbs up.

    Samio x

  • Sephora Base Lissante Smoothing Primer Review

    Sephora Base Lissante Smoothing Primer Review

    I bought the Sephora Base Lissante Smoothing Primer whilst I was in Barcelona. I’d ran out of my usual primer Illamasqua Matte Primer and although it’s not a product I use all the time it’s definitely something I missed having in my makeup bag when I wanted to use it.

    I first tried the Sephora Primer on my hand and was impressed by it’s silky smooth feel and the way it reduced the look of lines on my hand and so I knew I had to buy it and try it out on my face. I didn’t really get chance to use the primer until I returned home to the UK, as I found I far too hot to wear foundation in Barcelona. When I did eventually try the primer I really liked it. It has a silicone gel like texture and like I said it has a silky smooth feel and it gives a silky smooth finish too. It’s a matifying primer, so it does reduce shine too and helps produce a good flawless finish.

    As for longevity it doesn’t seem to keep it’s satin look for as long as I’d like but it does a good job at keeping the makeup in place and it sits comfortably on the skin.

    I’m not convinced this primer is the best value for money as it’s. For 15ml. However it does make a good travel size primer as it’s small so you can take it with you on the go, therefore I’d recommend it as one for your travel makeup bag rather than one to use as your everyday primer.

    Samio x

  • Sleek Exxxaggerate – Purple Lipstick

    Sleek Exxxaggerate – Purple Lipstick

    Not long ago I did a makeup shop and ended up doing a bit of a Sleek haul (the other products I will blog soon). It was one of those situations, you walk into Boots ready to buy that one item you actually need and then see that it’s three for two mix and match and end up buying at least 6 items (two of those were free so it was basically a steal right). Anyway this was one of those items, not what I’d initially gone in to purchase but something I ended up wanting anyway.
    (more…)

  • My Secret to a Photoready Glow

    My Secret to a Photoready Glow

    If there’s one product I can recommend any girl for their makeup bag it’s this! For a girl like me who doesn’t have prominent cheekbones, this product is heaven and if you are blessed to have perfectly chissled cheeks then even better, as this product is sure to help show off your fabulous features!

    I was recommended this product by a model friend who is naturally very fair skinned. I say recommended when the reality of the situation was that I saw my friend using it on herself and after seeing it’s fabulous shiny glow, I then immediately requested to try it out on myself, which then led to me buying one of my own. Being a makeup lover and magpie to all things shiny, it was inevitable that I and this product would finally be united and now I have been using it (whenever I fancy some strategically placed glow) for over a year.

    The product in question is Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator.

    Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator 200 Pink Light Review

    Revlon Skinlights comes in four different shades and although I am darker skinned I actually use the pink shade, as I already have a great golden press powder that I use when I want a more bronzed glow plus I like the effect that this lighter shade has on my skin.

    Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator 200 Pink Light

    I apply this product by applying three small dots of it along the apple of my cheekbone and I then use my finger to dab and carefully blend. I do this in a slight ‘S’ shape along the underneath of my eye socket and around the cheek. I also apply a small amount to below the brow, again dabbing with the tip of my finger.

    Not only is this product easy to apply but it’s also good value for money and it lasts ages too, making it definitely worth the purchase.

    Samio Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator Pink Light

    Samio x

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  • Macadamia Oil

    As promised here is a review post on a couple of Macadamia products I bought whilst modelling at this year’s Pro Hair Live.

    It was a couple of months ago now but when I was at Pro Hair Live, during some free time on a break, I went along with another model who was heading over to the Macadamia oil stand to purchase some products. Recommended by the model and (obviously) by the people working on the stand, I ended up buying these two products:
    Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment (in the 125 ml/4.2 oz) and Macadamia Flawless (in the 250ml/8oz)

    20130513-181411.jpg (more…)